Bookkeepers keep your records accurate month to month; accountants handle tax returns, planning and financial statements; fractional CFOs help with forecasting and funding. Many firms offer all three in packages for small businesses.
Look for relevant credentials in your country (for example CPA designations), experience with businesses of your size and industry, and fluency in the accounting software you use.
What to look for
- Monthly bookkeeping and reconciliation
- Year-end financial statements
- Business and personal tax filings
- Payroll and sales-tax filings
- Cash-flow forecasting
- Audit and tax-notice support
How pricing works
- Monthly packages based on transaction volume
- Fixed fees for annual returns
- Hourly rates for advisory work
- Catch-up bookkeeping quoted per month of backlog
Model three-year cost with our total cost of ownership calculator.
Providers in this category
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Questions to ask every vendor
- What credentials and licences do you hold?
- How many clients like us do you serve?
- Which accounting software do you work in?
- What is the turnaround time on monthly books?
- Who handles notices from tax authorities?
Red flags
- No engagement letter
- Promises of guaranteed refunds
- Unclear scope of monthly package
- Slow or no response during tax season
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a bookkeeper and an accountant?
Small businesses often hire one firm that does both. Very small businesses may do their own bookkeeping in software and use an accountant only for tax filings.
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Editorial content written by the BusinessReviews.com team following our editorial policy. Vendor names are trademarks of their owners. Verify current pricing and features with each vendor.