Accounting services can help your business stay on track with payments, invoices, bookkeeping, payroll, and streamline accounting processes. These types of accountants can provide advice to small businesses on the right investments and best structure for their business to ensure financial stability. It is crucial that you as a business owner know about the different types of accounting that are available for your business.
To help you find the best accounting service, our team evaluated over 30 providers looking at features, pricing, ease of use, customer support, and user reviews. We also considered their industry reputation, security measures, and integration capabilities. Our goal was to ensure that businesses of all sizes can find a reputable accounting solution that meets their needs and budget.
7 Best Accounting Services for 2024
1. Maxim Liberty
Established in 2005, Maxim Liberty is a reputable full-service accounting firm catering to SMB and enterprise clients. Because their systems are so robust and reliable, they even provide extensive back-office support to other accounting firms which accounts for the majority of their business.
Known for top-quality service at a very affordable price, Maxim Liberty supports all widely used bookkeeping software. Maxim Liberty also provides essential tax preparation and filing services.
Over the many calls I had while interviewing their CEO, I was happy to learn that they provide flexibility through options to cancel or suspend services and they also reassure clients with a 100% money-back guarantee on the first payment. Their high rate of client retention speaks to the service they provide.
When you work with Maxim Liberty you’ll have a dedicated supervisor available to help answer any questions that come up. Also notable, Maxim Liberty supports cash or accrual accounting on all plans and offers options for monthly, weekly, or daily updates.
Maxim Liberty Features
- Dedicated supervisor and named bookkeeper(s)
- Regular, customizable updates
- Data Entry and Catch-up services
- Bank Reconciliations
- Accounts Payable/Billing Management
- Accounts Receivable/Invoicing Management
- Tax Preparation
- Tax Filing
- Payroll Processing
- Financial Reporting
Maxim Liberty Downsides
Maxim Liberty’s use of international team members may be a concern for some business owners as other services hype having all staff in the U.S. However, Maxim Liberty is incorporated in the USA and been around since 2005. They perform background checks on all their bookkeepers and train them on the importance of security, privacy, and integrity.
Having a team in India allows Maxim Liberty to offer very competitive pricing, which particularly benefits small to medium-sized businesses.
While the idea of a bookkeeper working in another country may initially seem concerning to some, Maxim Liberty has demonstrated that with proper management and safeguards in place, it can be a valuable and secure option for businesses seeking an efficient and cost-effective accounting service.
Maxim Liberty Value
Maxim Liberty presents flexible, no-lock-in plans, complemented by a 100% refund policy on the initial payment if you aren’t fully satisfied.
Each plan comes with a dedicated supervisor. The supervisor acts as your main point of contact and oversees the work of your accounting team, ensuring quality.
All Maxim Liberty plans include:
- Cash or accrual accounting
- Unlimited accounts
- Data entry
- Categorization
- Bank reconciliation
- Financial reporting
- Catch-up and clean-up bookkeeping
| Maxim Liberty Plan | Features | Monthly Price | Additional Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Updates | Up to 5 hr/mo | $60 | $12/hr |
| Weekly Updates | Up to 10 hr/mo | $120 | $12/hr |
| Daily Updates | 20 hr/mo, AP/AR, Sales Tax & Payroll | $240 | $12/hr |
| CPA Plan | 30 hr/mo, Unlimited Clients | $270 | $9/hr |
For a limited time, Maxim Liberty is offering a one-month free trial of their accounting service.
Maxim Liberty Add-on Services
Maxim Liberty’s selective offering of add-on services aligns with their area of expertise. This focused approach delivers superior value at competitive prices, reflecting their dedication to excellence in their core practices.
- Tax preparation & filing
- 1099 filing
- CPA support
- Payroll*
- AP / AR*
- Sales tax*
* Standard on the Daily Updates plan
2. Bookkeeper360
Bookkeeper360 started as a bookkeeping service and has expanded to become a full-service accounting platform for business owners. You can choose to monthly or weekly reconciliation and, like most accounting services, the pricing is based on your business’s monthly expenses.
With many add-ons, the Bookkeeper360 platform is highly customizable and can take on most of your back office duties. Notably, Bookkeeper360 is the only provider on our list that offers HR and Payroll services themselves (other providers may offer the service, but outsource the work to other companies).
Bookkeeper360 Features
- You can choose to use QuickBooks or Xero software.
- The service handles monthly reconciliation of bank statements.
- Add-on service can include an outsourced HR department.
- Customer service can be contacted via phone, email, and online chat.
- All staff is based in the USA.
Bookkeeper360 Downsides
The base price for Bookkeeper360 is slightly higher than some other services, so if you’re looking for the lowest cost possible you may want to consider Maxim Liberty.
Bookkeeper360 Value
Bookkeeper360 is easily scalable and is a good choice for medium-sized, growing businesses that want to outsource their bookkeeping, accounting, HR, and payroll with a single provider they trust.
| Bookkeeper360 Service | Features | Pricing From |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping | Cash or accrual bookkeeping, monthly or weekly reconciliation | $399/mo |
| Controller | Bookkeeping, advanced reporting, annual budget, KPIs | $1,149/mo |
| Catch-up Bookkeeping | Create & restructure chart of accounts | $1,000 |
| Tax | Business & individual taxes | $350 |
| Payroll Administration | Time tracking, payroll processing | $200/mo |
| Sales Tax | Monthly or quarterly filing, state registrations, nexus studies | $125/mo |
| Back-Office | AR / AP, inventory management, expense management | $150/mo |
| CFO Advisory | Projections, forecasts, financial plans, strategic growth & vision | $1,500/mo |
* Annual billing will save you 10%.
3. 1-800Accountant
Ideal for small and growing businesses, 1-800Accountant is a comprehensive digital solution for accounting procedures. By combining localized financial expertise with a cloud-based accounting platform, the company helps business owners obtain optimal tax savings while minimizing time spent crunching numbers.
For new and small businesses looking to offset the burden of accounting procedures, 1-800Accountant offers an affordable solution with industry-leading expertise. As your business expands, they also make it easy to add on payroll, bill pay services, and tax preparation, as needed.
1-800Accountant Features
- 24/7 access to support from accounting professionals
- CPAs employed in every state, advising you of the best practices in your region
- Staff averages more than 17 years of experience
- Payment completed through flat, annual fees with no transaction limits
- Integrated mobile application
- Entity formation
- Payroll services
- Tax preparation, review, filing, and signing
1-800Accountant Downsides
While affordable, the 1-800Accountant base service is limited to portal access and accountant support. Features like tax preparation are found on higher-tier plans.
1-800Accountant Value
| 1-800Accountant Service | Features | Starting at |
|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping | Dedicated bookkeeping support | $399 per month |
1-800Accountant Add-On Services
1-800Accountant’s base package includes access to their accounting portal, a dedicated accounting team, 24/7 access to tax advice, tax planning services, and quarterly reviews. Their higher-tier plans include:
- Personal tax preparation
- Business tax preparation
- Priority support
- Financial reports
4. Streamline Bookkeeping
Streamline Bookkeeping is a virtual bookkeeping service that specializes in helping small businesses and professional service firms. Most clients have 1-20 employees and include doctors, attorneys, chiropractors, web designers, architects, consultants, real estate investors, and non-profits.
Streamline Bookkeeping is run by an experienced CPA, so they can help you increase profitability by making informed financial decisions.
Streamline Bookkeeping Features
- Personalized service
- Monthly reconciliation
- Transaction coding and categorization
- Monthly phone meetings to review financial reports
- General ledger
- Profit & loss statement
- Balance sheet
- W-9 management
- 1099 filing
During the initial setup, you’ll get a customized client checklist detailing how your accounts are reconciled. Next, they will set up secure limited access or view-only access with your financial institutions for fraud prevention. It also improves the accuracy of data entry.
Streamline Bookkeeping Downsides
Since Streamline Bookkeeping focuses on smaller businesses, they might not be a good fit for you if your business is growing rapidly or if you already have more than 50 employees.
Streamline Bookkeeping Value
Pricing is a fixed monthly fee based on your average number of monthly transactions. Although a QuickBooks Online account is required, when you sign up for QBO through Streamline Bookkeeping you’ll receive a 50% discount on the subscription.
| Streamline Bookkeeping Plan | Average Monthly Transactions | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small Business | Up to 60 | $199 |
| Custom | More than 60 | Custom |
5. Xendoo
Xendoo has earned a reputation for excellent customer service with their dedicated support and being easy to use.
Backed by a team of bookkeepers and CPAs, Xendoo can get your business financials under control through expert guidance and regular check-ins. Xendoo is also an affordable option that can scale with your business.
With Xendoo, you’ll find all of the services you expect from a virtual bookkeeping service: cash or modified accrual bookkeeping, send invoices, and generate P&L statements and balance sheets.
Xendoo Features
- Dedicated bookkeeping team
- Weekly bookkeeping
- Monthly financial reporting
- Profit and loss statements
- Compatible with QuickBooks and Xero
- Intuitive mobile app
- Monthly trend graphs
- Free one-month trial
Xendoo Downsides
Xendoo previously offered a very low cost entry-level plan. Now, if you’re looking for the most affordable accounting service, we recommend Maxim Liberty.
Xendoo Value
As your company grows, you can upgrade to a different plan at any time and start receiving more in-depth financial advice.
| Xendoo Plan | Features | Number of Accounts | Average Monthly Expenses | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | Weekly bookkeeping, Dedicated team | Up to 4 | Up to $50k | $395 per month |
| Growth | Cash or modified accrual, Tax consult | Up to 6 | $50k to $75k | $695 per month |
| Scale | Custom chart of accounts, Deferred schedules | Up to 12 | $75k to $125k | $995 per month |
Xendoo also offers a free trial and 10% off annual billing.
Xendoo Add-on Services
If your business is months (or even years) behind on bookkeeping, Xendoo will appoint a team of experts to help you get your books up-to-date and ready for tax season.
- Catch-up bookkeeping
- Modified accrual accounting (included in Growth & Scale plans)
- Monthly reports delivered early in the month
- Monthly tax consulting
- Business and personal tax return services
- Annual depreciation schedules
- Sales tax return filing
Xendoo can meet your needs for growth and compliance. They have successfully helped a variety of clients in multiple industries through their business changes – they can likely do the same for yours.
6. Finaloop
Finaloop is a top choice due to its exceptional customer service, tailored support, and user-friendly platform that completely automates bookkeeping for eCommerce brands. And with full-featured plans starting at only $65 a month, it’s also a great deal.
Finaloop replaces both your bookkeeper and QuickBooks with their cloud based accounting software. On their platform you’ll have access to financial reporting, tax data, and transactions all in real time.
With a team of experienced bookkeepers and accountants, Finaloop ensures your eCommerce business’s financials are well-managed through expert guidance and regular updates. Finaloop offers a cost-effective solution that can grow with your business, making it a perfect choice for online retailers.
Finaloop Features
- Unlimited platform integrations
- Connect up to 15 bank & credit card accounts
- Accrual & cash basis flexibility
- Real-time transaction categorization
- Inventory tracker
- Sales tax liability tracking
Finaloop Downsides
Being specifically tailored for eCommerce businesses, Finaloop might not be the best fit for companies operating in other industries.
Finaloop Value
Finaloop is one of the most affordable virtual bookkeeping services. They also offer a 14-day free trial so you can integrate your apps, view financial dashboards, and access your P&L statement.
While using their also no need to pay for other accounting software like QuickBooks (unless you want to), so your savings with Finaloop can really add up.
| Annual Revenue | Bookkeeping (per month) | Full-Service Tax Add-on (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to $100K | $65 | $99 |
| $100k to $500K | $155 | $110 |
| $500K to $1.5M | $225 | $135 |
| $1.5M to $3M | $345 | $160 |
| $3M to $6M | $745 | $230 |
| $6M to $10M | $995 | $295 |
You can also save 10% with annual billing.
Finaloop Available Add-Ons
They offer an add-on tax service (with pricing above) that includes the following features:
- Annual federal business income tax prep (ready for e-file)
- State income tax prep (ready for e-file)
- Prep and filing of 1099-NEC
- Tax deduction optimization
7. Reconciled
Reconciled is one of the fastest growing accounting businesses in the U.S.. They have an array of bookkeeping and accounting services ranging from cleanup to ERP implementation.
Reconciled is known to be a great place to work. We also love hearing how their team brings value to the company leaders they serve.
New client setup with Reconciled is quick and smooth. Their onboarding and implementation teams will go over your systems, processes, and requirements. Then, you’ll get a dedicated bookkeeper that is overseen by a senior accounting manager.
Reconciled Features
- Monthly reconciliation
- Accurate financial reports
- Accounts payable support
- Posting monthly from sales channels
- Accounts receivable support
Reconciled Downsides
Their affordable Express plan is only available to businesses that generate less than $1M per year.
Reconciled Value
Expect your contract with Reconciled to be flexible and scope-based. As your company grows, Reconciled will keep pace and scale services when needed. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can make sure they’re a good fit.
| Reconciled Plan | Features | Monthly Price |
|---|---|---|
| Express | 3 accounts, less than $1M revenue | Starting at $475 |
| Basic | AP support, 5 accounts | Starting at $625 |
| Core | Monthly Meetings, 7 accounts | Starting at $775 |
| Advanced | AP / AR support, 7 accounts | Starting at $925 |
Reconciled Available Add-Ons
- Controller Services
- CFO Services
- Payroll Service
- Tax and Advisory Service
- Sales & Use Tax
- ERP Implementation
- Systems Training
- Full-Service Enterprise Accounting
Accounting Services Overview
Accounting services are a range of financial services provided by accounting professionals to help businesses manage their finances, make informed decisions, and achieve their financial goals. These services can include financial statement preparation, bookkeeping, accounts payable and accounts receivable management, financial reporting, and consulting services.
10 Main Types of Accounting Services
- Bookkeeping Services
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable
- Payroll Processing
- Bank Reconciliation
- Tax Accounting
- Chartered Accounting
- Auditing Services
- Fractional CFO Service
- Forensic Accounting
1. Bookkeeping Services
Bookkeeping is the process of recording financial transactions and is a vital part of any business. Without accurate and up-to-date bookkeeping, it would be very difficult to run a successful business.
Bookkeeping services not only provide a record of all financial transactions, but can also be used to track spending, monitor income, and prepare financial statements.
Financial Statements
Financial statement preparation is a critical accounting service that involves preparing and presenting financial statements that summarize a company’s financial performance and position. These statements include the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. Financial statement preparation is essential for businesses to make informed decisions, attract investors, and comply with regulatory requirements.
Accounting professionals use generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to prepare financial statements that accurately reflect a company’s financial health. By ensuring that financial statements are precise and comprehensive, businesses can gain valuable insights into their financial standing and make strategic decisions to drive growth.
Bookkeeping is an essential component of broader accounting processes, ensuring that all financial transactions are accurately recorded and tracked.
Related: Best Virtual Bookkeeping Services
2. Accounts Payable
Accounts payable (A/P) is the money that a company owes to its suppliers. When a company orders goods from a supplier, it usually pays for them within 30 days. This means that the company has to keep track of how much money it owes to each supplier.
Many accounting services handle AP for their clients as part of their comprehensive accounting processes.
3. Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable (A/R) are funds that are owed to a company by its customers. This amount is typically recorded on the company’s balance sheet as an asset. In order to keep track of accounts receivable, companies will typically set up an accounts receivable ledger. This ledger will contain all of the pertinent information regarding each customer’s outstanding balance, forming a crucial part of the company’s accounting processes.
Companies typically send out invoices to their customers on a monthly basis. These invoices will list all of the products or services that the customer has purchased from the company, as well as the corresponding amount owed. Once the customer pays the invoice in full, the company will record the payment on the ledger and the account will be considered settled.
4. Payroll Processing
Payroll processing is the process of calculating employee wages and withholding taxes and benefits. Payroll processors use payroll software to generate pay stubs and calculate payroll taxes.
Payroll processing is a complex and time-consuming task, so many businesses outsource this function to payroll service providers. Payroll processing is a critical part of the overall accounting processes, ensuring that employee wages and taxes are accurately calculated and recorded.
Related: Best Small Business Payroll Service Providers
5. Bank Reconciliation
Bank reconciliation is the process of matching the balances in an organization’s accounting records with the corresponding information from the bank statements. This process is important in order to ensure the accuracy of the organization’s financial records.
Bank reconciliation can be a complex and time-consuming task, but it is essential in order to maintain accurate financial records as part of the broader accounting processes.
6. Tax Accounting
A tax accountant is responsible for ensuring the company pays the correct amount of tax, and provides advice on how to minimize the amount of tax the company pays. They may also help with preparing and filing tax returns.
Tax accounting is a crucial part of the overall accounting processes, ensuring that the company complies with tax regulations and optimizes its tax liabilities.
7. Chartered Accounting (CPA)
Chartered accountants are professional accountants certified by a professional body. They are usually employed by accounting firms, but can also work independently.
CPAs provide a wide range of services, including auditing, tax advice, and financial planning. Chartered accountants manage a variety of accounting processes, including auditing, tax advice, and financial planning.
8. Auditing Services
There are many different types of accounting auditing services available to businesses and organizations. These services can provide an independent, objective evaluation of an organization’s financial statements and their compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, as part of the broader accounting processes.
Audits can help businesses and organizations identify potential problems and make necessary changes to improve their financial reporting.
9. Fractional CFO Service
A fractional CFO is a top-level financial executive who is hired on a part-time or interim basis to provide strategic and financial guidance to businesses. Fractional CFOs are usually brought in during periods of transition or growth, and their main focus is to help businesses make sound financial decisions that will improve their long-term prospects. Fractional CFOs oversee various accounting processes, providing strategic and financial guidance to businesses.
While a fractional CFO does not have the same day-to-day responsibilities as a full-time CFO, they are still a vital member of a company’s leadership team and play a key role in shaping its future.
10. Forensic Accounting
Forensic accounting is the use of accounting principles and practices to investigate and analyze financial crimes. Forensic accountants use their skills in auditing, investigating, and accounting to detect and prevent fraud. They may work for law enforcement agencies, private accounting firms, or government agencies. Forensic accountants manage various accounting processes to detect and prevent fraud.
Forensic accountants are also often called upon to testify in court as expert witnesses.
Accounting Service Benefits
Financial Health
Accounting services can significantly improve a company’s financial health by providing accurate and timely financial reporting, managing cash flow, and optimizing financial performance. Outsourced accounting services can also help businesses reduce costs, improve efficiency, and increase profitability. By outsourcing accounting services, businesses can focus on their core activities while leaving financial management to experienced accounting professionals.
Additionally, accounting services can help businesses prepare for audits, manage sales tax, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. This comprehensive approach to financial management ensures that businesses are well-positioned to achieve long-term success and stability.
Four Main Types of Accounting
Accounting can be divided into four main types:
- Public Accounting
- Management Accounting
- Internal Auditing
- Government Accounting
Each type of accounting involves different accounting processes that help businesses manage their finances effectively.
Public Accounting
Public accounting firms are businesses that provide attest, tax, and consulting services to their clients. These firms are organized as partnerships, and their partners are responsible for the management of the firm and its practice. Public accountants manage a variety of accounting processes, including attest, tax, and consulting services.
The public accounting profession is regulated by state boards of accountancy, and the partners of public accounting firms must meet the requirements of these boards in order to practice.
Management Accounting
Management accounting is a field of accounting that provides financial information to managers within organizations. This information is used to make decisions about how to allocate resources and manage operations. Management accountants oversee various accounting processes to provide financial information that helps managers make informed decisions.
Management accounting includes both financial accounting and cost accounting. Financial accounting provides information about the overall financial performance of an organization, while cost accounting provides information about the cost of producing goods and services.
Internal Auditing
Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve an organization’s operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes. Internal auditors evaluate and improve the effectiveness of accounting processes to help organizations achieve their objectives.
Internal audits provide valuable insights and recommendations that help organizations to make better decisions, improve their operations, and protect their assets.
Government Accounting
Government accounting is the process of recording, classifying, and summarizing financial transactions to provide information that is useful in making decisions about the allocation of resources. Government accountants manage various accounting processes to ensure the accurate recording and reporting of financial transactions.
Government accounting is primarily concerned with the financial operations of the government, including the preparation of financial statements, the maintenance of accounting records, and the auditing of transactions.
Reconciling Accounting Services
Accounting services play a crucial role in financial management and the success of businesses. From basic bookkeeping to complex forensic accounting, accounting services provide invaluable support in maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring tax compliance, and making informed business decisions.
By leveraging various types of accounting services, businesses can benefit from improved financial health, optimized performance, and reduced risks. Whether through in-house teams or outsourced professionals, accounting services offer expertise in managing diverse financial processes, from day-to-day transactions to strategic financial planning.
The importance of accounting services cannot be overstated. By relying on a reputable accounting service, companies can gain a competitive edge, build financial stability, and pave the way for sustainable growth and success in the long term.
