Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Business: Seeking Insights from Seasoned Professionals

My wife is gearing up for an exciting new chapter in her career—she’s ready to branch out on her own as a freelance bookkeeper! With nearly two decades of experience in the Accounting and Bookkeeping field, she brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Her impressive resume includes positions such as staff accountant and Accounting supervisor, where she managed payroll for over 800 employees at a major cable company, as well as roles in various other industries such as real estate development, construction, and automotive services.

Currently, she is wrapping up her certifications in QuickBooks, a platform she is highly proficient in, and her website is nearly ready for the world to see. We’ve completed her engagement letter and updated her resume, so she’s on the brink of launching her marketing efforts to attract her first clients.

Notably, she plans to focus her services on small to mid-sized businesses, especially those just starting out, providing them a budget-friendly Accounting solution. Her expertise includes cleaning up disorganized financial records, preparing profit and loss statements, balancing sheets, and offering strategic cost-cutting advice—all tasks she can perform with ease. Automation will also be a significant part of her service offering, helping her clients streamline their financial processes.

As her initial strategy, we are considering reaching out to local CPA firms for potential collaborations or referrals. In this context, I would love to gather insights from seasoned bookkeepers—what is the best way to approach these firms? Should we opt for an email, a phone call, or even a personal visit? Additionally, any tips on making a positive first impression would be incredibly valuable.

We are also considering billing on an hourly basis and are open to any further suggestions for acquiring clients or general strategies to enhance her freelance Bookkeeping business.

Thank you in advance for your tips and advice! Your experience is greatly appreciated.