Navigating the Freelance Bookkeeping Landscape: Seeking Guidance for Client Acquisition

As my wife gears up to launch her freelance Bookkeeping journey, we are seeking insights from seasoned professionals in the field. After dedicating 15 to 20 years to various Accounting and Bookkeeping roles, she has gained invaluable experience that has prepared her for this exciting new chapter.

Throughout her career, she has excelled in diverse positions, including staff accountant and Accounting supervisor for a large cable company, office manager for a real estate development firm, and bookkeeping for a construction and painting enterprise, as well as an auto mechanic shop. Her expertise spans a wide array of industries, making her well-equipped to meet the unique needs of her future clients.

Currently, she is finalizing her website and completing the last of her QuickBooks certifications. With an updated resume and a solid engagement letter in place, she’s just about ready to embark on client outreach.

It’s important to note that she will not be offering tax services and is not a CPA or EA. Instead, she aims to focus on small to mid-sized businesses and newer operators, providing them with a cost-effective bookkeeping solution. She is proficient in cleaning up disorganized financial records, managing profit and loss statements, generating balance sheets, and offering cost-saving recommendations—all while prioritizing the impact of automation in her processes.

Our initial strategy includes reaching out to local CPA firms, and I would appreciate advice on the best methods for making a strong first approach. Should she consider emails, phone calls, or even in-person visits? Additionally, I’m eager for any tips on creating a positive first impression that could help her stand out.

We are also looking to establish an hourly billing structure for her services and welcome any further suggestions regarding client acquisition or general advice for someone entering the freelance bookkeeping arena.

Thank you for your time and expertise!