Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Venture: Seeking Guidance from the Community

Embarking on a freelance journey can be an exciting yet challenging experience, especially in the world of Bookkeeping. My wife is about to take a significant step forward by transitioning from her long-standing career in Accounting to establish her own freelance Bookkeeping practice. With nearly two decades of experience, she possesses a diverse skill set that she’s ready to leverage for her new clients.

Over the years, she has excelled in various roles, including a staff accountant and supervisor at a cable company where she managed payroll for over 800 employees. Her extensive background also encompasses positions as an office manager and bookkeeper for real estate developers, construction companies, and auto repair shops. This broad exposure to different industries has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the financial intricacies that small to mid-sized businesses face.

Currently, she is honing her skills in QuickBooks, completing all the necessary certifications, and finalizing her website—a hub that will showcase her services and attract potential clients. With an engagement letter drafted and her resume polished, she is poised to enter the market.

It’s important to note that she will not be providing tax services, as she is neither a CPA nor an EA. Instead, her focus will be on supporting smaller, newer businesses by offering a cost-effective solution for their bookkeeping needs. Whether it’s tidying up disorganized financial records, preparing profit and loss statements, or performing balance sheet analysis, she excels in delivering value effortlessly. Emphasizing automation in her processes is also a high priority, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in her work.

As part of her initial marketing strategy, she plans to connect with local CPA firms. Here’s where I seek your invaluable advice: what’s the best approach for reaching out to these firms? Should she initiate contact through email, a phone call, or perhaps a direct walk-in visit? Furthermore, any suggestions for making a powerful first impression would be greatly appreciated.

Additionally, we are considering billing on an hourly basis and are open to any other strategies or tips for successfully landing clients.

Thank you for your insights and support as we embark on this new chapter!