Frequently Asked Questions About Our Bookkeeping Services

If you're running a business and your books are being handled by you, a well-meaning employee, or someone who "figures it out," you probably need one sooner than you think.

The question isn't whether your bookkeeping is handled. It's whether your financial records are being kept in a way that would hold up if a lender, a CPA, or the IRS asked questions. Most businesses don't find out until they're already in the situation.

It means your books tell a clear, accurate, and defensible story that holds up when someone outside your business examines them. That could be a bank reviewing a loan application, a CPA preparing your taxes, an insurance auditor, or the IRS.

Most small businesses are kept well enough for day-to-day purposes, but would raise immediate questions under external scrutiny. Audit-readiness means that there's nothing to find because everything has been addressed.

Most bookkeepers focus on recording. They enter transactions, reconcile accounts, and generate reports. That's necessary work, but it's passive. My background is in clinical documentation and chart auditing, which means I'm trained to review records the way an outside examiner would. I'm looking at your books not just to maintain them, but to catch what shouldn't be there, what's missing, and make sure that every claim made by your records is supported. It's a different standard, and it shows up in the work.

I operate in QuickBooks Online. I currently hold a QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification. If you're already using QuickBooks, we can work directly in your existing file. If you're not yet set up, I can configure your account from scratch with a chart of accounts built for your industry.

No. Payroll and tax preparation are specialized services that deserve an experienced professional. My focus is on keeping your books clean, accurate, and organized. I am happy to refer any of my clients to trusted colleagues or help you get set up with Gusto for payroll.

I am trained in medical billing and have experience with A/R & A/P; however, whether I can perform this service for a client will depend on their specific needs and their volume of purchase orders and invoices.

I do not provide medical billing services through my firm.

Each month I categorize your transactions, reconcile your bank and credit card accounts, and close out the month. You receive your financial statements along with a plain-language summary. Rather than just provide the numbers, you'll get a brief report on what the numbers mean and anything worth your attention. Communication happens in writing so it can always be referenced in the future. There are no required calls or meetings, and no surprises at the end of the month.

Not unless you want to. M Young Books is built around written-first communication by design. Onboarding, reporting, findings, and questions all happen in writing. This means you have a clear record of everything, you can respond on your own schedule, and nothing important gets lost in a conversation that was never documented.

If you prefer a phone call, that option exists, but is not required.

I primarily work with small service-based businesses, including healthcare practices, home service contractors, independent professionals, and similar owner-operated businesses.

I don't work with restaurants, real estate agents, or retail businesses with heavy inventory.

The businesses that benefit most from this approach are ones where accuracy and documentation matter: businesses that interact with insurance providers, lenders, licensing boards, or that operate in regulated environments where record-keeping can carry real weight.

That's exactly what the Books Diagnostic is for. A messy set of books isn't a disqualifier; it's the most common starting point. The diagnostic tells us the scope of what needs to be addressed, and from there, we can either move into a cleanup project, monthly bookkeeping, or both. You don't need to have your books in order before reaching out. That's what I'm here to help with.

It's more common than it should be. The most frequent complaint I hear is that a previous bookkeeper simply maintained records without ever flagging a problem, so issues compounded quietly in the background until something forced them out in the open.

The diagnostic exists partly because of this pattern. Starting with a review means you know the actual state of your books from day one, rather than trusting that the handoff was clean.

The Books Diagnostic starts at $197 for up to 12 months of review, or $297 for 12-24 months needing review.

Ongoing bookkeeping is priced flat based on your transaction volume, starting at $250/month. All monthly services will begin with a diagnostic review, which must be purchased up front, but if you continue on as a monthly client, the diagnostic review price is credited toward the first month of bookkeeping.

A/P & A/R management, cleanup services, and other one-time services are quoted individually based on scope. There is no hourly rate. Every engagement has a defined price before the work begins.

Yes, and no. Every client will receive and sign a client agreement that will detail the scope of work we agree on, the pricing, and other important basic terms to protect both parties.

There will never be any kind of long-term committment requiring you to continue in a contract if you want to discontinue services. I do ask that you give 30 days notice before ending an engagement so there is time to ensure a clean handoff. No one should feel locked in, and no one should be left without their records.

One-time services are available without any ongoing commitment as well. Booking one does not require that you move forward with any other service. They will involve a client agreement outlining the scope, pricing, and terms of the project, but you will never be locked in.

Some clients use one-time services to get organized and then handle maintenance themselves. Others use them as an entry point that leads to ongoing work. Either outcome is fine.