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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. 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) State & Federal 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? Outsourced accounting execution is typically structured as a monthly retainer. The Accounting Execution Package starts at $4,800 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 coordinated monthly execution cycle, or supported through flexible hourly accounting support when full execution ownership is not yet needed. 🔹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 $4,800 / 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 Rate Adjustment Rates increase 5% every 12 months to account for inflation and ongoing system upkeep. The sign-up month is treated as Month 0, regardless of sign-on date. The 12-month cycle begins with the first full calendar month of service. Rate adjustments are automatic and predictable. Services may be canceled at any time if 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 Either Party Either party may cancel services at any time. First 30 Days of the Engagement (Initial Fit Period) The full monthly rate is billed for the month in which cancellation occurs, regardless of cancellation date, and is not prorated, with any previously applied promotional reductions remaining in effect. Hourly overages incurred prior to the effective date of cancellation are billed on the final invoice. The final invoice is issued immediately upon written notice of termination and is due under standard payment terms. Post 30 Days After Engagement The full monthly rate is billed for the month in which cancellation occurs, regardless of cancellation date, and is not prorated, with any previously applied promotional reductions remaining in effect. A termination fee equal to one additional month of service is charged, separate from the final month’s billing. Hourly overages incurred prior to the effective date of cancellation are billed on the final invoice. The final invoice is issued immediately upon written notice of termination and is due under standard payment terms. Frequently Bought Together Clients using this service often pair it with a core package or a related add-on. 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. Odoo Sage Xero and similar operational 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) State & Federal 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 engagement. 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 that structure means the same problems continue to resurface, particularly when accounting support is handled on an hourly accounting basis without a defined system structure. The Financial Clarity Package rebuilds the foundation so the system produces reliable results rather than requiring ongoing correction. 🔹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? Accounting system rebuilds are structured as a monthly implementation retainer rather than a fixed project fee, which keeps costs predictable and tied to actual progress. The Financial Clarity Package implementation starts at $5,500 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 $5,500 / Month Overage + $150 / Hour Recurring Services Retainer Starting at $2,400 / Month Overage + $150 / Hour Implementation Incentive Available for new clients onboarding in Q2 2026. For Financial Clarity Package engagements beginning between April 1 and June 30, 2026. 10% reduction to all implementation charges Implementation: 10% off all implementation charges for the full implementation phase Applies to the implementation retainer and any hourly overage Applies regardless of workload, complexity, or onboarding pace Discount ends automatically upon transition to recurring services No discounts apply to ongoing monthly services Can not be combined with any other discount This pricing is available for new clients who initiate implementation during Q2 2026. All services, scope, and deliverables remain unchanged. This is simply a thank-you for committing early. 🔹 How it works: 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 engagement. 🔹 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 Rate Adjustment Rates increase 5% every 12 months to account for inflation and ongoing system upkeep. The sign-up month is treated as Month 0, regardless of sign-on date. The 12-month cycle begins with the first full calendar month of service. Rate adjustments are automatic and predictable. Services may be canceled at any time if 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 Either Party Either party may cancel services at any time. First 30 Days of the Engagement (Initial Fit Period) The full monthly rate is billed for the month in which cancellation occurs, regardless of cancellation date, and is not prorated, with any previously applied promotional reductions remaining in effect. Hourly overages incurred prior to the effective date of cancellation are billed on the final invoice. The final invoice is issued immediately upon written notice of termination and is due under standard payment terms. Post 30 Days After Engagement The full monthly rate is billed for the month in which cancellation occurs, regardless of cancellation date, and is not prorated, with any previously applied promotional reductions remaining in effect. A termination fee equal to one additional month of service is charged, separate from the final month’s billing. Hourly overages incurred prior to the effective date of cancellation are billed on the final invoice. The final invoice is issued immediately upon written notice of termination and is due under standard payment terms. Frequently Bought Together Clients using this service often pair it with a core package or a related add-on. 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 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 accounts payable support for bill intake, coding, and batch preparation so A/P runs on a cadence instead of through the founder. Hourly Add-On Accounts Payable Support Structured accounts payable support that keeps bills, vendor records, and payment preparation organized inside your existing accounting workflow. How it works From invoice to approval-ready batch. 01 Bills received and organized Invoices are collected, reviewed, and entered into your accounting system with proper expense classification against your chart of accounts. 02 Payment batches prepared Bills are grouped into approval-ready batches and staged in your accounting system and designated payment platforms. Timing is coordinated based on volume, urgency, and client workflow. 03 You approve and release You review the batch, approve, and release payment. The Firm does not initiate, authorize, or process payments. All bank access is limited to view-only or download-only. 04 Vendor follow-up as needed Basic vendor communication for payment confirmations, penny tests for new payment setups, and resolving invoice discrepancies. What's Included Invoice receipt and organization Bill entry into your accounting system Expense classification against your chart of accounts Vendor record maintenance Payment preparation and batch staging (including bank ACH) Basic vendor communication (payment confirmations, penny tests, invoice discrepancies) What's Not Included Payment approval, authorization, or release (you retain full sign-off) Initiation or processing of payments Bank access beyond view-only or download-only Procurement or purchasing decisions Vendor disputes or negotiations W-9 collection and 1099 preparation (see 1099 Preparation and Filing Add-On ) The Firm does not have custody or control of client funds or assets. All system access credentials, user permissions, and cash disbursement decisions remain with the client. Pricing Simple hourly billing. No retainer required. You pay for the hours used each month. Scale up or pause as your needs change. Per Hour $175 Billed monthly in arrears Minimum Monthly Billing Billing Cycle Time Tracking Auto-Renews Monthly Cancellation 2-hour minimum Monthly 30-minute increments Yes Anytime, no penalty Frequently Bought Together Clients using this service often pair it with a core package or a related add-on. Best Fit Retainer Package Financial Clarity Package Financial Clarity Package Details → Accounts Receivable Support Add-On Details → Transaction Entry & Reconciliation Support Add-On Details → 1099 Preparation and Filing Add-On Details → 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