Just because you can DIY your bookkeeping doesn't mean you should

I love working with passionate, small-but-mighty service-based businesses in lots of different industries. Some include:

• Wedding/Event Planners
• Salon Owners
• Make-up Artists
• Web Designers
• Photographers
• Florists
• Caterers or Personal Chefs
• Personal Trainers
• Virtual Assistants
• Etsy Shops
• Home Bakers
• Professional Organizers
• Health Coaches

If you’re in the USA, you’re in luck – we can team up! Whether you’re a brick and mortar business or your laptop is your office, as long as you’ve got internet, I can manage your books. 

No. While I am a CPA, I am not a tax preparer, as this requires an entirely different area of knowledge. I like to think of accountants similarly to doctors; would you go to the dermatologist if you broke your arm? Comparably, you wouldn't come to me (a bookkeeper) to prepare and file your taxes.

The good news is that I will prepare exactly what your tax preparer will need in order to file your taxes on time. When possible, I try to work directly with them to make tax filing a breeze.

An accountant (also commonly referred to as a CPA or a tax preparer) works with your business to provide tax strategy for quarterly or annual taxes. They're the experts on filing tax returns and also provide estimates for your quarterly tax payments. This helps ensure you're not overpaying or underpaying throughout the year. They also often advise on saving money through various investing or tax strategies.

A bookkeeper regularly maintains and sees your finances (think monthly or weekly). They are tracking all transactions, keeping reports nice and tidy, reconciling, and handing everything off to the accountant, who then seamlessly helps you make smart tax decisions for your business. Both are necessary, but a bookkeeper must come first. Accountants can't do their job if they don't have accurate and reliable financial reports.

My preferred bookkeeping software is Xero. I include a free subscription to Xero as long as you work with me. If we ever decide to go our separate ways, I'll transfer ownership of it all to you. 

If you are already set up in another software, we can discuss if switching to Xero makes sense for your business.

Don't have an accounting software? No problem! I will get you set up in Xero as part of your onboarding.

No, that is what I am here for!

Part of my on-boarding process is to get you set up with a clean set of books from either the first day of business or the first day of the current year, whichever you prefer. 

I secretly love the challenge of messy books and the satisfaction that comes with getting them all cleaned up. This is part of the process and I am here to help!

Absolutely. Part of my on-boarding process is to get you set up with clean books from either the first day of business or the first day of the current year. This is a new client incentive and is a discounted one-time fee to get everything current, before moving you into my monthly bookkeeping service.

I request online access to banks, credit cards, PayPal, and your invoicing system (if separate).

Almost all of these allow a read-only accountant log in and I will help you figure out how to set one up so your data is secure. This allows me to work efficiently and avoid bothering you for data requests or more information that can be found within these banks/platforms.

I will obtain access to these platforms and walk you through this as part of your onboarding process. 

Once your books have been set up, I maintain them monthly. After the month ends, I will pull your reports and categorize your transactions.

You will receive one e-mail of questions/clarifications where needed and once those questions are answered you'll receive your report with highlights of what the numbers are telling you.

You will have your books by the 15th of the month, if not sooner.

No. You will sign a contract agreeing to the monthly bookkeeping services and my terms and conditions, but you have the option to cancel your monthly bookkeeping at any time. 

Yes. Although you may be doing your books yourself and have a basic understanding of bookkeeping, you might still be missing some critical elements to bookkeeping. A professional bookkeeper with the experience and credentials is guaranteed to properly code and record all of your transactions. In the long run, hiring a professional bookkeeper will save you money.

My goal is to help you understand where you are overspending and how you can improve the overall financial health of your business. There is a reason why money is such a big stressor for many people, and my goal is to take that stress off of you. I will help you understand how profitable your business is, when it might be time to raise prices, guide you on how much money  you should be setting aside for taxes, and so much more! 

Hiring a bookkeeper will also decrease your yearly bill owed to your tax preparer because you are no longer causing them to clean up months of unreconciled, messy books. Not to mention that I am my client's favorite write-off! 

Absolutely everything is confidential. I will not share or disclose any information about your business financials at any time. If your business is experiencing a difficult season, you’re in the right place! Let’s clean up your financials so you can understand exactly what needs improvement.