Frequently Asked Questions

Bookkeeping Questions From Small Business Owners

• How Much Do Bookkeeping Services Cost?

  How Much Do Bookkeeping Services Cost?

  Bookkeeping costs can vary depending on factors such as your transaction volume, the condition of your current records, the services you need, and the complexity of your accounts. Contact Marlene's Bookkeeping Services, LLC to discuss your bookkeeping needs and receive information based on your specific situation.

• When Should a Small Business Consider Professional Bookkeeping Support?

  When Should a Small Business Consider Professional Bookkeeping Support?

  Professional support may be helpful when bookkeeping starts taking too much time, transactions are falling behind, accounts are difficult to reconcile, or you no longer have a clear picture of your financial records. Consistent bookkeeping can help you stay organized while allowing you to focus more attention on running your business.

• What Bookkeeping Tasks Can You Help With on a Regular Basis?

  What Bookkeeping Tasks Can You Help With on a Regular Basis?

  Depending on your needs, bookkeeping support can include recording and categorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, organizing income and expenses, maintaining financial records, and preparing information for review. We also offer monthly bookkeeping, payroll services, QuickBooks bookkeeping, 1099 support, and CPA-ready books.

• How Often Should My Business Accounts Be Reconciled?

  How Often Should My Business Accounts Be Reconciled?

  Monthly reconciliation is a practical approach for many small businesses. Regularly comparing your bookkeeping records with bank and account statements can help identify missing transactions, duplicate entries, incorrect categorizations, and other discrepancies before they accumulate.

• What Is the Best Way to Keep Track of Business Receipts and Expenses?

  What Is the Best Way to Keep Track of Business Receipts and Expenses?

  Keeping receipts and supporting documents organized throughout the year makes bookkeeping and tax preparation much easier. Business expenses should be recorded consistently, categorized appropriately, and supported by available documentation so important information is easier to locate when your books or tax records are reviewed.

• Can You Help if My Bookkeeping Is Several Months Behind?

  Can You Help if My Bookkeeping Is Several Months Behind?

  Yes. Catch-up and cleanup bookkeeping can help bring overdue or disorganized records back up to date. This may involve reviewing historical transactions, correcting categorization issues, reconciling accounts, identifying missing information, and establishing a cleaner starting point for ongoing bookkeeping.

• Can You Help Manage My Books in QuickBooks?

  Can You Help Manage My Books in QuickBooks?

  Yes. QuickBooks bookkeeping can help keep your income, expenses, account activity, and other financial information properly recorded and organized. Consistent maintenance also makes QuickBooks reports more useful for understanding your finances and sharing information with your accountant.

• What Is the Difference Between a Bookkeeper and a CPA?

  What Is the Difference Between a Bookkeeper and a CPA?

  A bookkeeper generally maintains the day-to-day financial records that keep your books accurate and organized, while a CPA may provide services such as tax preparation, tax advice, auditing, or other accounting work. Maintaining clean bookkeeping records gives your CPA more organized financial information to work with when their expertise is needed.

• How Can You Help Prepare My Books for My CPA?

  How Can You Help Prepare My Books for My CPA?

  We can help keep accounts reconciled, expenses categorized, transactions organized, and supporting financial information readily available. Maintaining CPA-ready books throughout the year can reduce last-minute cleanup and give your accountant clearer records to review.

• Do You Provide Payroll Support for Small Businesses?

  Do You Provide Payroll Support for Small Businesses?

  Yes. Payroll support can help keep employee wages, hours, deductions, payments, and related financial records organized. The specific support needed can depend on your pay schedule, compensation structure, and existing payroll system.

• Can You Help With 1099 Contractor Records?

  Can You Help With 1099 Contractor Records?

  Yes. We can help organize contractor payment information, maintain relevant records, identify missing documentation, and prepare bookkeeping information for year-end reporting. Keeping these records current throughout the year can make 1099 preparation easier when reporting deadlines approach.

• How Can I Make Year-End Bookkeeping Easier?

  How Can I Make Year-End Bookkeeping Easier?

  Keeping your books current throughout the year is one of the most effective ways to reduce year-end stress. Regular reconciliations, organized receipts, accurate expense categorization, current payroll records, and properly maintained contractor information can make financial review and tax preparation much more manageable.