Welcome to the website for Sound Statistics, LLC, a statistical consultancy based in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. In addition to hosting information about my service offerings and links to resources, I plan to post insights related to practice of statistics, biostatistics, and related disciplines.
Like many biostatisticians, my non-profit research position was eliminated May of 2025 due to funding shortages, and I found myself considering employment options. While interviewing for jobs, I connected with scientific investigators and other statisticians about the prospect of independent consulting. Given a sufficient level of interest, I decided to invest time, money, and energy into this venture.
For others considering starting a consulting practice, below are key steps that I have taken to date to establish Sound Statistics:
- Filed the business with federal and local agencies
- Opened a business bank account (with initial investment or loan)
- Purchased professional liability and cyber security insurance
- Drafted a website (using GITHub Pages)
- Purchased software (Microsoft 365 and Intuit Quickbooks)
- Purchased a domain name to be used for the business website and email address
- Investigated market rates and calculated what hourly rate would align with full-time salary plus benefits
- Drafted/executed contracts with clients
- Drafted/executed contracts with referring agents (agreeing on “finders fees” terms for “qualified leads”)
- Filed taxes (monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on expected income and other factors)
Next steps involve marketing, certifications, paying myself a salary, establishing long term insurance coverage (alternatives to Cobra), and setting up a retirement savings account.
Given my experience in academia, I have received requests to support federally funded research. Though it is possible to serve as a vendor or consultant without certification; the level of collaboration likely to be required, including substantial contributions to grant proposals, protocols, and peer reviewed manuscripts, would involve a subaward designation.
At the University of Washington, the first step is for a faculty member to request my business as a Supplier. Then, through the university system, I may submit a form for subrecipient entity certification with details about my business, salary, and indirect cost rates.
My salary will be based on the market estimates in my area. I plan to base fringe benefits on “actual” rates and to apply the default rate for facilities and admistrative costs, which is 10%. The other option is to negotiate rates with a federal agency, which doesn’t seem worthwhile at this time but could lead to an interesting post later!