O'Neill and Associates, LLC

My pricing structure is based on local vs. distance for travelling from my home office. If I can perform the work remotely, I charge a lower rate. Otherwise, my fee is the same regardless if I am at the client's workplace weekly, semi-monthly/biweekly, or monthly. Also, I'm different then other bookkeepers, in which I don't bill my clients for mileage! I am blessed that I get to do what I love when and where I get to do it! I don't believe in nickel and diming a person.

Usually I set up a meeting (at the clients office) with a potential client and perform the write up of what the client needs. The client has already received my pricing sheet, so they know what I charge. However, the write up helps the client and I to define what the job parameters are and what items are necessary for those parameters to be met.

I have been working in payroll and bookkeeping for over twenty years. I was a Payroll Tax Accountant for a major retailer, which started my career in payroll. Even though I enjoyed learning the complexities of payroll, it wasn't something I wanted to do on a constant basis. I went on to work for an accounting firm (a few actually) so I could learn the whole process from start to finish (bookkeeping/data entry-processing the tax returns).I am certified and licensed through the National Association of Certified Professional Bookkeepers and have to take continuing education to keep my certifications and licenses current.

I started my payroll career by accident...fell into it. Then I worked for a CPA firm and really liked bookkeeping. I had no desire to be a CPA. I enjoy the hands-on data entry and client interaction (learning the nuts and bolts of their business). Everyday is a different day!

I have worked with CPA's, attorneys, educators, entertainers, techies, designers, etc...

Actually, my most rewarding experience is probably tutoring. Nothing is better than watching someone who didn't understand something..and now they do. The feeling of accomplishment on that person's face...that's MY satisfaction.

I had a potential client tell me the other day" It's not rocket science...I mean hell, even I can do my own books." That attitude isn't going to get a good bookkeeper to do your books. It's condescending. First of all, a good bookkeeper WILL know what debits and credits are and the implications of not classifying them properly....do YOU know that? Probably NOT. Ask the bookkeeper you are about to hire for references and CALL THEM,..make sure they are WORTH the pay they are asking for. Remember, this is the person that you will be trusting with your confidential information. I can't tell you how many times I've had to clean up a client's books. You CAN do your books, true. But the REAL question is...are you doing them CORRECTLY?? In the end, you're going to pay. Either pay a cheaper rate (than an accountant) and get a quality bookkeeper OR pay your accountant to CLEAN up your books AFTER you've done them. Your decision.

1. How much time is this project going to take (be honest)? List the items that your previous bookkeeper worked on or what you do and allow for a learning curve in the beginning. 2. How much are you truly willing to spend? If you think $10.00 an hour is going to get you quality...then think again. In this field, you tend to get what you pay for. Certified bookkeepers have to "pay" to be certified AND pay to KEEP their certification (CE's). Would you hire someone to tile your floor who doesn't know how to? If that doesn't change your view, then think about this. You may think you're saving money by hiring a cheap bookkeeper, but do you know how much your accountant charges to fix his/her mistakes? Here's a thought....CALL YOUR ACCOUNTANT and ask them how much they charge to do what bookkeepers do!