Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Seeking Advice from Seasoned Professionals

As my wife prepares to embark on her journey as a freelance bookkeeper, we are reaching out for insights and guidance from those experienced in the field. With a strong background in Accounting and Bookkeeping spanning nearly two decades, she is finally ready to transition from working for others to serving clients directly.

Throughout her career, she has held various roles, including staff accountant and supervisor of Accounting, managing payroll for a large cable company. Additionally, she has worked as an office manager and bookkeeper for a real estate developer, a construction company, a painting business, and an auto service center. This diverse experience has equipped her with a comprehensive skill set in managing financial records.

My wife is well-versed in QuickBooks and is currently completing her certifications to enhance her credentials further. With her professional website nearing completion, an engagement letter finalized, and her resume updated, she’s on the brink of starting her marketing efforts to attract clients.

It’s essential to note that she will not be providing tax services, as she is not a CPA or EA. Instead, her focus will be on supporting smaller, mid-sized, and emerging businesses by offering a cost-effective Bookkeeping solution. Her expertise will allow her to tidy up disorganized records, prepare profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and provide advice on cost reduction—effectively streamlining processes through automation.

In terms of initial outreach, we are considering local CPA firms as a primary target for building her client base. We’d appreciate any advice on the best methods for making contact. Should she opt for email, a phone call, or perhaps a direct visit? Additionally, any tips on making a memorable first impression would be invaluable.

We are looking to operate on an hourly billing system and welcome any suggestions for acquiring clients or general advice as we navigate this new chapter.

Thank you for your insights and support!