I do business consulting with a focus on accounting. I'm not soliciting clients, just offering advice :)
With a contracting business, and ONLY for a chart of accounts initial set-up, yours should be pretty straightforward, unless you plan to do job costing and estimates through QB and require items and services to be input as well. QuickBooks Online is easier for consumer use, but I personally very much prefer the pro versions. They are more robust and reliable and much quicker to use.
There are many flat rate services online; in person assistance tends to be a bit more costly. If you use a local payroll company, they might be able to refer you to trusted bookkeepers used by their other clients. It really depends on your goals, needs and budget. I personally charge hourly for my services since it has been my experience that clients frequently underestimate their needs. The better organized you are, the less you will have to pay.
Just off the top of my head, you should be prepared to answer the following questions:
- Type of business entity? (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Sole Proprietorship)
- How are the books currently handled? Are they up to date?
- Accounting method? (Cash, Accrual, Mixed)
- Does the company have an accountant engaged?
- W-2 employees? 1099 Contractors? Are these files up to date?
- Federal Tax returns current? Status of 2017 return?
- Number of financial accounts (bank accounts, charge accounts, loans, leases etc.)
- How does the business handle inventory? Is it recorded on the balance sheet?
- Does the company own any other assets and if so, are they being depreciated?
- Are invoices prepared manually or in the bookkeeping software?
- Will you be preparing estimates or bids in QuickBooks?
- Will you be tracking job costs?
- Do you have a current list of products/services with rates or amounts assigned?
- How are the bills paid?
- Does the company report sales tax?
Good luck with everything!
