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Hourly Accounting Support
Flexible controller-level accounting support without a fixed monthly structure
For companies that prefer hourly flexibility or do not fit a standard retainer package
Hourly Accounting Support
Hourly Accounting Support provides flexible controller-level accounting support for companies that prefer hourly engagement or do not fit a standard retainer structure. Work is performed within the existing accounting environment using the same close and reporting standards applied across all services. This offering is designed for companies that want experienced accounting support while maintaining greater control over scope, timing, and engagement structure. Services do not include CFO responsibilities, tax services, staff management, or operational decision-making.
Common Concerns
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Accounting owns your time
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Missed payments
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Invoice errors
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Unreconciled accounts
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Cash uncertainty
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Close delays
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1099 confusion
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Unreliable financials
Available Outcomes
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Time reclaimed
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Accounts Payable batched
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Accounts Receivable stabilized
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Accounts reconciled
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Cash position understood
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Close blockers cleared
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1099s prepared and filed
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More reliable financials
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. Services are performed within an existing accounting environment and follow a prioritized, first-come, first-served workflow based on current capacity.
Companies that later require consistent monthly oversight may transition into the Controller Lite Package, while companies requiring deeper accounting system stabilization may be better served by the Financial Clarity Package.
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 is designed for flexible needs without a long term contract or heavy onboarding process. Intake, access, and scope are handled within the hourly engagement itself, so work can begin based on what's needed now.
Engagements can be paused or concluded as needs change.
Supported Software
Hourly Accounting Support operates within the Client’s existing accounting and banking systems rather than replacing them. Existing platforms and workflows remain in place while recurring execution and close activity stabilize around them. The Firm does not assume control over cash movement, banking authority, or operational management.
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QuickBooks
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Xero
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Odoo
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Sage
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and similar accounting systems
Where the Hourly Accounting Support Can Sit
Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC
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Monthly Soft Close
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Material Exceptions Flagged
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Quarterly Hard Close
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Quarterly Financials Issued
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Reporting Integrity Maintained
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Existing Structure Maintained
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Data Entry & Bank Reconciliations
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Accounts Payable
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Accounts Receivable
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General ledger maintenance
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1099 Preparation & Filings
Executive Leadership
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Strategic planning
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Business decisions
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Board meetings / preparation
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Staff management and payroll
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Forecast creation & ownership
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KPI calculation and interpretation
Capitalization Policy Included
Every Hourly Accounting Support client is given the option to receive a basic capitalization policy if one is not already in place. This gives fixed asset treatment a clear threshold, so capitalization decisions are handled consistently during the close instead of being decided differently from month to month.
The policy is designed for practical internal use within the existing accounting structure. Broader accounting policy creation, workflow redesign, historical cleanup, or system stabilization are handled through a different package or available add-on when needed.
Questions About Hourly Accounting Support and Flexible Engagement
If you need accounting support without committing to a retainer, this is typically where flexible controller-level support fits between one-time cleanup and fully structured monthly accounting.
🔹When does hourly accounting support make more sense than a monthly retainer?
Hourly support makes sense when accounting needs are inconsistent, project-based, or not yet defined enough to justify a fixed monthly commitment. It also fits situations where a retainer package is the eventual goal but the business is not ready for that structure yet. This is typically the stage before transitioning into a monthly close cadence through a controller-level package such as the Controller Lite package. Hourly Accounting Support is designed for exactly that range, providing controller-level execution without requiring an ongoing engagement.
🔹How does hourly accounting billing work for small businesses?
Hourly accounting support is billed based on time actually incurred rather than a fixed monthly fee. Time is tracked in 30-minute increments, invoiced monthly, and due within 15 days. There is no retainer, no minimum commitment, and no long-term lock-in. This is the role Hourly Accounting Support is designed to fill: professional accounting execution for clients who pay for what they need without committing to a structure that does not fit their current situation.
🔹Can I get accounting help without signing a long-term contract?
Yes. Hourly Accounting Support has no required term, and no long-term contract. Engagements can be paused or concluded at any time if needs change or the fit is no longer right. This structure is designed for businesses that need professional accounting support without narrowing their options or locking into a package before they are ready.
🔹How do I catch up on overdue bookkeeping?
Accounting cleanup typically involves reconciling accounts that have fallen out of sync, correcting misclassified transactions, and addressing historical gaps that are affecting current reporting. Hourly Accounting Support includes cleanup and catch-up work within existing systems, handled based on client-directed priorities without requiring a long-term retainer commitment. When issues are structural rather than isolated, a full accounting system rebuild through the Financial Clarity Package may be more appropriate.
🔹What is accounting catch-up work and how long does it take?
Accounting catch-up addresses periods where transactions were not fully processed, reconciliations were skipped, or the close was never completed. The time required depends on how far back the gap goes and how complex the activity was during that period. This is where Hourly Accounting Support is typically used: clearing the backlog on a scoped, client-directed basis without disrupting current operations.
🔹How much does hourly accounting support cost?
Hourly accounting support is billed at a fixed hourly rate rather than a monthly retainer. Hourly Accounting Support is billed at $175 per hour, tracked in 30-minute increments, and invoiced monthly based on time actually incurred. There is no retainer or long-term commitment. Work is billed based on time incurred, with a minimum monthly support level applied.
🔹 What is the difference between hourly accounting support and a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper typically handles ongoing transaction entry and basic recordkeeping on a recurring basis. Hourly accounting support applies controller-level judgment to a broader range of tasks including reconciliations, close assistance, cleanup, and reporting without the ongoing commitment of a retainer. When ongoing execution ownership is needed, this typically transitions into an outsourced accounting execution layer, such as the Accounting Execution Package.
If your accounting needs are inconsistent, undefined, or project-based, this usually indicates that flexibility matters more than structure at this stage. Hourly Accounting Support is designed for that exact situation, providing controller-level support without requiring a long-term commitment.
Pricing & Terms
I believe in clean numbers — and clean pricing.
Services
+ $175 / Hour
Monthly support minimum: $350
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
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Invoicing & Timing
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Invoices are issued monthly based on time incurred.
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Time is tracked in 30-minute increments, rounded up.
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Payment is due within fifteen (15) days. Services may be paused for non-payment.
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Hourly rates are fixed and not adjusted based on internal staffing or task allocation.
Service Scope
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Hourly Accounting Support provides controller-level accounting execution and transactional support within the Client’s existing systems.
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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.
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Requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis within normal business capacity.
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Third-Party Costs & Access
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Service fees cover professional services only and do not include third-party software subscriptions.
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Client-facing accounting platforms are licensed and paid for directly by the Client, with access provided through advisor roles or client-created credentials.
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What you're paying for
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Communication is part of the service.
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In professional services, the value delivered is judgment, not just the final output, and the time required to think through and respond to requests is part of the work performed.
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What's included
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Services include task execution, along with the time required to review, think through, and respond to requests.
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How communication is handled
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Written communication, including email, follow-ups, and clarification of accounting matters, is treated as part of the service and billed based on time incurred, consistent with the hourly nature of the engagement.
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Communication channels
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Communication occurs via email and scheduled meetings.
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Slack, Microsoft Teams, text messaging, and other real-time platforms are not used for ongoing support.
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Response timing
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Responses are provided in a timely manner based on complexity and current execution demands.
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Looking for something more integrated?
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Clients who prefer routine communication included within a structured retainer engagement may be better suited for the Controller Lite Package, Accounting Execution Package, or Financial Clarity Package.
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State or federal compliance, including sales tax, property tax, annual filings, or income tax work
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Some of these are offered as separately scoped Add-Ons.
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CFO-level services such as forecasting, budgeting, scenario modeling, or investor reporting
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Bank access beyond view-only or execution preparation
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Staff management, supervision, training, or enforcement
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Hourly rates may be adjusted periodically to reflect changes in scope, complexity, or market conditions.
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Any rate changes will be communicated in advance and apply only to future work.
Reference Only
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Clients are expected to provide timely cooperation and reasonable access to records and systems.
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If information is withheld or access is restricted, services may be paused.
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Ongoing delays or unresponsiveness may result in paused service or early termination.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Financial Clarity,
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Build Structure That Frees You.
Designed for founders who want clean, consistent financials and the confidence to make decisions without second-guessing. If that’s what you’re building toward, I’m here.