Taking the Leap: Guidance Needed for a New Freelance Bookkeeping Venture

As my wife prepares to embark on her new journey as a freelance bookkeeper, we find ourselves seeking insights from seasoned professionals in the industry. After dedicating nearly two decades to various roles in Accounting and Bookkeeping, she’s ready to break free from traditional employment and create her own path.

Her extensive background includes supervising payroll for over 800 employees at a major cable company, serving as an office manager and bookkeeper for a real estate developer, and managing finances for a construction and auto repair business. This wealth of experience has equipped her with a comprehensive skill set that sets the stage for her new endeavor.

Currently, she is honing her expertise in QuickBooks, completing all available certifications, and putting the finishing touches on her professional website. With an engagement letter finalized and her resume updated, she stands on the brink of launching her services to potential clients.

It’s important to note that while she won’t offer tax preparation services and is not a CPA or EA, she aims to provide valuable support to smaller, mid-sized, and emerging businesses. Her focus is on offering cost-effective solutions, such as cleaning up disorganized financial records, preparing key financial statements, and providing actionable cost-cutting advice. Automation will also play a critical role in her approach, enhancing efficiency for her future clients.

Our initial strategy involves reaching out to local CPA firms. This brings me to my inquiry: what is the most effective way to make that first contact? Would reaching out via email, making a phone call, or perhaps an in-person visit be more effective? Additionally, any tips on how to leave a positive and lasting impression during the initial outreach would be greatly appreciated.

We are leaning towards billing on an hourly basis for her services, but we welcome any suggestions on client acquisition and general best practices for establishing a successful freelance Bookkeeping business.

Thank you in advance for your insights and advice!