Hourly Accounting Support

Flexible accounting support anchored to controller-level close standards
For clients who prefer hourly support or don’t require a standard retainer package

Hourly Accounting Support by Brett J. Federer Accounting

Hourly Accounting Support provides flexible accounting execution and controller-level judgment on an as-needed basis. Work is billed hourly and performed within existing systems, supporting day-to-day accounting tasks, cleanup, analysis, and close-related work without committing to an ongoing retainer.

This option is designed for situations where accounting needs do not require a standard retainer package, or where an hourly engagement is simply the preferred way to work. Services are delivered with the same professional standards, documentation discipline, and system awareness applied across all offerings.

Work is performed based on client direction and approval and does not include CFO services, tax services, staff management, or operational decision-making.

Purpose: Designed to provide flexible access to controller-level accounting support without forcing a retainer structure. This option is often appropriate when work does not warrant a standard retainer package or when clients prefer to engage on an hourly basis while maintaining professional boundaries and execution quality.

Common Concerns

Accounting owns your time
Missed payments
Invoice errors
Fragmented records
Unreconciled accounts
Cash uncertainty
Lingering history
Process breakdowns
Close delays
Inconsistent treatment
System drift
1099 confusion
Unreliable Financials

Available Outcomes

Time reclaimed
Accounts Payable batched
Accounts Receivable batched
Complete ledger
Bank / Credit Cards Reconciled
Cash visibility graphs (3)
Historical items addressed
Execution issues resolved
Close blockers cleared
Basic standards documented
System integrity maintained
1099s Prepared (not filed)
Monthly Soft Close + Quarterly Hard Closes Performed

How this works

Hourly Accounting Support operates within a structured execution cadence rather than real-time interaction. Work is completed asynchronously within client-owned systems, based on client direction and documented requests. Communication occurs via email and scheduled meetings, rather than via real-time messaging platforms such as Slack or Teams. All communications are responded to in a timely manner, based on complexity and execution demands.

You should be able to get support that fits where you are right now.

While still getting help without narrowing your options.

The work moves forward quietly in the background, focused on what’s actually needed, without closing doors.

Getting Started

Hourly Accounting Support can begin once access, scope, and priorities are confirmed. Work is initiated based on current needs rather than a fixed onboarding sequence. When setup or intake is required (for example, access to systems or documentation), that time is handled within the hourly engagement.

There is no required onboarding period or long-term commitment. Engagements may be paused or concluded at any time if needs change or the fit is no longer appropriate. If this option isn’t the right fit, please see the If it’s not for you section below for details.

System Requirements

Hourly Accounting Support operates within the Client’s existing accounting, banking, and payment systems, including platforms such as QuickBooks, Xero, Odoo, or similar systems, along with connected banking or bill-pay tools. Access is limited to view-only permissions and execution preparation or payment staging within Client-owned systems.

The Firm does not approve, release, transmit, or authorize funds and does not assume control over cash or banking activity. No system selection, setup, migration, automation development, or system redesign is included as part of Hourly Accounting Support.

Where the Hourly Accounting Support Can Sit

Strategic planning
Business decisions
Board meetings / preparation

Management / Leadership

Staff management and payroll
Forecast creation & ownership
KPI calculation and interpretation

Controller Level Support

Issues surfaced, as appropriate
Close structure and cadence
Consistent month-end execution

Financial reporting integrity
Standardization and consistency
Ongoing system stability

Transactional Support

Transaction entry
Vendor record maintenance
Bank & credit card reconciliations

Customer invoicing
Vendor bill processing
Cash visibility snapshots

Statutory & Regulatory Compliance
(Third-Party or Client-Managed)

Sales Tax Filings*
Use Tax Filings
Property Tax Filings

Nexus Analysis
State Registrations
Business Licenses

Income Tax Filings
City or Local Tax Filings
Annual Filings

*Sales tax filings are handled separately, typically through dedicated compliance software or a tax professional.

Execution Guidelines:

Direction & Boundaries

Hourly Accounting Support is designed to provide flexible, controller-anchored accounting support within the client’s existing accounting environment. Work is performed on a request-driven basis, scoped and prioritized by the client, while remaining aligned with controller-level close standards and reporting integrity.

Existing processes, policies, workflows, and system configuration are maintained unless otherwise directed. Work is performed based on client-scoped requests and documented direction. Where questions arise that affect accuracy or consistency, general industry practices may be discussed for management consideration, and records may be aligned once an approach is confirmed.

Hourly Accounting Support does not include redesigning processes, drafting new accounting policies, or implementing structural accounting changes unless explicitly scoped and agreed in advance. Any broader changes identified are documented and may be addressed through separate scoping at the client’s discretion.

Capitalization Policy Exception
Where a basic capitalization threshold is required to maintain consistent fixed asset treatment, a standard capitalization approach may be defined and applied.

Pricing & Terms

I believe in clean numbers — and clean pricing.

Services

+ $175 / Hour

The not-so-‘Fine Print’

This section exists to remove surprises, not to bury terms.

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

Read This

Invoicing & Timing
- Invoices are issued monthly based on time incurred.
- Time is tracked in 30-minute increments, rounded up.
- Payment is due within fifteen (15) days. Services may be paused for non-payment.
- Hourly rates are fixed and not adjusted based on internal staffing or task allocation.
Service Scope
- Hourly Accounting Support provides controller-level accounting execution and transactional support within the Client’s existing systems.
- Services are designed to operate within an existing accounting environment and do not include system rebuilds, historical cleanup, policy design, or separately scoped project work unless explicitly agreed.
- Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis within normal business capacity.
Third-Party Costs & Access
- Service fees cover professional services only and do not include third-party software subscriptions.
- Client-facing accounting platforms are licensed and paid for directly by the Client, with access provided through advisor roles or client-created credentials.

State or federal compliance, including sales tax, property tax, annual filings, or income tax work
CFO-level services such as forecasting, budgeting, scenario modeling, or investor reporting
Bank access beyond view-only or execution preparation
Staff management, supervision, training, or enforcement

Hourly rates may be adjusted periodically to reflect changes in scope, complexity, or market conditions.
Any rate changes will be communicated in advance and apply only to future work.

Reference Only

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

If it's not for me

Hourly engagements are intended to be flexible. Clients may discontinue services at any time. When possible, advance notice is appreciated to allow for orderly wind-down.
All work performed through the effective date of termination is billed in full and due under standard payment terms. Invoices are not prorated, and any previously applied promotional pricing remains in effect through the final invoice.
Any reasonable time required to prepare final deliverables, return client records, and complete an orderly disengagement is billable at standard hourly rates. A final invoice reflecting all work performed, including disengagement activities, is issued upon completion of the handoff.