Frequently Asked Questions

### Who is Contractor's Ledger for? We work exclusively with specialty trade contractors — electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, concrete crews, excavators, roofers, mechanical contractors, and similar trades. If you build it, install it, or fix it for a living, we handle the numbers. ### Do you do taxes? Yes. We offer tax preparation and year-round tax planning designed specifically for how contractors operate. We also work alongside your existing CPA if you prefer to keep that relationship. Either way, your books will be clean, reconciled, and properly coded when it matters. ### What size contractor do you work with? Most of our clients are in the $500K to $10M revenue range with 5 to 75 employees. Whether you're a two-crew operation working toward your first bond line or a growing sub taking on larger commercial projects, we've got you covered. ### What software do you use? We work with whatever you're on — QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, Sage, Foundation, or others. If you're starting fresh, we'll help you pick and set up the right system for your trade and your size. ### How is this different from a big accounting firm? At a big firm, your work usually gets passed to a junior associate who's never set foot on a jobsite. You're a small fish. It takes weeks to get a callback. We deliver the same technical depth — experienced CPAs, real construction accounting expertise — with direct, personal service where you always know exactly who's working on your account. ### How is this different from my current bookkeeper? Most general bookkeepers don't understand construction-specific needs like job costing, retainage, WIP schedules, progress billing, or certified payroll. We do — because our team works inside these systems every single day. Construction accounting is all we do. Your books will be set up right for your industry from day one. ### What does it cost? Most of our clients pay between $500 and $3,000 per month for ongoing accounting services. Pricing depends on your transaction volume, number of active jobs, crew size, and the services you need. We'll give you a clear, honest quote after a free review of your current books — no surprises, no hidden fees. ### What's a "free financial review"? We look at your current chart of accounts, job costing setup, overall financial structure, and reporting — then tell you what's working and what needs attention. No sales pitch, no obligation. Think of it as a second opinion from a firm that specializes in construction accounting. ### I'm behind on my books. Can you help? Absolutely. We dig contractors out of backlogs all the time. We'll get you caught up, cleaned up, and set up on a system that keeps you current going forward. No judgment — just results. ### How long does onboarding take? Most contractors are fully onboarded in two to four weeks. We handle the heavy lifting on migration — you send us your QuickBooks login or your shoebox of receipts, and we take it from there. We'll need a bit of your time upfront to understand your business, but we keep it minimal. ### Do I have to sign a long-term contract? No. We don't lock you in with annual contracts. Our clients stay because the work speaks for itself. If we're not delivering, you can walk. ### Can you help me get bonded or increase my bond line? We prepare your financials specifically for surety review — WIP schedules, percentage-of-completion reporting, and financial statements formatted the way bonding companies and banks want to see them. When the opportunity to bid a bigger job comes along, your numbers will already be in shape. ### Do I still need a CPA if I hire you? If you need a CPA for tax filing, you might — and we work seamlessly with your existing CPA. We keep your books clean all year so tax season isn't a fire drill. We also offer tax preparation directly, so for many contractors, we handle both and you don't need a separate CPA at all. ### What if I'm just using spreadsheets right now? That works too. We've onboarded contractors coming from spreadsheets, paper files, and everything in between. We'll migrate you onto a real accounting system, set up your job codes, and get you current. Most contractors who make the switch wonder why they waited so long. ### Do you work with contractors nationwide? Yes. We serve contractors across the country. Everything we do is cloud-based — your books, your reports, your communication with our team. Geography isn't a limitation. ### What happens after I request a free review? You'll hear back within one business day. We'll ask for access to your current books (or whatever you've got), take a look at your setup, and schedule a quick call to walk you through what we found. No pressure, no hard sell — just an honest assessment of where you stand.