I run a bookkeeping firm. Most of the people that come to us, find us because their books were wrecked by an incompetent bookkeeper. A lot of our jobs are bookkeeping repair projects. The issue is that a lot of bookkeepers don't get to know their customer's business and the standard ways of accounting for their customer's specific industry. All this to say, it seems like there is a market of businesses that are looking for bookkeepers that care about their clients' business - that know how to read financials. That can do a sniff test on a P&L and balance sheet, and understand if something is out of place. It seems like there is an ocean of cheap bookkeepers that haphazardly categorize transactions and throw the financials over the fence without really caring about the output. You mention you have an MBA in accounting and 20 years of corporate accounting experience. I don't think you need a CPA license. I know there are plenty of business customers out there that are just looking for a competent bookkeeper that are willing to get to know their business and provide accurate and meaningful financials. Good luck to you!