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Bookkeeping Services

We understand that you have more important things to focus on than bookkeeping. That’s why we take care of managing your books for you – so you can concentrate on running your business.

How We Can Help

Monthly Bookkeeping and Accounting

We will record all of your sales and expenses, reconcile your bank and credit card transactions, prepare a balance sheet detailing your assets, liabilities and equity, and provide you with a monthly profit and loss report that helps you understand the health of your business. Check out all reports you’ll receive here.

Year-End Support

Year-end can be stressful. Your team at ARI is here to help alleviate that stress and help ensure your business is compliant with regulations. We will work directly with your tax preparer to provide all documents needed to complete your tax returns.

If requested, we can also prepare year-end statements, including 1099 forms for your subcontractors. There may be an additional charge for this service as not every small business has these needs.

Advice Any Time You Need It

We can help you interpret and understand the state of your business’s finances and you can take comfort in knowing that we are always available to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Tax Support

We will prepare your sales, use and property tax returns and interface with your tax preparer as necessary.

Accounting and Bookkeeping Services

Bookkeeping services include a variety of tasks from recording bank transactions and payroll to financial statement preparation and tax compliance. These services are primarily used by small businesses with cash-basis accounting.

ARI also offers comprehensive accounting services for businesses or non-profit organizations that require additional services, such as cash management, accrual-based accounting or CFO level support.

Description of Services Bookkeeping Comprehensive Accounting
Daily/Weekly Transactions
Bank Accounts and Credit Cards true true
Payroll Transactions true true
Accounts Payable false true
Cash Management false true
Monthly Services
Balance Sheet true true
Profit and Loss Statement true true
Profit and Loss Monthly Trend true true
Profit and Loss by Business Segment/Program false true
Bank Reconciliations true true
Accounts Receivable Reconciliation true true
Aged Accounts Receivable Review false true
Prepaid Accounts Receivable Review false true
Inventory false true
Fixed Assets and Depreciation true true
Payables Review false true
Accrual Review false true
Debt Activity true true
Payroll Processing false true
Payroll Reconciliation true true
Annual Services
Year-End Financial Statements true true
Budget Preparation false true
Audit Support false true
Cash Forecast false true
Tax Compliance
Sales Tax true true
Property Tax true true
1099 Preparation true true
Additional Services
CFO-Level Support false true
Board of Directors Meeting Participation false true
Financial Strategy Development false true

Highly recommend Chris and his team at Accounting Resources. My questions, either by phone or email, are always promptly responded to. Even better, Chris at ARI knows my business inside and out and has been able to guide us through both tough times and unprecedented growth. Throughout the pandemic, he has kept us up to date on government programs, too. It's nice to have someone who seems to care about my business as much as I do.

Teresa Smolinski Owner

Pre-wrap, LLC

ARI is amazing!! They saved me so much time and money over the years I can’t thank them enough. ARI is one of the #1 reasons my business has continued to grow. Customer for life!

Steve Raiken Owner

Raiken Profit

I have been working with Accounting Resources, Inc. for over six years. They are extremely knowledgeable and efficient with their services. They helped me financially manage and understand the ins and outs of my business, kept me up to date and informed of all and any changes in rules and regulations, and guided me through an unprecedented year in 2021, as well as the previous five. Your access to your information is easy and fast. They have incredible support staff, from the front office to the tech support. They are quick, responsive and kind to boot. Accounting Resources is more than just an accounting firm and they go above and beyond for their clients and staff. Highly recommend.

Stacey Pribyson Restaurant Owner

We've been using Accounting Resources for our multiple businesses for over 11 years now. Chris and the ARI team are super detailed, always easy to get in touch with, honest and so speedy. I feel comfortable asking any question, Chris always knows the answer! ARI makes a point to understand your business and to really care about it. They're all really friendly and feel like a part of our team.

Jody Reilly Owner

Reilly's Good Food Co, LLC

Common Bookkeeping Questions

We love questions! Ask away...

Can I afford to hire someone to do my bookkeeping?

You might be surprised to learn that our bookkeeping services are very reasonable, and the cost remains the same from month to month, so it’s easy for you to budget.

If I hired ARI to manage my books, how would I get started?

Over the years, we have helped thousands of small business owners share their financial information with us. ARI has processes in place that make getting started simple and hassle free. Get more information here.

Can I maintain control of my bookkeeping?

Definitely. In fact, with ARI, you will have more control. Your accounting software can be hosted on our secure server so you can access your accounts anytime. And, each month, you’ll receive an easy-to-follow summary that helps you understand the state of your business financials.

What’s more, you will have one point of contact – a financial professional who will help you interpret the health of your business each month. He or she is always just a phone call away – ready to answer your questions or discuss your concerns

How can I be sure I’m compliant with sales and use and property tax requirements?

Dealing with governmental agencies is stressful for all small business owners. Tax laws are not something most people are well versed in — and they change frequently. Leave the responsibility of filing these forms to us. Then, you can rest easy knowing your taxes are filed on time and, more importantly, that they are filed accurately.

I received a tax notice from the state or IRS. How do I handle it?

This is one area where our clients quickly realize the benefits of having an experienced accounting professional on their side. If this happens to you, simply forward the notice to your team lead and he or she will determine how best to handle it.

How much do your services cost?

Our fees are based on the complexity of your business, your transactional volume and our ability to automate and streamline systems and procedures. Most clients find that engaging us results in cost savings.

We operate on a flat monthly fee. This enables you to accurately forecast and budget your cash flow. For special services or one-time projects, we bill at an hourly rate and always provide an estimate before starting.

Our average full-service fee ranges from $600 to $1,000 per month but can vary based on many factors. Read this blog to see what factors influence cost. 

Do I have to sign a long-term contract?

No. We charge a flat monthly fee. This enables you to accurately forecast and budget your cash flow.

And, if you ever want to terminate our engagement, all we require is 30-days’ written notice. And the same goes for us. If, for some reason, we determine ARI is not a good fit for your organization, we will provide you with at least 30 days’ written notice.

How quickly can you get started?

Our typical lead time is 30 to 60 days from the time we have a signed engagement letter from you. This allows us time to compile our team and develop a transition plan. For further details on our transition process, read this article.

What is ARI’s responsiveness and accessibility?

We commit to responding to emails or phone calls within 24 hours, but you will find that we typically respond much faster. We need to understand everything that is going on with your business and, to do so, requires constant communication.

How will we transfer data?

We transfer data in a variety of ways. We strive to find the most efficient, most secure method that works for both your organization and ARI. This may include using ShareFile, or having direct access to your bank statements, credit card statements and/or payroll service. Check out this article to find out how we provide multi-layered data security.

Do your accountants come to my office?

We typically do not go onsite to perform accounting work. Of course, we’re always available to meet with you upon your request or to attend Board meetings or management team meetings. However, by working in a central location, we eliminate travel time and have access to state-of-the-art technology and accounting systems.

Who will be working on my account?

We will assemble a team that is assigned to your engagement. The size of the team will be determined by the size, volume, and complexity of your organization. This group effectively becomes your accounting department and will strive to understand every aspect of your business, including your organization’s goals.

Can my organization save money by using your services?

Although results can vary, many of our clients have saved 25% to 40% by outsourcing their accounting function to us.

Here are some examples of how we save you money:

  • We assemble a team of individuals with redundant knowledge so there is never a single point of failure with respect to staffing.
  • You avoid all of the associated direct and indirect costs associated with having an employee, including payroll taxes, health insurance, worker’s comp insurance, benefits, paid time off, training expense, management time, office space and IT requirements. And, you don’t have to spend time recruiting and hiring when you have employee turnover.
  • The fees you pay to a CPA firm to review your financial statements and conduct audits are often less because your books and accounting records are clean and delivered on time.
  • By implementing technology and creating efficiencies, your team has more time to focus on your business.
  • You have accurate, reliable and timely financial reports at your fingertips, allowing you to make more informed business decisions that can influence your bottom line.

Discover other benefits of outsourcing your accounting function.

How fast do you clos the books?

We strive to provide a comprehensive monthly reporting package to you in accordance with the agreed-upon dates of our engagement. As part of the transition process, we will determine what day of the month you need your monthly package. In most cases, these are delivered between the 15th and the 22nd of each month.

What general ledger software do you use?

The vast majority of our clients use QuickBooks desktop or QuickBooks online. We do have clients on other platforms including Sage, Black-Baud, Financial Edge, MRI, and Timberline. We also use a variety of property management software systems such as Yardi.

Where are you clients located?

We are based in Glastonbury, Connecticut and the majority of our clients are in the New England region. However, because of our reputation and the outstanding client service we provide, we have extended our reach beyond New England. With the help of technology, we see no limitations in where our clients can be located.

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes, if you are trying to determine if outsourcing your accounting is the right choice for you, there is never a cost for a consultation with us. We go through a detailed eight-step process to understand your organization, your current situation, and your accounting needs. This allows us to recommend the best strategy to move forward. Read this article to discover more about our process.

Do you provide temproary accounting services or do project work?

If you are looking for a short-term solution to manage your accounting function or you have a special project you need to complete, ARI is likely not the right firm for you. At ARI, we look for longer-term engagements in which we can truly provide value by serving as your experienced accounting professional.

Do you perform audits and/or prepare tax returns for clients?

No, we do not perform audit services or prepare annual tax returns. Although many of us have worked in auditing firms, we choose to specialize in outsourced accounting and HR services. However, we work with trusted partners to whom we refer our clients for these types of services.

Do you manage my annual audit?

Though we do not perform annual audits, we will be an integral part of your audit process. We will work with your chosen auditing firm to furnish all of the necessary schedules and information to enable them to complete an efficient audit and prepare any tax returns required.

What other services are included?

Included in our monthly service fee are the preparation of property tax declarations and sales tax returns. We will also work with you to develop a comprehensive budget, as necessary.

You can find a detailed list of all of our services here.

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