Hiring a bookkeeper for the first time can feel like a big step. You might wonder what you actually need to hand over, how much time it'll take, or whether your books are "too much of a mess" to show anyone. Here's exactly what the first month looks like when you work with me.
Week 1: The Free Consultation
We start with a free call — no pressure, no commitment. I'll ask about your business, how you've been tracking things so far, and what your QuickBooks setup looks like (or if you don't have one yet). This call is about understanding your situation before we do anything.
Most people come out of this call with a clearer sense of what they actually need. Sometimes that's just regular monthly bookkeeping. Sometimes there's some catch-up work first. Either way, I'll give you an honest picture of where things stand.
Week 2: Getting Access and Getting Oriented
Once we decide to move forward, you'll invite me to your QuickBooks Online account as an Accountant user. This takes about two minutes on your end and doesn't require sharing any passwords.
I'll then take a look at your books — reviewing your chart of accounts, existing transactions, and any reconciliation history — and let you know if there's catch-up work needed before we begin regular monthly bookkeeping.
Week 3: The First Real Cleanup
This is where I roll up my sleeves. I'll categorize your transactions, reconcile your accounts, and make sure everything is in order. If there are any transactions I'm not sure about, I'll reach out — but I try to keep back-and-forth minimal by using context clues from your business type and history.
Most clients are surprised by how little they have to do during this phase. My goal is to handle as much as possible independently so your time is protected.
Week 4: Your First Report
At the end of the month, you'll receive a clean Profit & Loss statement and Balance Sheet. We'll go over it briefly — I'll walk you through what you're looking at and flag anything worth paying attention to. From there, it's just ongoing monthly maintenance.
No more wondering if your numbers are right. No more scrambling before tax season. Just clean, current books — every month.
The Bottom Line
The first month is the most involved — mostly because we're getting set up and establishing a rhythm. After that, it runs smoothly in the background while you focus on your business.
Most clients tell me they wish they'd done this sooner. If you're on the fence, the free consultation is a low-stakes way to find out if it's the right fit. Let's talk.