Frequently Asked Questions

We opened Mitten State Bookkeeping Services, LLC in January 2024.

Yes! Onnilie and her husband own five businesses, so Mitten State Bookkeeping is highly experienced in helping start-ups establish their accounting systems and financial practices.

Yes! We’ve helped several clients transition from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online and assisted with payroll system changes, including switching between Paychex and QuickBooks Payroll. Onnilie has extensive experience with various software implementations, so even if she hasn’t worked with your specific software before, she excels at adapting quickly.

No, we do not handle income taxes directly. However, we collaborate with your CPA to ensure they have everything they need to file your taxes at the end of the year. Your CPA can also review your books throughout the year to determine if tax estimates are necessary. We offer more affordable services than a CPA and provide a clear, ongoing picture of your business’s financial health.

While we are primarily remote and highly responsive via email and phone, we are open to working in your office occasionally. This ensures you have someone available to address any questions or concerns in person.

We reconcile bank and credit card accounts monthly, or as soon as statements are available. This helps us quickly identify any missed transactions. Payroll taxes and sales taxes are reconciled before they are filed.

We use Microsoft OneDrive for secure file transfers. OneDrive employs 256-bit AES encryption for both data at rest and in transit, with continuous security monitoring.
For added security:

• Upload files to OneDrive and share them with specific people (avoid using “Anyone with the link”).
• Consider password protection and encryption for extra protection.

No. Every business has unique needs, and we charge a flat rate per hour. We provide detailed invoices outlining the work performed and the time spent on each task.
While we don’t require a monthly commitment, we may request that a block of hours be purchased upfront. This can help manage your expenses. Any unused hours can be carried over or refunded if the working relationship ends before they are fully used.

No, we offer a free initial review, spending one to two hours assessing your books and financial records, as well as discussing your pain points. Once we have a clear game plan, we’ll outline the next steps and costs before starting billable work.

Here’s a list of other businesses owned by Onnilie and her husband:

• West Michigan Technology Services, LLC (WMTS) – A Managed Service Provider/IT Consultant serving small and medium-sized businesses in the Grand Rapids area.
• West of the Creek, LLC – Co-ownership of the building at 25 N Park St, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544, which houses office and warehouse space.
• Little Leaf Farms, LLC / Little Leaf Microgreens, LLC – A business that grows and distributes microgreens to local restaurants, farmers markets, and via home subscriptions.
• Podcast Studio – Rick built a podcast studio at 25 N Park St, NW, which we rent out by the hour.
• Mitten State Bookkeeping Services, LLC – That’s us!

We don’t view our other businesses as competitors, and we always strive to provide excellent service to all clients.