These are not just phrases that live in a handbook or rarely visited webpage. These are really WHO we are as a company. We expect our team to embody these values while working with each other and with our clients. Further, we expect our clients to try to embody them while working with us, too!

• Treat everyone like your favorite aunt. Act with kindness and respect, no matter what.
• Don’t find faults, find remedies. Identify, resolve, and move on from the challenge.
• Work smarter through automation. Think outside the box and look to tech to improve processes.
• Honesty and transparency makes you valuable. Honesty + transparency = a foundation of trust.
• Be a boomerang. Everything you throw into the world comes back to you, give it your best shot.
• Run your day. Take charge of your time by staying focused, managing any interferences, respecting the schedule, and prioritizing tasks for optimal productivity.
• We all have lives. Be flexible with yourself and others, life happens.

We promise that our team of capable and knowledgeable accounting superheroes will provide you with a service tailored to your unique company needs. If there ever comes a time when your business evolves to a place where our superhero squad can no longer fulfill your expanded accounting needs, we promise to be transparent and supportive during any necessary transition.

Think of Liscio as your communication portal to our team. It allows you to securely exchange messages, documents, and sensitive information all the while ensuring efficient collaboration and maintaining top-notch security standards. This is also where you will receive your monthly Pre-Service Requirement & Post-Service Request tasks. Other cool things about Liscio…

• There’s an app for your phone.
• There’s a built-in phone scanner for uploading your documents.
• You can set it up to receive text message notifications.

Uncat is a convenient online tool that we use to get your input on any transactions that we have questions about during our bookkeeping service. It allows you to quickly and easily review and provide details by using a “magic link”. Each month in Liscio, if there are transaction-related questions, you’ll receive a task with your unique magic link, this will take you to a secure website where you can give our team the details we need to accurately record the transaction!

The 12-day timeframe in which your bookkeeping services are performed for each bookkeeping period.

This refers to the period of transactional data that’s updated & reconciled during the Bookkeeping Service Window. If you have monthly services, this is the prior calendar month. For example, services that are performed by our team in January are for the bookkeeping period of December.

These are the automated tasks sent in Liscio that you are required to complete prior to the start of your bookkeeping service window. Failure to complete these tasks may result in a Rework Fee.

After completing the majority of your monthly bookkeeping, we'll send you tasks in Liscio to clarify any outstanding questions and finalize your books. Timely responses ensure accurate period reports. If not addressed, they'll be handled based on your Star Status tier's outlined parameters for out-of-scope resolution.

This is a $125 fee assessed when any pre-service requirements that prevent us from doing 25% or more of our scope of work are not completed on time AND you did not notify our team at least three days prior to the start of your service window. If this is assessed, your service window will be rescheduled once you have completed your pre-service requirement.

The visual above illustrates the “typical” monthly recurring service cycle.

During your Bookkeeping Service Window, a team member performs your bookkeeping tasks for the Bookkeeping Period. After the work is done, your accounting file is reviewed by another team member for accuracy. Any corrections are made, and your reports are sent. Rinse and repeat the next month or period.

Some of our clients may require more frequent services. If this sounds like you, this will be specified in your quote and your timeline will be mapped out during bookkeeping onboarding.

To ensure a smooth and efficient bookkeeping experience, each client is assigned a specific service window that remains consistent month after month. This provides structure and clear expectations for both you and our team. There are four windows:

• 1st to 12th
• 8th to 19th
• 15th to 26th
• 22nd to 4th of the following month

Utilizing service windows ensures that your bookkeeping needs are handled efficiently, timely, and with precision, allowing you to have up-to-date financial records and insights into your business's financial performance on a schedule. In addition, this approach streamlines our team's scheduling, preventing monthly workload spikes and guaranteeing that every client's finances receive the thorough and dedicated attention they deserve.

Your service window is assigned during bookkeeping onboarding. If you have a preferred window, please let us know, and we will make every effort to accommodate your request.

• About 5 days before your bookkeeping service window, you will receive an automated notification in Liscio, our client communication portal, reminding you of your upcoming service window.
• You may be asked to provide any pertinent information, aka “Pre-Service Requirements”, during this time. (Psst, these are also automated!)

• Within the first seven days of the service window, the lead bookkeeper will perform the bulk of the prior month's bookkeeping services, including reconciliations and other necessary tasks.
• A bookkeeping team leader will then conduct a meticulous managerial review for accuracy, providing a second set of expert eyes.
• Our team may reach out to you via Liscio if any questions arise that require your input or additional information to close the books for that period. These are referred to as “Post-Service Requests”.
• If you have paid any new vendors that may be eligible to receive a 1099 at year end, our team will send you a task in Liscio, reminding you to request a W-9.
• By the end of the Bookkeeping Service Window, you can expect to receive your prior month's reports!

• Nada! After the service window is closed, you typically won’t hear from our team until the next Bookkeeping Service Window.

We aim to make the year-end process smooth & hassle-free. Here’s a breakdown on what to expect from our team to ensure your books are tax-ready:

• Liscio Requests: you’ll receive individual Liscio requests for all the necessary items, like 1098’s, prior year’s tax return, and annual account statements. We'll let you know if follow-up work resulting from these requests is included in your services or billed separately. Of course, if you want to take on these tasks yourself, no problem!
• 1099 Filing Inquiry: In December, you will receive a message in Liscio from our team to see if you want us to handle your 1099 filings. This will include info on pricing, required tasks, and a list of due dates to ensure on-time filing!
• Year-End Report Package: if you need it, we’re happy to provide this to you or your tax preparer. We have a standard set of reports, however ad hocs will be accepted within reason.

If you anticipate you will have additional needs or special requests, just let us know! We’re here to help!

To ensure optimal scheduling and timely completion of tasks, we request that any “Pre-Service Requirement” tasks assigned to you in Liscio are completed prior to the start of your Bookkeeping Service Window. If you are unable to complete the tasks, we ask that you notify us at least three (3) business days prior to the start of your service window so that we can modify our schedules to accommodate the change. If these tasks are unresolved, we are not notified, and they hinder us from performing ~25% or more of your services, a $125 Rework Fee will be charged, and your monthly services will be rescheduled.

We genuinely hope to avoid this situation and truly appreciate your timely completion of tasks so that we can stay on schedule!

We value a direct line of communication with your tax preparer, and depending on your Star Status level, this collaboration may even be included in your services. Here's what you need to know:

• Preferred Communication: We prefer to communicate with all tax preparers through Liscio, as it ensures compliance with federal security requirements for tax-related conversations. It's a safer alternative to email. We can easily invite your tax preparer and their team to Liscio as an external accountant.
• Billing Arrangements: Please inform us of any specific parameters or billing arrangements you have with your tax preparer that we need to be cognizant of during communication. We want to ensure seamless coordination and avoid any misunderstandings.

To avoid surprises, please provide clear instructions if and when you would like us to collaborate with your tax preparer. This way we can always ensure we respect your unique needs and budget!

• Do expect increased communication during the initial three to six months as we familiarize ourselves with your company's unique needs and processes.
• Do provide timely responses to your Pre-Service Requirement & Post-Service Request tasks!
• Do inform us of any changes to your bank or credit card accounts ASAP. Whether it's a new account, fraudulent activity, or adding team members to a credit card, these updates affect the integration with QuickBooks.
• Do send over any state or federal notices you receive, especially when related to sales tax, payroll, tax refunds and/or penalties.
• Do anticipate our team to outreach to you with year-end requests, even if they are not included in your chosen Star Status level. If you prefer not to receive these services, simply let us know.
• Do ask questions. If you don’t know or think you messed something up in QuickBooks, just ask for help!
• Do embrace your inner numbers geek. Dive into your monthly reports and financial statements and ask questions or schedule a meeting when needed.
• Do let us in on the excitement! Give us a heads-up about any big changes happening in your business. We love being part of your journey and may be able to offer suggestions to accurately reflect those changes in your financial story or help you with implementing any automation as well.
• Do keep the lines of communication open with our team. We rely on the information you provide to deliver accurate results. We're not mind-readers (yet!).

• Don’t play bookkeeper. That's our jam! Trust us to handle the nitty-gritty details that you’ve hired us to manage, so you can focus on growing your business.
• Don't procrastinate on responses. Timely and organized communication keeps the bookkeeping process running smoothly and keeps out-of-scope charges to a minimum.
• Don't mix business and personal expenses. Keep them separate to avoid any confusion down the road.
• Don't be surprised to hear from various team members; it's part of our cross-training strategy to ensure seamless service, even in unexpected situations.
• Don’t expect us to provide you with income tax advice or filing services; we are not tax preparers.
• Don't sweat the small stuff. If something seems off or you need a change, let's have an open and honest conversation. We're all about transparency (see section: Core Values)!

The Big Kahuna! This is for clients who want the ultimate level of support aka the royal treatment. Expect same or next day responses, monthly meetings, and comprehensive year-end activities.

Perks Included in Major SS:

• Monthly meetings with your lead bookkeeper
• Same or next business day team response turnaround time
• Access to our team via phone or Liscio
• Up to a year to answer any Post-Service Requests
• All-inclusive year-end activities, including up to twenty Form 1099 filings

This is designed for clients who want occasional support and prefer a quarterly check-in with our team. Enjoy a balanced level of assistance and the flexibility to focus on your core business needs.

Perks Included in Moderate SS:

• Quarterly meetings with your lead bookkeeper
• Three (3) business day team response turnaround time
• Access to our team digitally via Liscio
• Three (3) months to answer any Post-Service Requests
• Annual reconciliation to tax and year-end reports for your CPA

This is our standard and default service level, perfect for clients who prefer minimal assistance and fewer meetings. We keep it simple while ensuring your bookkeeping needs are met with professionalism and accuracy.

Perks Included in Minor SS:

• Annual meeting with your lead bookkeeper
• Seven (7) business day team response turnaround time
• Access to our team digitally via Liscio
• Until the start of your next service date to answer any Post-Service Requests

What if I want Accounting Therapy to perform year-end items that are not included in my Star Status?

• No problem! Regardless of your Star Status, we will reach out to you during December and January to discuss all potential year-end activities, including your 1099 filings. We will clearly communicate what is covered by your Star Status and what will be billed separately.

What if I need an additional meeting?

• Also, no problem! We are always here to support you. Any extra meetings or additional support needed beyond the scope of your Star Status will be billed at the team member’s standard hourly rate.

How do I schedule meetings included with my Star Status?

• At the end of each service date, you will be sent a set of bookkeeping reports, within that message will be a link to your lead bookkeeper’s Calendly that enables you to set up a meeting!

What if I don’t respond to my Post-Service Request(s) during the specified time frame?

• Our team is still happy to take care of these, however any work resulting from a delayed response will be billed at the team member’s standard hourly rate.

What if I want to change my Star Status selection?

• Easy fix! Let your bookkeeper know which Star Status you’re interested in, and we’ll let you know what the monthly cost difference is!

We have found that it typically takes between 3-4 months to find “flow” when working with new clients. During this initial period, we work hard to learn the inner-workings and intricacies of your business so that we can craft tailored solutions and perfect our workflow and processes. A 6-month commitment allows us to find that “flow” with you as a client, allowing you the opportunity to truly experience the value our team will bring to your business.

We keep our billing simple & straightforward. Here's what you need to know:

• Flat Monthly Rate: Your monthly fee covers the scope of work outlined in your quote. It's a flat rate that will be charged by us on the 1st of each month, unless otherwise specified in your agreement.
• Service Period: You are charged on the 1st of each Service Period, aka the month in which your services are performed by our team. However, the work done during the Service Period is for the prior month – we call that the Bookkeeping Period. For example, if you're charged on April 1st, it covers the work our team is doing in April (the Service Period) for the bookkeeping activity in March (the Bookkeeping Period).

The 3-Month and 6-Month Reviews:

At three and six months from the start of our partnership, we'll conduct a review to ensure everything is on track. About 95% of the time, there won't be any scope or pricing changes during these reviews.

The Annual Billing Review:

After you’ve been with us for a year and each year thereafter, we'll perform a comprehensive billing review. Based on factors like transactional volume, file complexity, and historical time spent on bookkeeping, there may be a reassessment of your bookkeeping fee. Don't worry, we'll give you a heads-up at least 15 days before your next billing cycle if any adjustments are necessary.

To keep pace with rising business costs, your bookkeeping fee will automatically increase by 5% each year on the month following the anniversary month of your services (e.g. if your anniversary month is January, your fee will be adjusted in February annually). This adjustment ensures our ability to provide quality services and adapt to ever-changing technology and needs.

We want to ensure transparency when it comes to services outside the scope of work defined in your bookkeeping quote and elected Star Status. If you have any questions or concerns about billing or service scopes, don't hesitate to reach out to our awesome team. Here's the deal:

• Billing and Payment: Any out-of-scope services will be billed separately. You’ll receive a detailed invoice with a net-10 due date. If payment is not received by day 10, the payment for any open invoice will be automatically processed using the payment method provided in your contract.
• Communication and Awareness: We'll make every effort to alert you when a project or request is considered out-of-scope. However, we kindly ask that you also be aware of what's included and what's not, as outlined in your bookkeeping quote and chosen Star Status. This way, we can avoid any surprises along the way.
• The 5-Minute Rule: If you request something from our team that’s outside of the normal scope of work and we can deliver within ~5ish minutes, we’re going to just do it and we’re not going to bill you for it. However, if it requires a meeting, additional research, or is not a quick answer, it may be billed out-of-scope.
• Different Billing Rates: Each team member has a specific billable rate based on their knowledge, expertise, and speed. If assistance from another team member’s skill set is required, a different rate may apply. We promise to be fair and transparent when assessing these costs so that you receive the best value for the services provided.
• Billable Rates by Team Member Position are as follows:

News flash: we’re not a fly-by-night sort of firm; we’re in this for the long haul and hope you are too. But we understand that things can change, and sometimes relationships need to be reevaluated.

Our priority is a mutually beneficial partnership, and if you ever feel dissatisfied, we won’t hold you back. Your success is what matters most, and we’ll support you no matter what path you choose. However, before parting ways, let’s openly chat about what’s not working so that we can find a solution together... even if that means we need to breakup!

If you ever decide to take your accounting in-house, we’re here to help you transition smoothly. We offer customized “Departure Kits” designed with processes, how-to videos, and best practices specific to your company, plus hands-on training to empower your team. Additionally, we can provide ongoing support through quarterly or annual file reviews, giving you a second set of eyes as you find your new groove.

Remember, we’re dedicated to your success, no matter what that looks like!

• We have access to discounted QuickBooks products, including payroll and merchant services.
• We can help you set up payroll, time tracking, and retirement benefits for your team, including automatic benefit calculations and contributions.
• We can refer you to pay-as-you-go workers’ comp insurance brokers, i.e. say goodbye to workers’ comp audits!
• We offer payroll processing services and can process retirement contributions if it’s not already automated.
• We can prepare & file sales tax returns.
• We can help you identify and establish workflows, workarounds, and automations to make your life easier.
• We can provide accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash flow planning services.
• We have a client referral kick-back program.