Why your choice of pricing model matters for Mequon businesses

If you are searching for bookkeeping Mequon, you likely have one practical question in mind. Should you pay for monthly bookkeeping packages or stick with hourly billing. The right choice can lower your total cost, save your time, and reduce surprise tax problems. In this guide, Curler Accounting explains how each model works, what it includes, how to compare costs, and when one option usually wins over the other. You will also see how a local CPA firm approaches pricing so you know exactly what you are getting before you sign.

Curler Accounting & Tax Services, LLC serves individuals and small businesses in Mequon, Washington County, and areas north of Milwaukee. Led by Matt Curler, CPA, the firm blends practical experience with disciplined systems to deliver clean books, stress free compliance, and helpful advisory insights. Keep reading to find out which pricing structure is likely to deliver better value for your situation and how to request a custom quote.

What you are actually buying when you buy bookkeeping

Before you compare monthly packages and hourly billing, it helps to define what bookkeeping covers. Good bookkeeping is more than data entry. It is a system that captures every transaction, keeps accounts reconciled, and makes tax time simple. Here are common tasks included in a solid bookkeeping plan.

• Categorizing income and expenses to the correct accounts
• Bank and credit card reconciliations to remove errors and duplicates
• Accounts receivable and accounts payable tracking
• Payroll entries and payroll tax postings
• Sales tax tracking for Wisconsin and regional filings when needed
• Month end closes with financial statements that are tax ready
• Clean up and catch up work for prior months when applicable
• Support for 1099s and year end information returns
• Light advisory to explain numbers, cash flow, and trends

With hourly billing you pay as the work occurs. With a monthly package you pay a flat recurring amount for a defined scope. Many packages include advisory touchpoints, software subscriptions, and periodic reviews that might not be covered in an hourly arrangement unless you ask for them.

Monthly bookkeeping packages explained

A monthly package sets a flat rate that covers an agreed level of work each month. The scope is based on your transaction volume, number of bank and credit card accounts, payroll needs, and sales tax requirements. At Curler Accounting, packages are right sized to the work so you do not pay for services you do not need.

Benefits of monthly packages

• Predictable cost each month, which helps with budgeting and cash flow
• Proactive oversight that prevents small errors from turning into tax headaches
• Consistent month end closes, so your numbers stay clean and ready for decisions
• Often includes software support, workflow tools, and document storage
• Built in advisory check ins that connect the numbers to strategy
• Clear scope and deliverables, which reduces back and forth and saves time

Possible drawbacks of monthly packages

• You may pay for capacity you do not fully use during slow months
• Changes in scope mid year may require a package bump
• Onboarding takes planning so the first month may include extra work

Monthly packages fit owners who want steady support, who value a single monthly price, and who prefer proactive help. If your business is growing, carries payroll, or collects sales tax, a package usually delivers better control and fewer surprises.

Hourly bookkeeping explained

Hourly billing means you pay only for the time spent each month. The bookkeeper tracks time by task and bills at a set hourly rate. This approach is simple and can work well for small projects, one time cleanups, or occasional support.

Benefits of hourly billing

• Pay as you go, no fixed commitment
• Maximum flexibility for irregular or seasonal work
• Great fit for clean up, catch up, or special projects

Possible drawbacks of hourly billing

• Unpredictable bills if your month gets busy or messy
• You carry more management burden to control scope and avoid overages
• It can delay important tasks if you wait to approve extra time
• Advisory questions may be postponed to keep hours low, which limits value

Hourly billing fits businesses with very light activity, owners who do most of the work themselves, or companies with highly irregular needs. It can also be a good way to start a relationship during a clean up period before moving to a package.

Cost comparison for bookkeeping in Mequon

Real world numbers help you decide between a package and hourly plan. Every business is different, and rates vary by scope and experience, so treat the following as a framework rather than a quote.

1. Estimate your transaction volume per month. Count bank and credit card lines, sales channels, and payroll frequency.
2. List compliance needs. Consider payroll tax filings, sales tax, 1099s, and industry specific reporting.
3. Decide your close cadence. Monthly closes give better reporting but take more time than quarterly closes.
4. Assign approximate hours. Light volume might take 3 to 6 hours per month. Moderate might take 8 to 12. Complex operations can take 15 or more.
5. Compare assumed hourly totals to a package that covers the same work plus reviews and software.

Example 1. A solo consultant with 125 transactions and no payroll may need 4 to 5 hours a month. At a sample hourly rate, that might be less than a small package. If you rarely ask questions and keep receipts organized, hourly could win. If you want quarterly check ins and tax ready financials, a modest package might be worth the small premium.

Example 2. A retail shop with two bank accounts, one credit card, sales tax, and simple payroll may take 10 hours monthly. Hourly could cost more than a well scoped package that includes reconciliations, sales tax tracking, payroll journal entries, and a short advisory call. In this case a monthly package often saves money and reduces the risk of missed filings.

Example 3. A contractor with job costing, progress billing, and several credit cards may vary from month to month. Some months take 8 hours, others 18. Hourly bills would swing widely. A package that averages the work across the year gives you stable costs and more proactive support. The contractor typically benefits from a monthly plan unless the work is infrequent or off season.

When does hourly likely save you more. You operate a micro business with very low volume, you do your own categorizing and only need a monthly or quarterly review, or you are closing down and only need final cleanup. When does a monthly package likely save you more. You are growing, you add sales channels, you run payroll, you collect sales tax, or you want CFO style guidance from a CPA without hiring a full time staff member.

ROI that goes beyond the sticker price

The value of bookkeeping is not only the monthly bill. It is the money and time that clean books protect or unlock. Here are key return on investment factors that favor a structured monthly plan for many Mequon businesses.

• Tax savings through accurate categorization and timing of deductions
• Time savings for owners who can focus on revenue instead of reconciliation
• Fewer penalties and notices by keeping payroll and sales tax filings on track
• Better vendor terms and lending options with reliable financial statements
• Audit readiness, which lowers stress and professional fees if you are ever reviewed
• Stronger cash flow with consistent accounts receivable follow up and cash forecasting

Matt Curler, CPA, brings 20 plus years in tax, finance, and treasury management to every engagement. He has served at KPMG and Harley Davidson and understands how to design systems that protect cash and reduce risk. As a veteran of the Wisconsin Army National Guard and a former Milwaukee Police Department officer, he applies discipline, integrity, and attention to detail to your books. That means you get more than categorized transactions. You get a steady process that improves outcomes over time.

Industry snapshots in Mequon

Contractors and trades

Contractors need job costing, proper markup tracking, and invoices that match progress billing. Credit card usage and fuel receipts add complexity. A monthly package gives you consistent coding to jobs, better estimates, and smoother year end reporting.

Ecommerce and retail

Retail and online sellers face sales tax, platform payouts, returns, fees, and inventory adjustments. Monthly plans help reconcile marketplace statements and bank activity, which keeps your margin reporting honest. Hourly can work for very small sellers, but most shops benefit from a package as sales channels grow.

Professional services and clinics

Advisors, therapists, and clinics often run lean teams. You need clean receivables, deposits that match services, and simple payroll postings. A light to moderate package, sometimes with quarterly reviews, often delivers the best balance of price and support.

Real estate investors

Investors often have multiple properties and entities. That means separate accounts, escrows, and depreciation tracking. A package supports consistent books across entities and fewer headaches at tax time. Hourly may fit if you own a single property with low activity.

How Curler Accounting builds your pricing

Curler Accounting believes pricing should be transparent and aligned with your goals. We do not force a one size plan. Instead we take a structured approach that matches scope to your workflow. Here is how our process works for bookkeeping Mequon and across Wisconsin with virtual services.

1. Discovery call. We learn your goals, pain points, and current systems.
2. Records review. We look at your accounts, volume, and prior year files.
3. Proposal. We present either a monthly package or an hourly plan with a clear scope, timelines, and deliverables.
4. Onboarding. We connect your banks, set up secure document sharing, and create a monthly close checklist.
5. Monthly cadence. You receive reconciliations, reports, and check ins. If your needs change, we adjust the plan with you.

This approach gives you control and clarity. Whether you are in Mequon, Washington County, or anywhere in Wisconsin, you get local care with modern online tools. That is bookkeeping Mequon delivered the right way.

About Curler Accounting & Tax Services, LLC

Curler Accounting is owned by Matt Curler, CPA. Matt has more than two decades of experience in tax, finance, and treasury management. He served at KPMG and Harley Davidson, building deep knowledge in tax strategy and compliance. He is also a veteran of the Wisconsin Army National Guard with 18 years of service and two deployments to Iraq and later served six years with the Milwaukee Police Department. The discipline, precision, and ethics from that service show up in how your books are managed. Clients choose Curler Accounting because the firm puts people first, communicates clearly, and stands behind the work.

Services offered

• Tax preparation and planning to minimize tax liabilities
• Bookkeeping for accurate financial records
• Payroll solutions for hassle free processing
• Cash flow optimization to improve liquidity
• Business tax and compliance for LLCs, S Corps, and more
• IRS representation for audits and disputes
• Entity formation guidance to choose the right structure

Why clients choose Curler Accounting

• Personalized service with hands on attention
• Military precision and integrity in every engagement
• Small business focus with practical strategies
• Community commitment through Rotary Club and VA Hospital volunteer work
• Local and virtual services that fit your location and schedule

Matt’s client first approach makes financial management simple, stress free, and results driven. If you need bookkeeping Mequon, you will work with someone who knows the local market and can support you online statewide.

FAQ: Monthly packages vs. hourly billing

• What if my activity changes during the year. Curler Accounting can adjust your package or switch you to hourly for a period. The goal is to match cost with work without surprises.
• Can I start hourly and move to a package later. Yes. Many clients start hourly for cleanup then move to a stable monthly plan once systems are in place.
• Do packages include tax filing. Packages typically include tax ready books and coordination with tax prep. Tax returns themselves are scoped separately so you only pay for what you need.
• What software do you support. We work with common accounting platforms and help you choose tools that fit your business. Software decisions are part of onboarding.
• How often will I hear from you. In packages we schedule regular check ins. With hourly we communicate as needed for the work. In both cases you can reach out with questions.
• Is a contract required. We outline scope and terms in a simple engagement letter. You can change services as your needs evolve.

Checklist: which option fits you today

1. Is your monthly transaction volume steady and above 100 transactions
2. Do you run payroll, collect sales tax, or use multiple bank and credit card accounts
3. Do you want monthly financial statements and proactive advice
4. Do you prefer a consistent monthly bill for budgeting
5. Are you planning to grow or add sales channels this year

If you answered yes to most questions, a monthly package likely offers better value. If you answered no to most questions and your activity is light or seasonal, hourly billing might save you more in the short term. Curler Accounting can help you evaluate both paths.

Get a quote for bookkeeping in Mequon

Choosing between monthly packages and hourly billing comes down to scope, stability, and the kind of guidance you want from your accountant. For many growing businesses, packages reduce stress and total cost over the year. For small or seasonal companies, hourly can fit. If you want help deciding, request a quote from Curler Accounting. We will review your records, discuss goals, and present a clear plan with transparent pricing for bookkeeping Mequon. You will know exactly what is included and how it supports your tax and growth goals.

Curler Accounting is ready to help you set up accurate books, manage payroll, plan for taxes, and make better decisions with dependable numbers. Reach out to schedule a discovery call and see how a right sized plan can save you time and money starting this month.