With so many options available, choosing the right bookkeeping package can be daunting. Let’s look into the different bookkeeping packages available, important factors to consider and pricing.
What we cover
What are bookkeeping packages?
Bookkeeping packages are a set of services that are designed to help small and medium-sized businesses manage their finances. These packages will include services such as bookkeeping, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and financial reporting.
Most bookkeeping companies typically list a couple of bookkeeping package options that offer different levels of services. These different packages provide more variety, from pure monthly bookkeeping, to bookkeeping, tax and advisory services.
At Bluebird Partners we offer 3 bookkeeping package options which we’ll explain in more detail here:
Standard package
This Standard Package, offers the bookkeeping and accounting essentials. This is best suited to small businesses or startups with limited transactions – business owners that have a limited number of employees, or who primarily require help with maintaining their financial records without the need for more advanced services.
- Bookkeeping: Maintaining accurate records of all financial transactions.
- Accounts Receivable: Tracking money owed by clients or customers.
- Basic Accounts Payable: Managing your bills and payments.
- Bank Account Management: Overseeing all bank transactions and balances.
- Loan Account Management: Monitor business loans and their repayments.
- Credit Card Account Management: Handling credit card transactions and payments.
- Fixed Assets, Depreciation, Amortization: Tracking and calculating the value of assets over time.
- Basic Financial Close: Monthly closing of books.
- Basic Financial Reporting: Generating standard financial reports.
- Year-End Transactions: Preparing for tax season with year-end financial adjustments.
Enhanced package
For growing businesses that need comprehensive financial oversight we offer the Enhanced Package.
This bookkeeping package is best suited to growing small businesses or medium to large-sized companies.
Businesses with several employees, needing detailed payroll and expense reimbursement processes, or companies that have a more extensive vendor or customer base and need assistance with invoicing and collections, would benefit from this package.
This bookkeeping package also provides you with deeper insights into your financial performance and delivers advanced reporting.
If you have a more complex cash flow structure, involving multiple streams of revenue, expenses, and investment, this package will benefit you.
Thee Enhanced Package has all features from the Standard Package plus these extra:
- Full Service Accounts Payable: Comprehensive management of bills, including scheduling and payments.
- Bill Pay: Ensuring timely payment of all business bills.
- Payroll: Managing employee salaries, benefits, and tax deductions.
- Employee Expense Reimbursement: Process and repay employee-incurred business expense
- Invoicing: Generating and send invoices to clients.
- Collections: Follow up on unpaid invoices.
- Enhanced Financial Close: Detailed monthly and yearly financial closing.
- Enhanced Financial Reporting: Advanced financial reports for in-depth insights.
Optional extras
Many accounting and bookkeeping firms will also offer optional add-ons to customize your monthly bookkeeping package.
This can include extras like bill pay, payroll services, financial reporting, invoicing, collections, tax return preparation, trust accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and CFO services.
Monthly vs hourly rates
The traditional pricing model in the US for bookkeeping packages was to charge an hourly rate for the services needed. Over the years this has evolved into a fixed monthly fee which is more affordable for clients. It’s also a more predictable expense on the profit and loss statement and avoids any major cash flow shortages when a lot of bookkeeping or tax preparation is required.
All of our bookkeeping packages at Bluebird Partners are on a fixed fee model.
Pricing considerations for bookkeeping pricing packages
The cost of bookkeeping packages can be influenced by many factors. One of the first things is to consider the size of your business. A startup or a small enterprise might not have as many transactions or complex financial needs as a well-established medium-sized company. So when looking at the bookkeeping package options, consider what you need, both now and into the future.
If your business has multiple streams of income, international transactions, or a large number of employees, you might need a more comprehensive package. This complexity can drive up the cost as it demands more time and expertise.
The level of service you require also impacts the price. Some businesses might only need basic bookkeeping services, while others might require in-depth financial analysis, forecasting, and regular consultations. Premium services included in bookkeeping packages often come at a higher price point.
When considering the cost of bookkeeping packages, it’s crucial to understand not just the monetary value but also the value in terms of time saved, errors avoided, and insights gained. A slightly pricier package might offer automation tools or expert consultations that can save significant time and provide valuable business insights in the long run which help you generate more profit.
Lastly, it’s essential to be vigilant about hidden fees. Some bookkeeping packages might seem affordable upfront but the provider may be hidding additional charges for services you assumed were included. Always review the package details thoroughly and ensure it aligns with your business needs to avoid unexpected costs later on.
Making the right choice
Before settling on a bookkeeping package it is important to ask the right questions, such as:
- What is my budget?
- What level of service do I require?
- Is the package scalable as my business grows?
- What is the volume of my financial transactions?
- What is the complexity of my business operations?
- What is my future scalability, and what needs will I then require as the business grows?
Conclusion
Choosing the right bookkeeping packages is essential for the success of your business, small or medium. The right option will save you time, money, ensure compliance and provide expert insights you need to run your business well.
By understanding the different bookkeeping packages available and asking the right questions, you can make an informed decision.
If you are looking for bookkeeping services in California, Bluebird Partners offers a range of bookkeeping packages to suit your business needs. Contact us for more information.
