Small business and nonprofit bookkeeping in Owasso, Tulsa, and across Oklahoma
Frequently Asked Questions
Bookkeeping doesn’t have to feel like a mystery novel where the villain is “Ask My Accountant.”
This page answers the most common questions we hear from small business owners, from pricing and process to QuickBooks and what to expect each month. If you don't see your question here, send it to us. We're happy to help.
Getting Started
What does a bookkeeper do for a small business?
A bookkeeper keeps your business's financial engine running by tracking income, expenses, and transactions. We handle the day-to-day bookkeeping: categorizing activity, reconciling accounts, keeping things accurate, and producing reports you can trust. That way, you can make decisions with real numbers and stay ready for deadlines.
Why outsource bookkeeping for my business?
Outsourcing bookkeeping saves time, reduces costly mistakes, and gives you clean, reliable numbers without hiring a full-time employee. It also keeps you tax-ready and organized all year, without the late nights in QuickBooks. We make sure your books don't quietly drift into chaos.
How does onboarding work?
We start with a discovery call to understand your business, your current bookkeeping setup, and what you need. From there, we send a tailored proposal, typically within 24 hours of the call. Once you approve it, we'll connect accounts, confirm how things should be categorized, and establish a monthly rhythm for closing your books.
Do you meet in person or work remotely?
Both. We’re local to Owasso and serve the Tulsa area, but most bookkeeping can be handled efficiently with a secure online workflow. If an in-person meeting makes sense (especially during onboarding), we’ll coordinate it.
Do you work with businesses outside Owasso?
Yes. We're based in Owasso and work with businesses throughout the Tulsa area and across Oklahoma. Most of our work happens through a secure online workflow, so where you're located doesn't change the service you get. When an in-person meeting makes sense, we're happy to set one up.
How long does onboarding take?
Most onboarding can be completed within 1–2 weeks once we have access to the accounts and information we need. If you’re behind and need cleanup/catch-up work, the timeline depends on how many months need to be addressed and how complete your records are.
What do you need from me each month?
Typically: timely access to your bank and credit accounts (and any new accounts), receipts or documentation for unusual transactions, and answers to a short list of questions we send when something needs clarification. The goal is to keep your involvement lightweight and predictable, not a weekly scavenger hunt.
Cleanup & Catch-up
Do you offer catch-up or cleanup bookkeeping?
Yes. If your books are behind, messy, or just not trustworthy, we can help you get back to current. Once things are cleaned up, we can continue with ongoing monthly bookkeeping to keep everything consistent moving forward.
Do I have to be a monthly service client for catch-up or cleanup help?
No. Catch-up and cleanup is available as a standalone project, billed based on the time it takes. Many clients move into monthly service afterward, but you don't have to.
I've been doing it myself in QuickBooks... can you fix it?
Yes. A lot of clients start out DIY (which is normal). We’ll review what’s been done, clean up what needs correcting, and put a consistent process in place so the books stay reliable.
What if my books haven't been reconciled in a long time?
That’s common in cleanup work. We’ll reconcile your accounts as part of the catch-up process, so your balances match real-world activity, and your reports become trustworthy again.
Services & Scope of Work
Do you file my business taxes?
No. We don't prepare or file tax returns. We keep your books clean and reconciled and provide a year-end package your tax professional can work from. If you need a tax pro, we can recommend one of our partners or help you figure out what to look for.
Can you work with my CPA or coordinate directly?
Yes. We’re happy to collaborate with your CPA so they get what they need with less back-and-forth. Clean books and good communication make tax time smoother for everyone.
Do you help with payroll?
Yes. We support payroll by working alongside your payroll provider, using your approved payroll data, and making sure payroll is recorded correctly in your books. The level of support depends on your setup, and we'll spell it out clearly in your proposal.
Do you support sales tax reporting?
Yes. Each period, we review your sales records, calculate the tax due, and prepare the documentation for submission. Sales tax can get nuanced depending on what you sell and where, so we'll confirm the exact scope in your proposal.
Do you handle 1099s for contractors?
Yes. We track contractors throughout the year, then prepare and e-file your 1099s ahead of the January deadline. It's included with monthly bookkeeping for up to 10 contractors or vendors, and each additional one is $7.
Do you work with nonprofits?
Yes. We provide monthly bookkeeping, reconciliations, and financial reports for nonprofits, along with the supporting records your tax professional needs to prepare your Form 990. We don't prepare or file Form 990s ourselves.
Do you help with audits?
Yes. When a client goes through an audit, we coordinate with and support the auditors throughout the process. Audit support is handled as its own project, separate from monthly bookkeeping, and billed at our standard hourly rates. We don't perform audits ourselves.
What is STORYLINE?
STORYLINE is our plain-English financial review. It starts with The Whole Story, a review of your last 12 months that explains what happened in your numbers, why, and what to watch. After that, The Latest Chapter is a short monthly update that keeps your story current. The Whole Story is $999, and The Latest Chapter is $249 per month. It requires at least 12 months of reconciled financials.
Can you help with QuickBooks for my business?
Yes. Whether you're brand new to QuickBooks or it's starting to feel more like "QuickMess," we can help. We work in QuickBooks Online and handle setup, cleanup, troubleshooting, reporting, and making sure your accounts are structured in a way that stays consistent over time.
Do I need a bookkeeper or an accountant?
Often both, but for different jobs. A bookkeeper handles the ongoing work: transactions, reconciliations, and monthly reporting. An accountant (or CPA) typically handles tax planning, filing, and higher-level strategy. Think of it like this: bookkeeping builds the foundation, and accounting builds on top of it.
What do you NOT do?
We don't provide legal advice, and we don't prepare or file tax returns, including Form 990s for nonprofits. We support auditors during an audit, but we don't perform audits ourselves. We also don't make changes or file things on your behalf without clear approval, because surprise "help" is how businesses end up with surprise problems.
Pricing & Fit
How do you price your services?
We don't use a strict one-size-fits-all pricing chart. Pricing is based on volume and complexity, including transaction count, number of accounts, payroll and contractors, and how many moving parts your bookkeeping has. After a discovery call, we'll recommend the simplest mix of services that fits your needs.
What is a typical monthly cost range?
For most of our small business clients, monthly bookkeeping falls between $300 and $800 per month. Your price depends on transaction volume and complexity, and your proposal spells it out before you commit to anything. Catch-up and cleanup work is billed separately, based on the time it takes. Book a discovery call for an accurate quote.
Does cleanup & catch-up cost more than monthly bookkeeping?
Often, yes. Cleanup is billed based on time, and it's usually more time-intensive because it involves reconstructing past months, reconciling accounts, and correcting issues that have piled up. We'll give you an estimate up front so there are no surprises.
What kinds of businesses are you best suited for?
We're a great fit for owner-operated small businesses and nonprofits that want consistent communication, a clean monthly close, and reliable reporting. If you want to constantly rearrange the books after they've been reconciled... we might not be the best match. 😄
Process & Expectations
How often will I hear from you?
You'll hear from us consistently, especially during onboarding. Ongoing, most clients have a regular monthly cadence: we close the books, deliver reports, and send any questions that need your input.
When will I receive my monthly financial reports?
For most clients, by the 20th of the following month. Exact timing depends on your transaction activity and how quickly we receive any information we need, and we'll confirm your schedule during onboarding.
How do you handle receipts and documentation?
We’ll use a secure workflow to collect and store receipts and supporting documents. Typically, this involves using our secure client portal.
Got a Question?
Still have questions? Send them our way, or schedule a discovery call if you’re ready to talk through your bookkeeping needs.
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Bookkeeping shouldn't be mysterious. Serving Owasso, Tulsa, and small businesses across Oklahoma.
Bookkeeping shouldn't be mysterious. Serving Owasso, Tulsa, and small businesses across Oklahoma.
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