Starting a Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Seeking Advice from Industry Experts

Embarking on a new professional journey can be both thrilling and daunting, especially when transitioning from a corporate role to freelancing. My wife is on the cusp of making this leap, and we’re eager to gather insights from seasoned freelance bookkeepers who have navigated this path successfully.

With nearly two decades of experience in Accounting and Bookkeeping, my wife has honed her skills across diverse roles. Her background includes serving as a staff accountant and supervisor overseeing payroll for over 800 employees at a cable company, as well as working as an office manager and bookkeeper in various sectors such as real estate development, construction, and automotive services. This broad experience has endowed her with a wealth of knowledge in the field.

As she prepares to launch her freelance Bookkeeping business, she is well-equipped with expertise in QuickBooks and is currently completing additional certifications to enhance her qualifications. The final touches on her website are underway, and she has successfully drafted her engagement letter and updated her resume. Soon, she will be ready to seek out clients.

Importantly, she will not be providing tax services and is not a CPA or EA. Her target clientele consists of smaller, mid-sized, and newer businesses seeking cost-effective bookkeeping solutions. Her strengths lie in her ability to efficiently clean up disorganized financial records, generate profit and loss statements, create balance sheets, and pinpoint opportunities for cost reduction—all of which she handles with ease. Additionally, she is passionate about incorporating automation into her processes.

Our initial strategy involves reaching out to local CPA firms to establish connections and potentially gain referrals. We are contemplating various approaches for this outreach, including email, phone calls, or even in-person visits. We would greatly appreciate any recommendations on the most effective method to make an impactful first impression.

Furthermore, we are open to any general advice or strategies for attracting clients and building a successful freelance bookkeeping practice.

Thank you for your support as we embark on this exciting new chapter!