1. What bookkeeping services do you provide?

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Answer: I provide bookkeeping services designed to keep your financial records accurate, organized, and up to date. Services can include transaction categorization, bank and credit card reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and financial reporting.

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2. Do you work with businesses in my industry?

 

Answer: I work with small businesses across a variety of industries. Every business is different, so I take the time to understand how your business operates and tailor my bookkeeping services to your specific needs.

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3. How much do you charge?

 

Answer: Pricing depends on the size and needs of your business, including the volume of transactions and services required. I can discuss your bookkeeping needs during a consultation, and after looking at your current books, I can provide pricing based on the work involved. Most medium to small businesses tend to be between $300 to $3,000 a month.

 

4. Do you offer monthly bookkeeping packages?

 

Answer: Yes. Monthly bookkeeping provides consistency and helps ensure your financial records stay current. We can determine which services you need and establish a monthly arrangement that fits your business.

 

5. What bookkeeping software do you use?

 

Answer: I specialize in QuickBooks Online and am a QuickBooks ProAdvisor. I can help ensure your QuickBooks Online file is properly organized and that you’re getting useful information from it.

 

6. Can you work with my existing QuickBooks account?

 

Answer: Yes. If you already have QuickBooks Online, I can review your existing setup and determine whether it needs cleaning up or adjustments before taking over your bookkeeping.

 

7. How often will you update my books?

 

Answer: That depends on the bookkeeping arrangement we establish. For most businesses, regular monthly updates provide a good balance between keeping records current and maintaining cost-effective bookkeeping.

 

8. What information will you need from me each month?

 

Answer: I’ll let you know exactly what is needed based on your business and bookkeeping setup. Typically, this may include bank and credit card statements, receipts, invoices, and information about unusual or unclear transactions.

 

9. How do we securely share financial documents?

 

Answer: Financial information should always be shared through secure methods rather than regular email whenever possible. I’ll provide instructions for securely providing the information needed to maintain your books.

 

10. Can you catch up several months or years of overdue bookkeeping?

 

Answer: Yes. I can help with catch-up and clean-up bookkeeping. We’ll first determine how far behind the records are and what needs to be corrected, then establish a plan to bring your books up to date.

 

11. Will you reconcile my bank and credit card accounts?

 

Answer: Yes. Bank and credit card reconciliations are an important part of accurate bookkeeping. Reconciliation helps verify that your accounting records agree with your financial accounts and can uncover missing or incorrect transactions.

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12. What financial reports will I receive?

 

Answer: Depending on your needs, reports may include a Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, and other financial reports that help you understand what’s happening in your business.

 

13. How will these reports help me?

 

Answer: Financial reports turn your bookkeeping into useful information. They can help you see whether you’re profitable, understand your expenses, monitor trends, and make better business decisions.

 

14. Do you communicate with my CPA or tax preparer?

 

Answer: Yes, when appropriate. I can work with your CPA or tax professional to help make sure they have accurate and organized bookkeeping records for tax preparation.

 

15. Can you help me prepare for tax season?

 

Answer: Yes. While I don’t replace your tax professional, maintaining accurate and organized books throughout the year can make tax preparation much easier. I can provide the financial reports and records your tax professional needs.

 

16. How do you protect my financial information?

 

Answer: Confidentiality is extremely important. I treat your financial information as private and use appropriate safeguards when handling your bookkeeping records and documents.

 

17. How long does it take to get my books up to date each month?

 

Answer: The timeframe depends on the size and complexity of your business and how quickly the necessary information is available. The goal is to establish a consistent schedule so your books stay current.

 

18. What happens if you find errors in my records?

 

Answer: I’ll identify and communicate issues that need attention rather than simply ignoring them. We’ll determine what needs to be corrected and make appropriate adjustments so your records provide a more accurate picture of your business.

 

 19. Why should I hire a bookkeeper instead of doing it myself?

 

Answer: Bookkeeping takes time, attention to detail, and consistency. Hiring a bookkeeper allows you to spend more time running your business while having reliable financial information available when you need it. More importantly, accurate books can help you make informed decisions instead of guessing.

 

20. What is the process for getting started?

 

Answer: We’ll begin with a conversation about your business and your current bookkeeping situation. I’ll learn what you’re currently doing, what challenges you’re experiencing, and what you need help with. From there, we can determine the services that make sense for your business and create a plan to move forward.

 

21. “Can you help me understand my financial reports?”

 

Answer: Absolutely. I don’t believe bookkeeping should just be about recording transactions. Your books should tell a story about the well-being of your business. I’ll help you understand what your numbers are saying so you can make informed decisions.

 

22. “I’m behind on my bookkeeping. Is it too late to get caught up?”

Answer: Not at all. Catch-up and clean-up work is something I can help with. We’ll determine what needs to be corrected and bring your books up to date so you can move forward with accurate information.

 

23. “What if my books are a mess?”

 

Answer: Don’t be embarrassed! Many business owners fall behind because they’re busy running their businesses. My job is to help get things organized, identify problems, and establish a system that is easier to maintain going forward.

 

24. “Will I have to give you access to my bank account?”

 

Answer: I may need secure access to certain financial accounts or your accounting software, depending on the services you need. I use only the access necessary to perform the bookkeeping, and I treat your financial information as confidential.

 

25. “Can you tell me if my business is actually making money?”

 

Answer: Yes. Your financial statements can show much more than your bank balance. We’ll look at revenue, expenses, profit, cash flow, and other useful indicators to get a clearer picture of how your business is performing.

 

26. “Why doesn’t the money in my bank account match my profit?”

 

Answer: That’s a very common question! Profit isn’t the same thing as cash. Your profit and loss statement measures income and expenses, while your bank balance reflects the actual cash moving in and out of your account. Understanding the difference is important for making good business decisions.

 

27. “Can you help me figure out where my money is going?”

Answer: Yes. Properly categorized and reconciled books can help identify spending patterns and areas where expenses may be higher than expected. The goal isn’t simply to cut expenses—it’s to understand where your money is going and whether those expenditures are supporting your business.

 

28. “Do I need a bookkeeper if my business is small?”

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Answer: A small business can actually benefit greatly from accurate bookkeeping. Good records help you understand how the business is doing, prepare for taxes, manage cash flow, and make informed decisions as you grow.