Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Career: Seeking Insights from Industry Experts

Embarking on a new venture can be both exciting and daunting, especially in the world of freelance Bookkeeping. My wife is taking the leap into self-employment after nearly two decades in the industry, and we are eager to gather advice from seasoned professionals in this field.

With a robust background in Accounting and Bookkeeping, she has honed her skills in various roles. Her experience spans from a staff accountant and Accounting supervisor—managing payroll for over 800 employees at a cable company—to office manager and bookkeeper for a real estate developer, construction firm, painting business, and auto repair shop. This diverse range of roles has made her well-versed in the intricacies of financial management.

Currently, she is finalizing her certifications in QuickBooks and putting the finishing touches on her website. With an engagement letter and an updated resume in hand, she is getting ready to promote her services to potential clients.

Importantly, she will not be providing tax services, as she is not a CPA or an EA. Instead, her focus will be on smaller, mid-sized, and newer businesses seeking an affordable bookkeeping solution. Her expertise includes tidying up disorganized financial records, generating profit and loss statements, preparing balance sheets, and offering valuable cost-cutting suggestions—all while prioritizing automation in her processes.

As a strategic first step, her plan involves reaching out to local CPA firms. We are particularly curious about the best approach for making initial contact. Would it be more effective to send an email, make a phone call, or even visit in person? Any insights or tips on how to create a strong first impression would be greatly appreciated.

Additionally, we welcome any other suggestions or strategies for securing clients in this competitive landscape. We are looking to charge hourly for her services and would love any feedback on how to position her offerings effectively.

Thank you in advance for your guidance as we embark on this new journey!