Talk to a bookkeeper

What makes a useful first note

You do not need to write much. Two or three sentences that cover the points below give the bookkeeper enough to come to the call ready.

• What the business sells and where it operates, for example a taproom in Miramar or a rental in Mission Beach.
• The software holding the books today, whether that is QuickBooks, Xero, a spreadsheet or nothing at all.
• The last month you believe is right, if you know it.
• How many bank accounts, credit cards and payment apps feed the business.
• The reason for writing now: an investor update, a lender, your CPA's list, a sale or plain fatigue.

Situations we hear about often

• A startup raised money and the board wants monthly financials, but nobody has closed a month.
• A subcontractor needs clean job records before a prime contractor or auditor asks for them.
• Short-term rental income from Airbnb and Vrbo landed in one account with personal spending.
• The old bookkeeper stopped answering and the file has not been reconciled since spring.
• A brewery or restaurant sees money in the POS reports that never matches the bank deposits.

Each of these is a normal starting point. Please do not try to fix the books before you write.

Already working with someone?

Write anyway if you want a second look. Mention it in your note, and the bookkeeper can review how the file is set up and explain what they would change, without any pressure to switch.

After you send it

1. A person reads it A bookkeeper on our partner's team opens your message. No bot writes the reply.
2. A reply comes back The bookkeeper answers with a few questions or offers times for a call.
3. A short call You walk through your accounts together. You are under no obligation.
4. Next steps in writing If the work is a fit, you get a plain summary of what it involves and what the team needs.

Keep sensitive files out of the form

Leave statements, returns, Social Security numbers, EINs and passwords out of this form. If you decide to work together, the team gives you a secure place to upload documents, and you invite the bookkeeper to your software as their own user.

Who sees your request

Your message is forwarded to our bookkeeping partner for a reply. You will know the partner's name before agreeing to any work. See the privacy policy for the details of that sharing. We do not sell your details.

Questions