
Frequently Asked Questions


Bookkeeping FAQs
Whether you're launching a startup or growing an existing company, strong bookkeeping, and accounting systems are essential. Below, we answer the most frequently asked questions we receive about bookkeeping services for small businesses, including costs, benefits, and when to seek expert help.

Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my business needs a bookkeeper?
If you're feeling overwhelmed by managing your business finances or falling behind on organizing receipts, invoices, or bills, it might be time to hire a bookkeeper. Common signs include:​
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Struggling to track expenses or revenue accurately
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A backlog of financial documents not entered into your accounting software
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Spending too much time on bookkeeping instead of growing your business
​A professional bookkeeper helps streamline your financial processes, maintain accurate records, and reduce costly errors, especially important for startups and small business owners. Bookkeeping services also simplify tax filing and provide valuable insights to support informed decision-making.
How much do virtual bookkeeping services cost?
Virtual bookkeeping services can vary in price depending on your needs, business size, and service complexity. Here's a general breakdown:
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Hourly rates: Typically range from $50 to $150+, based on the bookkeeper’s experience and services.
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Monthly packages: Start at around $350 to $700 per month and can increase to $2,500 per month or more for full-service accounting.
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One-time projects or clean-up bookkeeping: Often billed at a flat fee or hourly rate.​​
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While startup businesses may see bookkeeping as an added expense, investing in accurate accounting from the beginning helps avoid financial mistakes and supports long-term growth. Most established businesses treat these services as essential overhead. Visit our Pricing page to learn more about our monthly packages that scale with your business.
What are the benefits of investing in bookkeeping for my small business?
Hiring a professional bookkeeper offers critical benefits for small businesses. A skilled bookkeeper ensures that your financial records are accurate, organized, and up-to-date, helping you catch errors early, monitor key financial health indicators, and securely store essential documents.
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Additional benefits of small business bookkeeping include: maintaining tax compliance year-round, providing clean financial statements for loans or investments, and enabling smarter decision-making with real-time financial insights.
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In fact, a recent QuickBooks survey found that 98% of small business owners believe their accounting professionals significantly contribute to their business’s success. Investing in bookkeeping is an investment in the health and future of your business.
What additional bookkeeping services does Third Mesa offer beyond monthly reporting and bank reconciliations?
​In addition to core monthly bookkeeping and bank reconciliation services, Third Mesa offers the following add-ons to support your business:
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Accounts Payable Services: Bill entry, workflow approvals, and bill payments through various platforms
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Accounts Receivable Services: Invoice entry and assistance with merchant payments to receive payments directly
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Payroll Support: Payroll entries and categorization via third-party applications, payroll processing and approvals through QuickBooks Online
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Texas Sales Tax Filing: Monthly or quarterly filing and payments for Texas-based clients
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1099 Vendor Compliance: Vendor review and year-end filing through QuickBooks Online
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Does Third Mesa offer tax preparation or consulting services?
We do not currently provide tax preparation or tax consulting services. However, we understand the importance of these services for small business owners. That’s why we offer referrals to trusted tax professionals or collaborate directly with your CPA or tax advisor to grant them secure access to your approved financial reports.
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Does Third Mesa offer bookkeeping cleanup services?
Yes—we offer bookkeeping cleanup and historical record correction as part of a customized project engagement. This service is ideal for businesses that need to correct errors from previous bookkeepers, reconcile outdated or incomplete records, or get back on track before tax season. We also include record updates during the onboarding process, so your current books are accurate from day one.
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What industries does Third Mesa serve?
We serve a diverse range of service-based businesses, including nonprofits, hospitality and food service providers, professional services firms, and oil and gas contractors.
Our primary tool, QuickBooks Online, is a strong fit for most industries. However, we may not be the best fit for businesses that:
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Require complex inventory tracking
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Manage multiple entities or subsidiaries
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Depend heavily on custom workflows or niche integrations
​Not sure if we’re a good match? Contact us to discuss your business needs.
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Does Third Mesa offer consulting or QuickBooks Online training?
Yes! We provide virtual QuickBooks Online training for individuals and small business teams. These sessions are designed to help you understand your accounting dashboard, streamline processes such as invoicing and bank reconciliation, and build confidence in using your accounting tools on a day-to-day basis.
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Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates, tutorials, and financial tips.
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What makes Third Mesa different from other bookkeeping providers?
At Third Mesa, we go beyond basic bookkeeping. Our mission is to help small businesses and entrepreneurs grow with confidence by delivering dependable, tech-forward financial services—always with a human touch.
What sets us apart:
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Team-Based Support: You gain access to a team of professionals—not just one bookkeeper—offering expertise in bookkeeping, accounting technology, and financial strategy.
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Relationship-Driven Service: We prioritize clear communication, timely and consistent reporting, and trusted partnerships.
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Scalable Solutions: Our services are designed to grow with your business, giving you peace of mind every step of the way.
We combine cloud-based tools like QuickBooks Online with real human oversight to provide reliable, forward-looking, bookkeeping services tailored to your unique needs.
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Can I switch plans or cancel my monthly bookkeeping subscription at any time?
Yes, our monthly subscription is flexible and does not require any long-term contracts. However, we ask for at least 10 days' notice before the end of the month to allow our team to complete that month’s work and close out your account properly.
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Here's what to know:
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All subscriptions require an auto-draft via credit card or ACH, which is authorized when you sign your service proposal.
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Plan changes or cancellations must be reviewed and approved by our team, who will provide a clear disengagement timeline.
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We offer annual scope reviews and will send you a renewal agreement each year.
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If you request additional services (e.g., payroll processing, bill pay, invoicing), your subscription price will be adjusted, and a new proposal will be sent for your approval.
This flexible model ensures you only pay for what you need, when you need it.
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How will Third Mesa communicate with me?
At Third Mesa, we simplify communication through Client Hub, our secure and intuitive client portal.
Here’s what you can expect:
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Easy access via desktop or the mobile app (available in App Store)
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Real-time messaging through a built-in chat function—no more long email chains
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Seamless integration with QuickBooks Online for direct transaction queries
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Direct requests for receipts, statements, and more
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Monthly reporting packages, including bank reconciliations and key financials
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Scheduling tools to book meetings with your account manager directly
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​Our goal is to make bookkeeping communication simple, fast, and stress-free, so you can focus on running your business.
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How can I learn more about Third Mesa and the bookkeeping services offered?
You can get started by completing this brief questionnaire on our website. Once submitted, our team will reach out to schedule a free bookkeeping consultation to discuss your business goals and how we can help support your success.​
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