CleanupScope: Scope & Pricing Calculator for Historical Bookkeeping

First potential client call — need advice on cleanup pricing + what to cover at the meetup

I’d separate the monthly bookkeeping price from the cleanup. They are different jobs. For the cleanup, don’t price it like “a little extra onboarding.” January through now means you’re reconstructing several months of work before the normal monthly rhythm even exists. If $180/month is already a discounted starting rate, the cleanup should probably be its own fixed project or a clear range, not silently bundled in. Before you give the number, I’d ask for enough access/info to scope it: - bank/credit card accounts involved - number of statements/months - how many transactions need coding or matching - whether there are loans, fuel cards, toll accounts, settlements, reimbursements, cash payments, etc. - whether prior books exist or you’re starting from messy statements - what deadline she actually needs For the meeting, bring a simple agenda more than a stack of materials: 1. What business does, how money comes in, how expenses are paid 2. What software you recommend and why 3. What access/documents you need 4. What is included monthly vs cleanup vs extra work 5. Your communication rhythm: when reports are ready, how questions get handled, what you need from her each month I’d avoid apologizing for your price because you’re new. You can say something like: “The monthly bookkeeping is $180/month. The cleanup is separate because it covers January through June and I need to bring everything current before monthly work starts.” If you’re worried the cleanup quote will scare her off, give options: full cleanup now, or cleanup through a specific month first, but don’t make the discount so deep that your first client teaches you to resent the work. Needle: monthly bookkeeping price from the cleanup

I’d separate the monthly bookkeeping price from the cleanup. They are different jobs. For the cleanup, don’t price it like “a little extra onboarding.” January through now means you’re reconstructing several months of work before the normal monthly rhythm even exists. If $180/month is already a discounted starting rate, the cleanup should probably be its own fixed project or a clear range, not silently bundled in. Before you give the number, I’d ask for enough access/info to scope it: - bank/credit card accounts involved - number of statements/months - how many transactions need coding or matching - whether there are loans, fuel cards, toll accounts, settlements, reimbursements, cash payments, etc. - whether prior books exist or you’re starting from messy statements - what deadline she actually needs For the meeting, bring a simple agenda more than a stack of materials: 1. What business does, how money comes in, how expenses are paid 2. What software you recommend and why 3. What access/documents you need 4. What is included monthly vs cleanup vs extra work 5. Your communication rhythm: when reports are ready, how questions get handled, what you need from her each month I’d avoid apologizing for your price because you’re new. You can say something like: “The monthly bookkeeping is $180/month. The cleanup is separate because it covers January through June and I need to bring everything current before monthly work starts.” If you’re worried the cleanup quote will scare her off, give options: full cleanup now, or cleanup through a specific month first, but don’t make the discount so deep that your first client teaches you to resent the work. Needle: monthly bookkeeping price from the cleanup