Navigating the Transition to Freelance Bookkeeping: Insights and Advice Needed

As my wife embarks on an exciting new journey in the world of freelance Bookkeeping, we find ourselves seeking guidance from seasoned professionals in the field. With nearly two decades of experience in Accounting and Bookkeeping, she has developed a robust skill set and a wealth of knowledge that positions her well for this new venture.

Her background includes roles as a staff accountant and Accounting supervisor in charge of payroll for a large cable company, as well as working as an office manager and bookkeeper for various industries including real estate development, construction, and automotive services. This diverse experience has made her well-rounded and adept at handling various financial tasks.

Currently, she is finishing all available QuickBooks certifications and is putting the final touches on her professional website. She has also created an engagement letter and updated her resume, making her almost ready to start reaching out to potential clients.

It’s important to note that while she possesses extensive bookkeeping skills, she is not a CPA or EA and will not be providing tax services. Her focus is on helping smaller, mid-sized, and newer businesses streamline their financial processes. She excels at organizing messy books, creating profit and loss statements and balance sheets, and offering strategic advice for cost reduction—all while prioritizing automation to enhance efficiency.

Our initial strategy for client acquisition is to connect with local CPA firms, and we are considering various outreach methods. Our main query is about the most effective way to approach these firms. Should we opt for an email introduction, a phone call, or perhaps a face-to-face visit? Additionally, we would appreciate any tips on making a stellar first impression in such interactions.

We are also open to other strategies for acquiring clients and any general advice that might assist her in successfully transitioning to freelance work, including preferences for billing structures—she aims to charge hourly for her services.

Thank you for your insights and support as we navigate this new chapter in her professional life! Your experiences and advice would be invaluable to us.