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

Starting a Freelance Bookkeeping Journey: Seeking Insights from Experienced Professionals

As my wife gets closer to launching her freelance Bookkeeping business, we’re excited yet eager for insights from those who have navigated this path before. After dedicating almost two decades to the Accounting and Bookkeeping sector, she is ready to transition from working for others to being her own boss.

Her extensive experience spans various roles: serving as a staff accountant and Accounting supervisor managing payroll for over 800 employees in a cable company, as well as working as an office manager and bookkeeper for a real estate developer, construction firm, painting business, and auto repair shop. This diverse background equips her with a robust understanding of financial management across different industries.

My wife is proficient in QuickBooks and is currently completing all relevant certifications. With her website nearing completion and an engagement letter in place, she is poised to start marketing her services. It’s important to note that she will not be providing tax services and does not hold CPA or EA credentials. Instead, her focus will be on assisting smaller to mid-sized businesses, particularly newer operators, by providing economical bookkeeping solutions. She excels at cleaning up disorganized financial records, preparing profit and loss statements, and balancing sheets, all while identifying cost-saving opportunities. Emphasizing automation is also a key aspect of her service offering.

To kick off her client acquisition efforts, we plan to reach out to local CPA firms. However, I’m curious about the best strategy for making those initial contacts. Would it be more effective to connect via email, phone calls, or in-person visits? Additionally, I’m seeking any advice on how to leave a strong first impression during these interactions.

We’re considering an hourly billing model and are eager for any further suggestions on attracting clients or general advice on establishing her bookkeeping business.

Thank you for all your insights!