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Outsourced controller services for growing businesses. Clean monthly closes, reliable financial reporting, and controller-level structure that holds as you grow Controller-Level Accounting for companies ready for their accounting to stop owning them. Start the conversation SaaS / RaaS accounting ASC 606 revenue recognition AI robotics accounting Hardware and inventory accounting Bill of materials (BOM) costing Job-cost and project reporting 1099 and annual filing support Multi-state sales tax support ERP migration and implementation Month-end close compression Financial statement reporting Investor and lender reporting Budget-to-actual analysis Balance sheet reconciliations Historical cleanup and reconstruction Accounting policy documentation Controller-level oversight My background spans startup, global enterprise, and CPA firm accounting environments. Across those roles, I saw the same need show up in different ways: the financial side of the business had to become clearer, cleaner, and easier to rely on. The areas below reflect work I have handled directly and can support through fixed-price retainers with applicable Add-On Services or through Hourly Accounting Support. You built the business. Now the financial structure has to hold. 100% Company forecast fully restored after 60% data loss. 88% Reduction in month-end close time. 15+ Accounting functions managed as a one-person department. Reliable financials don't happen accidentally. They're built intentionally. Why it costs less to work with me Full-Time Controller Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC Typically active within days No payroll taxes, benefits, or PTO No recruiting or onboarding costs Cancel with 30 days’ notice Illustrative comparison based on current California Controller and Assistant Controller compensation, plus typical employer payroll taxes, benefits, and paid time off. What I Take Off Your Plate Choose the engagement model that fits how your accounting needs operate. Fixed-price retainers provide defined recurring scope and predictable monthly pricing, while Hourly Accounting Support provides flexible ongoing support billed based on time incurred. Retainer Controller Lite Package Maintain the System through Monthly Closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Explore Details Monthly Retainer Financial Clarity Package Build and Stabilize the System plus monthly closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Accounting Stabilization Explore Details Monthly Retainer Accounting Execution Package Operational execution plus monthly closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Data Entry Bank Reconciliations 1099 Preparation & Filing Explore Details Monthly Retainer Need Something Extra? Layer additional services onto a retainer package, from AP/AR support to sales tax filings and historical cleanup. Explore Add-Ons Hourly Hourly Accounting Support Flexible ongoing accounting support as priorities evolve. Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Accounting Stabilization Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Data Entry Bank Reconciliations 1099 Preparation & Filing Other Select Routine or Complex Accounting Needs Explore Details Hourly Want to talk through how this structure would work inside your business? Click the trees below. Because clarity, like a forest, is built one strong root at a time. Professional Testimonials Dan Parks , PhD Chief Operating Officer / Founder → Mike Kleiman Chief Financial Officer → I worked closely with Brett during his time 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. I had the privilege of working closely with Brett in his role as Controller, and I couldn’t have asked for a stronger partner. He brought real discipline and ownership to our accounting and finance functions — leading an efficient, accurate close process and tightening internal controls in a way that made everything run smoother and more transparent. Brett also raised the bar on reporting and analysis, producing clear, board-ready insights that improved how we understood performance and made decisions. His command of complex areas like ASC 606, contract tracking, and inventory accounting gave the organization real confidence in the numbers. He’s collaborative, dependable, and always focused on solutions. Brett combines technical strength with calm leadership, and he makes the teams around him better. I recommend him wholeheartedly to any company looking for a Controller who delivers accuracy, clarity, and lasting value. Accounting Should Not Own You It Controls You It Supports You Fragile Records Financial Blindspots Unreliable Numbers Tribal Knowledge Founder Overload Where financial structure becomes lasting stability. Reliable Financials Clear Financial Context Compounding Stability Decision Confidence Lower Stress You' ve e arned your money by building something real. It should not be lost to financial friction; you should be able to keep it. I only work with a few companies at a time because clarity dies with chaos. Clarity scales best when focus is protected, so each client receives deliberate attention and lasting clarity when the fit is right. No pressure. No surprises. Just structure that lasts. AI Where It Works. Humans Where It Counts 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 oversight and judgment. 🔹 AI generates data, humans ensure it’s reliable. 🔹 AI streamlines execution, expertise ensures structure. 🔹 Automation saves time, structure ensures stability 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 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. Common Questions About Outsourced Controller Services 🔹What’s the difference between a controller and a bookkeeper? A bookkeeper keeps your records up to date. A controller makes sure those records actually produce numbers you can rely on. If your transactions are being recorded but the close is slow, reports need explanation, or the numbers feel inconsistent, the issue isn’t bookkeeping. It’s the structure behind it. That gap is where controller-level support sits. The accounting services overview places it alongside bookkeeping and CFO-level work. Controller services focus on fixing that layer so your close runs consistently and your reporting holds as the business grows. 🔹How are controller services different from a CFO? A CFO uses your numbers to guide decisions, capital strategy, and long-term direction. Controller services make sure those numbers can actually be trusted in the first place. If reporting is inconsistent, the close takes too long, or results require explanation before they can be used, the issue isn’t strategic. It’s structural. Controller services focus on stabilizing the financial system so decisions are built on numbers that hold under pressure. 🔹What is an outsourced controller? An outsourced controller brings the same financial oversight as an in-house controller, but without the need to hire and build the role internally. The focus is on making sure your financial system is reliable, your close runs consistently, and your reporting reflects what is actually happening as the business grows. If the close feels unpredictable, reports take too long to finalize, or the numbers require explanation before they can be used, the issue is usually not capacity. It is structure. Outsourced controller services focus on stabilizing that layer so the system runs consistently and leadership can rely on the numbers without second-guessing them. 🔹When do you need a controller for your business? Most businesses don’t hire a controller because they hit a milestone. They reach a point where the financial side of the business stops feeling clear. The numbers exist, but simple questions take longer to answer and confidence in those answers starts to slip. If what used to be straightforward now needs explanation or reconciliation, the issue usually isn’t staffing. It’s structural. The system was never designed to hold at the current level of complexity, which is where controller-level accounting becomes necessary. Controller support focuses on fixing that structure so the system holds as the business grows. 🔹Do I need a controller if I already have a bookkeeper? Having a bookkeeper in place usually means the day-to-day work is being handled, but it doesn’t mean the financial system behind it is keeping up as the business grows. Transactions can be recorded correctly and accounts can be up to date, while the structure underneath still struggles to produce consistent, reliable results month after month. If the close feels inconsistent, reporting takes time to finalize, or answers require explanation before they can be trusted, the issue isn’t the bookkeeper. It’s the layer above it. Controller services focus on bringing discipline to the close and creating a stable financial structure so your numbers hold as the business grows and leadership can rely on them without second-guessing. 🔹What does working with a controller look like month to month? Working with a controller month to month is less about adding more activity and more about bringing structure to what’s already happening. The focus is on running a consistent monthly close cadence , reviewing the numbers through a disciplined process, and making sure reporting reflects what’s actually happening in the business. Over time, that creates a steady rhythm where the close runs on schedule, questions get answered without rework, and the financial side of the business becomes predictable rather than something that has to be managed around. 🔹How do I choose between a monthly retainer and Hourly Accounting Support? A monthly retainer is best when the recurring scope is clearly defined and benefits from predictable monthly pricing and a consistent cadence. It creates a reliable monthly close structure with agreed work performed proactively rather than reconsidered each month. Hourly Accounting Support is a better fit when accounting priorities, workload, or scope are still evolving. It provides flexible ongoing support, billed based on time incurred, with the work adjusting as the needs of the business change. If the hourly work develops into a stable recurring scope over time, a fixed-price retainer may eventually become the better long-term structure. Financial Clarity, One Post at a Time 1 2 3 4 5 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. Phone (805) 410-8647 Email Brett@BrettJFedererAccounting.com Connect LinkedIn Learn More

I build clean, controller-grade financial systems for growing companies — from monthly reporting to one-time cleanup, policy builds, and process design. Explore the Services Controller-level accounting provides the operational structure that keeps financial reporting reliable as companies grow. Structure Over Chaos. Clarity Over Complexity. Many growing companies don’t recognize they need controller-level structure until the numbers stop making sense, even with bookkeeping in place. This work sits between bookkeeping and CFO strategy. It keeps the close reliable, reporting clear, and decisions grounded, without pulling leadership into the weeds. Who This Is For Founder-led businesses where the numbers have stopped feeling reliable Companies that have outgrown ad hoc bookkeeping and need real structure Teams that want clean, decision-ready financials without dashboards, coaching, or chaos Especially well suited to SaaS, robotics, hardware, inventory, hospitality and operationally complex businesses. Why a Controller, and Why Now? Controller-level structure stabilizes the close and strengthens internal reporting before instability compounds. The numbers become reliable. Decisions become grounded. Structural changes are handled deliberately when needed, while the core service stays calm and consistent, so systems scale without noise. Tasks covered by Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC A package-agnostic view. The two green layers are everything the firm can run. The layers above and below stay with your leadership and your tax provider. Additional tasks not shown here are available via Add-Ons. Controller Layer Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued Reporting Integrity Maintained Existing Structure Maintained Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Capitalization Policy Creation Segment Reporting Accounting Workflow Redesign Accounting Stabilization Executive Leadership Strategic planning Business decisions Board meetings / preparation Staff management and payroll Forecast creation & ownership KPI calculation and interpretation Bookkeeper Layer Data Entry & Bank Reconciliations Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable General Ledger Maintenance 1099 Preparation & Filings Tax Provider / Available Add-Ons Sales/Use Registration + Filings (Add-On) Annual Filings (Add-On) Select State & Federal Compliance Filings (Add-On) Audit or Tax Support Schedules (Add-On) Income Tax Advisory or Filings Nexus Analysis What I Take Off Your Plate Choose the engagement model that fits how your accounting needs operate. Fixed-price retainers provide defined recurring scope and predictable monthly pricing, while Hourly Accounting Support provides an adaptable ongoing relationship billed based on time incurred. Retainer Controller Lite Package Maintain the System through Monthly Closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Explore Details Monthly Retainer Financial Clarity Package Build and Stabilize the System plus monthly closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Accounting Stabilization Explore Details Monthly Retainer Accounting Execution Package Operational execution plus monthly closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Data Entry Bank Reconciliations 1099 Preparation & Filing Explore Details Monthly Retainer Need Something Extra? Layer additional services onto a retainer package, from AP/AR support to sales tax filings and historical cleanup. Explore Add-Ons Hourly Hourly Accounting Support Flexible ongoing accounting support as priorities evolve. Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Accounting Stabilization Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Data Entry Bank Reconciliations 1099 Preparation & Filing Other Select Routine or Complex Accounting Needs Explore Details Hourly 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. Phone (805) 410-8647 Email Brett@BrettJFedererAccounting.com Connect LinkedIn Learn More

Controller-level accounting services for growing businesses. Find the right package based on where your accounting stands today and how much structure you need. Firm Summary A focused overview built to respect your time. A business can be growing, serving clients, and still have accounting that quietly depends on leadership to interpret, chase, or correct it. That is where controller-level structure starts to matter. The close gets a cadence, the records get reviewed, and decisions become easier to make from numbers that hold up. Without Controller-Level Structure Accounting absorbs leadership time Close cadence drifts Reports require interpretation Accounting close has no owner Historical issues keep resurfacing No documented accounting policy Decisions require digging ERP conversion left the books worse Forecast and actuals never align 1099s filed late, wrong, or not at all With Controller-Level Structure Leadership stays above the accounting Close runs on a defined cadence Reports are structured for clarity Accounting close has an owner Historical issues are scoped and addressed Accounting policy formally documented Decisions rest on stable numbers Accounting side of ERP is stabilized Actuals sync into your forecast monthly 1099s prepared and filed on schedule When the roots hold, you stop managing instability and start leading. That steadiness changes how the business feels, and everything above them can grow. How would you describe your current accounting situation? 🔹 My books work – I just need oversight 🔹 I'm doing the accounting myself 🔹 My books are a mess or unreliable 🔹 I need flexible accounting support RECOMMENDED PACKAGE Controller Lite Package You have a working foundation. What’s missing is disciplined, consistent oversight to keep it stable. Controller Lite preserves your structure without rebuilding it. View Controller Lite Package → RECOMMENDED PACKAGE Financial Clarity Package Your books need to be rebuilt or stabilized before they can be reliably maintained. The Financial Clarity Package fixes the foundation first, then keeps it running. View Financial Clarity Package → RECOMMENDED PACKAGE Accounting Execution Package The Accounting Execution Package handles transactional accounting so you don’t have to, including close, reporting, accounts receivable and accounts payable. View Accounting Execution Package → RECOMMENDED PACKAGE Hourly Accounting Support Flexible controller-level accounting support through an ongoing hourly relationship that adapts as priorities evolve. View Hourly Accounting Support → What I Take Off Your Plate Choose the engagement model that fits how your accounting needs operate. Fixed-price retainers provide defined recurring scope and predictable monthly pricing, while Hourly Accounting Support provides an adaptable ongoing relationship billed based on time incurred. Retainer Controller Lite Package Maintain the System through Monthly Closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Explore Details Monthly Retainer Financial Clarity Package Build and Stabilize the System plus monthly closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Accounting Stabilization Explore Details Monthly Retainer Accounting Execution Package Operational execution plus monthly closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Data Entry Bank Reconciliations 1099 Preparation & Filing Explore Details Monthly Retainer Need Something Extra? Layer on additional services to any retainer package, from AP/AR support to sales tax filings and historical cleanup. Explore Add-Ons Hourly Hourly Accounting Support Flexible ongoing accounting support as priorities evolve. Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Accounting Stabilization Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Data Entry Bank Reconciliations 1099 Preparation & Filing Other Select Routine or Complex Accounting Needs Explore Details Hourly Want to talk through how this structure would work inside your business? Click the trees below. Because clarity, like a forest, is built one strong root at a time. The Person Behind the Work Brett J. Federer is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and former Controller with over a decade of experience building financial systems under real operational pressure, not in theory. He served as Controller for an artificial intelligence and robotics SaaS company through Series C fundraising, where he built the company’s first ASC 606 revenue recognition framework, reduced the monthly close from 16 business days to 2, led a full ERP migration, and rebuilt the company’s financial forecast after a major system and leadership overhaul rendered roughly 60% of the underlying model data unusable. His earlier experience includes leading the design and rollout of a paperless accounting system across the North American operations of a global food enterprise, training 28 accountants and reducing paper usage by 42%. That experience shaped a clear standard: structure must hold under pressure. Not the full finance stack. Not the overhead. Not the responsibilities that belong to a CFO or income-tax provider. The focus is the accounting structure and execution most growing companies have never fully owned: transaction flow, close discipline, reporting integrity, and systems designed to run quietly and reliably so leadership can operate above the accounting instead of inside it. When Accounting Structure Strains Under Growth 🔹Why is my month-end close taking so long? The monthly accounting close often starts taking longer when the way it was originally structured no longer matches how the business operates. As activity increases and more financial information moves through different systems, tasks that once fit neatly into the month begin stretching beyond their intended rhythm. What used to feel routine starts requiring extra coordination, extra checking, and extra time to finish cleanly. Sometimes the structure itself is still workable, but the coordination around the month-end close begins to drift. Timelines lose clarity, responsibilities blur, and teams may not fully see how delays ripple into reporting deadlines and leadership decisions. The result is predictable: more time spent catching up than completing the close with confidence. Whether the foundation needs reinforcing or simply better cadence, controller-level oversight helps restore rhythm and clarity to the monthly close process. View Controller Lite Package → 🔹Why can’t I trust my financial reports? Financial reports often feel unreliable when the underlying accounting structure lacks consistency and clear standards. If transactions are categorized differently each month, reconciliations are incomplete, or adjustments are made without clear documentation, financial reports may technically be delivered on time but still feel difficult to trust. As businesses grow and management reporting becomes more important, legacy processes often remain informal, making it harder to produce monthly financial reports that are clean and comparable across periods. Small inconsistencies accumulate, and leadership may notice numbers changing unexpectedly, metrics behaving unpredictably, or results that require frequent explanation. The issue is rarely effort. More often, the financial reporting process was never designed to produce stable, decision-ready accounting reports at scale. When reporting accuracy and consistency become concerns, strengthening the accounting foundation restores clarity and confidence in the numbers. View Financial Clarity Package → 🔹Why does scaling make accounting feel messy? Accounting can start to feel messy simply because there is more to keep track of than before. As a growing business expands, financial activity moves in more directions, with additional customers, vendors, products, transactions, and operational details flowing across the organization. What once felt straightforward becomes harder to mentally organize. Information no longer lives in a few predictable places. Details arrive from different teams, systems, and timelines, making it difficult to see how everything connects. Even when nothing is technically wrong, the overall picture can feel scattered, forcing teams to spend extra time piecing together context before meaningful analysis can begin. When growth increases complexity faster than clarity, strengthening the accounting environment helps restore visibility so financial information feels organized, connected, and easier to manage. View Financial Clarity Package → 🔹Why are bookkeeping errors increasing as we grow? Bookkeeping errors tend to increase when financial activity passes through more hands and systems without consistent quality controls guiding the process. As transaction volume rises, more bookkeeping entries are recorded, transferred, reviewed, and adjusted across different tools and team members, creating additional opportunities for small mistakes to occur. When reviews happen inconsistently or too late in the cycle, minor coding errors, misclassifications, and reconciliation gaps can accumulate across accounting periods. Correcting those issues often requires more effort than maintaining accuracy from the start, making financial records feel unreliable even when the team is working carefully. Strengthening execution discipline and establishing clearer quality checkpoints helps restore accuracy so bookkeeping remains dependable as activity increases. View Accounting Execution Package → 🔹Why am I still involved in day-to-day accounting? Leaders often remain closely involved in day-to-day accounting because financial oversight gradually turns into constant operational involvement. What starts as occasional review can evolve into answering urgent questions, approving routine transactions, resolving coding confusion, and stepping in whenever issues stall progress. Over time, accounting stops feeling like a background function and starts demanding regular leadership attention. This involvement rarely happens by choice. As businesses grow, financial responsibilities expand faster than the capacity of internal teams to manage them independently. Without reliable support handling the flow of daily activity, leaders become the default point of escalation for anything unclear, urgent, or sensitive. The result is steady decision fatigue and less time available for strategic priorities. Strengthening the accounting function restores a healthier separation between leadership and routine execution, allowing financial operations to run more reliably with less day-to-day leadership involvement. View Controller Lite Package → (For Close & Reporting Burden) View Accounting Execution Package → (For Operational Burden) 🔹What if my accounting needs don’t fit a fixed monthly scope? Not every business needs or wants a fixed-scope monthly retainer. Some organizations operate best with flexibility in how accounting responsibilities are supported while still maintaining a consistent, ongoing professional relationship. Hourly Accounting Support allows companies to choose which accounting responsibilities are handled externally while preserving controller-level close standards. Support can include accounts receivable, accounts payable, reporting preparation, reconciliations, 1099 preparation / filing, and close execution, delivered within existing systems and aligned with how the organization already operates. When a bundled monthly package isn’t necessary or desired but reliable accounting discipline still matters, hourly support provides an adaptable partnership designed around your business rather than forcing a fixed service format. View Hourly Accounting Support → 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. Phone (805) 410-8647 Email Brett@BrettJFedererAccounting.com Connect LinkedIn Book a Call

Controller-level accounting for complex businesses managing evolving models, inventory, contracts, reporting layers, and other organizational complexity. Controller-Level Accounting for Complex Businesses For businesses where growing complexity has made the close, reporting, and accounting harder to manage. Without Controller-Level Structure Multi-entity reporting is fragmented Intercompany activity creates confusion Foreign currency treatment varies Revenue treatment is inconsistent Allocations lack clear support Segment reporting is difficult to compare Accounting practices vary across the business Close ownership is unclear Technical accounting is inconsistent Leadership questions the numbers With Controller-Level Structure Multi-entity reporting is more consistent Intercompany processes are defined Foreign currency follows defined policy Revenue treatment is documented Allocations follow defined methods Segment reporting has clear structure Accounting practices are standardized Close ownership is defined Technical accounting follows clear policies Leadership trusts the numbers Want to talk through how this structure would work inside your business? Click the trees below. Because clarity, like a forest, is built one strong root at a time. Where Structural Complexity Strains Accounting Accounting begins to strain when entities, contracts, reporting dimensions, operating teams, and technical requirements expand faster than the structure supporting them. Evolving Business Models & Accounting Structure As companies introduce new products, service models, ERP systems, contract structures, or operating teams, the accounting structure does not always evolve with them. Reporting, processes, and ownership must be redesigned to reflect how the business now operates. Inventory & Bill of Materials Costing As materials, finished goods, equipment, and hardware move through purchasing, production, storage, deployment, and multiple locations, businesses need clear ownership, traceable item flows, consistent BOM-based costing, and reconciliation processes that connect physical inventory activity to the financial statements. Revenue Recognition & Contract Accounting Multiple revenue models, milestones, bundled obligations, and nonstandard agreements may require separate recognition conclusions within the same organization, each supported by the underlying agreement rather than a default assumption. Segments, Allocations & Management Reporting Reporting by segment, class, project, client, department, or location depends on stable definitions and defensible allocation methodologies that remain comparable across reporting periods. Decentralized Operations & Control Environment Multiple locations, departments, and operating teams can apply the same accounting policy differently unless responsibilities, approval structures, and review ownership are clearly established. Technical Accounting & Close Governance Complex GAAP topics, estimates, and capitalization decisions require documented conclusions, supporting analysis, and clear approval before they are reflected in the financial statements. Built From Experience in Complex Environments This page comes from years of experience working inside businesses where accounting had to support changing contract terms, distributed operations, technical decisions, and reporting needs that could not be managed through one simple process. In one environment, that meant building systems around heavily negotiated contracts, standardizing pass through billings, strengthening close ownership, and maintaining reliable reporting through major operational and system changes. In another, it meant creating policies and controls that could work across a North American headquarters, additional U.S. branches, and Canada. Those environments required more than completing accounting tasks. Policies had to remain consistent across teams and locations. Contract terms had to be traceable. Billing methods had to be supportable. Close responsibilities had to be clear. Reporting had to remain dependable as complexity increased. That experience is what shaped the structure shown here. North America-Wide Standardization Created a paperless accounting policy adopted across the North American headquarters, additional U.S. branches, and Canada. Trained 28 accountants and improved consistency, version control, and data integrity across locations. Pass Through Billing Standardization Replaced manual, transaction by transaction expense reviews with a standardized per diem policy for pass through billings. The new policy, workflows, and training reduced close delays and billing disputes while eliminating write offs tied to itemized billing. Contract Terms Made Traceable Built a database to track every customer contract and addendum after negotiated agreements no longer matched the standard template. The system preserved the terms actually in force and supported accurate ASC 606 revenue recognition. 16 → 2 Days to close the books Reduced the month-end close cycle from 16 business days to 2 business days through stronger reconciliations, process ownership, and close discipline. Tasks covered by Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC A package-agnostic view. The two green layers are everything the firm can run. The layers above and below stay with your leadership and your tax provider. Additional tasks not shown here are available via Add-Ons. Controller Layer Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued Reporting Integrity Maintained Existing Structure Maintained Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Capitalization Policy Creation Segment Reporting Accounting Workflow Redesign Accounting Stabilization Executive Leadership Strategic planning Business decisions Board meetings / preparation Staff management and payroll Forecast creation & ownership KPI calculation and interpretation Bookkeeper Layer Data Entry & Bank Reconciliations Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable General Ledger Maintenance 1099 Preparation & Filings Tax Provider / Available Add-Ons Sales/Use Registration + Filings (Add-On) Annual Filings (Add-On) Select State & Federal Compliance Filings (Add-On) Audit or Tax Support Schedules (Add-On) Income Tax Advisory or Filings Nexus Analysis Why it costs less to work with me Full-Time Controller Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC Typically active within days No payroll taxes, benefits, or PTO No recruiting or onboarding costs Cancel with 30 days’ notice Illustrative comparison based on current California Controller and Assistant Controller compensation, plus typical employer payroll taxes, benefits, and paid time off. What I Take Off Your Plate Choose the engagement model that fits how your accounting needs operate. Fixed-price retainers provide defined recurring scope and predictable monthly pricing, while Hourly Accounting Support provides an adaptable ongoing relationship billed based on time incurred. Retainer Controller Lite Package Maintain the System through Monthly Closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Explore Details Monthly Retainer Financial Clarity Package Build and Stabilize the System plus monthly closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Accounting Stabilization Explore Details Monthly Retainer Accounting Execution Package Operational execution plus monthly closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Data Entry Bank Reconciliations 1099 Preparation & Filing Explore Details Monthly Retainer Need Something Extra? Layer additional services onto a retainer package, from AP/AR support to sales tax filings and historical cleanup. Explore Add-Ons Hourly Hourly Accounting Support Flexible ongoing accounting support as priorities evolve. Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Accounting Stabilization Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Data Entry Bank Reconciliations 1099 Preparation & Filing Other Select Routine or Complex Accounting Needs Explore Details Hourly 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. Phone (805) 410-8647 Email Brett@BrettJFedererAccounting.com Connect LinkedIn Learn More

Controller-level accounting for SaaS, RaaS, and technology companies outgrowing basic bookkeeping, built from Series C AI robotics startup experience. Controller-Level Accounting for Tech Companies For SaaS, RaaS, and technology businesses where revenue, systems, inventory, and reporting are getting more complex. Without Controller-Level Structure Revenue recognition is inconsistent Commission accounting is inconsistent Deferred revenue lacks support Deployment costs are unclear Inventory records drift Month-end close takes too long Leadership questions the numbers Capitalized software is improperly tracked BOM costing is outdated or missing Board questions catch leadership off guard With Controller-Level Structure Revenue recognition follows ASC 606 Commission accounting follows ASC 340-40 Deferred revenue is reconciled Deployment costs are tracked Inventory records are reviewed Month-end close follows a defined process Capitalized software costs are accurate Leadership trusts the numbers BOM costing is maintained and accurate Reporting supports leadership discussions Want to talk through how this structure would work inside your business? Click the trees below. Because clarity, like a forest, is built one strong root at a time. Where Tech Accounting Breaks Technology accounting usually breaks when revenue, contracts, systems, hardware, and reporting all become more complex at the same time. Revenue and Contract Terms Subscriptions, milestones, implementation fees, discounts, renewals, and bundled deliverables can all affect how revenue should be reviewed, supported, and recognized. Commissions & Deferred Revenue Sales activity creates accounting consequences. Commission costs, deferred revenue, contract balances, and revenue schedules need to tie back to the underlying agreements, billing activities, and the general ledger. Hardware, Inventory, & Deployments For RaaS and hardware-enabled technology companies, costs may move through inventory, deployment activity, capitalization, and COGS before leadership can see reliable margin reporting. Close and Reporting When the month-end close depends on memory, manual tracking, or unsupported schedules, leadership may get numbers late, with questions that should have been resolved before reporting. Built From Actual Tech Company Experience This page comes from years of experience as Controller at an AI robotics startup that manufactured its own robots, built its own software internally, and operated on both SaaS and RaaS revenue models The accounting involved complex multi-year contracts, hardware costs, inventory, commissions, investor reporting, and Series C financing support all moving at the same time. That environment required more than basic bookkeeping. Revenue had to connect back to contracts. Hardware costs had to connect back to inventory. Commissions had to make sense against how revenue was earned. Reporting had to hold up for leadership, investors, and the close. That experience is what shaped the structure shown here. ASC 606 (Revenue Recognition) Developed the company’s first ASC 606 revenue recognition policy to support SaaS, RaaS, hardware, and contract complexity. Commissions & Deferred Revenue Built prepaid, accrued, and commission expense recognition rules into the same ASC 606 policy, keeping deferred revenue and commission accounting aligned with GAAP. Costing BOM Built and maintained a costing bill of materials with the outsourced CFO, strengthening inventory tracking and closing gaps in hardware and deployment cost visibility. 16 → 2 Days to close the books Reduced the month-end close cycle from 16 business days to 2 business days through stronger reconciliations, process ownership, and close discipline. Tasks covered by Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC A package-agnostic view. The two green layers are everything the firm can run. The layers above and below stay with your leadership and your tax provider. Additional tasks not shown here are available via Add-Ons. Controller Layer Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued Reporting Integrity Maintained Existing Structure Maintained Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Capitalization Policy Creation Segment Reporting Accounting Workflow Redesign Accounting Stabilization Executive Leadership Strategic planning Business decisions Board meetings / preparation Staff management and payroll Forecast creation & ownership KPI calculation and interpretation Bookkeeper Layer Data Entry & Bank Reconciliations Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable General Ledger Maintenance 1099 Preparation & Filings Tax Provider / Available Add-Ons Sales/Use Registration + Filings (Add-On) Annual Filings (Add-On) Select State & Federal Compliance Filings (Add-On) Audit or Tax Support Schedules (Add-On) Income Tax Advisory or Filings Nexus Analysis Why it costs less to work with me Full-Time Controller Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC Typically active within days No payroll taxes, benefits, or PTO No recruiting or onboarding costs Cancel with 30 days’ notice Illustrative comparison based on current California Controller and Assistant Controller compensation, plus typical employer payroll taxes, benefits, and paid time off. What I Take Off Your Plate Choose the engagement model that fits how your accounting needs operate. Fixed-price retainers provide defined recurring scope and predictable monthly pricing, while Hourly Accounting Support provides an adaptable ongoing relationship billed based on time incurred. Retainer Controller Lite Package Maintain the System through Monthly Closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Explore Details Monthly Retainer Financial Clarity Package Build and Stabilize the System plus monthly closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Accounting Stabilization Explore Details Monthly Retainer Accounting Execution Package Operational execution plus monthly closes Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Data Entry Bank Reconciliations 1099 Preparation & Filing Explore Details Monthly Retainer Need Something Extra? Layer additional services onto a retainer package, from AP/AR support to sales tax filings and historical cleanup. Explore Add-Ons Hourly Hourly Accounting Support Flexible ongoing accounting support as priorities evolve. Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued (Internal-Use) Capitalization Policy Created Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Accounting Stabilization Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Data Entry Bank Reconciliations 1099 Preparation & Filing Other Select Routine or Complex Accounting Needs Explore Details Hourly 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. Phone (805) 410-8647 Email Brett@BrettJFedererAccounting.com Connect LinkedIn Learn More

A structured pricing approach designed to keep expectations clear and financials calm. Pricing follows a two-step method: billable structures first, then the complexity checklist. Pricing Each package is built around the same controller-level standards. The difference is the level of additional accounting support included. Pricing is determined through a structured evaluation of your accounting complexity, including factors like entity count, revenue model structure, reporting requirements, and system stability. The prices below reflect the simplest engagement type for each package. MOST COMMON STARTING POINT Your books work, but nobody is watching them. Controller Lite Maintain the system through monthly controller level closes. The foundation everything else builds on. RETAINER STARTS AT $1,300 / mo OVERAGE RATE $150 / hr INCLUDES Monthly Soft Close Quarterly Hard Close Financial Statement Preparation Account Reconciliations and Review Routine questions, clarifications, and standard close adjustment requests included Additional package-related analysis, research, and support available via overage hours Capitalization Policy Created Book a Call Your system needs to be built or rebuilt. Financial Clarity Package Stabilize and rebuild the accounting system for long term reliability. A 6 to 12 month implementation phase transitions into recurring support. IMPLEMENTATION STARTS AT $3,500 / mo RECURRING STARTS AT $1,300 / mo OVERAGES $150 / hr EVERYTHING IN CONTROLLER LITE, PLUS Historic Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation System Stabilization Workflow Redesign Routine questions, clarifications, and standard close adjustment requests included Additional package-related analysis, research, and support available via overage hours Book a Call You want someone running the books entirely. Accounting Execution Package Transactional execution through month end close and reporting. For founders who are tired of being the accounting system. RETAINER STARTS AT $3,000 / mo OVERAGE RATE $150 / hr EVERYTHING IN CONTROLLER LITE, PLUS Accounts Receivable Accounts Payable Data Entry Bank / Credit Card Reconciliations Year End 1099 Preparation and Filing Routine questions, clarifications, and standard close adjustment requests included Additional package-related analysis, research, and support available via overage hours Book a Call For companies that want ongoing support & flexibility. Hourly Accounting Support A flexible ongoing accounting relationship for recurring and complex needs. Billed in 30 minute increments. RATE $175 / hr MONTHLY MINIMUM $350 / mo EXAMPLES OF SUPPORT Month End Close Support Internal Financial Reporting Segmented Financial Reporting Accounting System Configuration Cleanup And Catch Up Work Capitalization Policy Created Accounts Payable (AP) Support Accounts Receivable (AR) Support Data Entry And Bank Reconciliations Year End 1099 Preparation and Filing Other Select Routine or Complex Accounting Needs Book a Call Why it costs less to work with me Full-Time Controller Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC Typically active within days No payroll taxes, benefits, or PTO No recruiting or onboarding costs Cancel with 30 days’ notice Illustrative comparison based on current California Controller and Assistant Controller compensation, plus typical employer payroll taxes, benefits, and paid time off. Side by Side Comparison All packages share the same controller level close. Here is what differs. Packages Monthly soft close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly hard close Quarterly Financials Issued Capitalization Policy Created Historical cleanup Accounting policy creation System stabilization AP / AR Data entry Bank reconciliations 1099 preparation & Filing Starting at: Billing Method: - Controller Lite Financial Clarity Package Accounting Execution Package Hourly Accounting Support ✓ ✓ ✓ As scoped ✓ ✓ ✓ As scoped ✓ ✓ ✓ As scoped ✓ ✓ ✓ As scoped ✓ ✓ ✓ As scoped ✓ ✓ ✓ As scoped ✓ ✓ ✓ As scoped ✓ As scoped ✓ As scoped ✓ As scoped ✓ As scoped ✓ As scoped ✓ As scoped ✓ As scoped ✓ As scoped $1,300/mo $3,500/mo - Implementation $1,300/mo - Recurring $3,000/mo $175/hr $350/mo - Minimum Monthly Retainer Monthly Retainer Monthly Retainer Hourly Add-Ons for Retainer Packages Retainer -Based Add-Ons Sync historicals into your forecast Transaction Entry & Reconciliation Support 1099 Preparation and Filing Varies by selected add-on Hourly Add-Ons Accounts payable support Accounts receivable support Scoped historical cleanup $175/hr per selected add-on Separately Scoped Accounting policy architecture Sales tax filings Special projects & custom support Priced after review If Your Business Has Multiple Accounting Structures Some businesses operate across multiple sites, service lines, or segments that each require their own financial tracking. This chart helps identify how many billable structures your business has. Tap a box to see definitions (optional) Do you operate more than one physical site that I'll be maintaining? i.e. stores, facilities, locations, or operational hubs Not client or third-party locations. No Do you have more than one service line or segment at this site? Different workflows, Different cost structures, Separate reporting Financially independent from other segments or services No Yes Do these segments need separate financials or reporting? Separate books, Separate workflows, Separate business-unit profitability. Client-level, project-level, or basic Profit & Loss tagging does not count. Yes Do you have more than one service line or segment at each site? Different workflows, Different cost structures, Separate reporting Financially independent from other segments or services No Do these segments need separate financials or reporting? Separate books, Separate workflows, Separate business-unit profitability. Client-level, project-level, or basic Profit & Loss tagging does not count. Yes Do these segments need separate financials or reporting? Separate books, Separate workflows, Separate business-unit profitability. Client-level, project-level, or basic Profit & Loss tagging does not count. No Billed as one structure Yes Each distinct segment = One billable structure Yes Each distinct site = One billable structure No No Billed as one structure Yes Each distinct site = One billable structure All billable structures (sites or segments) are individually priced. If you’re unsure, continue with the closest fit. Edge cases are handled during onboarding. This gives an estimate. Final scope is confirmed during onboarding. Want to talk through how this structure would work inside your business? No commitment. A short call to see whether the fit makes sense. Book a Call

Hourly accounting support with controller-level standards for targeted help without a retainer. Close work, reporting, and select tasks handled with discipline. 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: QuickBooks Xero Odoo Sage 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 Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued Reporting Integrity Maintained Existing Structure Maintained Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Capitalization Policy Creation Segment Reporting Accounting Workflow Redesign Accounting Stabilization Executive Leadership Strategic planning Business decisions Board meetings / preparation Staff management and payroll Forecast creation & ownership KPI calculation and interpretation Bookkeeper Layer Data Entry & Bank Reconciliations Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable General Ledger Maintenance 1099 Preparation & Filings Sales/Use Registration + Filings Select State & Federal Compliance Filings Tax Provider / External Resource Income Tax Advisory or Filings 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 $175 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 $175 / Hour Monthly support minimum: $350 Schedule a Call 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 🔹 Billing Mechanics 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 begins with recurring responsibilities and may address routine, complex, and project-based accounting needs as priorities evolve. Responsibilities may be added, reduced, or redirected within the same hourly relationship without separate Add-On Services. Material new projects that could significantly increase billing are discussed and approved in advance. Work is prioritized based on urgency, existing commitments, and current 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. Workload & Budgets 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. 🔹 Communication & Support What you're paying for Communication is part of the service. 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. What's included Services include task execution, along with the time required to review, think through, and respond to requests. How communication is handled 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. Communication channels Communication occurs via email and scheduled meetings. Slack, Microsoft Teams, text messaging, and other real-time platforms are not used for ongoing support. Response timing Responses are provided in a timely manner based on complexity and current execution demands. Prefer fixed monthly pricing? Clients with a stable recurring scope who prefer predictable fixed monthly pricing may be better suited for Controller Lite, Accounting Execution, or Financial Clarity. 🔹 Out of Scope Income-tax preparation or advisory services CFO-level services such as forecasting, budgeting, scenario modeling, or investor reporting Payroll processing Audit or assurance services Cash movement, payment authorization, or banking access beyond read-only and download access Staff management, supervision, training, or enforcement On-site services 🔹 Hourly Rate Updates 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 🔹 Optional Conversion from Hourly to Retainer 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. Scope The retainer covers the recurring responsibilities consistently performed during the applicable review period. Irregular work, one-time projects, and future needs outside that scope are handled through applicable Add-On Services. Conversion Conversion requires a new scope and Engagement Agreement. The relationship then follows the applicable retainer terms and pricing policies. Pricing 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. The resulting monthly price is rounded up to the next $500. Future Offers Conversion is optional. Declining an offer does not affect the existing hourly relationship, which may continue indefinitely. The Firm may offer conversion again from time to time without following a fixed review schedule. 🔹 Client Responsibility 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 You If it's not for me Initial 30-Day Fit Period Leave anytime. Either party may terminate the engagement immediately by providing written notice. Work stops immediately. Services end when written notice is received unless both parties agree in writing that specific open work will continue. 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. 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 30 days' notice. Either party may terminate the engagement by providing 30 calendar days' written notice. Work can conclude early. Services continue throughout the notice period unless the Client requests in writing that active work conclude earlier. 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. 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 1 2 3 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. Phone (805) 410-8647 Email Brett@BrettJFedererAccounting.com Connect LinkedIn Book a Call

An outsourced controller keeps your monthly close steady and your financial reporting reliable without rebuilding your accounting system. Controller Lite Package For businesses with an accounting foundation that already works Maintain clarity through an outsourced controller and a steady close Controller Lite Package The Controller Lite Package is designed for businesses where the accounting foundation already works but the close has started becoming inconsistent, delayed, or harder to rely on as the business grows. The focus is maintaining a steady close, dependable reporting, and ongoing financial clarity without rebuilding the accounting system. A dedicated bookkeeper is required and may be internal, fractional, outsourced, or contract-based. What You Have What You Gain Irregular Close Rhythm Reactive Monthly Closes Implicit Assumptions Inconsistent Numbers Consistent Treatment Steady Cadence Calm Close + = Explicit Assumptions Internally Reliable Numbers Controller Lite Package Judgment applied You’ve built a foundation that supports the business. With a steady close, I'll keep the numbers steady. Operating within a consistent close and clearly understood assumptions that keep the month-to-month predictable. Controller Lite Package Structure Existing Foundation Existing Foundation It’s already built. It needs to hold. The Controller Lite Package assumes an existing accounting environment that is already structurally sound. The focus is not on rebuilding or redesigning the system, but on operating within the current structure to preserve consistency and reliability. What happens in this phase: The existing chart of accounts and reporting structure are used as-is The current close cadence and workflows remain intact Transaction processing continues through the client’s existing bookkeeper or internal team Financial outputs are produced from the established system without structural changes What this phase is not: Not a system rebuild or cleanup Not policy creation or redesign Not restructuring workflows or correcting historical accounting This foundation is inherited, not created. Onboarding Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Existing Foundation Onboarding Onboarding Orientation before anything moves. Before work begins, access is established, expectations are aligned, and the engagement is structured so the first close runs cleanly. What happens in this phase: Accounting system access is established Banking and financial accounts are connected Historical activity is surfaced and organized Revenue structure, billing, and contractor relationships are clarified Communication cadence and response expectations are defined If onboarding begins late in a quarter, the first full quarterly close begins the following quarter so the reporting cadence starts cleanly. What this phase is not: No restructuring or corrective work takes place yet. This phase exists to ensure the system is stable before changes begin. Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Existing Foundation Onboarding Monthly Execution Monthly Execution It runs. With the system stable, the monthly close operates as a disciplined, repeatable process. Each month produces a consistent, internally reliable view of performance without intervention or correction. What happens in this phase: The books move through a structured monthly soft close Material items and risks are surfaced as they appear What this phase is not: Not rebuilding, corrective work, or major system changes Not a deliverable phase, no financial statements are issued The period is not locked, preserving flexibility until quarterly validation No comprehensive cleanup, policy redesign, or retrospective review of all prior activity Consistent. Predictable. No surprises. Quarterly Validation & Financials Existing Foundation Onboarding Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Quarterly Validation & Financials Confirm it holds. Produce Financials. At quarter-end, the system is validated, financials are finalized, and numbers move from internally reliable to usable for leadership and governance. What happens in this phase: Key accounts are reconciled and adjustments are finalized A structured validation confirms the period is fully closed Material variances are identified, understood, and documented The quarterly financial package is produced for internal use, including: Balance Sheet (year-to-date; year-to-date by month) Profit & Loss (year-to-date; year-to-date by month) Cash Flow, segment reporting, and year-to-date by quarter (available on request) What this phase is not: Not an audit, review, or assurance engagement Not real-time or on-call involvement Not forward-looking advisory work The numbers hold. The period is closed. Ongoing Communication Communication is handled through structured updates and scheduled touchpoints, not real-time messaging platforms such as Slack or Teams. Requests are handled within the established cadence and priorities of the close. Supported Software The Controller Lite Package 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: QuickBooks Xero Odoo Sage and similar accounting systems Where the Controller Lite Package Sits Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued Reporting Integrity Maintained Existing Structure Maintained Executive Leadership Strategic planning Business decisions Board meetings / preparation Staff management and payroll Forecast creation & ownership KPI calculation and interpretation Bookkeeper / Available Add-Ons Data Entry & Bank Reconciliations (Add-On) Accounts Payable (Add-On) Accounts Receivable (Add-On) Audit or Tax Support Schedules (Add-On) General Ledger Maintenance Tax Provider / Available Add-Ons Sales/Use Registration + Filings (Add-On) Annual Filings (Add-On) Select State & Federal Compliance Filings (Add-On) 1099 Preparation & Filings (Add-On) Income Tax Advisory or Filings Nexus Analysis Capitalization Policy Included Every Controller Lite client receives 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 Close Consistency and Outsourced Controller Support 🔹How do I get my monthly close to run consistently? A consistent close comes from structure, not effort. When timing, review sequencing, and assumptions are applied the same way every period, the close stops depending on who is available or how complex the month was. The Controller Lite package builds that cadence into your existing accounting environment so the close runs reliably without restarting each cycle. 🔹Why do my financial reports change every month? Differences in reporting usually trace back to inconsistent classification, timing, or review standards rather than changes in the business itself. When those standards are not applied uniformly, results become hard to compare. The Controller Lite package stabilizes how the numbers are produced so reports are consistent across periods. 🔹Do I need a controller if my accounting already works? If your accounting system functions but results require extra effort to trust or explain, the gap is usually not the system itself but the consistency of the close. The Controller Lite package adds structured oversight to an already working system so results stay reliable as the business grows. 🔹How do I know if I need ongoing oversight instead of a one-time cleanup? If your accounting is generally functional but results feel inconsistent or require repeated review, the issue is usually ongoing structure rather than historical errors. A cleanup addresses past problems, while deeper structural issues may require a full rebuild of the accounting system. The Controller Lite package focuses on keeping the system stable going forward so issues do not continue to resurface. 🔹How much does an outsourced controller cost? The Controller Lite Package is structured as a monthly retainer and costs significantly less than hiring a full-time controller. The Controller Lite package starts at $1,300 per month and is designed for growth-stage businesses that need consistent close oversight without the cost of building an internal accounting team. 🔹How do small businesses manage accounting without a full-time controller? Most growth-stage businesses handle this through an outsourced controller rather than hiring the role full-time. Controller Lite provides close oversight and reporting consistency through a fixed-scope monthly retainer, operating within the existing accounting system and alongside the client’s bookkeeper so the close runs reliably without adding a full-time controller. 🔹When does a business outgrow its current accounting setup? The signal is usually not a single breaking point but a gradual increase in effort. The close takes longer, reports require more explanation, and confidence in the numbers starts to slip even when nothing is obviously wrong. That pattern typically means the accounting system needs consistent oversight to hold at the current level of activity rather than a full rebuild. Pricing & Terms I believe in clean numbers — and clean pricing. Recurring Services Retainer Starting at $1,300 / Month Overage + $150 / Hour Schedule a Call 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 🔹 Hourly Overages What They Are Overage hours provide a simple way to handle work that goes beyond the monthly package scope but still relates to the package already in place. They keep the engagement flexible when a month requires more time than the standard package is designed to cover How They Are Billed Overage time is tracked in 30-minute increments, rounded up, summarized, and billed the following month at $150/hour. Requests are handled within normal business capacity and prioritized alongside recurring client commitments. 🔹 Retainer vs. Overage Hours vs. Add-Ons Retainer If it is about work already being performed, it is usually included. Routine questions, clarification, and meetings about work already being performed in the package are included. You should not feel like every normal question starts a timer. Overage Hours If it adds time to the existing package work, it may be overage time. Applies when a request extends beyond the normal close cadence but still relates to work already being performed. This may include analysis, research, deeper review, extended reconciliation work, meetings that require preparation or additional work, or other close-related support beyond the normal monthly scope. They may also apply when the close itself requires unusual time due to abnormal complexity, higher-than-normal activity, or issues that surface during review and require additional work before the records can be closed properly. Add-Ons If it needs its own scope, it is treated separately. Applies when the request is a separate service area, larger project, or defined deliverable that needs its own scope before work begins. 🔹 Communication & Support How communication works Communication is integrated into each retainer engagement as part of the structured workflow. This includes clarification of work performed and communication necessary to support the close process and maintain consistency within the scope of the package. What’s included Questions or discussion points addressed within the existing workflow are incorporated into the engagement. This includes straightforward clarification and context related to work already being performed. Communication channels Communication occurs via email and scheduled meetings. Slack, Microsoft Teams, text messaging, and other real-time platforms are not used for ongoing support. Response timing Responses are provided in a timely manner based on complexity and current execution demands. When overages apply Requests that require additional analysis, research, or work beyond the structured workflow are addressed as hourly overages. See Hourly Overages section above for details. 🔹 Bookkeeper Disruption & Continuity 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 Special Projects & Custom Support. Reference Only 🔹 Billing Mechanics Invoicing & Timing Payment is due within fifteen (15) days. Services may be paused for non-payment. Fixed-scope monthly packages are billed in advance at the start of each calendar month for the month ahead. If services begin mid-month, the initial invoice is prorated based on the calendar start date. All subsequent months are billed at the full monthly rate. Overage Hours incurred are billed on the following month’s invoice. Service Scope Controller Lite covers ongoing professional accounting support within the defined monthly scope. Services are structured to support an existing accounting environment and do not include system rebuilds, historical cleanup, policy design, or separately scoped project work unless explicitly agreed. 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. Pricing Alignment Pricing reflects the structure and complexity of your accounting environment at the time of onboarding. If that structure evolves over time, pricing may adjust to remain aligned with the level of support required. 🔹 Annual January Rate Adjustment Retainer rates increase by 5% each January to account for inflation and continued system upkeep. Clients who begin or convert into this package during Q3 or Q4 are excluded from the immediately following January adjustment. Their first increase occurs the next January, with annual January adjustments applying thereafter. Rate adjustments are automatic and apply only to future billing periods. Services may be canceled under the terms above if the engagement is no longer a fit. Clients are expected to provide timely cooperation and access to records. If information is withheld or access is restricted, services may be paused. Persistent delays or unresponsiveness may result in paused service or early termination. 🔹 Client Responsibility Initial 30-Day Fit Period Leave anytime. Either party may terminate the engagement immediately by providing written notice. Services conclude immediately. Services end when written notice is received unless both parties agree in writing that specific open work will continue. No termination fees. Any invoice already issued for the current billing period remains due as billed, but no termination fee applies. Transition support included. Reasonable transition and disengagement services directly related to the engagement are included at no additional charge . Additional work is billed separately. Work requested beyond the included package scope continues to be billed at the applicable hourly overage rate. After the Initial Fit Period 30 days' notice. Either party may terminate the engagement by providing 30 calendar days' written notice. Fees are fixed for the notice period. If you request that active work conclude earlier, the full 30-day notice period remains billable. Transition support included. Reasonable transition and disengagement services directly related to the engagement are included at no additional charge. Additional work is billed separately. Work requested beyond the included package scope during the notice period, or after active work has concluded, will be billed at the applicable hourly rate. Proration is straightforward. Any portion of the notice period extending into the following month is prorated using a standardized 30-day month. 🔹 If It’s Not for You Frequently Bought Together Clients often pair this package with one or more compatible Add-Ons. Best Fit Add-On Transaction Entry & Reconciliation Support Transaction Entry & Reconciliation Support Add-On Details → Accounts Receivable Support Add-On Details → Accounts Payable Support Add-On Details → 1099 Preparation and Filing Add-On Details → Financial Clarity, One Post at a Time 1 2 3 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. Phone (805) 410-8647 Email Brett@BrettJFedererAccounting.com Connect LinkedIn Book a Call

Outsourced accounting services with controller-level close standards. Built for founders who want the books handled without managing the day-to-day Accounting Execution Package Outsourced accounting services for transactional execution and reporting For founders who are tired of being the accounting system Accounting Execution Package The Accounting Execution Package is designed for companies where accounting execution has become inconsistent, reactive, or founder-dependent. Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, reconciliations, and close activity operate within a structured recurring cadence as operational volume increases. Execution Gaps Accounting owns your time Missed payments Invoice errors Unreconciled accounts Cash uncertainty Process breakdowns Close delays System drift 1099 confusion Unreliable Financials Stabilized Outputs Time reclaimed Accounts Payable batched Accounts Receivable batched Bank / Credit Cards Reconciled Cash position understood Execution issues resolved Close blockers cleared System integrity maintained 1099s Prepared and Filed Monthly Soft Close + Quarterly Hard Closes Performed You shouldn't have to manage accounting on your own. It should keep moving without you having to stay in the weeds. Accounting execution moves forward in the background, without requiring your constant involvement. Accounting Execution Package Structure Onboarding Onboarding Orientation before anything moves. Before recurring execution begins, access is established, onboarding information is gathered, and expectations are aligned so accounting activity can begin cleanly. What happens in this phase: Accounting system access is established Banking and financial accounts are connected Bill, invoice, and document workflows are reviewed Approval and batching expectations are discussed Existing accounting workflows and procedures are evaluated Monthly and quarterly timing expectations are aligned What this phase is not: No major restructuring or accounting redesign takes place yet No retroactive cleanup or normalization of historical activity This phase exists to prepare the workflow before recurring execution begins This phase focuses on orientation, not operational change. Accounts Payable Execution Accounts Receivable Execution Data Entry / Bank Reconciliations Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Onboarding Accounts Payable Execution Accounts Payable Execution Keep payables moving cleanly. Vendor bills move through a structured batching process so approvals stay organized and payable activity becomes easier to manage as operational volume increases. What happens in this process: Bills are routed through a centralized intake flow Payable batches are prepared on a recurring cadence Missing approvals or incomplete items are surfaced Unresolved items are rolled into the next scheduled batch Supporting documentation is maintained Batch timing and intake expectations stay consistent W-9 gathering and 1099 preparation and filing at year-end What this is not: No payments are released by the Firm No vendor management is performed No cash control transfers away from management The objective is organized payable execution, not outsourced financial control. Accounts Receivable Execution Data Entry / Bank Reconciliations Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Onboarding Accounts Payable Execution Accounts Receivable Execution Accounts Receivable Execution Keep receivables moving consistently. Customer invoices move through a structured batching process so billing activity stays organized and receivable execution becomes easier to manage as operational volume increases. What happens in this process: Customer invoices are prepared on a recurring cadence Approved billing information is processed through Client-owned systems Invoice timing and batching expectations stay consistent Limited corrections to previously issued invoices are handled as needed Supporting billing documentation is maintained What this is not: No pricing decisions or contract interpretation is performed No collections activity or customer management is performed No sales tax determination or tax advisory work is performed Sales tax registration and filing support is available as a separate Add-On. The objective is organized receivable execution, not outsourced revenue management. Data Entry / Bank Reconciliations Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Onboarding Accounts Payable Execution Accounts Receivable Execution Data Entry / Bank Reconciliations Data Entry / Bank Reconciliations Keep the records tied to reality. Transaction activity is recorded and reconciled on a recurring cadence so balances remain organized, cash activity stays traceable, and discrepancies surface earlier. What happens in this process: Transaction activity is recorded within the accounting system Bank and credit card accounts are reconciled regularly Transaction classifications and supporting detail are reviewed during reconciliation Supporting transaction documentation is maintained Reconciliation discrepancies are documented and surfaced for review What this is not: No guarantee that all discrepancies are identified immediately No forensic review or exhaustive transaction examination is performed No forward-looking cash forecasting is provided The objective is reliable transaction records and reconciled cash visibility. Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Onboarding Accounts Payable Execution Accounts Receivable Execution Data Entry / Bank Reconciliations Monthly Execution Monthly Execution It runs. With the system stable, the monthly close operates as a disciplined, repeatable process. Each month produces a consistent, internally reliable view of performance without intervention or correction. What happens in this phase: The books move through a structured monthly soft close Material items and risks are surfaced as they appear What this phase is not: Not rebuilding, corrective work, or major system changes Not a deliverable phase, no financial statements are issued The period is not locked, preserving flexibility until quarterly validation No comprehensive cleanup, policy redesign, or retrospective review of all prior activity Consistent. Predictable. No surprises. Quarterly Validation & Financials Onboarding Accounts Payable Execution Accounts Receivable Execution Data Entry / Bank Reconciliations Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Quarterly Validation & Financials Confirm it holds. Produce Financials. At quarter-end, the system is validated, financials are finalized, and numbers move from internally reliable to usable for leadership and governance. What happens in this phase: Key accounts are reconciled and adjustments are finalized A structured validation confirms the period is fully closed Material variances are identified, understood, and documented The quarterly financial package is produced for internal use, including: Balance Sheet (year-to-date; year-to-date by month) Profit & Loss (year-to-date; year-to-date by month) Cash Flow, segment reporting, and year-to-date by quarter (available on request) What this phase is not: Not an audit, review, or assurance engagement Not real-time or on-call involvement Not forward-looking advisory work The numbers hold. The period is closed. Ongoing Communication Communication is handled through structured updates and scheduled touchpoints, not real-time messaging platforms such as Slack or Teams. Requests are handled within the established cadence and priorities of the close. Supported Software The Accounting Execution Package 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: QuickBooks Xero Odoo Sage and similar accounting systems Where the Accounting Execution Package Sits Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued Reporting Integrity Maintained Existing Structure Maintained Data Entry & Bank Reconciliations Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable General ledger maintenance 1099 Preparation & Filings Executive Leadership Strategic planning Business decisions Board meetings / preparation Staff management and payroll Forecast creation & ownership KPI calculation and interpretation Tax Provider / Available Add-Ons Sales/Use Registration + Filings (Add-On) Annual Filings (Add-On) Select State & Federal Compliance Filings (Add-On) Audit or Tax Support Schedules (Add-On) Income Tax Advisory or Filings Nexus Analysis Capitalization Policy Included Every Accounting Execution Package client receives 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 Accounting Execution and Transactional Support If accounting is running through you instead of running on its own, these questions are for you. 🔹How do I stop doing my own accounting as a founder? Accounting stays on a founder's plate when no coordinated structure owns execution end to end. AP, AR, reconciliations, and the close end up requiring constant founder input because no single function owns the full flow. The Accounting Execution Package centralizes that execution so transactions are batched, the close runs on schedule, and accounting moves forward without requiring founder involvement to keep it going. 🔹What is outsourced accounting execution and how is it different from a bookkeeper? A bookkeeper records transactions but typically does not own the full execution flow from AP and AR through reconciliations and close. Outsourced accounting execution owns that entire cycle as a coordinated structure, including batched AP and AR processing, reconciliations, and monthly close, within your existing systems. The Accounting Execution Package is built for founders who need the full execution layer handled without managing it themselves. 🔹How do I know if I need outsourced accounting execution or a controller? Execution and controller-level oversight solve different problems. If transactions are not being processed, invoices are not going out, reconciliations are falling behind, and the close is consuming founder time, that is an execution problem. If the system is running but results are inconsistent or hard to trust, that is an oversight problem. The Accounting Execution Package addresses the first scenario. Controller Lite addresses the second through controller-level monthly close. 🔹How much does outsourced accounting cost for a small business? The Accounting Execution Package is structured as a monthly retainer. The Accounting Execution Package starts at $3,000 per month and is designed for companies that need their full transactional accounting and close handled as one coordinated function rather than managing fragmented vendors or internal staff. 🔹What happens when a small business has no bookkeeper in place? Without a bookkeeper or internal accounting resource, transactional work stalls, reconciliations fall behind, and the close becomes the founder's problem by default. The Accounting Execution Package is designed for that situation, stepping in to own AP, AR, reconciliations, and close execution within your existing systems so the accounting function runs without requiring you to build an internal team first, or addressing deeper structural issues through a full accounting system rebuild. 🔹Why does accounts payable feel chaotic even when bills are being paid? AP chaos typically shows up when intake is unstructured, bills arrive through multiple channels, and payments are approved on an ad hoc basis rather than a defined cadence. Even when payments go out on time, the lack of batching and process creates uncertainty. The Accounting Execution Package owns AP on a structured weekly cadence so intake is clean, batches are predictable, and cash outflow stays visible without last-minute scrambling. 🔹How do I get invoices sent consistently without managing it myself? Inconsistent invoicing typically occurs when AR has no defined cadence and depends on founder memory or ad hoc requests. The Accounting Execution Package owns AR on a structured batched cadence, preparing and issuing invoices from your existing systems based on your approved inputs so cash inflows stay predictable without requiring you to manage the process directly. 🔹Why is my month-end close always delayed? Close delays typically show up when AP, AR, and reconciliations are not completed in a coordinated flow, creating blockers that compound by the time close begins. Without a coordinated execution structure, each piece creates a blocker for the next. The Accounting Execution Package ties AP, AR, reconciliations, and close into one coordinated cycle so blockers are cleared before they delay the close and prevent a consistent monthly close process. 🔹What is included in outsourced accounts payable and accounts receivable services? Outsourced AP includes bill intake, coding, and preparation of approval-ready payment batches on a weekly cadence. Outsourced AR includes invoice preparation and issuance on a twice-monthly cadence based on client-approved inputs. Neither service includes payment authorization, collections, or pricing decisions, which remain with the client. The Accounting Execution Package owns both within your existing systems as part of a defined recurring execution cycle. As a standalone alternative, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable may also be handled through flexible ongoing accounting support when the scope needs to adjust over time rather than remain fixed within a retainer. 🔹How do small businesses handle 1099 preparation without a full accounting team? 1099 preparation and filing typically becomes a problem when vendor records, W-9 collection, and payment tracking are not maintained consistently throughout the year. The Accounting Execution Package owns vendor information and payment data as part of ongoing AP execution, so 1099 preparation and filing is a natural output of the process rather than a year-end scramble. Pricing & Terms I believe in clean numbers — and clean pricing. Recurring Services Retainer Starting at $3,000 / Month Overage + $150 / Hour Schedule a Call 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 🔹 Hourly Overages What They Are Overage hours provide a simple way to handle work that goes beyond the monthly package scope but still relates to the package already in place. They keep the engagement flexible when a month requires more time than the standard package is designed to cover How They Are Billed Overage time is tracked in 30-minute increments, rounded up, summarized, and billed the following month at $150/hour. Requests are handled within normal business capacity and prioritized alongside recurring client commitments. 🔹 Retainer vs. Overage Hours vs. Add-Ons Retainer If it is about work already being performed, it is usually included. Routine questions, clarification, and meetings about work already being performed in the package are included. You should not feel like every normal question starts a timer. Overage Hours If it adds time to the existing package work, it may be overage time. Applies when a request extends beyond the normal close cadence but still relates to work already being performed. This may include analysis, research, deeper review, extended reconciliation work, meetings that require preparation or additional work, or other close-related support beyond the normal monthly scope. They may also apply when the close itself requires unusual time due to abnormal complexity, higher-than-normal activity, or issues that surface during review and require additional work before the records can be closed properly. Add-Ons If it needs its own scope, it is treated separately. Applies when the request is a separate service area, larger project, or defined deliverable that needs its own scope before work begins. 🔹 Billing Mechanics Invoicing & Timing Payment is due within fifteen (15) days. Services may be paused for non-payment. Fixed-scope packages are billed in advance at the start of each calendar month for the month ahead. If services begin mid-month, the initial invoice is prorated based on the calendar start date. All subsequent full months are billed at the standard monthly rate. Hourly overages incurred are billed on the following month’s invoice. Service Scope The Accounting Execution Package provides structured transactional execution and controller-level accounting support within the defined monthly scope. 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. 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. Pricing Alignment Pricing reflects the structure and complexity of your accounting environment at the time of onboarding. If that structure evolves over time, pricing may adjust to remain aligned with the level of support required. 🔹 Communication & Support How communication works Communication is integrated into each retainer engagement as part of the structured workflow. This includes clarification of work performed and communication necessary to support the close process and maintain consistency within the scope of the package. What’s included Questions or discussion points addressed within the existing workflow are incorporated into the engagement. This includes straightforward clarification and context related to work already being performed. Communication channels Communication occurs via email and scheduled meetings. Slack, Microsoft Teams, text messaging, and other real-time platforms are not used for ongoing support. Response timing Responses are provided in a timely manner based on complexity and current execution demands. When overages apply Requests that require additional analysis, research, or work beyond the structured workflow are addressed as hourly overages. See Hourly Overages section above for details. 🔹 Annual January Rate Adjustment Retainer rates increase by 5% each January to account for inflation and continued system upkeep. Clients who begin or convert into this package during Q3 or Q4 are excluded from the immediately following January adjustment. Their first increase occurs the next January, with annual January adjustments applying thereafter. Rate adjustments are automatic and apply only to future billing periods. Services may be canceled under the terms above if the engagement is no longer a fit. 🔹 Client Responsibility Clients are expected to provide timely cooperation and access to records. 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 If it's not for me Initial 30-Day Fit Period Leave anytime. Either party may terminate the engagement immediately by providing written notice. Services conclude immediately. Services end when written notice is received unless both parties agree in writing that specific open work will continue. No termination fees. Any invoice already issued for the current billing period remains due as billed, but no termination fee applies. Transition support included. Reasonable transition and disengagement services directly related to the engagement are included at no additional charge . Additional work is billed separately. Work requested beyond the included package scope continues to be billed at the applicable hourly overage rate. After the Initial Fit Period 30 days' notice. Either party may terminate the engagement by providing 30 calendar days' written notice. Fees are fixed for the notice period. If you request that active work conclude earlier, the full 30-day notice period remains billable. Transition support included. Reasonable transition and disengagement services directly related to the engagement are included at no additional charge. Additional work is billed separately. Work requested beyond the included package scope during the notice period, or after active work has concluded, will be billed at the applicable hourly rate. Proration is straightforward. Any portion of the notice period extending into the following month is prorated using a standardized 30-day month. Frequently Bought Together Clients often pair this package with one or more compatible Add-Ons. Best Fit Add-On Sales Tax Filings Sales Tax Filings Add-On Details → Sync Historicals Into Your Forecast Add-On Details → Scoped Historical Cleanup Add-On Details → Accounting Policy Architecture Add-On Details → Financial Clarity, One Post at a Time 1 2 3 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. Phone (805) 410-8647 Email Brett@BrettJFedererAccounting.com Connect LinkedIn Book a Call

Fractional controller services for growing businesses where the accounting structure no longer holds up and needs stabilization, not just maintenance. Financial Clarity Package Fractional controller services to stabilize broken accounting systems Stabilize and rebuild the accounting system for long-term reliability Financial Clarity Package The Financial Clarity Package provides fractional controller services for companies whose accounting systems are no longer holding up under growth, even though bookkeeping and reporting still technically exist. At this stage, the issue usually is not effort or access to data, but growing uncertainty around whether the numbers are still reliable enough to trust. This package replaces reactive accounting friction with durable accounting structure designed to hold up as the business grows. Once stabilized, monthly closes keep reporting current while quarterly closes reinforce consistency, discipline, and long term reliability. Operating assumption : A dedicated bookkeeper is required and may be full time, part time, fractional, outsourced, or contract based. What Quietly Breaks What Replaces It Ad Hoc Workflows Delayed Close Unreliable History Inconsistent Numbers Founder Dependency Codified Accounting Systems Financial Clarity Package Predictable Close Defensible History Structurally Reliable System Independence You’re the expert at what you do. Let me keep the financials stable so you can keep building. Behind every clean report is one consistent system, built to scale with you, not slow you down. Financial Clarity Package Structure Implementation & Onboarding Before work begins, access is established and the engagement is structured so the first close runs cleanly. This phase typically spans six to twelve months depending on system condition, with issues, gaps, and priorities surfaced early and addressed in sequence based on system integrity, risk, and dependency. The goal is a system that produces consistent results across reconciliations and reporting without requiring structural fixes as the business grows. The work stays focused on accounting structure and reporting integrity rather than system development, coding, operational process design, or management of staff. Recurring Services Once the system is stable, the monthly close operates as a structured, repeatable process, with books closed, cash tracked, and material variances surfaced as they appear. At quarter-end, the period is validated, adjustments are finalized, and the quarterly financial package is produced for leadership review and internal governance. A system that runs predictably and produces financials that hold under scrutiny is the measure of whether the foundation was built correctly. Onboarding Onboarding Orientation before anything moves. Before work begins, access is established, expectations are aligned, and the engagement is structured so the first close runs cleanly. What happens in this phase: Accounting system access is established Banking and financial accounts are connected Historical activity is surfaced and organized Revenue structure, billing, and contractor relationships are clarified Communication cadence and response expectations are defined If onboarding begins late in a quarter, the first full quarterly close begins the following quarter so the reporting cadence starts cleanly. What this phase is not: No restructuring or corrective work takes place yet. This phase exists to ensure the system is stable before changes begin. Establish a Reliable Baseline Address the Primary Constraint Expand Stability Across the System Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Onboarding Establish a Reliable Baseline Establish a Reliable Baseline Stop the drift. Make the numbers hold. The accounting system is stabilized so financials stop shifting between periods and begin to hold under normal use. Reconciliations are untangled, the close structure is rebuilt, and the system is configured to produce consistent, internally reliable results. What happens in this phase: Reconciliations are untangled and material balance issues are corrected The close process is rebuilt with clear structure, timing, and review points Account mappings, configurations, and automation are standardized The system is stabilized so results remain consistent from period to period What this phase is not: Not optimization or refinement work Not a complete resolution of every issue Not a perfect system. The objective is reliability rather than precision. Everything that follows depends on what is established here. Address the Primary Constraint Expand Stability Across the System Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Onboarding Establish a Reliable Baseline Address the Primary Constraint Address the Primary Constraint Remove the point of failure. Once the system is stable, focus shifts to the constraint preventing it from operating as designed. This phase isolates the issue and resolves it directly rather than dispersing effort across the system. What happens in this phase: The primary constraint is identified and isolated A targeted correction is defined and sequenced into the system Material variances and risks tied to the root cause are evaluated Resolution is measured against outcome, not activity What this phase is not: Not a broad cleanup Not fixing everything simultaneously Not revisiting what was established in the baseline phase Removing the constraint changes how the entire system behaves. Expand Stability Across the System Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Onboarding Establish a Reliable Baseline Address the Primary Constraint Expand Stability Across the System Expand Stability Across the System Scale the structure. Make it hold. With the constraint resolved, the focus shifts to consistency. The standards, controls, and close structure established earlier are extended across the full accounting system so stability becomes the default. What happens in this phase: Accounting infrastructure is formalized through policies, controls, and standards Reporting structure and close outputs are standardized across periods ERP and system configurations are aligned to the established structure Bookkeeper coordination and classification standards are documented and communicated System hygiene is maintained and fragile areas are surfaced early Transition readiness is confirmed so the system holds under normal conditions What this phase is not: Not initial fixes or corrections Not a restart of baseline work Not advisory or strategic planning The system holds everywhere, not just in one place. Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Onboarding Establish a Reliable Baseline Address the Primary Constraint Expand Stability Across the System Monthly Execution Monthly Execution It runs. With the system stable, the monthly close operates as a disciplined, repeatable process. Each month produces a consistent, internally reliable view of performance without intervention or correction. What happens in this phase: The books move through a structured monthly soft close Material items and risks are surfaced as they appear What this phase is not: Not rebuilding, corrective work, or major system changes Not a deliverable phase, no financial statements are issued The period is not locked, preserving flexibility until quarterly validation No comprehensive cleanup, policy redesign, or retrospective review of all prior activity Consistent. Predictable. No surprises. Quarterly Validation & Financials Onboarding Establish a Reliable Baseline Address the Primary Constraint Expand Stability Across the System Monthly Execution Quarterly Validation & Financials Quarterly Validation & Financials Confirm it holds. Produce Financials. At quarter-end, the system is validated, financials are finalized, and numbers move from internally reliable to usable for leadership and governance. What happens in this phase: Key accounts are reconciled and adjustments are finalized A structured validation confirms the period is fully closed Material variances are identified, understood, and documented The quarterly financial package is produced for internal use, including: Balance Sheet (year-to-date; year-to-date by month) Profit & Loss (year-to-date; year-to-date by month) Cash Flow, segment reporting, and year-to-date by quarter (available on request) What this phase is not: Not an audit, review, or assurance engagement Not real-time or on-call involvement Not forward-looking advisory work The numbers hold. The period is closed. Ongoing Communication Communication is handled through structured updates and scheduled touchpoints, not real-time messaging platforms such as Slack or Teams. Requests are handled within the established cadence and priorities of the close. Supported Software The Financial Clarity Package evaluates the Client's existing accounting structure, workflows, and reporting environment before structural changes are implemented. Existing systems may remain in place, be stabilized, or be restructured depending on operational findings during implementation. QuickBooks may not be appropriate for more complex implementation environments. 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: Xero Odoo Sage and similar accounting systems Where the Financial Clarity Package Sits Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC Monthly Soft Close Material Exceptions Flagged Quarterly Hard Close Quarterly Financials Issued Historical Cleanup Accounting Policy Creation Accounting Stabilization Executive Leadership Strategic planning Business decisions Board meetings / preparation Staff management and payroll Forecast creation & ownership KPI calculation and interpretation Bookkeeper / Available Add-Ons Data Entry & Bank Reconciliations (Add-On) Accounts Payable (Add-On) Accounts Receivable (Add-On) Audit or Tax Support Schedules (Add-On) General Ledger Maintenance Tax Provider / Available Add-Ons Sales/Use Registration + Filings (Add-On) Annual Filings (Add-On) Select State & Federal Compliance Filings (Add-On) 1099 Preparation & Filings (Add-On) Income Tax Advisory or Filings Nexus Analysis Change Guidelines: Process, Policy, Procedures, Financial structure only works when ownership is clear. This framework defines how accounting changes are evaluated, approved, and carried through the system, including how system controls and decision boundaries are structured so responsibility remains clear at every stage. Within that structure, Brett J. Federer Accounting, APC may support technical accounting discussions with external auditors when relevant and within the defined scope. Broader participation, such as board or governance involvement, remains outside scope unless separately agreed. If business circumstances change, previously adopted policies may require reassessment, which is handled as a separately scoped Add-On. All work reflects professional judgment applied to available information, incorporating materiality and cost-benefit considerations. Client Ownership Management Decision Internal Implementation & Training Enforce Internally Brett J. Federer Accounting Identify Requirements Design & Recommend Changes Click a box above to learn more. Identify Requirements When a change is needed, whether surfaced by management or identified through system review, Brett J. Federer Accounting evaluates the accounting requirements involved. This includes understanding how transactions flow through the system, identifying gaps or risks, and defining what a workable, compliant structure looks like. This phase focuses on: Evaluating transaction flow and system behavior Identifying gaps, inconsistencies, or risk areas Defining requirements before any changes are made Where necessary, this may include reviewing contracts, transactions, and historical activity to determine appropriate accounting treatment based on available information and professional judgment. Analysis is based on available information and professional judgment, not a guarantee of a specific outcome. Design & Recommend Changes Once requirements are understood, a recommendation is prepared. This may take the form of a formal accounting policy, system configuration guidance, or documentation of the appropriate accounting treatment. Depending on the situation, this may include: Policy drafting or clarification System configuration recommendations Accounting treatment guidance Historical adjustment proposals where appropriate Recommendations may include defining system-level controls such as approval sequencing, required fields, monetary thresholds, and timing rules that determine when transactions are considered accounting-ready. All recommendations are advisory. Management retains full authority to accept, modify, or decline them. Management Decision Every recommendation requires a management decision before any work proceeds under that framework. This step is intentional and ensures authority remains internal. At this stage: Management decides whether to adopt, defer, or decline No structural changes are implemented without approval Direction is set before execution begins Work is performed only within the framework that management approves. This keeps ownership where it belongs and avoids unapproved changes being applied to the system. Internal Implementation & Training Once a decision is made, responsibility shifts to the client to implement and operationalize the change internally. This includes communicating updates and ensuring teams understand the new structure. This typically involves: Communicating decisions across the organization Training staff on updated processes Operating in line with the approved framework Brett J. Federer Accounting may apply approved configurations within the accounting system, including controls and structural elements, but does not manage personnel or oversee internal rollout. Responsibility for execution, internal deadlines, and adoption remains with management. Enforce Internally Ongoing compliance with adopted policies remains a management responsibility. The structure is designed to hold, but it must be followed internally to remain effective. This includes: Maintaining adherence to defined processes Meeting internal deadlines and approval requirements Reinforcing consistency over time System-level controls may support enforcement, but they do not replace internal accountability. Brett J. Federer Accounting does not monitor employee behavior, enforce compliance, or act as an escalation point. Its role is to design and apply the framework within the accounting system, while enforcement remains internal. Questions About Accounting System Rebuilds and Financial Clarity If your accounting foundation is in place but the close feels harder to trust than it should, these questions are for you. 🔹How do I know if my accounting system needs to be rebuilt or just cleaned up? Cleanup addresses isolated errors that can be corrected without changing how the system works. A rebuild addresses the structure that produced those errors in the first place. The clearest signal is repetition. If the same problems keep resurfacing after corrections, the system itself is the issue. The Financial Clarity Package is designed for that scenario, replacing reactive fixes with a structure built to hold as the business grows. 🔹What actually happens during an accounting system rebuild? Implementation begins with stabilizing the foundation. This includes untangling reconciliations, defining close mechanics, rebuilding workflows, and establishing reporting structure. Known issues are surfaced early, prioritized, and addressed in sequence based on system integrity and dependency order. The goal is a system that behaves predictably across close cycles without requiring structural intervention. Once stable, the engagement transitions into ongoing controller-level close support. 🔹How long does it take to rebuild an accounting system? A full accounting system rebuild typically takes six to twelve months depending on the complexity of the existing structure and the volume of issues that need to be resolved. The Financial Clarity Package is structured around that timeline, with a minimum six-month implementation term followed by a transition into recurring support once the system operates consistently on its own. 🔹Is QuickBooks or Odoo the right platform for a growing business? QuickBooks works well at early stages but tends to show structural limitations as close complexity and reporting requirements increase. Odoo is a common destination for growing businesses, but an ERP migration does not automatically resolve accounting structure problems. The accounting side still needs to be stabilized before clean execution can follow. The Financial Clarity Package addresses that layer regardless of platform and can work alongside or after an ERP transition where the accounting structure was not fully resolved. 🔹What types of companies hire the Financial Clarity Package? The Financial Clarity Package is designed for growth-stage businesses where the accounting system is no longer holding up under scale. This typically includes companies with increasing transaction volume, expanding operations, or more complex reporting needs where financial results require ongoing correction, reconciliation, or explanation to be trusted. It is most commonly used by companies that already have a bookkeeper but need the underlying accounting structure rebuilt so results become consistent and reliable. 🔹When is the right time to engage a controller-level accounting service? The right time is when financial reporting stops being dependable. This often shows up as delayed closes, numbers that require explanation before they can be used, or recurring issues that corrections do not resolve. At that point, the need is no longer additional bookkeeping. It is a structured accounting system with defined close mechanics and reporting consistency. That is the role of controller-level support. For a broader breakdown of when businesses hire controller-level accounting support, see our Controller Services page. 🔹Why are my books wrong even with a bookkeeper? A bookkeeper maintains transactions but does not typically own the close process or the structure behind it. When the accounting system was never designed to produce consistent results at scale, errors accumulate not because of effort, but because there is nothing holding the system to a standard. Correcting individual entries without addressing the close mechanics and underlying system structure allows the same problems to keep resurfacing. The Financial Clarity Package rebuilds that foundation through a defined implementation and recurring retainer structure. When the work needs to remain adaptable across cleanup, policies, stabilization, close support, reporting, or execution, flexible ongoing accounting support may be the better standalone engagement. 🔹Why don’t my financial statements match my bank account? A mismatch between financial statements and bank accounts usually points to reconciliations that were skipped, partially completed, or never properly closed across periods. This is a structural problem, not just a math error. The Financial Clarity Package addresses these gaps during implementation by untangling existing reconciliations and rebuilding the close process so results are internally consistent and defensible going forward. 🔹Why do my numbers change after closing the books? Numbers that shift after closing usually indicate the period was never fully locked or that post-close adjustments are being made without a structured review process. Over time this makes period-over-period comparisons unreliable and erodes confidence in reporting. The Financial Clarity Package establishes a close architecture with defined review points and a hard close at quarter end so periods stay locked and results stay stable. 🔹What does it cost to rebuild an accounting system for a small business? The Financial Clarity Package structures an accounting system rebuild as a monthly implementation retainer rather than a fixed project fee, which keeps costs predictable and tied to actual progress. Implementation starts at $3,500 per month with a minimum six-month term, reflecting the time required to stabilize the system, establish a consistent close, and transition into ongoing support. 🔹What is the difference between a controller and an accountant for a growing business? An accountant typically focuses on compliance, income tax preparation, and historical reporting. A controller focuses on the system that produces financial information: the close process, reporting structure, and internal controls that determine whether numbers are reliable in the first place. A bookkeeper maintains the day-to-day records beneath both. For growing businesses, the gap that shows up most often is at the controller level, where financial reporting starts requiring constant correction or explanation rather than functioning as a dependable management tool. 🔹How do I choose the right controller-level support for a growing business? The right fit is not defined by where the engagement comes from, but by what the role actually owns. If the work centers on maintaining existing tasks, the underlying issues tend to persist. If it centers on close mechanics, reporting consistency, and system structure, the numbers begin to hold on their own. For growing businesses, that distinction shows up quickly. One approach keeps things moving. The other builds a system where results stay reliable without constant intervention. The difference is visible in how the close runs, how reports are produced, and whether leadership can rely on the numbers without second-guessing them. For a broader view of how controller-level support fits within the full accounting structure, see the Services Overview . Pricing & Terms I believe in clean numbers — and clean pricing. Implementation (Typically 6-12 Months) Retainer Starting at $3,500 / Month Overage + $150 / Hour Recurring Services Retainer Starting at $1,300 / Month Overage + $150 / Hour Schedule a Call 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 🔹 Transition to Recurring Cadence Following implementation, there is a 30-day transition period before the recurring cadence fully takes over. During this time, services are billed at the recurring rate, with focused attention on confirming that system configurations, workflows, and reporting continue to operate as designed. This transition is intended to ensure continuity between implementation and ongoing service, not to extend implementation scope or introduce new accounting policies or process redesign. If additional work outside the defined scope is identified during this period, it is addressed through a separately scoped Add-On. 🔹 Hourly Overages What They Are Overage hours provide a simple way to handle work that goes beyond the monthly package scope but still relates to the package already in place. They keep the engagement flexible when a month requires more time than the standard package is designed to cover How They Are Billed Overage time is tracked in 30-minute increments, rounded up, summarized, and billed the following month at $150/hour. Requests are handled within normal business capacity and prioritized alongside recurring client commitments. 🔹 Retainer vs. Overage Hours vs. Add-Ons Retainer If it is about work already being performed, it is usually included. Routine questions, clarification, and meetings about work already being performed in the package are included. You should not feel like every normal question starts a timer. Overage Hours If it adds time to the existing package work, it may be overage time. Applies when a request extends beyond the normal close cadence but still relates to work already being performed. This may include analysis, research, deeper review, extended reconciliation work, meetings that require preparation or additional work, or other close-related support beyond the normal monthly scope. They may also apply when the close itself requires unusual time due to abnormal complexity, higher-than-normal activity, or issues that surface during review and require additional work before the records can be closed properly. Add-Ons If it needs its own scope, it is treated separately. Applies when the request is a separate service area, larger project, or defined deliverable that needs its own scope before work begins. 🔹 Communication & Support How communication works Communication is integrated into each retainer engagement as part of the structured workflow. This includes clarification of work performed and communication necessary to support the close process and maintain consistency within the scope of the package. What’s included Questions or discussion points addressed within the existing workflow are incorporated into the engagement. This includes straightforward clarification and context related to work already being performed. Communication channels Communication occurs via email and scheduled meetings. Slack, Microsoft Teams, text messaging, and other real-time platforms are not used for ongoing support. Response timing Responses are provided in a timely manner based on complexity and current execution demands. When overages apply Requests that require additional analysis, research, or work beyond the structured workflow are addressed as hourly overages. See Hourly Overages section above for details. 🔹 Bookkeeper Disruption & Continuity 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 Special Projects & Custom Support. Reference Only 🔹 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 Mechanics Invoicing & Timing Payment is due within fifteen (15) days. Services may be paused for non-payment. Implementation & Onboarding retainers and fixed-scope recurring packages are billed in advance as monthly invoices, beginning upon engagement start and thereafter at the start of each calendar month. When Implementation & Onboarding begins mid-month, the initial implementation invoice is prorated based on the calendar start date. All subsequent implementation months and all recurring services are billed at the full monthly rate. Any Implementation & Onboarding hourly overages or Recurring Services Overage Hours incurred are billed on the following month’s invoice. Implementation Term The Implementation & Onboarding phase is structured as a minimum six (6) month term and culminates in a transition to fixed-scope recurring services. This reflects the time required to stabilize systems, establish a consistent close, and complete the transition. Onboarding is temporary by design but subject to the minimum term outlined above. Extensions beyond the 6–12 month goal are determined at my discretion based on scope and progress. Implementation concludes when the system operates predictably across multiple close cycles without structural intervention. Scope & Third-Party Costs Services cover professional accounting 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. Pricing Alignment Pricing reflects the structure and complexity of your accounting environment at the time of onboarding. If that structure evolves over time, pricing may adjust to remain aligned with the level of support required. 🔹 Annual January Rate Adjustment Retainer rates increase by 5% each January to account for inflation and continued system upkeep. Clients who begin or convert into this package during Q3 or Q4 are excluded from the immediately following January adjustment. Their first increase occurs the next January, with annual January adjustments applying thereafter. Rate adjustments are automatic and apply only to future billing periods. Services may be canceled under the terms above if the engagement is no longer a fit. 🔹 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 Initial 30-Day Fit Period Leave anytime. Either party may terminate the engagement immediately by providing written notice. Services conclude immediately. Services end when written notice is received unless both parties agree in writing that specific open work will continue. No termination fees. Any invoice already issued for the current billing period remains due as billed, but no termination fee applies. Transition support included. Reasonable transition and disengagement services directly related to the engagement are included at no additional charge . Additional work is billed separately. Work requested beyond the included package scope continues to be billed at the applicable hourly overage rate. After the Initial Fit Period 30 days' notice. Either party may terminate the engagement by providing 30 calendar days' written notice. Fees are fixed for the notice period. If you request that active work conclude earlier, the full 30-day notice period remains billable. Transition support included. Reasonable transition and disengagement services directly related to the engagement are included at no additional charge. Additional work is billed separately. Work requested beyond the included package scope during the notice period, or after active work has concluded, will be billed at the applicable hourly rate. Proration is straightforward. Any portion of the notice period extending into the following month is prorated using a standardized 30-day month. Frequently Bought Together Clients often pair this package with one or more compatible Add-Ons. Best Fit Add-On Transaction Entry & Reconciliation Support Transaction Entry & Reconciliation Support Add-On Details → Accounts Payable Support Add-On Details → Accounts Receivable Support Add-On Details → Sales Tax Filings Add-On Details → Hospitality Implementation Pilot For Hospitality Founders Hospitality may look simple from the outside, but internally it is one of the hardest environments to maintain consistent margins, cash flow visibility, labor control, and operational coordination at the same time. Revenue can remain strong while financial structure quietly weakens underneath it. The Hospitality Implementation Pilot is designed for founders who want stronger financial systems, clearer operational visibility, and accounting structure that can continue holding up as the business grows. I have a personal interest in hospitality and am intentionally expanding into the industry because it aligns naturally with the systems, structure, and operational clarity my work is built around. To support a small number of hospitality operators aligned with that direction, the Financial Clarity Package currently includes: 10% off implementation charges for select hospitality businesses, including: Boutique hotels and inns Luxury vacation rentals Design forward short term rental concepts Retreat and experience based lodging properties Vineyard estates and destination wine properties Design led wedding venues and wellness hospitality concepts If you are unsure whether your business qualifies, we can talk through it together. All services, scope, deliverables, and controller level standards remain unchanged. This hospitality pricing applies only to the Financial Clarity Package implementation phase and ends automatically upon transition into recurring services. This offer does not apply to landlords, short term rental arbitrage groups, restaurants, or capital heavy real estate portfolios. Financial Clarity, One Post at a Time The Founder’s Thanksgiving Checklist: A Year End Accounting Checklist A table prepared with care, just like your books should be. As the holidays approach and the year winds down, the smell of delicious Thanksgiving food reminds us that abundance always comes with responsibility. A full table is a gift, but someone still has to clean up the kitchen once the feast is over. The same is true for your company. By late November, the financial year has served up its share of wins, mistakes, and leftovers. And before the next course begins, a thoughtf When Bookkeeping Isn’t Enough Clean books need solid structure beneath them, just like these mountains. Most business owners can feel the story of their company long before the financials are issued. They know when a month ran hot, when something slipped, and when operations felt tighter or more scattered than usual. The reports are often there to confirm what they sensed or to highlight patterns they did not notice in the moment. As startups grow, founders often feel like bookkeeping errors are getting w The Fragility of Cheap Accounting Solutions When systems aren’t built to last, fragility eventually shows — just like these hollow trees. Every few years, headlines warn that automation is coming for our jobs. From factory floors to front offices, the fear is always the same: machines replacing humans. In accounting, the pitch sounds familiar, and it almost always arrives as a promise of efficiency. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creeping into both ends of the spectrum—cheap bookkeeping tools and flashy dashboards for Bookkeeper vs Controller: What Happens When Roles Blur When boundaries blur, what looks solid quickly loses clarity — in nature and in accounting. Most founders don’t think much about accounting until the business reaches a point where it can’t be ignored. When that moment comes, titles like bookkeeper and controller often sound interchangeable — as if both simply mean “the person keeping the books.” It’s an understandable assumption, born from focusing on growth rather than finance. That assumption is also where the first cracks Accounting Guardrails: When Structure Is Missing, Messiness Is Inevitable When accounting lacks structure, it grows unruly — just like grass without trimming. The Hidden Source of Mess When a founder sees messy accounting, the first instinct is often to assume the people are the problem. Maybe the accountants aren’t as strong as expected. Maybe they’re not paying attention. Maybe they simply don’t care. But the truth is usually very different. In most cases, messy departments are made up of smart, capable accountants who are doing their best with w 1 2 3 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. Phone (805) 410-8647 Email Brett@BrettJFedererAccounting.com Connect LinkedIn Book a Call