Structure now. Freedom later.

Where financial structure becomes lasting stability.

Built for companies whose bookkeeping technically exists, but who know their numbers wouldn’t feel solid if they were put in front of a board, lender, or investor.

Most businesses don’t struggle because they lack data. They struggle because nothing connects. Reports exist, but they don’t create certainty. Metrics are available, but they don’t guide decisions. When bookkeeping stops being enough but CFO-level services still feel premature, the problem is almost always structure.

You’re Past Bookkeeping — But Not Ready for a CFO.

That’s where this work begins. Not with more reports, and not with theory — but by building the systems that make your financials dependable. The close becomes something you trust. Reporting becomes something you actually rely on. Instead of managing around uncertainty, you start making decisions from solid ground.

This work is built for startups and scaling businesses that want their financial environment to feel intentional and dependable as operations grow more complex. Bookkeeping, tax, and payroll stay with your existing team or providers so the focus here remains on the structure above that layer and how the close and reporting support real decisions over time.

Implementation is where structure gets built. Recurring work is where it gets protected.

I don’t operate like a bookkeeper.
I don’t run a company like a CFO.

I build the financial backbone in between. The part most companies never install and later wonder why everything feels unstable.

Because stability now is what makes freedom possible later.

What You Have

What You Gain

Messy Books

Financial Blindspots

Unclear Metrics

Unreliable Numbers

Founder Overload

Clean Financials

+

=

Where financial structure becomes lasting stability.

Financial Clarity

Decision Confidence

Compounding Stability

Lower Stress

How My Services Stack Up

This was built for founders whose businesses have moved beyond basic recordkeeping. They already have a bookkeeper, but the pace of operations now requires more — something steady behind the numbers. Whether they’re managing a team in hospitality, scaling software, producing goods, delivering services, or reporting to investors, they need accounting to function like infrastructure — supporting decision-making, keeping operations aligned, and giving them clarity they can run with, because it’s not just a requirement anymore. It’s how they stay grounded.

Who to Choose?

Service	Bookkeeper + AI	Brett J Federer Accounting	In-House Controller	Fractional CFO
Bank & Credit Card Reconciliations	✅	❌	❌	❌
AR / AP Management	✅	❌	❌	❌
Full Month-End Close	❌	✅	✅	❌
Financial Statement Generation	❌	✅	✅	❌
Cash Clarity Method™	❌	✅	❌	❌
System Efficiency Refinements	❌	✅	✅	❌
KPIs & Graphs	❌	✅	✅	❌
Custom Strategy / Board Presentations	❌	❌	❌	✅
Cost	💲	💲 💲	💲 💲 💲 💲	💲 💲 💲
What You're Paying For	Basic Data Entry, AI Automation	Financial Architecture Without the overhead	Full-Time Employee Operational Finance	Strategic Finance Partner High-Level Strategy

When to Engage?

Title	Founding Stage	Early Growth (Post-Revenue)	Scaling & Growth	Seeking Investment	Expanding Operations	Preparing to Exit
Bookkeeper + AI	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Brett J. Federer Accounting	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Fractional CFO	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅

* The Cash Clarity Method™ is exclusive to Odoo and begins only after the Implementation & Onboarding Phase.

** Estimates shown reflect typical U.S. market pricing for small to midsize organizations.

AI Where It Works.
Humans Where It Counts

Brett J. Federer — CPA blending AI automation with human strategy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made financial processes faster, but speed alone isn’t enough. Clean, trustworthy numbers still require human oversight. The smartest companies aren’t choosing between AI and expertise. They’re blending both—using automation for efficiency, and people for judgment.

🔹 AI generates data, humans ensure it’s meaningful

🔹 AI streamlines execution, expertise drives decisions

🔹 Automation saves time, strategy ensures the right moves

Financial blind spots happen when numbers are left unchecked. That’s why AI should assist, not replace expert oversight. At Brett J. Federer Accounting, AI is used to streamline workflows when it improves clarity, efficiency, or accuracy. Every decision, report, and structure remains grounded in human judgment and experience.

Because smart finance isn’t just about numbers. It’s about structure that grows from sapling to forest.

I only work with a few founders at a time because clarity dies with chaos.

Clarity scales best when focus is protected.

Each client gets full attention and lasting clarity.

If it’s the right fit, timing takes care of itself.

Your Financials Should Feel Calm

Financial Clarity Package

The Financial Clarity Package by Brett J. Federer Accounting is built for founders who already have bookkeeping in place but need more than raw numbers. It follows a two-step structure designed to build order first, then sustain it — because clarity dies when it’s rushed. By investing in a thoughtful start, founders avoid endless cleanup cycles and instead gain a financial system they can actually rely on.

Financial Clarity
Package

🔹 One-Time Stabilization

Implementation
& Onboarding
(Typically 9-12 Months)

Implementation & Cleanup

During this window, you can lean on me for whatever is needed to get the system stable — from untangling reconciliations to automating recurring tasks or setting up reporting templates. The goal is a clean, structured foundation so the monthly cadence runs without surprises.

Cash Clarity Method™

For Odoo users, this framework bridges the gap most standard reports leave behind. It maps actual cash activity, giving you a true picture of where money moved versus where it was “supposed” to go. It’s built during onboarding and then maintained seamlessly in the monthly stage.

This is a high-touch phase with elevated access during setup, followed by a transition into structured ongoing support once the system is stable. You’re encouraged to bring issues and priorities forward during this phase so the right structure gets built from the start.

🔹 Monthly Close

Clean Financials (Soft Close)

Each month, your books are updated and reviewed to keep numbers current. These soft closes provide reliable visibility into performance, while leaving room for refinements if new information surfaces. This ensures you always have timely data without prematurely locking the books.

Recurring
Services
(Fixed Cost, Fixed Scope)

🔹 Quarterly Close

Clean Financials (Hard Close)

At each quarter-end, a hard close is performed. Key accounts are reconciled, adjustments finalized, and the numbers locked. This produces the definitive non-GAAP financial package for leadership and board reporting — structured for clarity and prepared for internal use only.

Board-Level Metrics (7)

Management identifies seven key metrics — i.e. LARR, CARR, EBITDA margin, or custom drivers. These are set during Q1 and Q3 closes, creating consistent first-half and second-half views. Each quarter, the metrics are updated to show progress on what matters most.

Trend Graphs & Visuals (3)

Numbers only tell part of the story — visuals reveal the direction. Each quarter, leadership selects three areas to graph, with choices made during Q1 and Q3 closes so visuals remain consistent, comparable, and easy to interpret.

This is a structured, ongoing phase with predictable support rather than real-time or on-call availability. At this point, systems should be stable, with any changes typically driven by growth, regulation, or business evolution.

Want to see how this structure would look inside your business?

Click the trees below.

Because clarity, like a forest, is built one strong root at a time.

Fixed Price = Fixed Scope

Once onboarding is complete, services move into a fixed monthly price with a fixed scope. This keeps things fair, focused, and balanced on both sides.

I don’t bill hourly for your monthly services, and I don’t tack on hidden fees. But that also means I’m not an on-call accountant.

To protect the integrity of the system and maintain focus, I stick to a defined scope once monthly fees begin. If something new comes up that falls outside of that, I’ll flag it early. If it’s worth tackling, we can always scope it as a separate project.

General Support Projects

Rebuilds & Policies Projects

Process Optimization Projects

No pressure. No surprises. Just structure that lasts.

Like a phone's automatic update, I make quiet changes that enhance performance.

Every adjustment keeps the process running smoothly;
it's easy as pie.

During Onboarding, I build refinements so your monthly close runs lean and consistent.

In the Recurring Service phase, I may make light operational adjustments that support the close and improve accuracy or stability. Larger changes such as system redesigns, major workflow shifts, or new automations are always handled as separately scoped projects.

Pricing & Terms

I believe in clean numbers — and clean pricing.

Implementation & Onboarding

Recurring Services

$7,000 / Month
Retainer

+ $175 / Hour
Overage

(Typical duration: 9-12 months)

$3,000/ Month
Simple Clients
Fixed Cost, Fixed Scope

OR

$4,000/ Month
Complex Clients
Fixed Cost, Fixed Scope

The not-so-‘Fine Print’

Additional terms may be outlined in your Engagement Agreement, which governs in the event of any conflict.

🔹 Cash Clarity Method™

The Cash Clarity Method™ is available only for clients on Odoo.
It is built and customized during the onboarding phase (retainer and hourly, as applicable).
If requested after onboarding, the buildout becomes a separate, one-time project with its own scope and fee, billed outside of the monthly package.

🔹 Simple vs. Complex?

Your price is determined by a clear checklist — not a judgment call.
- Simple: 0–1 boxes checked of 10 → $3,000/month.
- Complex: 2–5 boxes checked of 10 → $4,000/month.
- Super Complex: 6-10 boxes checked of 10 → Custom Price
  - Designed only for rare outliers that meet nearly all criteria.
  - Pricing is determined based on your needs and structure.
See the full checklist here →

🔹 Operational Stability Clause (Bookkeeper Changes)

If your bookkeeper leaves, changes, or performance drops and your books become unreliable, your monthly package temporarily adjusts to 150%.
This adjustment applies during disruption and ends once workflows are stable.
Clients will be notified when triggered.
Short-Term Accounting Support may be elected instead when no accounting staff is in place.
- See details under Short-Term Accounting Support here →

🔹 Onboarding Billing Standards:

The monthly implementation retainer is billed as a fixed fee and is not itemized by hours.
Hourly overage is based on tracked time when workload exceeds the scope supported by the retainer in a given month.
- During implementation, only hourly overage is summarized on invoices.
- Time during implementation is tracked in 30-minute increments, rounded up.
- Time is summarized at a high level (e.g., policy setup, workflow testing, documentation) to keep invoices clear and predictable.
- To avoid billing surprises, no more than 10 billable hours per client per day apply during the implementation phase.

🔹 Billing & Payment Terms:

In the transition month, two invoices will be issued — one for final onboarding charges and one for the first fixed monthly package.
- Onboarding is billed monthly based on the retainer plus any hourly overage once work is complete.
- Fixed monthly packages are billed at the start of each month, for the month ahead.
Payment is due within 15 days (Net 15). Services may be paused for non-payment.
Onboarding is temporary by design. Transition to a fixed monthly package is the standard once books are stable.
- Extensions beyond the 9-12 month goal are determined at my discretion based on scope and progress.
Software and tools are selected together and licensed directly by the client. No platforms are bundled into service fees.
- Clients retain ownership of all systems and grant access through advisor roles or client-created credentials.

🔹 Annual Rate Adjustment:

Rates increase 5% every 12 months of billing to keep pace with inflation and system upkeep.
The 12-month cycle begins with your first invoice (onboarding counts toward the 12 months).
No surprises — just a steady way to protect value on both sides.

🔹 Client Responsibility:

Clients are expected to provide timely cooperation and access to records.
Delays may extend onboarding. If information is withheld or access is restricted, services may be paused.
Persistent delays or unresponsiveness may result in paused service or early termination.

🔹 If it's Not for You:

Either party may cancel services at any time.
The full monthly rate is billed for the month in which cancellation occurs — the fee is not prorated or discounted, regardless of cancellation date.
A termination fee equal to one month’s service is also charged upon exit — this is separate from your final month’s billing.

Early Client Pricing

Reserved for the first three aligned clients.

To mark the firm’s launch, the first three aligned clients receive

10% off the first 3 billing months of Implementation.

Implementation:
- 10% off all implementation charges for the first three billing months.
- Applies to the implementation retainer and any hourly overage.
- Applies regardless of workload, complexity, or onboarding pace.
- This credit ends automatically after month three.
- No discounts apply to monthly services.

This offer is limited to the first three clients only — all others will begin at standard pricing

All services, scope, and deliverables remain the same — this is simply a thank-you for being early.

🔹 How it works:

Professional Testimonials

I had the privilege of working closely with Brett in his role as Controller, and his contributions were instrumental to both our financial and operational success. What set Brett apart was not only his command of accounting and finance, but also his ability to design systems and processes that improved efficiency across the entire company.

From an operations perspective, his impact was profound. He led the successful upgrade of our ERP system after years without updates, resolving complex data migration and process issues. He developed tools that gave leadership clear, real-time visibility into expenses and cash flow, including per-customer, per-warehouse expense tracking and a highly reliable forecast model. His automation work reduced our monthly close process from nearly two weeks to just a couple of days, enabling timely, accurate reporting and freeing up valuable resources.

Brett also implemented practical, enforceable policies — from per diem and travel to sales tax and employee expenses — that made compliance simpler while improving accuracy and accountability. Each initiative he undertook was approached with a strong balance of financial rigor and operational practicality, and the results consistently exceeded expectations.

Most importantly, Brett carried himself with professionalism and high standards, holding his department accountable while partnering effectively with operations and leadership. He leaves behind a stronger, more disciplined, and more efficient organization, and his contributions will continue to benefit us well into the future.

I recommend Brett wholeheartedly to any company seeking a financial leader who can deliver not only accurate numbers, but also sustainable, well-designed operational improvements

Dan Parks , PhD

Chief Operating Officer / Founder

How Research Is Handled (By Phase)

Some engagements require research, especially when building or restructuring financial systems. How research is handled depends on the phase of your engagement.

Implementation & Onboarding:

Research is part of the work being performed and is billed through your monthly retainer, with hourly overage if work exceeds the retainer.

Recurring Services:

Reasonable research related to your monthly close and reporting is included. At this stage, you are no longer paying for discovery. You are paying for stability.

Separate scoping applies only when research:

is unique to your company’s structure or model
is a specialized accounting topic (e.g. ASC 606, inventory costing, amortization logic, etc.)
is a platform-specific setup or integration issue (e.g. Stripe logic, software configuration, etc.)
requires substantial, one-time research that is unusually time-intensive, even if related to agreed deliverables
involves or relates to a custom setup outside the agreed deliverables