My wife is almost ready to start taking on clients – looking for advice from experienced freelance bookkeepers.

Exploring the Freelance Bookkeeping Landscape: Seeking Insights for a New Venture

As she embarks on an exciting new chapter of her professional life, my wife is preparing to take the leap into freelancing as a bookkeeper. With nearly two decades of experience in the Accounting and Bookkeeping sectors, she has honed her skills in a variety of roles, from overseeing payroll for over 800 employees at a cable company to managing books for a real estate development firm and a construction business. Her extensive background makes her well-equipped to navigate the challenges of freelance Bookkeeping.

Currently, she is finalizing her certification process through QuickBooks, with her skills in this essential software being a significant asset. Additionally, her website is nearly ready, her engagement letter is drafted, and her resume is updated. With all this groundwork laid, she is on the verge of marketing her services to potential clients.

It’s important to note that while she brings a wealth of experience, she will not be providing tax services and is not a CPA or EA. Her target clientele consists of smaller, mid-sized, and new businesses looking for a cost-effective bookkeeping solution. She thrives on transforming disorganized financial records into coherent statements, crafting profit and loss statements and balance sheets, and offering strategic advice on cost-cutting measures—all while prioritizing automation.

To kickstart her journey, her first plan of action involves reaching out to local CPA firms. In this regard, I have a couple of questions. What would be the most effective way to approach these firms? Should she utilize emails, make phone calls, or consider a more personal approach with in-person visits? Beyond the initial contact, any advice on creating a memorable first impression would be greatly appreciated.

Moreover, we are keen to explore additional strategies for attracting clients and any general insights that seasoned professionals in this field can provide.

Your thoughts and suggestions would be invaluable as she embarks on this new venture. Thank you in advance for your input!