Let us take bookkeeping off your hands.
Serving as an extension of your team, we have the ability to take on all of your bookkeeping needs.
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We Speak Your Language
Services
Manage all of your business finances from a single place with our comprehensive bookkeeping packages.
Invoicing
Create and send invoices with ease. Automatically remind clients of past due invoices so you get paid faster.
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Expense Management
Streamline your expense reimbursements with as little or as much review as you’d like. Completely automate your expense management!
Learn moreCash Flow
Up to date financials increasing your financial intelligence. Understand how your decisions impact your business.
Learn moreMonthly Financials
Stay up to date on your sales, expenses and profitability of your company
Learn moreQuickBooks Setup
New to QuickBooks or migrating from desktop? Get your file setup by a QuickBooks Certified Pro Advisor.
Learn more360 Degree View Of Your Financials
We use state of the art technology. With the accounting software programs we manage sales and expenses by keeping track of daily business transactions. We use technology to invoice customers, pay bills, generate reports for planning and tax filing, and more. Providing a view of your financials on the go. We offer our clients a peace of mind by keeping them updated with their financials status.
You can focus on growing your business while we take care of your books. Find a solution for your business.
Why Steph’s Bookkeeping Service
Experience
We have over 25 years of experience in the bookkeeping space. Stephanie has her bachelor’s degree in Accounting and is a QuickBooks Pro Advisor
Tech Savvy
We are using the latest cloud platforms to deliver a seamless experience. We attend continuing education, so we are always providing our customers with the latest and greatest that technology has to offer.
Flexible Pricing
All our engagements are customized to fit your unique needs, so you only pay for the services you require.
Flexibility
Enjoy the benefits of variables costs vs the fixed costs of employee. With an outsourced team, services are provided on demand. You feel you’re getting behind on invoicing? We can help you get caught up.
Invested in your Success
If you’re successful, then we’re successful.
Systems Driven
Our company is systematic, and process driven. While on the surface, you will not notice but there are a lot of moving parts in the background to ensure we are delivering on what we promise.
Problems We Solve
Accounting System Inefficiencies
Migration from spreadsheets to the QuickBooks Accounting Platform
Creating an effective solution for capturing financial data
Cash Flow Issues
Billing clients on a regular basis
Understanding how much money you owe to debtors
Profitability
Understanding your margins
Know if you are making money
Reducing Fraud Risk
We enter the transaction. You approve and pay it.
Business Capacity
Excellent solution when you are in between employees OR can’t justify the cost of an employee.
Outsourced bookkeeping services allow you to use as much or as little as you need. No more paying an employee to stand around.
Focus on your Core Business
Small business owners should be focusing on their core business. Leave the data entry and report generating to us. Every minute you spend entering a transaction is a minute you’re not improving your business.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Frequently Asked Questions About Outsourced Bookkeeping
Get answers to the most common questions professional services firms ask about outsourcing their bookkeeping.
How much does outsourced bookkeeping cost compared to hiring in-house?
Hiring a full-time, in-house bookkeeper in the U.S. typically costs $75,000–$90,000+ per year when you factor in salary, benefits, payroll taxes, software, and office space. Outsourced bookkeeping services generally range from $500 to $2,500 per month depending on your transaction volume and complexity. For professional services firms with $1MM–10MM in revenue, outsourcing can save 40–60% compared to an in-house hire while providing access to an entire team of experts rather than a single employee.
What bookkeeping services are included when I outsource?
A comprehensive outsourced bookkeeping engagement typically includes: transaction recording and categorization, bank and credit card reconciliation, accounts payable and receivable management, monthly financial statements (profit & loss, balance sheet, cash flow), payroll processing, sales tax filing, and ongoing financial reporting. At Steph’s Books, we customize each package to fit your firm’s specific needs so you only pay for what you use.
Will I lose control of my books if I outsource?
No. You maintain full ownership and access to your QuickBooks Online or accounting software at all times. Your outsourced bookkeeping team works inside your existing system as authorized users. You can review your books, run reports, and check balances whenever you want. We serve as an extension of your team, not a replacement for your financial oversight.
Is my financial data secure with an outsourced bookkeeper?
Reputable outsourced bookkeeping providers use bank-level encryption, secure cloud platforms like QuickBooks Online, multi-factor authentication, and strict access controls to protect your data. At Steph’s Books, we follow industry best practices for data security and confidentiality, ensuring your financial information is protected at every step.
What happened to Bench Accounting, and how do I avoid the same risk?
Bench Accounting, a popular automated bookkeeping service, abruptly shut down in December 2024, leaving over 11,000 businesses scrambling to access their financial records. The shutdown highlighted the risks of relying on proprietary platforms maintained by a single company. To protect your business, choose a bookkeeping provider that works within standard platforms you own (like QuickBooks Online), combines technology with human expertise, and ensures you always have full access to and ownership of your data.
How long does it take to switch to an outsourced bookkeeper?
Most professional services firms can be fully onboarded within 1–2 weeks. The process involves connecting your financial accounts, reviewing your current chart of accounts, understanding your specific reporting needs, and establishing communication workflows. If you need historical cleanup or catch-up bookkeeping, that may take additional time depending on how far behind your records are.
Should I use AI-only bookkeeping software or a human bookkeeper?
The most effective approach is a hybrid model that combines AI automation with professional oversight. AI excels at routine transaction categorization and data entry, but it can miscategorize complex transactions, miss tax optimization opportunities, and create compliance risks. Professional services firms with multiple revenue streams, project-based billing, and complex expense categories benefit most from having experienced bookkeepers who use technology to increase efficiency while applying expert judgment where it matters.
How does outsourced bookkeeping help professional services firms specifically?
Professional services firms—including law firms, consultancies, marketing agencies, and IT companies—face unique bookkeeping challenges like project-based revenue tracking, time-and-materials billing, contractor payments, and client trust accounting. An experienced outsourced bookkeeper understands these nuances and can provide accurate project profitability reports, proper revenue recognition, and industry-specific financial insights that help you make better business decisions.
What should I look for when choosing an outsourced bookkeeping provider?
Key factors to evaluate include: experience with your industry, use of standard platforms you own (not proprietary software), transparent pricing without hidden fees, a dedicated team rather than a rotating pool of contractors, strong security practices, clear communication processes, and the ability to scale services as your business grows. Ask for references from businesses similar to yours and verify their expertise with QuickBooks or your preferred accounting platform.
Can outsourced bookkeeping scale as my business grows?
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of outsourced bookkeeping is scalability. Unlike an in-house hire where you pay the same salary during slow periods and need to recruit again during growth spurts, outsourced services can flex with your business. As transaction volume increases, your provider can allocate additional resources. During slower months, you are not paying for idle capacity. This variable cost model is especially valuable for professional services firms with seasonal fluctuations in client work.
Schedule Bookkeeping Services for Chicago IL Small Businesses
Let Steph's Books take bookkeeping off your hands. Forever.
With Steph’s Books, you get real people that are invested in growing your business every day. We are confident in our ability to streamline the operations and bookkeeping side of your business. With expert bookkeepers who are reliable, caring, and resourceful, you can trust our team.
Call (815) 271-5646 or Get a Quote
