Bookkeeping From a CPA: The Difference Matters
Let's be direct: syncing your bank account to QuickBooks or Xero is not bookkeeping. Software connections miss discrepancies. Automated categorizations create errors. And when those errors compound month after month, you end up with unreliable financials, missed deductions, and a massive cleanup bill at tax time.
At Schemmel CPA PLLC, I perform real, transactional-level reconciliation — the kind that catches fraud, identifies missing transactions, and builds the clean financial foundation your business decisions should be based on. I'm a CPA with a Master's in Accountancy, not a data entry clerk with a software subscription.
What "CPA Bookkeeping" Actually Means
When you hire me for bookkeeping, here's what actually happens each month — and why it's fundamentally different from what a generalist bookkeeper or automated service provides:
Transaction-Level Review
Every single transaction is reviewed against your bank statements and source documents. Not just skimmed — reviewed, matched, and verified.
Full Bank Reconciliation
Books are reconciled to the penny against all bank and credit card statements. Discrepancies are investigated, not ignored.
Fraud & Error Detection
I'm trained to spot irregularities that automated systems miss — duplicate charges, unauthorized transactions, and vendor billing errors.
Financial Statement Prep
Monthly or quarterly Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow reports delivered on time so you can make informed business decisions.
The Speed Advantage
You might ask: "Why pay $125/hour for a CPA when a bookkeeper charges $50/hour?" Fair question. Here's the answer:
I work significantly faster. My CPA training, Master's education, and 15+ years of experience mean I process and reconcile transactions at a pace that a generalist bookkeeper simply cannot match. The task that takes them 3–4 hours takes me a fraction of that time. You're paying for the result — accurate, tax-ready financials — not for hours logged.
Year-End Closing of Books
At the end of each fiscal year, your books need to be closed properly — adjusting entries posted, accounts reconciled one final time, and everything prepared for your tax return. This year-end closing is included for clients on the Business Tax Plus ($810/mo) and Advisory & Tax Plus ($1,110/mo) engagement tiers. For stand-alone bookkeeping clients, year-end closing is billed at the standard hourly rate.
Pricing
Stand-Alone Rate
$125 / hour
4-hour minimum per engagement.
Included in Annual Engagement
Monthly bookkeeping + year-end closing included in the $810/mo and $1,110/mo tiers.
The Annual Engagement Advantage
Bookkeeping is the engine that makes everything else run smoothly. When your books are maintained monthly by the same CPA who prepares your taxes and advises on strategy, you get:
- ✓ Up-to-date financials for real-time business planning
- ✓ Drastically reduced tax prep costs (your books are already clean)
- ✓ Proactive deduction identification throughout the year
- ✓ No year-end scramble to "catch up" messy books
- ✓ Predictable monthly cost instead of unpredictable hourly bills