Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Seeking Expert Advice

As my wife embarks on an exciting new chapter of her career, she is ready to embrace the world of freelance Bookkeeping. After dedicating 15 to 20 years to various roles in Accounting and bookkeeping—including supervisory positions that involved managing payroll for over 800 employees at a cable company and serving as an office manager for a real estate developer, construction company, and an auto repair shop—she feels equipped and confident to take this leap.

With extensive experience using QuickBooks and nearing the completion of all available certifications, she is putting the finishing touches on her business website. She has also updated her resume and created an engagement letter, positioning herself for a successful launch into the freelance market.

It’s important to note that she won’t be offering tax services and isn’t a CPA or EA. Instead, her target clientele consists of small to mid-sized businesses and newer ventures, where she can provide a cost-effective solution. Her skill set includes streamlining disorganized financial records, generating profit and loss statements, balancing sheets, and offering actionable cost-cutting recommendations—all of which she can do efficiently. Additionally, she plans to incorporate automation as a central aspect of her services.

Our Strategy: Partnering with Local CPA Firms

Her initial strategy involves reaching out to local CPA firms as potential partners. We are considering various methods for this outreach, such as sending emails, making phone calls, or even walking in for face-to-face introductions. We’re particularly interested in insights on the best approach to make a lasting first impression.

In addition, we welcome any general advice on successfully acquiring clients, especially from those familiar with the freelance Bookkeeping sector. What strategies have you found most effective? Any tips for an impactful introduction?

We are looking to bill hourly, so any recommendations regarding pricing or service offerings would also be appreciated.

Thank you for your support as we navigate this exciting journey!