SW Bookkeeping – Flagstaff, AZ
Stop Doing your Books.
Leave them to me, and see your business grow.
Are your profits hoped for, or are they planned on?
Steven Faria, Owner & Bookkeeper
SERVICES & PRICING
What I’ll Take Off Your Plate
Whether you’re just getting started or already run a large, growing operation, this is the affordable bookkeeping I offer, built around what your business needs.
Monthly Bookkeeping
Starting at $45 per month
Categorization of business expenses
Monthly reconciliations of asset & liability accounts
Monthly P/L, Balance Sheet, & Cash Flow reports
My proprietary ‘Financial Overview’ report
Plain-English education on what your numbers mean
Sales Tax Filing (TPT)
At $30 per filing
Accurate AZ TPT filings and remittance
Monthly, Quarterly, or Annual filings
All eligible deductions identified and utilized
QuickBooks Set-up
Starting at a one-time $90
Full QBO Company file set-up
Chart of Accounts tailored for you
Full data migration, if needed
1 month of transactions categorized free!
Clean-up & Catch-up
Starting at $80/100 transactions
Behind on your books or dealing with a mess?
I’ll get things back on track
Full detangle of years of back transactions
Back reports generated for previous periods
✔ Not-For-Profits receive a 10% discount on all services!
✔ Monthly rates are locked in for two years, so no unexpected increases.
Just Need an Estimate?
See what your bookkeeping might cost based on your business size and needs.
GET STARTED
Ready to Hand Off Your Books?
Here’s how we can get started, at whatever pace works for you.
Book a Consultation
Prefer to talk it through?
Let’s hop on a free 45-minute call to walk through your needs and make sure we’re a good fit.
Or Request a Quote
Know what you need but can’t fit in a call?
Fill out this short form, and I’ll send back a custom quote, no phone call required.
No Matter How We Start..
First – I’ll review your details in order to confirm an accurate quote, which will include a QuickBooks invite and recent banking statements.
Next – After accepting my quote, we’ll sign a service agreement that outlines exactly what I’ll do, what it’ll cost, and what you can expect from the engagement.
Then – With your first payment, I get to work — whether that’s your monthly books, a catch-up, or a full QuickBooks setup.
ABOUT
Your Business Deserves Better Books
From Steven Faria, Owner and Bookkeeper
Small business owners never start their business to spend evenings sorting through transactions. That’s where I come in. At SW Bookkeeping, I believe every business, no matter how small, deserves the kind of financial clarity that used to be reserved for bigger operations with bigger budgets.
I don’t believe in upselling services that don’t make sense for your situation. If something I offer would genuinely help your business, I’ll let you know. If it wouldn’t, I won’t bring it up. What you’ll always get is accurate, organized, up-to-date books and a clear picture of where your money is going.
✔ QuickBooks ProAdvisor
☆ AICPA Standards
Commitment to Ethics and Excellence
As a professional bookkeeper, I hold myself to the standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants: integrity, objectivity, due care, and a commitment to acting in your best interest, not just completing a task.
Frequently Asked Questions
I already have a CPA, why would I need a bookkeeper?
CPAs are great partners during tax time, but most don’t handle monthly bookkeeping – and when they do, it’s usually quarterly or annually.
As a specialized bookkeeper, I handle your books month to month, giving you timely insights, and offering faster communication than you’d typically get with a CPA. My services also start as low as $29/month, compared to the $200–$300+ many CPAs charge for similar work.
Is my business too small for bookkeeping?
No business is too small for proper bookkeeping, especially when you’re just starting out. Organizing your finances early helps you make smarter decisions, catch issues before they snowball, and start growing with confidence.
That said, it’s generally recommended to put 1–3% of your business’s revenue toward accounting. That means:
• Start with spreadsheets or a free service
• Switch to QuickBooks Online once you’re making $5k–$12k annually
• Consider hiring a bookkeeper (like me, starting at $30/month) once you’re earning $15k–$48k annually
When should I outsource my bookkeeping?
Beyond budget, consider outsourcing if:
• You don’t have a background in accounting or finance
• Doing your own books is costing too much time or energy
• You want more accuracy and peace of mind
Sometimes it’s not just about what you’re able to do, but what your time is worth.
Do I need a bookkeeper if I already have QuickBooks or similar software?
Accounting software is a great tool, but it doesn’t replace bookkeeping knowledge. Without experience, it’s easy to make costly mistakes, like misclassifying expenses or missing out on valuable tax deductions.
You might be able to track income and spending, but that’s not the same as accurately splitting expenses into IRS deduction categories or organizing them in a way that gives you meaningful insight.
A properly classified chart of accounts also builds a useful Profit & Loss report, and understanding that report is much easier with a bookkeeper’s help. Beyond keeping your records clean, I can help you interpret your numbers and use them to make smarter decisions.
A professional bookkeeper makes sure your books are accurate, tax-ready, and actually working for your business.
Services
What is TPT, and how can you help with it?
In Arizona, “sales tax” is called Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT), and it’s paid by the business, not the customer, even though it’s typically collected from them.
TPT applies to most product-based businesses, and also to certain service providers like general or specialized contractors.
I can help you apply for your TPT licensure in the right city and county jurisdictions. Whether you need to file monthly, quarterly, or annually, I’ll file and remit on your behalf, making sure you stay compliant with all tax rates and rules.
If you’re not sure whether your business is subject to TPT, I can help you figure that out too.
Do you run payroll?
I don’t process payroll directly, but I partner with QuickBooks Payroll, which integrates seamlessly with QBO and is one of the most affordable options out there. If you’re already using QBO, it’s a smooth setup, and I can help you get started.
While I’m not a payroll processor, I understand how payroll works and can:
• Answer questions about employee vs. contractor classification
• Help track payroll expenses and liabilities accurately in your books
• Coordinate with your payroll provider to make sure everything stays clean and compliant
Whether you already use a payroll system or need help choosing one, I’ll help make sure it fits your needs and maps cleanly to QBO.
My QuickBooks file is a mess, can you clean it up?
Absolutely. Messy books are more common than you think, and I offer catch-up and cleanup services tailored to the level of correction needed.
Here’s how it usually works:
• If transactions are miscategorized, I’ll undo and recategorize them properly.
• If account balances don’t match your bank statements, I’ll roll back reconciliations and fix them.
• If personal transactions are mixed in, I’ll reclassify them and remove the personal account(s) from the business books once balances are corrected.
In rare cases, starting a fresh QBO file may be the cleanest option. Most of the time though, your clean-up will look like a standard catch-up with a slight markup based on the extra work required.
If you’re unsure, I can review your file and let you know exactly what’s needed.
When and how will I be billed?
For monthly services, I bill on a monthly basis, before services are provided. For your first month, I’ll send a detailed invoice so you can see exactly what you’re paying for. After that, you’ll be placed on recurring payments to keep things easy on your end.
For project-based work like a catch-up or setup, I’ll quote you a one-time price, broken down in an invoice. You’re welcome to pay all at once, or we can break it into phases – just note that I begin work after payment is received for each portion.
Working Together
How often will I get reports or updates?
With my monthly bookkeeping, I update your books twice a month. At the start of each month, once your accounts are reconciled and accurate, I’ll send over your Profit and Loss along with any other reports you’ve requested, plus my analysis of your numbers.
As for communication, I respond within 24 hours of any call or email. If you’re facing an issue, I’ll stay on it until it’s resolved or your question is answered.
Will I stay in control of my business operations?
100%. My job is just to organize your books and give you clear financial insights. You’ll then use that information to make smarter, more informed decisions, but you’ll remain in full control of your business at all times.
I’m always happy to offer guidance based on what I see in your reports – but every choice, whether it’s applying for a loan, buying new equipment, or growing your team, is entirely yours to make. For larger decisions, like major investments in the business or tax strategy, I recommend to bring a CPA into the loop. Day to day though, I’m here to support you, not to steer the ship.
What do I need to send to get started, and is it secure?
After our consultation, I’ll need to review recent transaction data in order to put together an accurate quote. If you’re already using QuickBooks Online, you can simply invite me to your Company. If not, you can either grant access to your current system or send over your last three months of statements for each business account.
For document sharing, I use Google Drive for non-sensitive files like bank statements, Profit & Loss reports, and purchase records — the kinds of documents I use for reconciliations and categorizations. While Drive is encrypted and HIPAA compliant, I use a more secure file-sharing service for sensitive materials such as checks or payroll documents.
Do you offer one-time consultations or just paid services?
All of my initial consultations are completely free. These meetings are meant to uncover the specifics of how your business operates and what your bookkeeping needs really are. I’m happy to meet with you, talk through any challenges you’re facing, and take a look at your current system to help identify potential issues.
After the consult, I’ll give you my honest recommendation on what could be done to improve the health of your books and help you get the insights you need.
Strategy
Is a Sole Prop, LLC, or S Corp best for me?
It depends on your business’s size, goals, and stage, but generally:
Sole proprietorships are the simplest and cheapest structure to start with, but will leave your personal assets unprotected if the business takes on debt or gets sued.
I often recommend forming Limited Liability Companies over staying a Sole Prop. It:
• Protects your personal assets from business liabilities
• Makes you eligible for most business checkings, credit, and loans
• Allows for a more flexible ownership structure
• Offers pass-through taxation, avoiding corporate double-taxation
An S-Corp isn’t a business structure like an LLC; it’s a tax status you elect through the IRS. S-Corps aren’t necessarily better than LLCs – just different.
We can go over the pros and cons of each to figure out which makes the most sense for your business and growth goals.
Can you help me maximize profits?
Yes, helping you increase profits starts with clean, organized bookkeeping. You can’t grow what you can’t measure, so my first step is making sure your books clearly show where your money is going and what’s coming in.
I’ll structure your chart of accounts to break down expenses in a way that makes sense for your operations. This gives you clearer Profit & Loss reports, allowing you to spot areas of overspending and compare your costs with other providers or vendors.
If you want to dig deeper, I offer profitability tracking by project, location, or other areas of operations. With more thorough tracking, you can see what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus your time and resources. With this kind of visibility, you can cut waste, price more effectively, and make smarter decisions that support long-term growth.
Can you help me pay myself more consistently?
Yes, and consistent pay starts with consistent visibility. Once your books are in order, you’ll have a clearer picture of your monthly net profits and cash flow. That clarity makes it easier to plan how much you can pay yourself on a regular basis, rather than guessing or relying on whatever’s left over.
Together, we’ll look at how your income should be split – starting with covering your operating costs and then paying down debt, reinvesting in growth, or setting aside a flat monthly salary. The goal is to build a system where your pay is planned, predictable, and sustainable.
Will you help me pay less tax?
Of course; one of the biggest reasons to keep accurate books is to maximize your tax deductions. When your chart of accounts is properly aligned with IRS expense categories, and your transactions are correctly categorized by someone with experience, you’re far more likely to capture every deduction you’re entitled to.
Throughout the year, I’ll keep your records clean and audit-ready, making tax time smoother and potentially reducing your tax liability.
For more advanced tax strategies, like how to time asset purchases, structure your compensation, or reduce self-employment taxes, I recommend working with your CPA. But solid bookkeeping is the foundation of any good tax plan, and that’s where I’ve got you covered.
Starting your Business
Do I need a business license?
While the state of Arizona doesn’t issue general business licenses, most cities and towns do, and many require you to register before operating. Depending on your industry, you may also need additional licenses or permits at the local, state, or federal level.
Some businesses are exempt, but it depends on where you operate and what you do. I can help you figure out which licenses or permits apply to your business and guide you through the application process if needed.
How do I start a business?
The process will look a bit different for every type of business, and will depend on if you want to start as a Sole Prop or LLC. Generally, it’s great to have a plan in place before getting started in any capacity.
For an LLC in Arizona, the typical process includes:
• Filing your entity with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC)
• Applying for an EIN through the IRS
• Registering for any necessary licenses or permits, depending on your city and industry
• Opening a business checking account to separate personal and business finances
• Handling basic admin work, like setting up a website, business email, and social media presence
I’m more than happy to offer advice or help you walk through these steps. If you already have a business plan or idea in mind, I can help you think through the financial side of things too.
I’d strongly recommend contacting your local Small Business Development Center for guidance, too.
Get in Contact
Hours, in MST
Monday – 9am-5pm
Wednesday – 9am-5pm
Friday – 9am-5pm
Response within one business day:
By Phone
By Email
SW Bookkeeping 