+ HOW IS A BOOKKEEPER DIFFERENT FROM AN ACCOUNTANT?

Accounting is the umbrella term, kind of like a doctor. Just like doctors can have a specialty, within accounting there are many different services. Bookkeeping and taxes are two of the biggest services that affect small businesses. So, bookkeeping IS accounting, but there are other areas of accounting as well.

+ Will you be doing my taxes?

No thank you! Tax preparation requires a specialized focus and skill set. Our team focuses on being experts at bookkeeping and we’re pretty good at it. However, we will provide you with a tidy packet at the end of the year with a sheet of notes to give to your tax preparer which makes their job super easy. We also ask for an introduction to your tax preparer, if you're comfortable with that, so we can work together to make things easier for you.

+ Do I need to use a certain kind of software?

We only work with cloud based software due to security, and also because it's more efficient. Almost all of our clients are in QuickBooks Online (QBO). If you're currently using a desktop software, we can look at converting it to QBO. We have done this for many of our clients.

+ How will you log into my QuickBooks? Is that secure/safe?

QuickBooks Online (QBO) is a web based software. We login through an internet browser using very long complex passwords that are stored in a password manager, and each user has their own login. QBO has bank level security. We use the same level of care with all of the software/accounts we use, and never share passwords with clients.

+ Do you only work with small businesses?

Yes. We love working with small businesses and have made it our specialty. Also, once a business gets big enough they will hire an internal accounting staff and therefore outsourced bookkeeping isn't practical.

+ We're a small company, can't we just do the bookkeeping ourselves?

Of course you could do it yourselves. Most small businesses are bootstrapping when they first start out, and we always recommend making sure your expenses are in line before you commit to using an outside service. However, there are a lot of things to consider when making that decision other than finances. Do you know what you're doing? If you’ve never studied accounting, using an accounting program isn't as easy as learning other types of software. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes, so if not set up correctly, things can get messy very quickly. Every new client that had been DIY-ing their accounting has required a significant amount of cleanup of their books before we could get started. Is it worth your time? If you'd be spending an entire weekend slogging through your numbers every couple of months when you could be spending time with your family or working on getting new business, the small fee for hiring outside help is often worth it. Will you keep up with it? We find that most people start out with good intentions but then quickly push it to the back burner and get behind, so it quickly becomes an overwhelming task. Finally, we recommend NEVER having an employee (i.e. office manager or assistant) do your books for so many reasons. If you're going to DIY, it should be you, the owner.

+ Numbers scare me. How much will I need to understand?

Finances can be emotional, right? It's tough to break that wall of not wanting to look at it or deal with it. And if you haven't studied accounting, how will you know if it's correct? Everything in your books ultimately ties back to your Balance Sheet. If you have one right now, go look at it. Do all of those account balances make sense? Sometimes you can easily spot something that's wrong. We are happy to walk our clients through it and explain it all. On the other hand, if you just want it to be complete and ready for your taxes without having to look at it, we can do that, too. (Although we definitely recommend learning some basics about business finance because it will be invaluable to growing your business!)

+ What's the process for doing bookkeeping? How much will I need to be involved?

You'll have a dedicated bookkeeper assigned to your account who looks at your books weekly. At the beginning of the month, you'll get a "checklist" for the previous month with what is needed to close out your books. Usually that includes providing statements and answering any questions we may have. Once we have everything we need, we finish your books, review them, and get your reports to you within a few days. If you are using document management (sending in receipts) then you have that role, as well. We make it as simple as we can for you, but you won't be completely hands off. We aren't omniscient, after all.

+ Do I own my books?

Yes! Unlike some accounting firms who use proprietary software, you have access to your books at any time and can keep your account even if we are no longer working together. We do get wholesale rates if we start your account and wrap that cost into your bookkeeping package, but we can transfer the subscription to you (at retail rates) at any time.

+ What factors into my bookkeeping rate?

A lot of things, including how big your business is, how complicated it is, and what level of service you want. You can check out some of our package options and services here.