What accounting software do you use?
QuickBooks Online. That’s what we use at Smart Outsourced Solutions for all of our bookkeeping clients, and it’s the platform we recommend for owner-operated service businesses.
A few things make QuickBooks Online a good fit for small businesses. It’s cloud-based, so you and your bookkeeper can both access the same file from anywhere. You don’t need to send files back and forth or worry about different versions. It also connects directly to your bank and credit card accounts through automatic bank feeds. Transactions pull in daily, which keeps the books current and cuts down on manual data entry.
QuickBooks Online integrates with payroll, so if we’re running payroll for you, everything syncs directly with the books. No double entry and no reconciling between systems. It also connects with hundreds of other apps, including time tracking, invoicing, and payment platforms that many service businesses already use. For our bookkeeping and tax services, QuickBooks Online gives us a solid foundation to build on.
If you’re already using QuickBooks Online, we take over your existing file. We’ll review it, clean up any issues, and start working from where you are. If you’re on a different system like Wave, Xero, or FreshBooks, or if you’ve been tracking everything in spreadsheets, we handle the migration. We move your data into QuickBooks Online and set up the chart of accounts correctly for your business.
For owners who want to learn the system themselves, we offer QuickBooks Online setup and training. We configure it properly and walk you through how to use it day to day. Or you can hand off the bookkeeping entirely and let us manage it.
If you have questions about how we’d work with your current setup, reach out for a consultation. We can talk through your situation and figure out the best approach.
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More Questions
I pay subcontractors. What do I need to track to file 1099s?
You need a W-9 from each subcontractor before you pay them, and you need to track total payments per subcontractor through the year. When the totals cross the filing threshold, you file a 1099-NEC.
Read answerWhat do you handle when you run my payroll?
Full-service payroll means we calculate pay, withhold and deposit federal and state taxes, pay your employees, file the quarterly and annual returns, and produce W-2s at year end. You approve hours and we handle everything else.
Read answerWhen are my quarterly estimated taxes due, and how do I avoid penalties?
Quarterly estimated taxes are due in mid-April, mid-June, mid-September, and mid-January of the following year. You can avoid penalties by meeting safe harbor thresholds based on last year's tax or this year's expected liability.
Read answerShould I elect S-corp status as a solo consultant, and at what income does it pay off?
It typically pays off around $60,000 to $80,000 of net profit. At that level, splitting income between a reasonable salary and distributions can save you several thousand dollars a year in self-employment tax, with savings growing as income increases.
Read answerDoes my service business need to collect Massachusetts sales tax?
Most service businesses in Massachusetts do not collect sales tax on their core work. Services like cleaning, consulting, creative work, and professional services are exempt. Sales tax applies to tangible products you sell, restaurant meals, and a few specific taxable services.
Read answerI have one employee. Do I really need payroll, or can I just pay them?
Yes, even one employee triggers real payroll obligations. You have to withhold taxes, pay the employer share, file quarterly returns, and issue a W-2. Skipping this or misclassifying someone as a contractor creates serious tax exposure.
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