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Services

Bookkeeping, accounting and payroll, done properly

Three core services and five more we're asked for often. Every engagement starts with a conversation and a custom plan, with a flat fee as the default.

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Core services

What most clients come for

Bookkeeping

For: Owners who want current books without doing them.

Every transaction recorded, categorized and reconciled against your bank and card statements, monthly.

You get books that are current and a short summary you can actually read, so you know where the business stands before the month is over.

We work in the software you already use, or set it up for you. Behind? Start with cleanup, then move to a monthly routine.

What's included
  • Monthly bank and card reconciliation
  • Categorized income and expenses
  • Accounts receivable and payable tracking
  • Short monthly summary in plain words
  • Records ready for your tax preparer
What to bring
  • Bank and card statements, last 3 months
  • Access to your accounting software, or its name
  • Last year's tax return, if you have it
How we start
  1. A short conversation about where the books stand
  2. A custom plan from Zena, with a flat fee as the default
  3. We set up access and take it from there; you hear from us at month end

Accounting

For: Businesses and organizations that need statements they can trust.

Financial statements prepared from clean books: profit and loss, balance sheet, cash position.

We walk you through what the numbers say and what to watch next month, without jargon.

For nonprofits and associations, statements are prepared with your board and funders in mind.

What's included
  • Profit and loss statement
  • Balance sheet
  • Cash position and trends
  • Year-end close
  • Plain-language walkthrough
What to bring
  • Your most recent statements, if any
  • Last year's tax return
  • The questions you want the numbers to answer
How we start
  1. We review what you have and agree on what you need
  2. Books are brought current first if they aren't
  3. Statements arrive on a schedule you set, with a short walkthrough

Payroll

For: Employers of any size, from one employee up.

Pay runs on your schedule, direct deposit or checks, with the withholding done right.

Payroll tax preparation and filings, quarterly and annual, including year-end W-2s and 1099s.

New-hire setup, Washington State requirements, and the notices that arrive in the mail: we handle them so you don't have to decode them.

What's included
  • Pay runs on your schedule
  • Federal and Washington payroll tax filings
  • Quarterly and annual returns
  • W-2s and 1099s at year end
  • New-hire setup and notices
What to bring
  • Number of employees and your pay schedule
  • Your current payroll provider, if any
  • Any tax notices you've received
How we start
  1. We confirm employees, rates and schedule
  2. Accounts are set up or moved over between pay periods
  3. You approve each run; we file everything that follows
Also available

Five more ways we help

Often bundled with bookkeeping; each can also stand on its own.

Sales tax filings

Washington sales tax prepared and filed on time, with the right local rates for each location. We keep up with Department of Revenue changes so you don't have to.

Cleanup / catch-up bookkeeping

Months or years behind? We reconstruct and reconcile the books, then set up a routine so it doesn't happen again.

CFO / advisory and budgeting

Budgets, cash planning and a second opinion on decisions, from someone who already knows your books.

Accounting software setup

Chart of accounts, bank feeds and payroll connected properly the first time, with a walkthrough for you or your staff.

Notary services

Notary services available by appointment in Ferndale.

Pricing

A custom plan, with a flat fee by default

Onboarding may be billed hourly until we know your workload.

We start with a short conversation about your books and what you need, and Zena will make a custom plan for you. A flat fee is the default. While we get you set up, onboarding may be billed hourly until we know your workload and can price it properly. Cleanup projects are quoted separately once we've seen where things stand.

How your plan comes together

  1. A short conversation

    Where the books stand, what you need, how often.

  2. Onboarding

    We get you set up and learn your workload. This may be billed hourly.

  3. A flat fee

    Set once we know your workload, as part of your custom plan.

Who we work with

Individuals, businesses and organizations

Industries we know
  • Contractors
  • Restaurants
  • Nonprofits
  • Artists
  • Health care
  • Child care
  • Nursing homes
  • Associations
  • Public utilities
  • In person in Ferndale and Whatcom County
  • Remotely anywhere in Washington State
  • Services available in English, Russian, and Ukrainian
  • By Appointment Only
FAQ

Questions about services

Can you take over from my current bookkeeper?
Yes. We review what you have, agree on a handover, and keep the same software where it makes sense.
Do I need to be on QuickBooks?
No. We work in the software you already have, or set it up for you.
How far behind is too far behind?
There's no limit. Cleanup projects are quoted separately once we've seen where things stand.
Do you file income tax returns?
We prepare and file payroll tax returns. For income tax we prepare the books your tax preparer needs and work alongside them.
Can you help a nonprofit or association?
Yes. Nonprofits, associations and public utilities are among the organizations we know well.
Do you keep up with Washington sales tax changes?
Yes. We know the local rates across Whatcom County and the state, and we stay current with Department of Revenue changes so your filings are right the first time.
Who will actually work on my books?
Zena is your main point of contact and stays involved day to day. She works with a team of experienced bookkeepers she trained herself, so we can handle clients of any size.
How often will we talk?
As little as you need. You get a short summary when the books are closed each month; beyond that we reach out only when we need something from you or there's something you should know. Year end and cleanups take a little more.
By Appointment Only

Not sure which service you need?

Tell us where things stand and we'll suggest the simplest place to start. We'll do our best to reply within 1 business day.

Request an Appointment
(360) 961-5442[email protected]
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