At Keystone Numbers, we focus on keeping your books in order. While we provide bookkeeping services only, we’re happy to work alongside your tax professional to ensure your finances stay accurate, organized, and fully tax-ready.

• Bookkeeper: Maintains day-to-day financial records, tracks transactions, reconciles accounts, and organizes your books. Bookkeepers typically do not hold CPA or EA credentials and focus on the daily financial operations of a business.

• Accountant: Prepares financial statements, analyzes financial data, and provides business insights. An accountant may also perform bookkeeping tasks, and some accountants hold CPA certification depending on their training and credentials.

• Tax Preparer: Specializes in preparing and filing tax returns. Tax preparers may be CPAs, Enrolled Agents (EAs), or sometimes non-credentialed professionals (be cautious!). EAs are licensed by the IRS to represent taxpayers in audits, collections, and appeals, giving them broader authority than a standard preparer. While a standard tax preparer focuses primarily on filing, CPAs and EAs can provide more comprehensive tax guidance and representation.

• CPA (Certified Public Accountant): A licensed accountant who has completed advanced education, passed the CPA exam, and met state experience requirements. CPAs can perform audits, provide strategic tax advice, prepare tax returns, represent clients before the IRS, and often handle accounting, bookkeeping, and tax tasks. Essentially, a CPA can fulfill the roles of accountant, bookkeeper, and tax preparer/advisor.

Key takeaway:

• Bookkeepers focus on daily financial organization.

• Accountants handle analysis and reporting.

• Tax preparers focus on preparing and filing tax returns; they may be CPAs, EAs, or unlicensed, with CPAs and EAs able to provide broader tax guidance and representation.

• CPAs combine accounting, bookkeeping, and tax expertise with official licensing for audits and IRS representation.

Your responsibilities:

• To keep your books accurate and reports timely, please respond to our information requests within 1–2 business days—otherwise, relax! Our team has your bookkeeping covered.

Each month, Keystone Numbers will:

1. Attach receipts to transactions and categorize income and expenses using your Chart of Accounts.

2. Verify that all bills, invoices, and deposits are complete.

3. Request clarification if any transactions need more detail.

4. Reconcile your accounts and make any necessary journal entries.

5. Review and analyze your financial data, prepare financial reports, and email a summary by the 15th of each month.

We offer tailored bookkeeping solutions for service-based businesses and beyond, customizing our services to fit your unique needs.

Bookkeeping:

• We primarily work with QuickBooks Online, but we’re also experienced with Xero. If you have spreadsheets or other DIY systems, we’re happy to adapt and support as well.

Business Tools:

• We’re also familiar with a variety of tools: Stripe, PayPal, HoneyBook, Dubsado, ADP, Gusto, and more.

Communication:

• We'll communicate mainly via email, with video meetings on Google Meet.

Our onboarding process is designed to be simple and transparent. Here’s how it works:

1. Contact Form & Discovery Call

   • Fill out the Contact Form, and we’ll schedule a free 30-minute video call to learn more about your business goals.

2. Proposal & Onboarding

   • After the call, you'll receive a custom proposal.

   • Once approved, services will begin upon receipt of a signed engagement letter and a 25% deposit.

   • We’ll then coordinate onboarding and collect any necessary documents.

3. Delivery & Ongoing Support

   • We ensure you feel confident and comfortable with your deliverables, whether it’s a one-time project or ongoing service.

Ready to get started? Start by completing our Contact Form.