The First 90 Days with Us at Finveritas
What to Expect
and How to PrepareWhat to Expect and How to Prepare
When you hire us as your bookkeeper, you’re not just bringing someone in to crunch numbers—you’re welcoming a financial ally into your business. Your first 90 days with us as your bookkeeper are critical for setting the foundation, aligning goals, and ensuring that the relationship delivers real results.
From the initial onboarding to establishing trust and refining processes, this step-by-step guide will show you how to hit the ground running.
Understanding the Bookkeeping Onboarding Process
Why the First 90 Days Matter More Than You Think
The initial three months with Finveritas determine how effectively we, as your bookkeeper, can support your business. It’s a time to clarify expectations, set up systems, and understand each other’s working styles. Get this right, and you’ll gain peace of mind, financial clarity, and more time to grow your business.
Setting the Tone: Expectations vs. Reality
Clients often assume a bookkeeper will instantly fix financial messes. In truth, the early days are about diagnostics and cleanup. Both sides should enter the relationship understanding that transparency, patience, and consistency are keys to success.
Week 1-2: The Kickoff Phase
Documents You’ll Need to Provide
Here’s a checklist of typical documents we need you to gather:
Bank statements (past 12 months)
Credit card statements
Loan agreements
Payroll records
Sales and revenue reports
Chart of accounts
Last year’s tax return
Access to accounting software, CRMs, and payment platforms
Being proactive with documentation can reduce setup time dramatically.
Essential Software Setup and Integrations
As your new bookkeeper, we will need access to tools like QuickBooks, Xero, or FreshBooks—plus any integrations with platforms like Stripe, Shopify, or Gusto. Expect us to initiate this setup and confirm permissions.
Introductory Meetings: Goals, Roles, and Boundaries
In our first conversations, you’ll outline expectations, communication preferences, and key financial goals. This is where we, as your bookkeeper, start becoming your strategic partner, not just a number cruncher.
Week 3-4: Laying the Groundwork for Financial Clarity
Reconciling Prior Transactions
Expect some heavy lifting here. Bookkeepers ensure every dollar is accounted for by matching bank transactions with recorded entries. This creates a “clean slate” moving forward.
Chart of Accounts Review and Cleanup
A messy or bloated chart of accounts leads to misleading reports. During this stage, Finveritas will reorganize and categorize accounts so you can clearly track income and expenses.
Establishing Financial Policies and Procedures
This includes invoice tracking, reimbursement processes, and payroll cycles. Aligning on these now saves confusion later.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Your First 90 Days
Overcommunication vs. Undercommunication
Check-ins are great, but micromanaging can hinder efficiency. Trust our bookkeeping expertise—just be clear about your needs.
Failing to Share Complete Financial Records
Incomplete data can cause delays and inaccurate reporting. Keep everything accessible in a shared folder or accounting portal.
Month 2: Building a Communication Cadence
Weekly, Biweekly, or Monthly? What Works Best
Depending on your business complexity, we may recommend regular updates via email, Zoom calls, or shared dashboards. The goal is consistent, proactive communication, not reactive cleanups.
Dashboards, Reports, and KPIs to Watch
With clean data, we will begin delivering reports that actually mean something. Expect insights on cash flow, profitability, and expense trends that help you make smarter decisions.
Month 3: Optimizing and Trust Building
Implementing Feedback and Refining Processes
Your feedback loop becomes essential here. Do reports meet your needs? Is communication clear? This is when you fine-tune the system.
Reviewing Bookkeeper Performance
Use this time to review agreed-upon goals and deliverables. Transparency ensures both sides feel confident in continuing the relationship.
Understanding the ROI of Bookkeeping
Many business owners underestimate the savings and growth opportunities that a skilled bookkeeper, like Finveritas, brings. From finding duplicate expenses to preparing for tax time, the returns are substantial.
How to Build Long-Term Trust With Finveritas
Transparency, Collaboration, and Mutual Respect
When you treat your bookkeeper like a partner, not just a service provider, you unlock their full value. We at Finveritas value immensely open, honest communication, which inevitably paves the way for success.
Setting SMART Financial Goals Together
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals help your bookkeeper align their work with your business growth targets.
FAQs About Your First 90 Days With a Bookkeeper
1. How long does onboarding take?
Onboarding typically takes 2-4 weeks, depending on how quickly you provide necessary documents.
2. What if I don’t have accounting software?
Finveritas can recommend and help implement a solution that fits your business size and needs.
3. How do I know if my bookkeeper is doing a good job?
Look for timely communication, accurate reporting, and clean financials by the third month.
4. What should I do if something feels off?
Speak up early. Constructive feedback is crucial for refining the relationship.
5. Do I still need a CPA if I have a bookkeeper?
Yes. Bookkeepers handle day-to-day finances, while CPAs focus on tax strategy and filings.
6. Can my bookkeeper help with budgeting?
Absolutely. Many offer budgeting support and forecasting as part of their services.
