General
What does a bookkeeper actually do? A bookkeeper keeps your day-to-day financial records accurate and current. Categorizing transactions, reconciling bank and credit card accounts, tracking income and expenses, managing accounts payable/receivable, and generating financial reports. Think of it as keeping your business's financial house in order so you always know where you stand.
Do I really need a bookkeeper, or can I do this myself? Many small business owners start out doing their own books, but as things grow, it becomes harder to keep up and mistakes get more costly. If you're spending hours each month wrestling with spreadsheets, unsure whether your numbers are right, or avoiding your books altogether, it's probably time to bring in help so you can focus on running your business instead.
What's the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant/CPA? A bookkeeper handles the ongoing recording and organizing of your financial transactions, the day-to-day. An accountant or CPA typically handles higher-level work like tax filing, tax strategy, and financial analysis, often using the clean records a bookkeeper provides. I work well alongside your CPA at tax time, but I do not file taxes myself.
How does remote bookkeeping work? Everything is done securely online. QuickBooks Online connects directly to your bank and credit card accounts (read-only, so I can never move money) and we communicate by email, phone, or video call, whatever works best for you. You never need to mail paperwork or meet in person unless you'd like to.
What software do you use? I work primarily in QuickBooks Online and am a certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor. If you're already using a different platform, let's talk. I may still be able to help or can assist with migrating your data to QuickBooks.
Is my financial data safe? Yes. I use bank-level, read-only connections through QuickBooks Online, meaning I can see your transactions but never move money or make payments from your accounts. Your information is never shared with third parties.
How often will I hear from you or get reports? For ongoing monthly clients, you'll receive regular financial reports (typically monthly) so you always have a clear picture of your business's performance. I'm also available by email for questions in between. You're never left wondering what's going on with your books.
What if I'm behind on my bookkeeping or my books are a mess? That's really common, and nothing to be embarrassed about! I offer catch-up and clean-up services to get your books current and accurate before we move into regular monthly bookkeeping. We'll start with a review of where things stand so I can give you an accurate picture of what's needed.
What do you need from me to get started? Typically, read-only access to your bank/credit card accounts (via QuickBooks Online), your prior financial statements if available, and any relevant business details (entity type, chart of accounts, etc.). I'll walk you through exactly what's needed once we start working together. You don't need to have it all figured out beforehand.
How much do your services cost? Bookkeeping services start at $50/hour or a flat monthly rate starting at $150+, depending on the volume of accounts and transactions and the specific services you need.
Why do catch-up and clean-up projects cost extra? Catch-up/clean-up work is quoted individually because every set of books is different. The amount of work depends on how far behind things are, how many accounts are involved, and how complex your transactions are. I'll review your books first and give you an accurate quote before any work begins, so there are no surprises.
Will my monthly rate ever change? Your flat monthly rate is based on your business's current needs. As your business grows (more transactions, more accounts, additional services), we'll revisit the agreement together. You'll always know in advance if a change is coming.
How do I get started? The easiest first step is scheduling a free 30-minute consultation. We'll talk through your business, your current bookkeeping situation, and what kind of support makes sense — no pressure, no obligation.
What if I'm not sure exactly what I need? That's completely normal, and exactly what the free consultation is for. We'll talk through where things stand and I'll help you figure out the right starting point, whether that's a one-time clean-up, ongoing monthly bookkeeping, or something in between.
Contact me today to learn more or schedule a FREE 30 minute consultation.