Small Business Bookkeeping Services
CPA-backed bookkeeping that feeds accurate tax returns. Fast monthly close, not 30-day delays. Clean books that actually help you make decisions.
Key Takeaways
- Clean books are the foundation of accurate tax returns. Bad bookkeeping costs more at tax time than good bookkeeping costs monthly.
- Fast monthly close, not 30-day delays. Automation plus CPA oversight means you’re not waiting weeks for last month’s numbers.
- S-Corps and partnerships have different requirements. Shareholder distributions, partner capital accounts, and reasonable salary tracking need proper handling.
- Your bookkeeper should talk to your CPA. With us, they’re the same team. No handoff problems, no lost information.
- DIY works until it doesn’t. When transaction volume grows or you change entity types, professional bookkeeping pays for itself in reduced tax prep costs.
The Problem With Most Bookkeeping
You download transactions from your bank. You drag them into QuickBooks. You guess at categories. Maybe you reconcile. Maybe you don’t.
Then tax season arrives. Your CPA opens your books and finds problems. That $3,847.92 Stripe deposit that took 3 hours to match. The personal expense mixed with business. The missing invoice from October. The payroll entry that’s just… wrong.
Your CPA spends 6 hours fixing your books before they can file your return. You pay for those hours. And you still don’t know if everything’s correct.
That’s the hidden cost of cheap bookkeeping. It’s not cheap. It’s just delayed.
Bookkeeping With CPA Oversight
Most bookkeepers record transactions. That’s it. They don’t know what your CPA needs at tax time. They don’t catch the categorization that will trigger an IRS notice. They don’t understand that your S-Corp shareholder distribution should be recorded differently than a regular expense.
We’re different. Our bookkeepers work alongside our CPAs. When we categorize a transaction, we know how it affects your tax return. When we set up your chart of accounts, we build it for tax efficiency. When we close your books each month, they’re already tax-ready.
The result: clean handoffs, fewer surprises, and a tax return that matches your books without hours of cleanup.
What’s Included in Our Bookkeeping Services
Monthly Bookkeeping
Complete monthly bookkeeping with fast turnaround. Get last month’s numbers while they’re still useful.
- Transaction categorization
- Bank reconciliation
- Credit card reconciliation
- P&L and balance sheet
Bank Reconciliation
Every account reconciled monthly. We catch duplicate charges, missing deposits, and bank errors before they compound.
- All bank accounts
- All credit cards
- PayPal, Stripe, Square
- Discrepancy investigation
Financial Statements
Monthly reports you can actually use. Know your numbers. Make better decisions.
- Profit & Loss statement
- Balance sheet
- Cash flow statement
- Comparative reports
Accounts Receivable & Payable
Track what you’re owed and what you owe. Never miss a payment. Never forget an invoice.
- Invoice tracking
- Aging reports
- Bill payment tracking
- 1099 vendor tracking
Year-End Tax Preparation
Your books are tax-ready by January 15. No scramble. No last-minute cleanup. Just clean handoff to tax prep.
- Year-end reconciliation
- Fixed asset schedules
- Equity reconciliation
- Tax package preparation
Catch-Up Bookkeeping
Behind on your books? We’ll get you current. Months or years of backlog cleaned up and organized.
- Historical transaction entry
- Bank statement reconstruction
- Account cleanup
- Prior year corrections
See What Clean Books Look Like
Schedule a bookkeeping assessment. We’ll analyze your current books, identify problems, and show you exactly what clean monthly financials can do for your business.
Get Your AssessmentOr call us: (972) 296-0981
Bookkeeping by Entity Type
Different business structures have different bookkeeping requirements. Here’s what you need to know:
S-Corporation Bookkeeping
S-Corps have unique requirements that generic bookkeepers miss. We handle:
- Shareholder distribution tracking
- Reasonable salary coordination with payroll
- Shareholder loan account management
- Basis limitation tracking
- Accumulated adjustment account (AAA)
Partnership Bookkeeping
Partnerships require careful tracking of each partner’s account. We manage:
- Partner capital accounts
- Guaranteed payment tracking
- Special allocation documentation
- Partner contribution and distribution logs
- Outside basis tracking for each partner
LLC Bookkeeping
LLCs can be taxed as sole props, partnerships, or S-Corps. Bookkeeping must match:
- Single-member LLC (Schedule C) tracking
- Multi-member LLC partnership accounting
- S-Corp elected LLC requirements
- Member equity accounts
- Self-employment tax considerations
Multi-Entity Bookkeeping
Multiple businesses under common ownership need coordinated books. We handle:
- Intercompany transaction tracking
- Consolidated reporting
- Management company allocations
- Related party documentation
- Holding company accounting
Our Monthly Bookkeeping Process
Here’s how we deliver your financial statements faster than industry standard:
Connect Your Accounts
We set up secure, read-only bank feeds from all your accounts. Your transaction data flows into our system automatically. No manual downloads. No missed transactions.
Categorize Transactions
We categorize every transaction using your customized chart of accounts. Automation handles the routine stuff. Our team reviews anything that needs judgment.
Reconcile All Accounts
Every bank account and credit card gets reconciled. We catch discrepancies early: duplicate charges, missing deposits, uncleared checks, and bank errors.
Prepare Financial Statements
Your P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statement get prepared and reviewed. We check for unusual items, confirm accuracy, and note anything you should know.
Deliver Your Reports
You receive your complete financial package shortly after month-end. Reports are ready for your review, your lender, or your tax CPA. Exact turnaround depends on transaction volume and complexity.
Fast Monthly Close, Not 30-Day Delays
Most bookkeeping services take 2-4 weeks to close your books. By the time you see January’s numbers, it’s mid-February. That’s not useful information. That’s history.
We close books faster than industry standard. Here’s how:
- Automated bank feeds import transactions daily, not monthly
- AI-assisted categorization handles routine transactions automatically
- Concurrent processing means we work on your books throughout the month
- Human review catches what automation can’t and ensures tax-ready accuracy
Most CPAs haven’t adopted these tools yet. We have. That’s why our clients make decisions with current data instead of stale reports.
Bookkeeping Pricing: What to Expect
Bookkeeping costs depend on three main factors: transaction volume, number of accounts, and complexity. Here’s what typical engagements look like:
Monthly Bookkeeping Pricing Factors
These are estimates for typical situations. Complex entities, multiple locations, or inventory businesses may differ. We provide upfront estimates based on your specific situation before starting any work.
When DIY Bookkeeping No Longer Makes Sense
Many business owners start doing their own books. That’s fine at first. But there comes a point when DIY costs more than professional bookkeeping. Here are the signs:
It’s Time to Hire a Professional Bookkeeper If:
- You spend more than 5 hours per month on bookkeeping
- Your transaction volume exceeds 100 per month
- You’ve converted to an S-Corp or partnership
- Your CPA regularly finds errors in your books
- You have inventory, job costing, or project tracking needs
- You’re not sure if your books are correct
- You dread tax season because of bookkeeping cleanup
- You make business decisions without current financial data
The Hidden Cost of DIY Bookkeeping
If your CPA has to clean up your books before filing your return, you’re paying twice. Once for the bookkeeping you did yourself. Once for the CPA time to fix it. Professional monthly bookkeeping typically costs less than one year of cleanup charges.
Bookkeeping vs. Accounting: Understanding the Difference
These terms get confused constantly. Here’s the actual difference:
| Bookkeeping | Accounting |
|---|---|
| Records transactions | Analyzes transactions |
| Categorizes income and expenses | Prepares tax returns |
| Reconciles bank accounts | Provides strategic tax advice |
| Produces financial statements | Interprets financial statements |
| Historical data entry | Forward-looking planning |
Most businesses need both. Bookkeeping produces the data. Accounting uses it. At SDO, your bookkeeper and your CPA work together as one team. That means clean handoffs, consistent categorization, and books that are always tax-ready.
What Software Do We Use?
We primarily use QuickBooks Online for small business bookkeeping. Here’s why:
- Bank feed reliability: QuickBooks connects to more banks and has fewer sync issues than alternatives
- CPA integration: Our tax software works seamlessly with QuickBooks, reducing errors in the handoff
- Reporting flexibility: Custom reports for any situation your business needs
- App ecosystem: Integrates with payroll, invoicing, expense tracking, and industry-specific tools
We also work with Xero and Wave for clients who prefer those platforms. The software matters less than the process. What matters is accuracy, timeliness, and tax-readiness.
If you’re currently using QuickBooks Desktop, we can help you migrate to QuickBooks Online. The migration is usually straightforward and improves our ability to serve you.
Clean Books = Better Tax Returns
Here’s what most people don’t understand about bookkeeping: it’s not just about knowing your numbers. It’s about getting your taxes right.
Every categorization decision affects your tax return. That expense you coded as “office supplies” might actually be a deductible equipment purchase. That payment to a contractor might trigger 1099 requirements. That personal expense mixed with business creates audit risk.
When your bookkeeper doesn’t understand tax implications, your CPA has to catch everything at year-end. That takes time. You pay for that time. And some things get missed.
When your bookkeeper and CPA are the same team, nothing falls through the cracks. Every transaction is coded correctly from day one. Your year-end tax package is ready to go. No surprises. No cleanup. No missed deductions.
The SDO Advantage
Every bookkeeping client gets year-end tax package preparation included. Our bookkeepers work with our tax CPAs to make sure your books are tax-ready year-round. No scramble. No surprises. Just accurate returns filed on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a bookkeeper do for a small business?
A bookkeeper records and categorizes every financial transaction your business makes, reconciles bank and credit card accounts, tracks accounts receivable and payable, and prepares monthly financial statements. Good bookkeeping gives you accurate numbers for decisions and clean records for tax preparation.
How much do bookkeeping services cost?
Monthly bookkeeping services typically range from $300 to $1,500+ depending on transaction volume, number of accounts, and complexity. A business with 100 transactions per month will cost less than one with 500. We provide upfront estimates based on your specific situation before starting any work.
What’s the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?
Bookkeeping is recording transactions and maintaining accurate records. Accounting is analyzing those records to prepare tax returns, financial reports, and strategic advice. Bookkeeping is the foundation; accounting builds on it. Most businesses need both: clean books from a bookkeeper plus a CPA who knows how to use them.
How often should bookkeeping be done?
Monthly bookkeeping is the standard for most businesses. It catches errors quickly, keeps you informed about cash flow, and avoids year-end scrambles. Some high-volume businesses benefit from weekly reconciliation. Annual bookkeeping is a recipe for expensive catch-up work and missed tax deductions.
Can I do my own bookkeeping?
You can if you have the time and discipline. Most business owners start doing their own books but stop when revenue grows past $100,000 or transactions exceed 50-100 per month. The risk is miscategorization that creates problems at tax time. If your CPA has to clean up your books before filing, you’re paying twice.
When should I hire a professional bookkeeper?
Consider professional bookkeeping when: you spend more than 5 hours monthly on books, your transaction volume exceeds 100 per month, you have inventory or job costing needs, you’ve converted to an S-Corp or partnership, or your CPA regularly finds errors in your records. The cost of professional bookkeeping is usually less than the tax preparation premium for messy books.
What software do professional bookkeepers use?
Most professional bookkeepers use QuickBooks Online, Xero, or FreshBooks for small businesses. We primarily use QuickBooks Online because of its integration capabilities, bank feed reliability, and CPA-friendly reporting. The software matters less than the person using it. Good bookkeepers can work with whatever you already have.
Do S-Corps have special bookkeeping requirements?
Yes. S-Corps require tracking shareholder distributions separately from wages, maintaining accurate shareholder loan accounts, and coordinating payroll with distribution timing. The reasonable salary requirement means payroll must run regularly and be properly recorded. Many DIY bookkeepers miss these requirements, creating problems at tax time.
How do I know if my books are ready for tax season?
Your books are tax-ready when: all bank and credit card accounts are reconciled through December 31, all transactions are properly categorized, accounts receivable and payable match reality, fixed assets are accurately recorded, and equity accounts reflect the correct ownership structure. If your balance sheet doesn’t balance or your bank reconciliation shows unexplained differences, your books need work.
What’s included in monthly bookkeeping services?
Our monthly bookkeeping includes: transaction categorization for all connected accounts, bank and credit card reconciliation, accounts receivable tracking (if applicable), accounts payable tracking (if applicable), P&L and balance sheet preparation, and fast delivery after month-end. Turnaround time depends on transaction volume and complexity. We also prepare your books for tax season so there’s no scramble in March.
Related Bookkeeping Resources
Ready for Clean Books That Actually Help Your Business?
Schedule a bookkeeping assessment. We’ll analyze your current situation and show you exactly how professional bookkeeping can reduce your tax prep costs and improve your financial visibility.
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