FAQ

We work primarily with small businesses and professional service firms in the Charlotte area. Our clients include contractors, consultants, medical practices, law firms, technology companies, restaurants, and retail businesses. We specialize in businesses with $250K to $10M in annual revenue, though we serve clients of all sizes.

Our fees depend on the complexity of your situation and the services you need. Monthly bookkeeping starts at $350/month for businesses with moderate transaction volume. Tax preparation ranges from $500 for straightforward business returns to $2,000+ for complex multi-entity filings. We provide a clear quote after an initial consultation, and our pricing is always transparent — no surprise invoices.

It depends on your needs. A bookkeeper handles day-to-day transaction recording and reconciliation. A CPA provides strategic tax planning, financial analysis, compliance guidance, and can represent you before the IRS. Most growing businesses benefit from both — a bookkeeper for ongoing recordkeeping and a CPA for tax strategy and advisory. At Clearview, we provide both services under one roof.

Absolutely. Catch-up bookkeeping and back-filing tax returns is a significant part of our practice. We'll assess where you stand, create a plan to get current, and work through the backlog systematically. If you have outstanding IRS or state notices, we can handle those communications on your behalf as well.

For most small businesses, we recommend QuickBooks Online. It's cloud-based, well-supported, and integrates with most banking and payment platforms. For businesses with specific needs, we also support Xero and FreshBooks. As certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors, we can set up your software correctly from the start and train your team to use it effectively.

Communication frequency depends on your service level. Bookkeeping clients receive monthly financial reports and a quarterly review call. Tax planning clients meet with us at least twice a year — mid-year for planning and year-end for strategy. Advisory clients have monthly or quarterly meetings depending on the engagement. And of course, we're always available by phone or email when questions come up.

We send every client a customized document checklist based on their situation. Generally, you'll need: prior year tax returns, W-2s and 1099s, business financial statements, bank and investment account statements, mortgage interest and property tax statements, records of estimated tax payments, and receipts for major deductible expenses. We use a secure client portal for document upload.

Yes. While our office is in Uptown Charlotte and we welcome in-person meetings, many of our clients work with us entirely remotely. We use secure video conferencing, cloud-based document sharing, and digital signatures to make the process seamless regardless of your location. Several of our clients are outside the Charlotte area entirely.