Because the Numbers Tell a Story (If You’re Willing to Look)
Your bookkeeping should do more than keep you organized for tax season.
At Ratliff Accounting & Tax, we help small business owners understand what’s happening behind the numbers. We reconcile your accounts, prepare meaningful financial reports, and point out the things worth paying attention to.
Whether your business is growing, expenses are creeping up, or you simply want to know where the money is going, we’ll help you get a clearer picture.
And yes, we may ask a few nosey questions along the way. That’s kind of our thing.
Because the truth is:
Your reports should actually mean something
Bookkeeping isn’t just busywork — it’s the foundation of good decisions
Clean records today mean fewer surprises (and lower stress) tomorrow
Monthly bookkeeping starts at $350.
Every business is different. We’ll talk about your accounts, transaction volume, and the support you need before preparing a proposal.
Monthly Bookkeeping Packages
Glimpse
Starting at $350 per month
For small businesses that need consistent, reliable bookkeeping.
☁️ Monthly transaction categorization
☁️ Reconciliation of one operating account
☁️ Monthly financial reports
☁️ Questions when something in the numbers needs a closer look
Checkpoint
Starting at $550 per month
For businesses that want bookkeeping plus help keeping either payables or receivables organized.
Everything in Glimpse, plus your choice of
☁️ A/P monitoring: Track bills and due dates, and flag items that need your attention; or
☁️ A/R monitoring: Track invoices and outstanding balances, and flag items that need your attention
Power-Up
Starting at $750 per month
For businesses that need bookkeeping and visibility into both payables and receivables.
Everything in Glimpse, plus:
☁️ A/P monitoring
☁️ A/R monitoring
Bill payment, invoice approval, collections, and CFO or advisory services are not included in these packages. Those services require separate discussion and pricing.
What to Know About Pricing
Package prices are starting points. Your final fee depends on your accounts, transaction volume, and the work your business needs.
Additional operating accounts may increase the monthly fee. Accounting software, tax preparation, tax planning, cleanup work, and other services are priced separately.
DIY Quarterly Bookkeeping Review
CheckIn
$175 per quarter
Already maintaining your own books? Check-In gives you a quarterly review of the reports you prepare, with feedback on items that may need attention.
You maintain and reconcile your books and make any corrections. Cleanup, bookkeeping, and tax services are not included. If the review shows that additional work is needed, we’ll discuss the scope and fee separately.
Software Conversions
Fresh Start
Switching accounting systems? Start with a clean setup instead of carrying old problems into new software.
We can help configure your Chart of Accounts, enter beginning balances, and prepare starting financial reports based on the information you provide. Whether you’re moving from spreadsheets, QuickBooks, Xero, or another system, we’ll help you get set up to move forward.
Cleanup of prior-period records, software subscriptions, and ongoing bookkeeping are separate services and fees.
Sales Tax Support
Selling in more than one state can make sales tax harder to manage. Requirements depend on your business activity, registrations, and state rules, so we’ll first discuss where you’re selling and what support you need.
Sales tax services start at $75 per state per month. Filing and compliance needs are scoped based on your business and applicable state requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
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I’m not just here to do your books or file your taxes—I’m here to dig in. Whether it’s a tiny mistake or a big mess, I ask the right questions so we can find the real solution. You’ll never feel judged, rushed, or left in the dark. I bring clarity, calm, and a little bit of sass to the table.
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Yes. Ratliff Accounting & Tax is based in Tinley Park, Illinois, with roots in Spartanburg, South Carolina. We work virtually with clients in Illinois, South Carolina, and other states.
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Yes. Check-In is for business owners who maintain and reconcile their own books and want a quarterly review with feedback. It does not include bookkeeping, corrections, cleanup, tax preparation, or tax planning.
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We can talk about what needs to be done and provide a separate scope and fee for cleanup work. Cleanup is not included in the monthly packages or Check-In.
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In The Deep Dive, we take a close look at your income, expenses, and goals to create a strategy that helps you keep more of what you earn. Every plan is custom, but most include legal tax-saving strategies, entity reviews, income shifting ideas, and retirement planning options. You’ll leave with a clear roadmap and action steps you can actually use.
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Fresh Start is for businesses switching to new accounting software (like QuickBooks or Xero). We’ll set up your Chart of Accounts, enter your starting balances, and prepare accurate financials so you’re not dragging old problems into a new system. We also offer app integrations and custom SOPs if you want to make your workflow smoother.
Prior period clean up would be a separate engagement. -
Yes! I offer three levels of ongoing support: Glimpse, Checkpoint, and Power-Up, depending on how involved you want me to be. We’ll start with a call to determine the right fit for your business.
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We do not offer payroll processing to new clients. We can discuss how payroll activity should be reflected in your books.
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No. Tax preparation and tax planning are separate services with separate engagements and fees.
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Start with a consultation. We’ll ask about your business, accounts, transaction volume, and what you’re looking for, then determine whether we’re a good fit.
LET’S TALK
No matter where you are at in your business journey, I intentionally created offerings that meet you where you are at. If you are not sure what is the right offering for you, let’s talk.