Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Seeking Insights and Guidance

As my wife prepares to embark on her journey as a freelance bookkeeper, we find ourselves seeking advice from seasoned professionals in the industry. After dedicating nearly two decades to the world of Accounting and Bookkeeping, she is ready to transition from working for others to building her own client base.

Her extensive background includes roles such as staff accountant and supervisor, where she managed payroll for over 800 employees at a cable company. Additionally, her experience spans various sectors, including real estate development, construction, and automotive services, providing her with a diverse skill set that is well-suited for her new venture.

Currently, she is enhancing her expertise by completing all available QuickBooks certifications and preparing to launch her website. With her engagement letter finalized and an updated resume in hand, she is on the brink of marketing her services to potential clients.

It’s important to note that while she won’t be offering tax services and does not hold CPA or EA designations, her focus will be on supporting small to mid-sized businesses, especially newer operators looking for a cost-effective Bookkeeping solution. She excels at cleaning up disorganized financial records, preparing profit and loss statements, balancing sheets, and providing valuable cost-cutting insights—all while placing a strong emphasis on automation in her workflows.

Our initial strategy involves reaching out to local CPA firms, and we’re considering various methods for making these introductions. We would appreciate any insights regarding the best approach—should we opt for emails, phone calls, or in-person visits? What strategies would help create a positive first impression?

We are also keen on exploring other techniques for acquiring clients and any general tips that could aid her in building a successful freelance bookkeeping practice.

Thank you in advance for your help as we navigate this exciting new chapter!