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 for companies in Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and throughout California 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.

Companies that later need 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 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

Management / Leadership

Strategic planning

Business decisions

Board meetings / preparation

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes. Hourly Accounting Support has no required term, no minimum commitment, 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.

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.

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.

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 are no minimums, no retainer fees, and no charges beyond the work performed.

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

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.