Starting a Freelance Bookkeeping Venture: Seeking Insights from Seasoned Professionals

My wife is on the brink of launching her own Bookkeeping business and is eager for insights from established freelance bookkeepers. After dedicating 15 to 20 years to the Accounting and Bookkeeping field, she has decided to pursue her passion independently.

Her extensive background includes roles such as a staff accountant and Accounting supervisor, where she managed payroll for over 800 employees at a major cable company. Additionally, she has served as an office manager and bookkeeper for various industries, including real estate development, construction, and automotive services. This diverse experience has equipped her with a well-rounded understanding of the financial landscape.

Currently, she is finalizing her expertise in QuickBooks, completing all relevant certifications, and preparing a professional website. With her engagement letter drafted and her resume updated, she is just a step away from actively marketing her services.

It’s important to note that she will not be offering tax services and is not a CPA or EA. Instead, her target clientele will be small to mid-sized businesses and startups seeking a cost-effective bookkeeping solution. She excels at organizing chaotic financial records, preparing profit and loss statements, balancing sheets, and identifying cost-cutting opportunities—skills she can perform with ease. Prioritizing automation in her processes is also a key strategy for efficiency.

In terms of outreach, our initial focus will be on connecting with local CPA firms. I would love to hear from those with experience in this area: What methods would you recommend for approaching these firms? Should we opt for an email, a phone call, or a direct walk-in? Additionally, any advice on making a strong first impression would be greatly appreciated.

We plan to bill hourly for her services, but we are also open to any other strategies for attracting clients or general advice on starting this entrepreneurial journey.

Thank you for your assistance!