FAQ

Accountabilities is a full-service accounting firm staffed by Certified Public Accountants, Enrolled Agents, and experienced Accountants. We provide personalized, concierge-level services including bookkeeping, payroll, tax strategy, and tax preparation to help individuals and businesses manage their finances with confidence and clarity. Our team handles all your accounting in-house and are here year-round.

Most bookkeepers focus on categorizing transactions and keeping your financial records organized. But just because your books are up to date doesn't mean you understand how your business is performing.That's where accounting makes the difference.Accounting goes beyond entering numbers. It's about reviewing your financials, identifying potential problems, spotting opportunities and providing feedback to help you make smarter business decisions.At Accountabilities, we actually prefer to categorize your transactions ourselves. Why? Because it helps us understand the rhythm of your business, recognize your spending habits and identify patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. The more we understand your business, the better we can guide you.Bookkeeping tells you where your money went. Accounting helps you understand why, and what to do next.

While we are based in Central Pennsylvania and serve many clients locally in Cumberland, Dauphin and York counties , our services extend across the United States. However, we do not currently prepare taxes for clients in New York or California, as the unique and complex tax laws in those states are best handled by a local tax professional who is familiar with their specific requirements.

We work with clients across a broad spectrum of industries—everything from landscaping and home services to legal, healthcare, and professional services. While we’ve built strong relationships in areas like insurance, financial advising, and mental health professionals, our experience spans far beyond those sectors. Our adaptable approach allows us to serve businesses of all kinds, tailoring our solutions to meet the unique needs of each industry.

We aim to respond within the same business day whenever possible. If not, you can expect to hear from us within 48 business hours. Your time is important to us, and we work hard to provide timely and thoughtful communication.

Yes, we prepare 1040 Individual Income Tax Returns for a wide range of clients, including business owners and individuals without business income. However, due to our focus on corporate and business tax returns, availability for individual (non-business) 1040 clients may be limited. We prioritize complex filings where our expertise can deliver the most value.

We created a tax preparation process with our clients in mind. Our goal is to make tax season as simple and straightforward as possible. The chart below details our process so you are never confused about what is happening with your taxes!

Our pricing starts with a base rate. Additional fees are added based on the specific forms and services needed to complete your tax return. This structure allows us to tailor pricing to your unique situation—so you only pay for what you actually need.

We work with solo-preneurs to businesses with many employees. Whether your revenue is creating a nice buffer or bringing in millions, our approach to business accounting is scalable and meets your business needs.

Absolutely! Every successful business starts somewhere, and we’re here to support solo entrepreneurs from day one. Whether you need help with bookkeeping, tax planning, or overall financial strategy, we provide the guidance and tools to help you grow with confidence.

Yes, we do offer payroll services, but exclusively as a value-added benefit for our bookkeeping and tax clients. By handling payroll in-house, we maintain flexibility to make adjustments as needed throughout the year to align with your overall tax strategy. We keep our payroll process straightforward and efficient—no unnecessary complexity, just reliable service.

No, we do not require our business clients to use our bookkeeping services. We understand that not every business needs professional bookkeeping—some can effectively track income and expenses using simple tools like Excel or even a notebook. That said, bookkeeping provides valuable insights to help you make informed business decisions throughout the year. We always recommend bookkeeping for two main reasons: If you don't have the discipline to manage it yourself. If your time is better spent focusing on growing your business.

You will be assigned an experienced accountant who will manage all of your bookkeeping, tax preparation, and tax strategy needs. We’ve found that working with a single dedicated professional provides a smoother experience—ensuring nothing gets overlooked or lost in the process. This way, you benefit from having one knowledgeable expert handling everything, rather than splitting tasks between a bookkeeper and a separate tax accountant.

Education is at the heart of everything we do—not just for our team, but for you as our valued client. We’re committed to guiding you every step of the way, ensuring you never feel unsure about what you’re signing or the decisions you’re making. While we handle the intricate details behind the scenes, our goal is to empower you with a clear understanding of the big picture. For us, education isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a continuous journey designed to build your confidence and help you take control of your financial future.

Great question! Even if you’re managing your own bills, invoicing, and payments, a bookkeeper provides valuable support by organizing and categorizing all your financial transactions, reconciling your accounts, and ensuring your records are accurate and up to date. This not only makes tax time easier but also helps you track your business performance and maintain a clear financial picture for smarter decision-making. Beyond the numbers, we act as your accountability partner throughout the year—keeping you on track, answering questions, and helping you stay focused on your business goals. Essentially, we handle the behind-the-scenes details so you can focus on growing your business with confidence.

First, please don't stress! We've seen it all, and getting your books back on track is what we do best.We typically recommend going back to the beginning of the year and cleaning everything up ourselves. Why? Because it gives us an opportunity to really understand your business, recognize spending habits, and identify patterns and rhythms in your finances.Our goal is to get your books cleaned up as quickly as possible so we can understand where you are today and develop a plan to move you toward where you want to be.We're not here to judge your past. We're here to help you build a plan for a stronger financial future.

There isn't a magic number or a certain amount of revenue you need to reach. It's really about where you are in your business and where you want to go.Here are a few signs you're ready:Your time is better spent elsewhere. You're great at what you do, and spending hours on accounting isn't the best use of your time. You just don't have the time. You're busy running your business, and the accounting keeps getting pushed aside.You need accountability. Sometimes you just need someone in your corner asking the right questions, keeping you on track, and helping you follow through.You want to understand your numbers. You're tired of guessing and want financial clarity so you can make better decisions with confidence.You're tired of financial surprises. Unexpected tax bills, cash flow shortages, or expenses you didn't see coming are stressful. You want to be proactive instead of constantly reacting.The bottom line: We often find that when we take accounting off a business owner's plate, something wonderful happens. They have more time to focus on what they do best, and that often means making more money! Add in better financial clarity, fewer surprises, and someone in your corner helping you make smart decisions, and you'll quickly see that good accounting isn't just another expense. It's an investment in your business.