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Hourly Accounting Support
Controller level accounting support, billed hourly.
Built for businesses that value adaptability as their accounting needs evolve.
Hourly Accounting Support
Hourly Accounting Support provides ongoing support for routine and complex accounting needs as they arise. The relationship begins with recurring responsibilities and can shift as priorities change, without requiring a new package or separate Add-On Service each time. It is designed for businesses that value professional judgment, broad accounting capability, and the freedom to adapt as their needs evolve.
Without
Controller-Level Structure
Accounts payable falls behind
Accounts receivable follow-up is inconsistent
Reconciliations remain unfinished
Historical issues keep carrying forward
Financial reporting is difficult to rely on
Month-end close lacks a clear process
Accounting policies are undocumented
Systems and workflows create confusion
Leadership lacks clear financial visibility
Accounting needs keep interrupting daily operations
With
Controller-Level Structure
Accounts payable is current and organized
Accounts receivable is monitored consistently
Reconciliations are completed and reviewed
Historical issues are resolved and contained
Financials are more reliable and usable
Month-end close follows a defined process
Accounting policies are documented
Systems and workflows are more stable
Leadership has clearer financial visibility
Accounting runs with less day-to-day disruption
How this works
Hourly Accounting Support operates through a structured, asynchronous workflow rather than real-time or on-call access. Recurring responsibilities continue automatically, while new priorities are scheduled based on urgency, existing commitments, and current capacity. Larger projects that could meaningfully increase billing are discussed in advance.
You should be able to get support that adjusts as your needs change.
The relationship stays intact without changing the structure.
A single hourly relationship covers what's recurring and what's new, so nothing has to be renegotiated as things change.
Getting Started
Getting started is straightforward. We establish access, define the recurring responsibilities, and identify the first priorities. As needs evolve, work can be added, reduced, or redirected within the same ongoing hourly relationship without a new package or Add-On Service
The engagement continues month to month and may be 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, and any bank access is limited to read-only and download access.
Supported accounting systems include:
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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 Hourly Accounting Support Can Sit
An adaptable view of where Hourly Accounting Support can operate. The two green layers represent work available within the ongoing hourly relationship, while executive leadership and tax responsibilities remain with your company and tax provider.
Controller Layer
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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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Historical Cleanup
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Accounting Policy Creation
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Capitalization Policy Creation
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Segment Reporting
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Accounting Workflow Redesign
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Accounting Stabilization
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
Bookkeeper Layer
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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
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Sales/Use Registration + Filings
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Select State & Federal Compliance Filings
Tax Provider / External Resource
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Income Tax Advisory or Filings
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Nexus Analysis
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 policy development, workflow redesign, historical cleanup, and system stabilization can be addressed within the same hourly relationship as needs arise. Larger projects are discussed in advance.
Questions About
Hourly Accounting Support
Hourly Accounting Support is an ongoing month-to-month relationship for businesses that want recurring accounting support with room to adapt as priorities change.
🔹When does hourly accounting support make more sense than a monthly retainer?
Hourly Accounting Support makes sense when a business wants recurring accounting support but needs greater flexibility in how that support evolves. Responsibilities can be added, reduced, or redirected within the same hourly relationship as priorities change. When the scope is stable and predictable monthly pricing is preferred, Controller Lite may be the better fit.
🔹How does hourly accounting billing work for small businesses?
Hourly Accounting Support is billed based on the time actually incurred rather than a fixed monthly fee. Time is tracked in 30-minute increments, invoiced monthly, and due within 15 days. Recurring responsibilities continue automatically, while larger projects that could meaningfully increase billing are discussed in advance.
🔹Can I get accounting help without signing a long-term contract?
Yes. Hourly Accounting Support is an ongoing month-to-month relationship with no required long-term commitment. The engagement begins with recurring responsibilities and can adapt as needs change. Responsibilities may be added, reduced, or redirected, and the engagement may be concluded when it is no longer needed.
🔹How do I catch up on overdue bookkeeping?
Catch-up work may include completing missed reconciliations, correcting transaction classifications, processing outstanding activity, and resolving historical issues affecting current reporting. This work can be handled within Hourly Accounting Support alongside ongoing responsibilities. When the accounting environment requires a broader rebuild of reporting, workflows, policies, or systems, the Financial Clarity Package may be more appropriate.
🔹What is accounting catch-up work and how long does it take?
Accounting catch-up work addresses periods when transactions were not fully processed, reconciliations were missed, or the close was not completed. The timeline depends on how far back the issues extend, the volume and complexity of the activity, and the quality of the available records. After reviewing the accounting environment, the Firm can identify the initial priorities and provide a clearer expectation of the work involved.
🔹How much does hourly accounting support cost?
Hourly Accounting Support is billed at $100 per hour in 30-minute increments. Invoices are issued monthly based on time incurred, with a $350 monthly minimum when work is performed. There is no fixed monthly fee, and approved accounting needs are handled within the hourly relationship without separate Add-On Services.
🔹 What is the difference between hourly accounting support and a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper generally focuses on transaction entry and routine recordkeeping. Hourly Accounting Support can combine recurring bookkeeping responsibilities with controller-level work such as reconciliations, close support, historical cleanup, accounting policies, reporting, and workflow improvement. Businesses that prefer fixed-price ownership of recurring accounting execution may be better suited for the Accounting Execution Package.
Hourly Accounting Support is designed for businesses that want an ongoing accounting relationship with room to adapt as priorities change. Recurring responsibilities remain in place while new needs can be added, reduced, or redirected within the same hourly engagement.
Pricing & Terms
I believe in clean numbers — and clean pricing.
Services
$100 / 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.
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Service Scope
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Hourly Accounting Support begins with recurring responsibilities and may address routine, complex, and project-based accounting needs as priorities evolve.
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Responsibilities may be added, reduced, or redirected within the same hourly relationship without separate Add-On Services.
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Material new projects that could significantly increase billing are discussed and approved in advance.
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Work is prioritized based on urgency, existing commitments, and current 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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Workload & Budgets
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Hourly Accounting Support is billed based on the time required to complete approved work and is not structured around a fixed monthly hour allowance. Material increases in expected billing are discussed in advance.
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Hourly Accounting Support is billed for the actual time required each month, not adjusted to stay within a preset budget.
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The engagement does not include a guaranteed monthly cap on hours or fees.
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A non-binding estimate may be provided once the scope is reasonably clear, but an estimate is not a spending cap or guarantee.
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- Any requested change in scope must be discussed and confirmed in writing before it applies.
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If a fixed, predictable monthly cost is important, the retainer packages are designed for that purpose.
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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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Prefer fixed monthly pricing?
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Clients with a stable recurring scope who prefer predictable fixed monthly pricing may be better suited for Controller Lite, Accounting Execution, or Financial Clarity.
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Income-tax preparation or advisory services
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CFO-level services such as forecasting, budgeting, scenario modeling, or investor reporting
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Payroll processing
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Audit or assurance services
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Cash movement, payment authorization, or banking access beyond read-only and download access
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Staff management, supervision, training, or enforcement
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On-site services
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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
After at least six months, the Firm may offer the option to convert Hourly Accounting Support into a fixed-price retainer when the recurring responsibilities and workload have become sufficiently stable.
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Scope
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The retainer covers the recurring responsibilities consistently performed during the applicable review period.
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Irregular work, one-time projects, and future needs outside that scope are handled through applicable Add-On Services.
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Conversion
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Conversion requires a new scope and Engagement Agreement.
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The relationship then follows the applicable retainer terms and pricing policies.
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Pricing
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Pricing is generally based on average monthly Hourly Accounting Support billings over a representative review period selected by the Firm of six or more months.
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The resulting monthly price is rounded up to the next $500.
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Future Offers
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Conversion is optional.
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Declining an offer does not affect the existing hourly relationship, which may continue indefinitely.
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The Firm may offer conversion again from time to time without following a fixed review schedule.
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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.
Initial 30-Day Fit Period
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Leave anytime. Either party may terminate the engagement immediately by providing written notice.
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Work stops immediately. Services end when written notice is received unless both parties agree in writing that specific open work will continue.
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Only work performed is billed. All work performed through the termination date, including reasonable transition and disengagement activities directly related to the engagement, is billed under the standard hourly terms.
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No monthly minimum during this period. The standard $350 monthly minimum does not apply within the Initial Fit Period. Only actual hours worked are billed.
After the Initial Fit Period
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30 days' notice. Either party may terminate the engagement by providing 30 calendar days' written notice.
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Work can conclude early. Services continue throughout the notice period unless the Client requests in writing that active work conclude earlier.
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Only work performed is billed. All work performed through the date active work concludes, including reasonable transition and disengagement activities directly related to the engagement, is billed under the standard hourly terms.
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The $350 minimum prorates for partial months. For any partial calendar month, the $350 minimum is prorated based on a standardized 30-day month, and that prorated amount becomes the minimum for that month.
Financial Clarity,
One Post at a Time
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.