Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a CPA and a regular accountant?

While all CPAs are accountants, not all accountants are CPAs. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) has met rigorous state education and experience requirements and passed the Uniform CPA Exam. Crucially, only CPAs can perform audits and represent you before the IRS in all matters.

How do you charge for your services?

We offer flexible pricing models depending on your needs. For routine bookkeeping and payroll, we typically provide fixed monthly value-based pricing. For specialized consulting, tax planning, or one-time projects, we may use hourly rates or project-based fees. We believe in transparency—no “surprise” bills.

What industries do you specialize in?

While we serve a diverse range of clients, we have deep expertise in Manufacturing, service based (Medical practices, law firms, IT services), real estate and Tech Startups. This allows us to provide industry-specific tax credits and benchmarking.

Should I structure my business as an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp?

The “best” structure depends on your growth goals, liability needs, and how you want to be taxed. For many small businesses, an S-Corp can save thousands in self-employment taxes, while an LLC offers simplicity. We provide a full “Entity Selection Analysis” to help you decide.

Why should I choose monthly accounting over year-end tax prep?

If we only see your numbers in April, it’s too late to save you money for the previous year. Monthly accounting gives you real-time visibility into your cash flow and allows us to perform proactive tax planning throughout the year, ensuring you never overpay.

Can you help me with my QuickBooks/Xero setup?

Yes! We are certified. We don’t just “do the books”; we help you set up automated workflows to reduce manual data entry and ensure your financial data is accurate from the start.

What documents do I need to provide to get started?

For new clients, we typically need your last two years of tax returns, your current year-to-date financial statements (Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet), and access to your cloud accounting software. We provide a secure, digital checklist through our client Portal to make this easy.

How can I reduce my tax liability this year?

Tax preparation is looking backward; tax planning is looking forward. We look at strategies like maximizing 401(k) or SEP-IRA contributions, utilizing R&D tax credits, Section 179 depreciation for equipment, and strategic timing of income and expenses.

What happens if I get an IRS audit notice?

Don’t panic. As your CPAs, we can represent you. We will handle all correspondence and meetings with the IRS on your behalf, ensuring your rights are protected and the process is handled professionally.

How do you protect my sensitive financial data?

We take security seriously. We use 256-bit encrypted Client Portals for all document transfers—we never recommend sending sensitive files via standard email. Our systems also utilize multi-factor authentication (MFA) and are hosted on SOC-compliant servers.

Can we work together remotely?

Absolutely. While we love meeting clients in person, we are a cloud-forward firm. We use online meetings, digital signatures for all filings, and cloud-based accounting platforms so we can collaborate with you from anywhere in the country.

What is NetSuite ERP, and why should growing businesses choose it?

NetSuite is a cloud-based, all-in-one ERP platform that integrates financial management, accounting, inventory, order management, CRM, and more into a single real-time system. For mid-sized and growing companies, it replaces fragmented tools (like QuickBooks + spreadsheets) with scalable, audit-ready financials, multi-entity consolidation, and advanced reporting—ideal for businesses preparing for audits, funding rounds, or international expansion.

Why work with a CPA firm for NetSuite implementation instead of a general consultant?

Unlike pure tech consultants, a CPA firm brings deep accounting expertise to ensure your NetSuite setup aligns with US GAAP, tax compliance (e.g., sales/use tax, 1099s, multi-state nexus), internal controls, and audit requirements. We configure accurate financial workflows, proper chart of accounts, revenue recognition rules, fixed assets depreciation, and reporting that supports CPA-prepared financial statements—reducing post-go-live rework and compliance risks.

How long does a typical NetSuite implementation take?

Timelines vary by scope, but most mid-market implementations take 3–6 months for core financials and basic operations.

  • Simple/single-entity setups: 90–120 days (often using NetSuite SuiteSuccess accelerators).
  • Complex/multi-entity or custom needs: 6–12 months.
    We use a phased approach (discovery → design → build → test → deploy → support) to minimize disruption, with go-live often scheduled during slower business periods.
What is included in your NetSuite implementation services?

Our comprehensive process includes:

  • Discovery & requirements gathering (business process review)
  • System design & configuration (chart of accounts, workflows, approvals)
  • Data migration & cleansing (historical financials, open AR/AP)
  • Custom reporting & dashboards (GAAP-compliant P&Ls, cash flow, tax-ready data)
  • Integrations setup
  • User training & role-based access
  • Testing (UAT, parallel runs)
  • Go-live support & post-launch optimization
    We also provide ongoing managed services, compliance reviews, and financial advisory.
Can NetSuite handle multi-entity and multi-currency operations?

Yes—NetSuite excels at this. We specialize in configuring subsidiaries, intercompany transactions, eliminations, consolidated reporting, and currency revaluations to support US-based companies with domestic or international subsidiaries.

What common mistakes do companies make during NetSuite implementation, and how do you avoid them?

Common pitfalls include poor data quality, insufficient planning, rushing go-live, underestimating training, and ignoring accounting best practices. We mitigate these through thorough discovery, clean data migration, iterative testing, CPA-led configuration, and phased rollouts with strong change management.

Do you offer ongoing support after go-live?

Yes. Many clients retain us for managed accounting services, where our CPA team handles month-end close, reporting, compliance, and continuous optimization—ensuring NetSuite evolves with your business.

How do I get started with a NetSuite implementation?

Contact us for a free consultation. We’ll review your current systems, pain points, and goals, then provide a tailored scope, timeline, and estimate. No obligation—just expert guidance from CPAs who understand both accounting and technology.

What specific tasks are included in AR and AP data entry outsourcing?
  • AP Data Entry: Invoice scanning/capture, data extraction (via OCR where possible), validation against POs/receipts, coding to general ledger, duplicate checks, and entry into ERP/accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP).
  • AR Data Entry: Invoice creation/input, remittance advice processing, payment application to customer accounts, dispute notation, aging report updates, and customer data maintenance.
    Services often include reconciliation support, exception handling, and secure file transfers.
Why outsource AR and AP data entry instead of handling it in-house?

Manual data entry is time-consuming, error-prone, and costly—especially for growing volumes of invoices or payments. Outsourcing reduces errors (often achieving 99%+ accuracy), cuts labor costs by 30–60%, eliminates hiring/training overhead, and scales easily with business needs. It frees your finance team for higher-value tasks like cash flow forecasting, vendor negotiations, and compliance reviews.

What is data entry outsourcing for AR and AP?

Data entry outsourcing involves delegating the manual or semi-automated capture, input, validation, and processing of AR and AP-related data to a specialized third-party provider. For AP, this includes entering invoice details (vendor, amount, date, PO matching, GL codes); for AR, it covers customer invoices, payment remittances, cash application, and aging data. Providers use secure tools, OCR automation, and quality checks to ensure high accuracy while your team focuses on analysis and strategy.

What specific tasks are included in AR and AP data entry outsourcing?
  • AP Data Entry: Invoice scanning/capture, data extraction (via OCR where possible), validation against POs/receipts, coding to general ledger, duplicate checks, and entry into ERP/accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP).
  • AR Data Entry: Invoice creation/input, remittance advice processing, payment application to customer accounts, dispute notation, aging report updates, and customer data maintenance.
    Services often include reconciliation support, exception handling, and secure file transfers.
Do you offer ongoing support beyond basic data entry?

Yes—many clients expand to full AP/AR managed services, including invoice approval workflows, payment processing, collections follow-up, reconciliations, reporting, and exception management. We provide customizable packages, performance dashboards, and dedicated account managers for continuous optimization.

What are the common challenges with in-house AR/AP data entry, and how does outsourcing solve them?

Challenges include high error rates from manual input, staff burnout/turnover, seasonal backlogs, compliance risks, and delayed month-end closes. Outsourcing addresses these with specialized teams, automation tools, 24/7 scalability, consistent quality, and faster processing—leading to improved cash flow, fewer disputes, and stronger vendor/customer relationships.

Can outsourced data entry integrate with our existing accounting/ERP system?

Absolutely. Providers support seamless integration with popular platforms like QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, Xero, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, NetSuite and others via APIs, secure file imports (CSV/XML), or direct entry. This ensures real-time updates and eliminates double entry.

How long does it take to set up AR/AP data entry outsourcing?

Setup usually takes 4–8 weeks: initial consultation, process mapping, secure access setup, pilot testing with sample data, staff training/handover, and full transition. We use phased rollouts to minimize disruption, starting with high-volume or repetitive tasks.

How much can a business save by outsourcing AR and AP data entry?

Savings typically range from 40–60% on labor and overhead compared to in-house processing. This includes reduced staffing costs, no benefits/recruitment expenses, lower error-related rework, and faster capture of early payment discounts (AP) or reduced Days Sales Outstanding (AR). ROI is often realized within months, especially for businesses processing 500+ invoices/payments monthly.

How accurate is outsourced data entry, and how are errors prevented?

Top providers achieve 99%+ accuracy through multi-layer quality controls: automated validation rules, double-entry verification, AI/OCR for initial capture, and human review for exceptions. We implement strict SLAs, regular audits, and compliance with US GAAP/tax standards to minimize risks like duplicate payments or misapplied cash.

Do you offer ongoing support beyond basic data entry?

Yes—many clients expand to full AP/AR managed services, including invoice approval workflows, payment processing, collections follow-up, reconciliations, reporting, and exception management. We provide customizable packages, performance dashboards, and dedicated account managers for continuous optimization.

How do I get started with AR/AP data entry outsourcing?

Contact us for a free, no-obligation assessment. We’ll review your current volume, processes, pain points, and systems, then deliver a tailored proposal with scope, pricing (often per-invoice or per-transaction), timeline, and projected savings. Pilot programs are available to demonstrate value quickly.

J&R Accounting Group LLC FAQ's

Empowering business growth through expert accounting and innovative financial solutions.

Contact us:
210 N Hammes Ave STE 112

Joliet IL 60435
Phone: (855) 270-1120
Fax: (815) 725-4050
tax@jracct.com