We’re Hiring: Staff Accountant

We are looking for a staff accountant to join the Neely’s team! This position will be responsible for managing various accounting tasks, ensuring the accuracy of financial records, and supporting the overall financial operations of the organization. To be successful in this role, you should be experienced in preparing financial statements, conducting reconciliations, and assisting with audits and tax filings.

Key Responsibilities

  • Financial Record Keeping:
    • Greet clients and visitors in a warm and welcoming manner
    • Answer and direct phone calls promptly and efficiently
    • Manage incoming and outgoing mail and packages
    • Maintain a clean and organized reception area
  • Account Reconciliation:
    • Perform monthly reconciliations of bank statements and other accounts.
    • Investigate and resolve discrepancies in financial records.
  • Financial Reporting:
    • Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
    • Generate reports for management, highlighting key financial metrics.
  • Budgeting and Forecasting:
    • Support the budgeting process by gathering and analyzing data.
    • Assist in the development of financial forecasts and variance analysis.
  • Tax Compliance:
    • Prepare and file tax returns and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
    • Assist with tax audits and inquiries.
  • Financial Analysis:
    • Conduct financial analysis to identify trends, variances, and areas for improvement.
    • Assist in cost analysis and profitability assessments.
  • Collaboration:
    • Work closely with clients to ensure accurate financial reporting.
    • Provide support to senior accountants and management as needed.
  • Other: All other duties assigned.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
  • 1-3 years of accounting experience preferred.
  • Strong understanding of accounting principles and practices.
  • Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, or similar).
  • Advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.
  • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in tax preparation and compliance.
  • Knowledge of industry-specific regulations.

Work Environment:

  • Primarily office-based, with opportunities for collaboration across departments.
  • May involve occasional overtime during peak periods (e.g., month-end close, tax season).

To apply, please email Joy Rierson (joy@neelys.com) with your resume and cover letter. 

Posted in Bookkeeping
PREVIOUS We're Hiring: Receptionist

We’re Hiring: Receptionist

We are looking for a receptionist to join the Neely’s team! This position will be responsible for providing exceptional customer service, managing front-desk operations, and supporting our team. To be successful in this role, you should have previous experience as a receptionist, excellent organization and time management skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.  

Key Responsibilities

  • Front Desk Operations:
    • Greet clients and visitors in a warm and welcoming manner
    • Answer and direct phone calls promptly and efficiently
    • Manage incoming and outgoing mail and packages
    • Maintain a clean and organized reception area
  • Administrative Support:
    • Assist with various administrative tasks, such as filing, copying, and scanning
    • Schedule and manage appointments
    • Coordinate meetings and events
    • Provide general office support to staff as needed
  • Client Services:
    • Respond to client inquiries and requests in a timely and professional manner
    • Assist with client onboarding and offboarding processes
    • Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external clients
  • Other: All other duties assigned.

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • Previous experience in a reception or administrative role, preferably in a professional services environment
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks
  • Positive and professional demeanor

To apply, please email Joy Rierson (joy@neelys.com) with your resume and cover letter. 

Posted in Bookkeeping
PREVIOUS The Benefits of Outsourcing Your Small Business Accounting
NEXT We're Hiring: Staff Accountant

The Benefits of Outsourcing Your Small Business Accounting

Being a small business owner is a rewarding but demanding job that’s not for the faint of heart. You wear many hats and spend your days problem solving and making things happen. Because so many things vie for your attention, it’s easy for details to slip through the cracks. 

One set of details you don’t want to overlook are financial ones. Ineffective financial management can cause a series of mounting issues from inaccurate payroll to huge tax penalties and fines. However, with a never-ending to-do list, it can feel impossible to stay on top of this critical component of your business. But the good news is there’s a simple solution: outsourced accounting.

What is Outsourced Accounting?

Simply put, outsourced accounting is when a business hires an outside accounting professional or firm to manage their accounting and finance tasks. Hiring an accounting professional or firm to handle your books is often an affordable and time-saving strategy for small business owners who need help with the financial side of their business. 

Typical outsourced accounting tasks can include bookkeeping, payroll processing, accounts payable and receivable management, tax preparation and more. Outsourced accounting is that it can be tailored to your needs and look differently for each client. If you’ve ever wished for more hours in the day, then outsourced accounting could be the solution you’re looking for.  

Benefits of Outsourced Accounting for Small Businesses

Outsourced accounting offers a host of benefits for small business owners from time savings, to accuracy, to peace of mind. Let’s dive into the ways outsourced accounting can improve your operations and transform your day-to-day.

  • Outsourced accounting saves you time: Outsourced accounting solves the ever-present problem small business owners face: too much to do and not enough time. You won’t spend hours sweating over accounting tasks, instead a seasoned professional can handle your financial needs efficiently freeing you up to focus on your strengths. 
  • Outsourced accounting saves you money: Typically, outsourced accounting services cost less than hiring and training a full-time employee. When you outsource your accounting needs, you’ll save on salaries, benefits, onboarding investment, and even office space!
  • Outsourced accounting gives you instant expertise: No more sifting through resumes and hoping you hire reliable person to handle sensitive information. Outsourced accounting gives you instant access to experienced experts who have seen it all. They can get to work on your accounting needs right away and always stay updated on the latest tax laws and industry standards.
  • Outsourced accounting gives you access to data security: Reputable firms use secure systems to protect your sensitive financial information. When you choose outsourced accounting, you’ll gain access to these systems and your cybersecurity will immediately enjoy a boost.
  • Outsourced accounting gives you peace of mind: Working with seasoned professionals through outsourced accounting means that you’ll get top-notch accuracy and compliance. You’ll reduce accounting errors and gain peace of mind 

Choose Neely’s for Your Outsourced Accounting Needs

Since 2007, Neely’s has been helping small businesses stay on top of their finances through our outsourced accounting services. Our professional, Roanoke CPAs pride themselves on offering big-city services with a hometown feel. 

Choose what services you need and none of what you don’t. Plus, we’ll never surprise you with unexpected fees.  Our services are bundled at a fixed monthly rate to give you an efficient, well-maintained accounting system at a fair price. At Neely’s we can handle the day-to-day accounting so you can focus on running your business. Contact or visit us today.

Posted in Bookkeeping, Business Finances
PREVIOUS Tax Planning for the New Year: Setting Financial Goals 
NEXT We're Hiring: Receptionist

We’re Hiring: Bookkeeper/Staff Accountant

We are looking for a Bookkeeper/Staff Accountant to work with various clients to prepare payrolls and tax reporting, compile income and expenses, bank reconciliations, sales tax reporting, monthly, quarterly, and year end reporting and income taxes. To be successful in this role, you should have previous experience with bookkeeping, payroll, and QuickBooks.  

Responsibilities

  • Prepares weekly/biweekly payrolls for full-service payroll clients. 
  • Posts payroll information submitted by after the fact payroll clients.
  • Accumulate payroll information for all payroll clients in readiness for weekly, monthly, quarterly, and year end taxes and prepare tax returns electronically.
  • Compiles income from information provided by clients such as check registers, bank statements and cash register tapes in paper or electronic form.
  • Pays bills for full-service bookkeeping clients.
  • Posts expenses from information provided by clients such as check copies, check registers, bank statements, paid invoices, and receipts in paper or electronic form.
  • Reconciles monthly bank statements.
  • Prepares state and city sales tax reports from income provided by clients. Submit sales tax electronically.
  • Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Skills

  • Associate degree in Accounting preferred; 3 years’ experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Strong attention to detail and good analytical skills
  • Able to work independently with minimum supervision
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate with a wide range of people.
  • Excellent work habits, including a willingness to work the hours necessary to complete a task or project, especially when important deadlines cause greater than normal pressures. 
  • Skill in dealing with financial and numeric data. 
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, associates, and management. 
  • Computer skills including Office 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook), QuickBooks and Drake.

Special requirements 

  • Compensated overtime and weekends required during tax season.

To apply, please email Joy Rierson (joy@neelys.com) with your resume and cover letter. 

Posted in Bookkeeping
PREVIOUS 8 Tax Deductions Every Small Business Owner Should Know About
NEXT Tax Scams and How to Protect Yourself

Is Outsourced Accounting a Good Idea (and How to Decide If it’s Right for You)

If you’re a small business owner, it’s likely you feel there aren’t enough hours in the day. Running a small business is demanding. It requires all your expertise, creativity, energy and then some! As you grow, the demands increase and tasks become more complicated, especially your accounting.

That’s why many small business owners opt for outsourced accounting services for their bookkeeping and accounting needs. Engaging an expert CPA company can feel daunting at first, which is why we’ve put together this guide to outsourced accounting. Keep reading to think through the pros and cons of outsourced accounting and feel ready to make the best decision for you.

Pros of Outsourced Accounting

There are many advantages to outsourced accounting, especially if you choose a trusted partner. Not only will you take a time-consuming task off your plate, but you’ll also gain peace of mind knowing that a critical part of your business is handled with professionalism and care.

  1. Gain time: No more burning the midnight oil trying to reconcile your books before payday. With outsourced accounting, you’ll have more time to work on your business, not in your business. 
  2. Save money: This may seem counterintuitive, but outsourced accounting will save you money. Instead of hiring a full-time employee, you only pay for what you need, when you need it.
  3. Increase accuracy: Speaking of full-time, when you work with a professional CPA, they’ll bring years of full-time experience to the job so they can easily keep your records pristine and your financial processes smooth.
  4. Improve cash flow: With the right partner, you’ll always have financial data at your fingertips so you can understand your cash flow and make informed decisions.
  5. Smooth tax season: Tax-time stress will be a thing of the past with outsourced accounting. Your CPA will handle it down to the last detail.

Cons of Outsourced Accounting

Most businesses that opt for outsourced accounting experience more growth and less stress. However, it all comes down to choosing the right partner. Here are a few things to watch out for as you consider hiring a CPA firm to handle your accounting needs.

  1. Security concerns: You’ll share sensitive information with a third party so it’s essential to choose a trustworthy partner for your outsourced accounting needs. A firm with integrity will address your security concerns and share the measures they take to keep your data safe.
  2. Less Control: Whenever you delegate tasks, you hand over some control in getting the task accomplished. This can be a challenge for some entrepreneurs who are used to having a hand in every aspect of their business. However, frequent, and clear communication usually resolves these issues.
  3. Not Local: Choosing a CPA firm in a different area code or time zone from you can add communication obstacles create delays. Choosing a local CPA firm mostly closely resembles having an in-house expert where communication is timely and easy.

How to Decide if Outsourced Accounting is Right for You

Are you an entrepreneur who is ready to gain time, increase peace of mind, and grow your business? Those are all good indicators that outsourced accounting is a good choice for you! But if you’re like us, you’ll want to be thorough. Here are a few specific items to help you decide if outsourced accounting will help you reach your goals.

  1. Consider your business needs: If your business has complex accounting needs, outsourcing is a great, cost-effective choice. Keep in mind that a good partner offers more than just task fulfillment, they also offer expert advice and business consulting.
  2. Evaluate the costs: Compare the costs of outsourcing accounting functions to the costs of hiring in-house staff and investigate billing practices of the firm you’re considering. Do they charge per service or offer a flat-rate monthly billing system?
  3. Research outsourcing firms: Look for outsourcing firms with a track record of success, industry experience, and strong security measures. Be sure to check references and read reviews to ensure that the firm is trustworthy and reliable.

Contact Neely’s Accounting for Expert Roanoke Accounting

If you’re ready to take the leap into outsourced accounting, consider Neely’s Accounting Services. We’ve been helping Roanoke area individuals and business since 2007 with our big-city services and a hometown feel. Thanks to our cutting-edge, secure online platform, you can collaborate with our Roanoke CPAs instantly and always have up-to-date views of your data.  Plus, we’ll never surprise you with unexpected fees.  Our services are bundled at a fixed monthly rate to give you an efficient, well-maintained accounting system at a fair price. 

Let us help you find the best accounting solution for you. Contact us today to get started.

Posted in Bookkeeping, Business Finances
PREVIOUS What's The Smartest Thing to Do with Your Tax Refund?
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6 Tips to Streamline Your Business Expense Management

Tracking business expenses is time-consuming and sometimes downright painful. But it doesn’t have to be. You can fold expense tracking into your daily business processes by implementing the right tools and systems. Use our tips to streamline your expense tracking and effortlessly stay on top of your finances.

Establish a clear expense policy

The first step in managing expenses is to have a clear understanding of what your business will pay for and what it will not. Make a list of approved expenses. Then clearly and consistently communicate that information to your team.

Cultivate company-wide transparency

The best way to make sure your team is on the same page is to communicate about your expense policies often and with transparency. You’ll create an open environment that’s conducive to sharing ideas and providing constructive feedback.

Simplify expense tracking

Invest in a software program that allows employees to take pictures of their receipts, propose requests, and submit reports online. Digitizing your expense tracking makes sharing and storing information simple and stress-free.

Audit your processes consistently

Set aside time each month to audit your expenses so you’ll always have a good idea of your finances. It’s a reliable way to prevent small problems from becoming big complications. Consider using a quality accounting software to make the process even simpler and less time-consuming.

Use company credit cards

Company credit cards are a great way to track of spending, maximize cash flow, and simplify record keeping and reporting. There are many options to choose from including permanent, single-use or set dollar amount cards.

Train Best Practices

Part of clear communication is adequate training. Invest the time to properly train your employees on best accounting practices so you stay up to date on your liquidity.

Need Professional Support?

Neely’s Accounting Services is your dependable, local resource for bookkeeping. Our team of Roanoke CPAs are available in convenient locations around the Roanoke Valley and are ready to provide a full menu of services. Contact or visit us today to learn more about how you can gain time, money and peace of mind with our expert local bookkeeping services.

Posted in Bookkeeping, Business Finances
PREVIOUS Avoid these 5 business tax mistakes
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