Backyard Bookkeeper

Bookkeepers hired for the work and tested on it

The firm says it hires people who enjoy bookkeeping for its own sake, then tests their skills before they take on client books. It describes its approach as transparent and consistent, and says its bookkeeping goes well beyond data entry. Ongoing record keeping is the core service. The company stresses that every member of the team is based in the United States, and that it is a bootstrapped business that understands the pressures of a growing company.

Payroll with tax accounts and filings included

Payroll is handled with a personal touch. Specialists set up a client's tax accounts, track federal and state liabilities, make sure the team is paid and confirm that taxes are filed accurately. That package suits small employers that have no in-house payroll function and want one provider to answer for both pay and tax.

Consulting, clean-up work and hourly help

Beyond the ledgers, the firm offers training on QuickBooks, help setting up a client's own bookkeeping and guidance on reading financial statements. Its consulting also covers hiring support, financial forecasts, budgeting and grant applications. The firm says that while its systems are automated, it takes customer service seriously. A disaster clean-up service repairs books that have fallen into disorder, and an hourly bookkeeping option suits owners who need occasional help rather than a monthly arrangement. A 1099 filing service rounds out the list of extra projects.

Owners' time and the firm's principles

The firm's pitch is that owners should have time for their work, for rest and for play, and that bookkeeping should not be part of that day. It describes itself as a bootstrapped business that is client oriented and focused on the client's own business. Its stated principles are quality, consistency and honesty about the work, which it says set it apart from other bookkeepers.

Backyard Bookkeeper is a bookkeeping company staffed entirely by employees based in the United States. Its bookkeepers take on the day-to-day financial paperwork so owners can concentrate on running their businesses.

What Backyard Bookkeeper offers

• Bookkeeping: ongoing record keeping by bookkeepers who are tested on their skills.
• Payroll: setting up tax accounts, tracking federal and state liabilities and getting staff paid.
• Consulting: training on QuickBooks, help setting up in-house bookkeeping, and explaining financial statements.
• Extra projects: forecasting, budgeting, grant applications, hiring support and 1099 filing.
• Clean-up work: a service for repairing messy books and hourly bookkeeping.

Who it works with

Small business owners. Client comments mention sales tax management and vendor statements.

Key facts

• Team: US-based staff, many working from home
• Ownership: Describes itself as a bootstrapped company