Embarking on a Freelance Bookkeeping Journey: Seeking Guidance from Industry Veterans

After years of dedicated service in the Accounting and Bookkeeping field, my wife is poised to take the exciting step of launching her own freelance business. With an impressive background of 15 to 20 years covering various roles—including staff accountant, payroll supervisor for a large cable company, and office manager/bookkeeper for real estate developers, construction firms, and auto mechanics—she is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Her expertise in QuickBooks is complemented by her ongoing pursuit of additional certifications, and her website is in the final stages of development. Along with a professionally crafted engagement letter and an updated resume, she is eagerly preparing to reach out to potential clients.

It’s important to note that while she will not be offering tax services and is not a CPA or EA, her focus will be on providing valuable support to small to mid-sized businesses and startups. She excels in streamlining messy financial records, generating income statements and balance sheets, and identifying cost-saving opportunities—skills that she has honed throughout her career. Emphasizing automation will also be a key feature of her service offerings, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in every engagement.

To initiate her client acquisition efforts, we plan to reach out to local CPA firms. I am seeking advice on the best method for making that initial contact. Should she opt for an email introduction, a phone call, or possibly a walk-in visit? Additionally, any suggestions for making a strong first impression would be greatly appreciated.

We are considering a billing model based on hourly rates, but we welcome any suggestions or insights on effectively landing clients and establishing a solid foundation for her freelance practice.

Thank you for your assistance in this exciting new chapter!