Question 1

What is the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?

Accepted Answer

Think of bookkeeping and accounting as two important steps in managing your business finances.

Bookkeeping is like keeping a detailed diary of all your business transactions. It’s all about accurately recording the cash flowing in and out of your business.
Accounting takes things a step further. After bookkeepers record the transactions, accountants step in to organize this information according to accounting standards (like following a set of “rules”). They then create reports that show you what these numbers mean for your business and offer advice on what actions you might want to consider.

So, in simple terms, bookkeeping is like putting together the pieces of a puzzle, and accounting is like completing the puzzle and showing you the full picture. Accounting helps you understand how your business is doing and guides you on the best next steps.

Without accounting, it’s hard to see the full story of how your business is performing.

Question 2

Why does every accounting and finance firm say they will help me grow my business and make better decisions? I haven’t had that experience?

Accepted Answer

You might notice that many accounting and finance firms promise to help you grow your business and make better decisions. That’s because good accounting and finance practices are supposed to do exactly that—they’re the bedrock of sound business decisions.

But here’s the catch: Not all accounting and finance professionals are created equal. Some may do bookkeeping only which is only part of the puzzle.  Others may provide you with financial statements, but not review them with you, which is  unhelpful if you don’t understand what those statements are telling you.  Others may simply not be accurate and therefore confusing - or only done a few times a year which is too late to be helpful.

At Ablaze, we do things differently. We’re all about your journey as a founder. Our approach combines bookkeeping, accounting, and finance strategies tailored just for you. We don’t just hand you reports; we meet with you to turn those numbers into insights you can use. We coach and teach you to understand what you’re seeing so you can build your financial skills over time.

Question 3

Why do I need to learn about accounting and finance when I have hired you to do it?

Accepted Answer

We get it—running a business means you’re constantly learning and growing. When we say we want you to learn about accounting and finance, it’s not because we expect you to become an accountant or finance person or play in spreadsheets with us all day. It’s because we want you to feel confident and informed when discussing your finances.

As Warren Buffet puts it, “Accounting is the language of business, and you have to be as comfortable with that as you are with your own native language to really evaluate businesses.”

At Ablaze, our goal is to partner with you in a way that helps you understand your financial statements, so you’re not left in the dark during meetings with us, investors, or the bank. We’ll help you learn the basics of this “language” so you can make educated decisions and feel confident about your business’s financial health.
In short, we want you to be empowered, not just supported..

Question 4

Will hiring Ablaze be too expensive for my small business?

Accepted Answer

We understand that cost is a big consideration for any business. That’s why we offer pricing tailored to the size and complexity of your business. Our goal is to ensure you get the right amount of attention and support at each step without breaking the bank.

Our services are designed to be a smart investment by enhancing your financial management, helping you grow and uncovering cost-saving opportunities. In fact, many of our clients find that the savings we help them identify in their first year often cover the cost of our services—especially when we handle both business and personal finances.

Typically, our services cost between three and six percent of your annual revenue. During our initial consultation, we’ll dive into the specifics of your business so we can propose a fee that fits your needs and budget.

Question 5

Can you help if I am having cash flow difficulties or am in debt?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, we can help! While some firms might prefer to work only with “well-capitalized” businesses, at Ablaze, we embrace the challenge of working with businesses facing cash flow issues or debt.

We understand that tight cash flow and debt can be incredibly stressful, but we’re here to provide the support and tools you need to turn things around. With your commitment to prioritizing resources and getting the right help, we can work together to navigate these tough spots.

We’ve successfully guided clients through similar challenges and are confident we can do the same for you. Let’s tackle this together and find a path forward!

Question 6

Do you charge by the hour?

Accepted Answer

At Ablaze, we simplify things with a single monthly payment that covers all your recurring services as outlined in your Statement of Work (SOW). Most of the work we do will be included in this regular fee.

Sometimes, you might request something outside of our usual services. To cover these occasional needs, we ask for a retainer when you sign your SOW. Rest assured, we’ll always let you know if a request falls outside of your regular services, and we’ll discuss any additional costs beforehand—no surprise bills here!

For these extra services, we typically charge by the hour. However, for larger projects, we might offer a lump-sum price, which we’ll agree on together before we start.

Question 7

You talk about doing business and personal financials? Will you just do personal or just do business?

Accepted Answer

We can absolutely handle just business or just personal finances if that’s what you need. However, we really enjoy working on both together because it gives you a complete view of all your finances. As a founder, your business and personal finances are closely connected, and managing them together often provides the most accurate picture.

If you prefer, we can start by focusing on your business finances and then add personal financial services later on. This approach works well and ensures we’re meeting your needs as your situation evolves.

Question 8

How can I be sure Ablaze's services will improve my financial situation? So many firms all say the same thing…

Accepted Answer

We understand that it can be tough to choose a firm when so many make similar promises. At Ablaze, our track record is a testament to the results we deliver. Our clients have seen real improvements in their financial health, and we’re proud of the positive impact we’ve made.

We don’t just make promises; we back them up with regular performance reviews to ensure you’re seeing the results you expect. Building a business is a journey, and we’re committed to keeping you informed about where we are and where we’re headed. Together, we’ll set clear goals and work towards them step by step.

You’ll always know how things are progressing and can trust that we’re dedicated to helping you achieve the financial improvements you’re looking for.

Question 9

Why should I work with Ablaze instead of using an in-house team?

Accepted Answer

Great question! While an in-house team becomes essential as your business grows and becomes more complex, working with Ablaze offers several unique benefits, especially in the earlier stages of building your company.

By partnering with us, you gain access to a wide range of accounting and finance services, expertise, and strategic tools that are too costly to develop internally while you're still growing. We work closely with you and your existing team to enhance your financial operations and ensure everything is running smoothly.

As your business scales and approaches gross revenues of $5M to $10M, we’ll start discussing transitioning to a hybrid in-house and Ablaze model. We’ll support you through this transition and continue working alongside you as your in-house team develops, ensuring a smooth shift to a fully in-house setup when the time is right.

In short, we provide the comprehensive support you need now and help guide you through the transition to an in-house model as you continue to grow.

Question 10

Do you do taxes?

Accepted Answer

While we don’t directly handle taxes ourselves, we work closely with expert tax professionals who do! Accounting and tax services are two different specialties in the world of finance. It’s a bit like asking your brain surgeon to perform heart surgery—both are skilled surgeons, but you want the right expert for each specific need.

Tax services cover three core areas: income taxes, sales taxes, and payroll taxes. Depending on your business, you might need just income tax support, or you might need help with all three.

If you need tax assistance, we’re more than happy to refer you to the right experts and collaborate with them to ensure you get the best support possible.

Question 11

Are you a financial planner?

Accepted Answer

No, financial planning is a specialized field that requires its own licensing. Financial planners focus on helping you determine how much you need to save for retirement, plan for major life events like college and insurance needs, and create trusts to protect your assets. They analyze your assets — such as cash, investments, real estate, and business values—to figure out how much more you should save and where to invest that money.

They provide guidance like, “You need to save $X each month to reach your retirement goals.” Our role is to help you identify where to find that money in your current business and personal cash flows.

In contrast, we specialize in managing day-to-day budgets and cash flows for founders and their businesses. If you need a referral to a financial planner, we’d be happy to connect you with a trusted professional and collaborate with them as part of our service.

Question 12

Are you a CPA firm?

Accepted Answer

We’re not a CPA firm because we don’t provide audit, review, or tax services, which involve professional rules, regulations and standards.

Traditional CPA services include:

Audits: Detailed examinations of financial statements to ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.
Reviews: Analytical procedures offering limited assurance on the accuracy of financial statements.
Tax Services: Preparation, filing, and strategic planning for taxes.

While Amy held her CPA license in California and Colorado early in her career, it is now inactive because she no longer performs these compliance-focused services. However, the knowledge and skills from her CPA background continue to benefit our clients.

At Ablaze, we specialize in managing day-to-day financial accounting, cash flows, operations, budgeting, and strategic financial insights tailored to founders and their finances. For audit, review, or tax services, we partner with skilled CPA professionals and can assist you in selecting the right firm for your needs.

Question 13

How will my financial data be secured and confidential with Ablaze?

Accepted Answer

Your data security is our top priority. We use advanced encryption and security protocols to keep your information safe. Our team follows strict confidentiality agreements and industry best practices to ensure that your data remains secure and private. You can trust that your financial information is handled with the utmost care and protection.

Question 14

Can I have a Non-Disclosure Agreement before I speak with you?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We can provide our own NDA, or we’re happy to sign yours if you prefer. Additionally, our standard Statement of Work includes our Standard Terms and Conditions, which also cover privacy and confidentiality. Just let us know at any point during the process if you'd like to execute an NDA, and we’ll be glad to accommodate.

Question 15

Another firm said they could help me but they couldn’t figure out my accounting. Can you help me clean up my books?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, cleaning up accounting records is one of our specialties! Amy has a superpower for getting things in order when others can’t. We’ve successfully assisted several clients who faced challenges with previous firms. If you’re having trouble with your accounting records, reach out to us—we’d love to see if we can help get things back on track.

Question 16

You mention going back to January 1 of the current year to start the bookkeeping and accounting. Can you go back farther than that if I need help?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, we can go back further if needed! Keep in mind, though, that this can be time-consuming and might be more costly than routine work because the further back we go, the more data may be missing and the work becomes more investigative and forensic.

However, if you're ready to make the investment and work with us to sort things out, we’re more than happy to help. We actually enjoy clean-up work because it’s satisfying to resolve historical issues and alleviate the stress that founders feel about their records. Plus, having accurate historical data is crucial for future growth, especially when investors or lenders review your business, or if you face an audit.

The sooner we can get everything in order, the better positioned you’ll be for success.

Question 17

Why should I trust Ablaze after past negative experiences with other providers?

Accepted Answer

We completely understand your hesitation, and we often work with clients who’ve faced similar challenges with other providers. At Ablaze, we prioritize building strong, trust-based relationships from the start. Our personalized approach is designed to address your specific concerns and deliver transparent, reliable service.

We believe in getting to know each other well from the beginning so we can quickly determine if we’re a good fit. If you’re unsure, we encourage you to speak with our existing clients to hear firsthand about the positive impact we’ve made for them. Our goal is to provide the support and clarity you need to move forward with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?

Why does every accounting and finance firm say they will help me grow my business and make better decisions? I haven’t had that experience?

Why do I need to learn about accounting and finance when I have hired you to do it?

Will hiring Ablaze be too expensive for my small business?

Can you help if I am having cash flow difficulties or am in debt?

Do you charge by the hour?

You talk about doing business and personal financials? Will you just do personal or just do business?

How can I be sure Ablaze's services will improve my financial situation? So many firms all say the same thing…

Why should I work with Ablaze instead of using an in-house team?

Do you do taxes?

Are you a financial planner?

Are you a CPA firm?

How will my financial data be secured and confidential with Ablaze?

Can I have a Non-Disclosure Agreement before I speak with you?

Another firm said they could help me but they couldn’t figure out my accounting. Can you help me clean up my books?

You mention going back to January 1 of the current year to start the bookkeeping and accounting. Can you go back farther than that if I need help?

Why should I trust Ablaze after past negative experiences with other providers?

There are no foolish questions and no man becomes a fool until he has stopped asking questions.
CHARLES PROTEUS STEINMETZ

"

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?

Why does every accounting and finance firm say they will help me grow my business and make better decisions? I haven’t had that experience?

Why do I need to learn about accounting and finance when I have hired you to do it?

Will hiring Ablaze be too expensive for my small business?

Can you help if I am having cash flow difficulties or am in debt?

Do you charge by the hour?

You talk about doing business and personal financials? Will you just do personal or just do business?

How can I be sure Ablaze's services will improve my financial situation? So many firms all say the same thing…

Why should I work with Ablaze instead of using an in-house team?

Do you do taxes?

Are you a financial planner?

Are you a CPA firm?

How will my financial data be secured and confidential with Ablaze?

Can I have a Non-Disclosure Agreement before I speak with you?

Another firm said they could help me but they couldn’t figure out my accounting. Can you help me clean up my books?

You mention going back to January 1 of the current year to start the bookkeeping and accounting. Can you go back farther than that if I need help?

Why should I trust Ablaze after past negative experiences with other providers?

There are no foolish questions and no man becomes a fool until he has stopped asking questions. CHARLES PROTEUS STEINMETZ

"

There are no foolish questions and no man becomes a fool until he has stopped asking questions.
CHARLES PROTEUS STEINMETZ