Transitioning to Freelance Bookkeeping: Seeking Insights from Experienced Professionals

As my wife prepares to launch her freelance Bookkeeping business, we’re reaching out for guidance from those who’ve successfully navigated this path. With a wealth of experience—spanning 15-20 years in various Accounting roles including supervising payroll for over 800 employees at a cable company and managing finances for a real estate developer, a construction firm, and an auto mechanic shop—she is ready to step out on her own.

Currently, she’s wrapping up several QuickBooks certifications and finalizing her professional website. Additionally, she has crafted an engagement letter and updated her resume, making her well-prepared to start marketing her services. Her primary focus will be on small to mid-sized businesses and emerging operators, providing them with a cost-effective Bookkeeping solution. While she won’t be offering tax services, her expertise lies in organizing messy books, managing profit and loss statements, preparing balance sheets, and delivering strategic recommendations for cost-cutting—all while emphasizing automation to streamline financial processes.

As part of her strategy, we plan to reach out to local CPA firms. This leads me to our primary query: what is the best way to initiate contact with these firms? Should she consider sending a professional email, making a phone call, or perhaps even walking in to introduce herself? We would appreciate any advice on making a strong first impression in her outreach efforts.

Additionally, we welcome any further suggestions on acquiring clients or general best practices for launching her freelance bookkeeping career.

Thank you for your insights; we look forward to your advice and stories from your own experiences in the freelancing world.