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Bookkeeping & Financial Records
Q: Do I need QuickBooks or accounting software?
A: No. Cook Solutions LLC offers both QuickBooks Online and customized workbook-based bookkeeping solutions. The best option depends on your business structure, transaction volume, number of financial accounts, reporting needs, and existing records.
Businesses that already use QuickBooks Online can receive QBO setup, cleanup, reconciliation, and ongoing bookkeeping support. For businesses that don't need accounting software, a customized financial workbook can provide an organized and cost-effective alternative without requiring a software subscription.
Q: Do you provide QuickBooks Online services?
A: Yes. Cook Solutions LLC provides QuickBooks Online setup, cleanup, reconciliation, organization, and ongoing bookkeeping support. As a QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor, I can review existing QBO records, correct bookkeeping issues, reconcile accounts, organize the Chart of Accounts, verify balances, and help establish an accurate bookkeeping system moving forward.
Q: Can you reconstruct prior-year bookkeeping, even if I'm years behind?
A: Yes. Bookkeeping cleanup and historical reconstruction are specialized services offered by Cook Solutions LLC. Whether you're missing several months or multiple years of financial records, available documentation can be reviewed to determine what is needed to rebuild and organize the applicable financial periods.
Depending on the condition of your existing records, cleanup or reconstruction may be completed within QuickBooks Online or through a customized financial workbook.
Q: Can you rebuild my records if I don't have bookkeeping software?
A: Absolutely. Bookkeeping software is not required for financial record reconstruction. Records can be rebuilt using available documentation such as bank and credit card statements, payment processor reports, invoices, receipts, prior tax documents, and other supporting records.
When QuickBooks Online isn't necessary or an existing accounting file isn't available, a customized financial workbook can be created to organize the reconstructed activity. Depending on your needs, this may include transaction records, reconciliations, income and expense summaries, Schedule C organization, owner activity, financial summaries, and customized reporting.
Q: What documents are needed for bookkeeping cleanup or reconstruction?
A: The documents required depend on your business, the condition of your existing books, and the period being reviewed. Common records include bank and credit card statements, payment processor reports, invoices, receipts, prior tax returns, payroll or contractor records, loan documentation, and existing bookkeeping reports or spreadsheets.
For QuickBooks Online cleanup projects, access to the existing QBO company file and supporting financial statements may also be needed. After an initial review, you'll be provided with a list of the records required for your specific project.
Q: Do you offer ongoing bookkeeping as well as cleanup and reconstruction?
A: Yes. Cook Solutions LLC provides ongoing bookkeeping as well as one-time cleanup and historical reconstruction services.
Ongoing bookkeeping can be maintained through QuickBooks Online or a customized workbook-based system, depending on the needs of your business. Cleanup and reconstruction are designed for businesses whose previous financial records need to be corrected, reconciled, completed, or rebuilt before accurate ongoing bookkeeping can continue.
Q: What is included in a customized financial workbook?
A: Each financial workbook is designed around the specific needs of the business rather than using a one-size-fits-all template. Depending on your needs, a workbook may include detailed transaction records, income and expense categorization, monthly reconciliations, Schedule C organization, owner contributions and draws, financial summaries, charts, accounts receivable or payable tracking, and other business-specific reporting.
Custom financial workbooks may be used as part of workbook-based bookkeeping or reconstruction services, or developed as a standalone financial tracking and reporting system.
Q: What is the difference between QuickBooks cleanup and bookkeeping reconstruction?
A: QuickBooks cleanup is generally appropriate when financial activity already exists within QuickBooks Online but needs to be reviewed, corrected, reconciled, or reorganized.
Bookkeeping reconstruction may be necessary when financial records are significantly incomplete, missing, or unreliable and historical activity needs to be rebuilt using source documentation such as bank statements, credit card statements, invoices, receipts, and payment processor reports.
The appropriate approach depends on the condition and completeness of your existing records, and some projects may involve elements of both cleanup and reconstruction.
Tax Preparation & Amendments
Q: Do you prepare tax returns?
A: Yes. Cook Solutions LLC provides federal and applicable state tax preparation services for individuals, self-employed professionals, and small business owners. Services are customized based on each client's filing situation and may include current-year and prior-year tax return preparation.
Q: Can you prepare prior-year tax returns?
A: Yes. If you have one or more unfiled prior-year tax returns, Cook Solutions LLC can help organize the information needed and prepare applicable federal and state returns. If business financial records are incomplete or disorganized, bookkeeping cleanup or reconstruction may also be completed before the return is prepared.
Q: Can you prepare amended tax returns?
A: Yes. Cook Solutions LLC can prepare federal and applicable state amended tax returns when a previously filed return needs to be corrected. Depending on the situation, this may involve reviewing the original return, identifying missing or incorrectly reported information, reconstructing or reconciling financial records, and preparing applicable supporting documentation or explanation statements.
Q: Can you help if I've received an IRS notice?
A: Yes. Cook Solutions LLC provides assistance with certain IRS notices. Services may include reviewing the notice and related tax information, identifying discrepancies, reviewing or reconstructing financial records when necessary, and preparing supporting documentation or written responses.
The services available depend on the type of notice, the tax issue involved, and whether the matter falls within the services Cook Solutions LLC is able to provide.
Q: Do you work with both individuals and small business owners?
A: Yes. Tax preparation services are available to individuals, self-employed professionals, and small business owners. Because every tax situation is different, your circumstances and available records will be reviewed before the scope of work and applicable pricing are determined.
Q: What if my business records aren't ready for tax preparation?
A: That's okay. If your bookkeeping is incomplete, inaccurate, or significantly behind, Cook Solutions LLC can review your available financial records and determine whether bookkeeping cleanup or reconstruction is needed before tax preparation begins.
Depending on your situation, this may involve correcting existing QuickBooks Online records, completing historical reconciliations, or reconstructing financial activity from bank statements, credit card statements, payment processor reports, invoices, receipts, and other supporting documentation.
Q: Are you a CPA?
A: No. Cook Solutions LLC is not a CPA firm. Tax preparation services are provided by the owner of Cook Solutions LLC, who holds an active IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Cook Solutions LLC also specializes in bookkeeping, QuickBooks Online services, financial record cleanup and reconstruction, tax preparation and amendments, certain IRS notice assistance, and business organization services.
Q: Can you represent me before the IRS?
A: Representation rights before the IRS depend on the tax professional's credentials and the circumstances involved. As a PTIN holder who is not a CPA, attorney, or Enrolled Agent, Cook Solutions LLC does not provide unrestricted representation before the IRS.
Cook Solutions LLC can assist with certain IRS matters by reviewing notices and tax information, organizing or reconstructing financial records, preparing supporting documentation, and assisting with written responses when appropriate. If your situation requires representation beyond the services available through Cook Solutions LLC, you may need to work with a CPA, attorney, Enrolled Agent, or other professional with the appropriate representation authority.
Business Systems & CRM
Q: What is business systems and CRM organization?
A: Business systems and CRM organization focuses on creating more organized and efficient ways to manage customer information, business records, and day-to-day administrative processes. Services may include organizing customer and lead records, improving CRM structure, developing workflows and follow-up processes, organizing digital files, creating tracking systems, and improving the tools your business already uses.
Q: Can you help set up or clean up an existing CRM?
A: Yes. Cook Solutions LLC can assist with new CRM setup as well as cleanup and organization of existing systems. Services may include reviewing your current setup, cleaning and organizing customer or lead information, creating or restructuring fields and categories, organizing sales stages or pipelines, developing follow-up processes, and improving the overall structure of your CRM.
Q: Do you provide ongoing CRM management?
A: Yes. In addition to initial setup and cleanup projects, ongoing CRM support is available for businesses that need continued help maintaining their system. Services can include customer and lead organization, data updates, pipeline maintenance, follow-up tracking, system organization, and other administrative CRM tasks based on your business needs.
Q: What CRM platforms do you work with?
A: Services can be customized around a variety of CRM and business management platforms, including systems such as HubSpot, Jobber, and Zoho. If your business uses another platform, contact Cook Solutions LLC with the name of the system and what you're trying to accomplish so we can determine whether the requested services can be provided.
Q: Can you migrate customer information from spreadsheets or another system?
A: Yes. Data organization and migration may include consolidating customer and lead information from spreadsheets, documents, existing CRM systems, accounting records, and other business sources. Records can be reviewed, cleaned, standardized, and organized before being transferred into a new or existing business system.
Q: Can you organize Google Workspace or Microsoft 365?
A: Yes. Cook Solutions LLC can help organize business information within Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. Depending on your needs, services may include folder and file organization, shared document structures, spreadsheets, templates, forms, tracking systems, and other administrative resources designed to make business information easier to locate, maintain, and use.
Q: Do you create workflows and SOPs?
A: Yes. Business organization projects can include developing workflows, process documentation, checklists, templates, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). These resources can help establish consistent processes, reduce repetitive administrative work, clarify responsibilities, and make everyday business operations easier to follow.
Q: Do I need to purchase a new CRM or business system?
A: Not necessarily. In many cases, your existing software and business tools can be reorganized or improved without adding another platform. Cook Solutions LLC can review the systems you're currently using and help determine whether they can be better organized or whether a different solution may better fit your business needs.
Getting Started
Q: How do I know which service I need?
A: You don't need to know before contacting Cook Solutions LLC. Simply describe what you're trying to accomplish or the problem you're experiencing when you submit your inquiry. We'll review the information you provide and help determine which service or combination of services may be appropriate for your situation.
Q: Do you work with clients outside Michigan?
A: Yes. Cook Solutions LLC is based in Michigan and provides remote services to clients nationwide. Availability of certain tax services may depend on the state and specific filing requirements involved.
Q: How do I request a quote or project estimate?
A: Start by contacting Cook Solutions LLC and providing a brief description of your business, situation, and the services you're interested in. We'll review your inquiry and determine what additional information, records, or access may be needed to evaluate the anticipated scope of work.
When applicable, a preliminary review will be completed to gather the information needed to prepare a customized quote or project estimate for your review before services begin.
Q: What happens after I submit an inquiry?
A: After your inquiry is received, we'll review the information you've provided and follow up if additional information is needed. Depending on the service, this may include requesting documents, reviewing existing financial records, or obtaining access to a bookkeeping or business system.
Once enough information is available to determine the anticipated scope of work, you'll receive the recommended services and applicable pricing or project estimate for your review before deciding whether to move forward.
Q: Is there a charge for the preliminary review or quote?
A: There is no charge to submit an initial inquiry or request information about services. When a preliminary review is needed to determine the anticipated scope of work and prepare an estimate, you'll be informed of the process before any paid services begin.
Q: How do I securely send documents?
A: Please do not send tax returns, Social Security numbers, banking credentials, account numbers, passwords, or other sensitive financial information through the initial inquiry form or standard email. The initial inquiry is intended only to help us understand what services you may need. If documents or account access are required, instructions for securely providing the necessary information will be provided after your inquiry is reviewed.
Q: Will work begin as soon as I submit an inquiry?
A: No. Submitting an inquiry does not authorize paid services to begin. When applicable, the anticipated scope of work and customized quote or project estimate will be provided for your review before services begin. Any required service agreement, authorization documents, retainer, or initial payment must also be completed before work begins.
Q: Do you offer consultations before I become a client?
A: Yes. Cook Solutions LLC offers a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to briefly discuss your needs, answer general questions about available services, and determine appropriate next steps. More detailed review of financial records, tax documents, bookkeeping files, or business systems may require a preliminary review before a scope of work or estimate can be provided.
Still Have Questions?
If you don’t see your question answered here, contact Cook Solutions LLC and tell us a little about what you need help with. We’ll review your inquiry and let you know the appropriate next steps.
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