From Employee to Entrepreneur: Launching a Freelance Bookkeeping Business

Embarking on the journey to self-employment is both exciting and challenging, especially in the world of Bookkeeping and Accounting. My wife, after dedicating 15-20 years to various roles in this field, is ready to take the plunge into freelance work. With a wealth of experience under her belt, she is prepared to offer her expertise to clients who could greatly benefit from her services.

Throughout her career, she has handled positions ranging from staff accountant and Accounting supervisor—managing payroll for over 800 employees at a cable company—to office manager/bookkeeper for a real estate developer, as well as in the construction, painting, and automotive sectors. This diverse background renders her highly knowledgeable about the intricacies of Bookkeeping and financial management.

What really sets her apart is her proficiency with QuickBooks. She is currently finalizing all available certifications, and her website is nearing completion. With her engagement letter and updated resume ready, she is on the verge of launching her marketing efforts to attract clients.

It’s important to note that she will not be offering tax services and is not a CPA or EA. Instead, her focus is on serving smaller, mid-sized, and newly established businesses as a cost-effective bookkeeping solution. She excels at cleaning up messy financial records, preparing profit and loss statements, balancing sheets, and providing valuable insights on cost reduction—all while embracing automation as a core principle for efficiency.

Our initial strategy for client acquisition involves partnering with local CPA firms. To make a stellar first impression, we’re considering various outreach methods. Should we opt for an email introduction, a phone call, or maybe a face-to-face meeting? Moreover, any additional advice on how to create a strong initial impact would be greatly appreciated.

We plan to adopt a billing approach based on hourly rates, ensuring flexibility and value for our clients. I’m also searching for any other tips or strategies that could aid in attracting clients and growing her business in this competitive landscape.

Thank you in advance for your insights and support as we embark on this new chapter!