General Questions

What does a bookkeeper do?
A bookkeeper records and organizes a business's financial transactions, ensuring that all income, expenses, and assets are accurately documented. This includes reconciling bank statements, managing accounts payable/receivable, generating reports, and keeping books tax-ready.

How is bookkeeping different from accounting?
Bookkeeping involves recording day-to-day financial transactions, while accounting focuses on interpreting, analyzing, and reporting financial data. Bookkeepers maintain accurate records; accountants use those records for tax filing, financial strategy, and forecasting.

Why do I need a bookkeeper if I already have an accountant?
Bookkeepers ensure your financial data is consistently accurate and up to date, so your accountant can make strategic decisions or file taxes efficiently. Without bookkeeping, your accountant has to clean up months of data, often at a higher cost.

Do you offer virtual bookkeeping services?
Yes! We specialize in remote bookkeeping and work with clients across the U.S. using cloud-based tools like QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Enterprise and Xero.

Services & Capabilities

What services do you offer?
We offer full-service bookkeeping, including:

• Monthly transaction categorization

• Bank and credit card reconciliation

• Financial reporting

• Payroll processing

• Accounts payable and receivable

• QuickBooks and Xero cleanup

• Catch-up and historical bookkeeping

Can you help me catch up on months or years of neglected books?
Absolutely. We specialize in catch-up and cleanup services, no matter how far behind you are. We’ll assess your situation and build a plan to get you back on track.

Do you offer tax filing services?
We do not file taxes directly but work closely with your CPA or tax preparer to ensure your books are accurate and tax-ready. 

Pricing & Plans

How much do your bookkeeping services cost?
Our pricing depends on your business’s size, complexity, and service needs. We generally offer monthly packages, but can work to tailor our plans to fit your needs. Book a consultation to get a quote.

Is there a contract or long-term commitment?
We offer flexible month-to-month plans with no long-term commitment. You can cancel or change your plan at any time with 45 days’ notice.

Do you charge hourly or flat monthly rates?
We primarily offer flat monthly pricing for transparency and consistency. However, hourly billing may apply for the first few months of service, one-time projects like catch-up work or software migration.

Process & Tools

How does the onboarding process work?
After our initial consultation, we’ll:

• Review your current books and needs

• Create a tailored workflow and schedule

• Begin managing your books regularly

What bookkeeping software do you use?

We use QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Enterprise, Xero. For payroll we use QuickBooks, ADP, Paychex and Paylocity. If you're using a different platform, we can likely work with it or help you transition.

How often will I receive reports or updates?
You’ll receive monthly financial reports, including income statements and balance sheets. We’re also available for check-ins and quarterly reviews.

Clients & Niches

What types of businesses do you work with?
We work with small businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits across industries including e-commerce, professional services, wellness, creative agencies, and more.

Do I need to be in the same city to work with you?
Nope! We work with clients virtually across the U.S. 

I’m just starting out — is it too early to hire a bookkeeper?
Not at all. Hiring a bookkeeper early helps you avoid costly mistakes and gives you financial clarity from day one. We have plans designed for new businesses too.

Will I have a dedicated bookkeeper?
Yes, you’ll be paired with a dedicated bookkeeper who gets to know your business and handles your books consistently each month. SFL Bookkeeping is dedicated to maintaining the highest professional standards across our team.