Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Seeking Insights from Industry Professionals

As my wife embarks on an exciting new chapter in her career, she is on the verge of establishing her own freelance Bookkeeping practice. After dedicating 15-20 years to the Accounting and Bookkeeping industry, she is ready to leverage her extensive experience and expertise in her own venture.

Throughout her career, she has held various roles, including staff accountant and Accounting supervisor, where she managed payroll for over 800 employees at a cable company. Her diverse background spans working as an office manager/bookkeeper for a real estate developer, as well as in the construction, painting, and auto mechanic sectors. With this wealth of experience, she brings a well-rounded skill set to the table.

Currently, she is finalizing her website and completing all available QuickBooks certifications. With her engagement letter and resume polished and ready, she is almost set to start attracting clients. It’s important to note that she will not be providing tax services and is neither a CPA nor an EA. Instead, her focus will be on supporting small to mid-sized businesses and new operators, offering a cost-effective solution to their bookkeeping needs. With a knack for organizing messy financial records, preparing profit and loss statements, and balancing sheets, she’s passionate about helping clients identify cost-saving opportunities and streamline their processes through automation.

Her initial strategy involves reaching out to local CPA firms for potential collaboration. This brings me to a pivotal question: What is the most effective way to approach these firms? Should she opt for emails, make phone calls, or visit in person? Additionally, I would greatly appreciate advice on making a strong first impression during this outreach.

We are also open to suggestions on effective client acquisition strategies and any additional tips that might enhance her startup journey.

Thank you for your insights as we navigate this exciting transition!