Navigating the Freelance World: Insights for Aspiring Bookkeepers

Embarking on a new business journey can be both exhilarating and daunting. My wife, after nearly two decades in the Accounting and Bookkeeping field, is poised to break away from traditional employment and step into the realm of freelance Bookkeeping. With a diverse background that includes significant positions such as a staff accountant overseeing payroll for over 800 employees at a major cable company, and managing finances for various industries including real estate and construction, she is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of independent work.

Currently finalizing essential elements for her business, she is completing her certifications in QuickBooks, a platform she is highly proficient with. The construction of her website is nearly finished, and her engagement letter and resume have been thoroughly updated. With everything falling into place, she is eager to start reaching out to potential clients.

Importantly, she will not be providing tax services, as she is not a CPA or EA. Instead, her focus will be on supporting small to mid-sized businesses and startups by offering a cost-effective Bookkeeping solution. Her expertise includes cleaning up disorganized financial records, preparing profit and loss statements, generating balance sheets, and providing valuable cost-cutting recommendations. Additionally, she prioritizes automation in her workflow to enhance efficiency.

As part of her strategy to build a clientele, she intends to connect with local CPA firms. This leads to an important question: what is the best way to approach these firms? Should she reach out via email, make phone calls, or perhaps even conduct walk-in visits? Any advice on making a strong first impression would be greatly appreciated.

We are also open to various suggestions for acquiring clients and any general tips for someone entering the freelancing space. The goal is to work on an hourly billing basis, so insights on how to position herself effectively in the marketplace would be invaluable.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and advice!