Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Journey: Seeking Expert Insights

After years of dedicated service in the Accounting and Bookkeeping industry, my wife is preparing to embark on an exciting new chapter as a freelance bookkeeper. With an impressive 15-20 years of hands-on experience, she’s ready to leverage her skills and expertise to assist clients in a more personal and direct way.

Her professional background includes significant roles such as a staff accountant and Accounting supervisor, where she managed payroll for over 800 employees at a prominent cable company. Additionally, she has served as an office manager/bookkeeper for various sectors, including real estate development, construction, painting, and auto services. This diverse experience has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of Bookkeeping practices and challenges.

Currently, she is finalizing her certifications in QuickBooks and is close to launching her professional website. An engagement letter is already prepared, alongside an updated resume, setting her up for a successful entry into the freelance market. Her focus will primarily be on small to mid-sized businesses, especially startups, offering them a cost-effective solution for their bookkeeping needs.

While she is not a CPA or EA and will not be providing tax services, her strengths lie in cleaning up disorganized financial records, preparing profit and loss statements, balancing sheets, and identifying cost-saving opportunities. She is particularly keen on implementing automation to enhance efficiency in her clients’ bookkeeping processes.

Our initial strategy involves reaching out to local CPA firms to build professional relationships. I would appreciate any advice on the best way to approach these firms. Should we initiate contact via email, phone calls, or direct visits? Additionally, any tips on making a great first impression would be invaluable.

We anticipate billing on an hourly basis, and we are open to a variety of strategies for attracting clients and navigating this new venture.

Thank you in advance for your insights and suggestions as we step into this exciting phase of our professional journey!