Helping My Wife Launch Her Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Seeking Your Expert Advice

Embarking on a new professional journey can be both exciting and daunting, and my wife is about to take an important step in her career. After dedicating 15 to 20 years to the Accounting and Bookkeeping field, she has decided to transition from working for others to establishing her own freelance Bookkeeping business. Given her extensive experience, we’re eager to gather insights from seasoned freelance bookkeepers as she prepares for this new venture.

My wife brings a diverse background to the table. She has held various positions, including supervisor of Accounting at a cable company—where she managed payroll for over 800 employees—and as an office manager/bookkeeper in real estate development, construction, painting, and automotive sectors. Her versatility in the industry has equipped her with a thorough understanding of bookkeeping practices and client needs.

Currently, she is honing her skills with QuickBooks and completing the necessary certifications to enhance her qualifications. Additionally, she has developed a professional website, finalized her engagement letter, and updated her resume. With all these pieces in place, she is on the verge of launching her marketing efforts to attract new clients.

It’s important to note that while she will not be providing tax services and does not hold CPA or EA credentials, she aims to cater to small to mid-sized businesses and new operators who may benefit from affordable and effective bookkeeping solutions. My wife is adept at streamlining disorganized financial records, preparing profit and loss statements, balancing sheets, and providing recommendations for cost-cutting measures—all of which she can perform with remarkable efficiency. A key focus for her will be on automation to facilitate smoother operations for her clients.

As part of her marketing strategy, we are particularly interested in establishing connections with local CPA firms. To initiate this outreach, we are contemplating various approaches, such as sending emails, making phone calls, or even dropping in for a direct conversation. However, we would appreciate any guidance on the best method to create a strong first impression.

Furthermore, we are open to any additional advice on attracting clients and building a successful freelance business. We aim to adopt an hourly billing model, allowing us flexibility in pricing while ensuring that we deliver exceptional value to our clients.

Thank you for considering our request for insights. We look forward to your recommendations as she embarks on this exciting new chapter!