Transaction categorization
Business income and expenses are recorded consistently and categorized appropriately.
Bookkeeping
Know your numbers without spending your time keeping the books.
Accurate bookkeeping gives you more than organized transactions. It gives you reliable financial information to understand how your business is performing, make better decisions, and be prepared for tax time.
I help small-business owners keep their books accurate, current, and useful-so you can spend more time running your business and less time trying to figure out the accounting.
Evan O'Brien, CPA, MBA · Former Bank CFO & Chief Investment Officer · 13 Years in Finance
I typically respond within one business day.
Your books should make running your business easier-not harder.
Bookkeeping is taking too much of your time.
You didn't start your business to spend your evenings categorizing transactions and reconciling accounts. You want the books handled correctly so you can focus your attention on the business.
You aren't confident the numbers are right.
Your books may be current, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're accurate. If balances don't make sense, accounts aren't reconciled, or you're unsure how transactions should be recorded, it's difficult to rely on the financial statements.
You don't really know how the business is performing.
There's money in the bank, revenue is coming in, and bills are getting paid-but you want a clearer picture of profitability, expenses, cash flow, and where the business stands financially.
Tax time turns into a cleanup project.
Your books should be maintained throughout the year so tax preparation doesn't begin with months of sorting through transactions and trying to reconstruct what happened.
Financial records you can actually use.
Good bookkeeping should give you confidence that the financial information you're looking at reflects what's happening in your business.
Depending on the needs of your business and the scope of our engagement, bookkeeping services may include:
Account reconciliations
Bank and credit card accounts are reconciled to help identify missing, duplicated, or incorrectly recorded transactions.
Financial statements
You'll have organized financial information that allows you to review revenue, expenses, profitability, and the financial position of your business.
Tax-ready books
Keeping accurate records throughout the year creates a better foundation for tax preparation and proactive tax planning.
Better information for business decisions
Reliable books can help you evaluate spending, understand profitability, provide financial information to lenders, and make more informed decisions about your business.
A bookkeeping process built around your business.
We look at where your books stand today.
We'll discuss your business, how you're currently handling bookkeeping, the accounting system you use, and any problems you're experiencing.
We determine what you actually need.
Not every business needs the same level of bookkeeping. I'll recommend a scope and frequency based on the size and complexity of your business and how you use your financial information.
We get everything connected.
Once we agree on the engagement, I'll explain what information and access are needed to maintain your books efficiently.
Your books stay current.
I'll maintain the records according to the agreed schedule, reconcile the applicable accounts, and address questions or unusual transactions as they arise.
You have financial information you can rely on.
Instead of wondering whether your numbers are right, you'll have organized financial records available for business decisions, tax preparation, planning, and other financial needs.
Frequently asked questions
What accounting software do you work with?
I primarily work with QuickBooks Online for small-business bookkeeping.
If you're currently using another system, we can discuss your existing setup and whether it makes sense to continue using it or transition to QuickBooks Online.
Can you clean up books that haven't been maintained properly?
Yes, depending on the condition of the records.
If your books are behind or you believe something is incorrect, I'll first review the situation and determine the work required to bring them current and correct significant issues.
Cleanup work may be handled separately from ongoing monthly bookkeeping.
Can I use bookkeeping without hiring you for tax preparation?
Yes.
Bookkeeping can be provided as a standalone service. Tax preparation and tax planning are separate services, although having accurate books can make both substantially more efficient.
Do I still have access to my QuickBooks?
Yes. They're your books.
You'll continue to have access to your accounting records and financial information.
Will I work directly with you?
Yes.
I'm your primary point of contact. If I have questions about transactions or you have questions about your financial information, we'll communicate directly.
How can bookkeeping help with tax planning?
Good tax planning requires current, reliable information.
If we're trying to make a tax decision in November but the books haven't been reconciled since March, we're starting with incomplete information.
Keeping your books current gives us a much better picture of expected annual income and allows tax-planning decisions to be based on what is actually happening in the business.
Can you provide financial information for a lender?
Your bookkeeping records and financial statements can be used to provide financial information requested by lenders.
If a lender requires a specific report, certification, attestation, or other service beyond normal bookkeeping, we'll determine separately what is required and whether it's within the scope of services I provide.
