Question 1

What is virtual bookkeeping and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Virtual bookkeeping means your bookkeeper manages your financial records entirely remotely — no in-person meetings, no document drop-offs. You share secure access to your QuickBooks account and bank feeds, and we handle all the categorization, reconciliation, reporting, and review calls from our office in Madison, NJ.

Question 2

Do I need to already be using QuickBooks?

Accepted Answer

No. If you're not on QuickBooks Online, we can set it up for you as part of onboarding. If you're on QuickBooks but your books are a mess, we handle the cleanup. If you're on a different platform, we can discuss whether migrating makes sense.

Question 3

My books are behind.  Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and you shouldn't feel embarrassed — catch-up bookkeeping is one of the most common reasons new clients come to us. Whether you're a few months behind or dealing with years of backlog, we work through it systematically.

Question 4

Do you work with clients outside New Jersey?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Mountain Top Bookkeeping provides virtual bookkeeping services nationwide

Question 5

What factors affect the price of bookkeeping services?

Accepted Answer

The main factors are: monthly transaction volume, number of bank and credit card accounts, services included (basic reconciliation vs. full payroll, invoicing, AP/AR management), whether catch-up work is needed, and the bookkeeper's experience and certifications. More transactions, more accounts, and more services mean more time — which means higher cost. A certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor with 20+ years of experience also commands a premium over a generalist, and that expertise pays for itself quickly.

Question 6

What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?

Accepted Answer

A bookkeeper handles the ongoing recording and organization of your financial transactions — the day-to-day work of keeping your books accurate and current throughout the year. An accountant (especially a CPA) handles higher-level work: tax filing, auditing, strategic financial planning, and business advisory. Most small businesses need both — a bookkeeper to keep records clean all year, and an accountant at tax time. In fact, having a bookkeeper often saves you money with your CPA, because clean, organized books mean less billable time during tax preparation.

Question 7

Is it cheaper to outsource bookkeeping or hire someone in-house?

Accepted Answer

Outsourcing is almost always significantly less expensive for small to midsize businesses. An in-house bookkeeper in New Jersey costs $47,000–$60,000 per year in salary alone — before benefits, payroll taxes, equipment, and training. A virtual bookkeeping service delivers the same (or better) level of expertise for a fraction of that cost, with no overhead, no HR headaches, and no coverage gaps when someone calls out sick.
For most small businesses, outsourcing to a virtual bookkeeper saves 50–70% compared to hiring a full-time employee — while giving you access to more experience and better processes.

Question 8

What services does Mountain Top Bookkeeping offer?

Accepted Answer

Our core services include: monthly bookkeeping and transaction categorization, bank and credit card reconciliation, accounts payable management, accounts receivable and invoicing, payroll processing, monthly financial review calls, QuickBooks setup, cleanup, and ongoing management, and business financial consulting.

All services are delivered virtually — no on-site visits required. We serve clients throughout New Jersey and across the country.

Question 9

Do you work with startups or businesses just getting started?

Accepted Answer

Yes — startups are one of our specialties. Getting your books set up correctly from day one prevents expensive cleanup work later. We help new businesses establish their chart of accounts, set up QuickBooks Online, build invoicing workflows, and create financial processes that scale as the business grows.
Starting clean is always easier — and less expensive — than fixing messy books down the road. If you're launching a business in New Jersey, reach out before things get complicated.

Question 10

I'm behind on my books. Can you catch up months (or years) of backlog?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Catch-up bookkeeping is something we handle regularly — and you shouldn't feel embarrassed about it, because you'd be surprised how common it is. Whether you're a few months behind or dealing with years of unreconciled accounts, we work through the backlog methodically, going back as far as needed to get your records accurate and current. Once everything is caught up, we transition you into ongoing monthly bookkeeping so you never fall behind again.

Question 11

Who does Mountain Top Bookkeeping serve?

Accepted Answer

We work with startups, small to midsize businesses, and individuals across New Jersey and virtually nationwide. We're based in Madison, NJ, and serve clients throughout Morris County — including Morristown, Chatham, Summit, Florham Park, Parsippany, and Randolph — as well as clients across the state and beyond. If you run a small business and need reliable virtual bookkeeping, we can help.

Question 12

What exactly does a bookkeeper do for my business?

Accepted Answer

A bookkeeper keeps your financial records accurate and up to date so you always know where your business stands. This includes recording and categorizing every transaction, reconciling your bank and credit card accounts monthly, managing invoices sent to clients, tracking bills from vendors, processing payroll, and generating financial reports. A great bookkeeper also flags problems before they become costly — like suspicious charges on your credit card, overdue invoices that need a follow-up, or expenses that should be billed back to a client.

Question 13

How does virtual bookkeeping work? Do we need to meet in person?

Accepted Answer

No in-person meetings required. Mountain Top Bookkeeping operates fully virtually. You share access to your QuickBooks account and bank feeds, and we handle the work remotely. We connect via email, phone, and scheduled video or phone calls — including a monthly financial review call to walk through your numbers together and answer any questions. We've worked this way with clients throughout New Jersey and across the country for years. Virtual bookkeeping isn't a compromise — it's just how modern bookkeeping works.

Question 14

What does the onboarding process look like?

Accepted Answer

It starts with a free consultation — a no-pressure conversation to learn about your business, your current financial situation, and what you need. From there, we assess your existing books, agree on a scope of services, and set up access to your accounts. If catch-up work is needed, we tackle that first. Once your books are current, we move into a regular monthly rhythm: bookkeeping completed, followed by a review call to discuss your financials and answer any questions you have.

Question 15

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

Book a free consultation at mountaintopbookkeeping.com or call us at (973) 295-6353. There's no obligation and no jargon — just a real conversation about where you are and how we can help. Most clients find that first call a relief, because it turns out the solution is simpler than they expected.We're currently accepting new clients. Spots are limited — if you've been thinking about getting your books in order, now is a great time to reach out.

Question 16

Do I need to use QuickBooks to work with Mountain Top Bookkeeping?

Accepted Answer

QuickBooks Online is our primary platform because it's the most widely used, most integrated, and most CPA-friendly accounting software for small businesses. If you're already on QuickBooks, great — we plug right in. If you're not, we can set it up for you. If you're using a different system, reach out and we can have an honest conversation about whether a migration makes sense for your situation.

Question 17

What does a QuickBooks ProAdvisor do, and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

A QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor has passed Intuit's official certification program and is trained to set up, manage, troubleshoot, and optimize QuickBooks for small businesses. This means your chart of accounts is structured correctly, your categories are consistent, your reports are actually meaningful, and your books are ready for your accountant at tax time — without a big cleanup bill. Jessica Occhino is a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor with over 20 years of hands-on experience. Not all bookkeepers hold this certification, and it makes a real difference in the quality of the work.

Question 18

My QuickBooks is a mess.  Can you clean it up?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and you are not alone. QuickBooks cleanup is one of the most common reasons new clients come to us. Miscategorized transactions, duplicate entries, unreconciled accounts, and accumulated errors from years of DIY bookkeeping are all fixable. We assess the state of your books, create a cleanup plan, and work through the backlog systematically. Once the books are clean and accurate, we put processes in place to keep them that way going forward.The longer messy books go unaddressed, the more expensive the cleanup becomes. If your QuickBooks feels overwhelming, the best time to fix it is now.

Question 19

Will my accountant be able to access my QuickBooks at tax time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. QuickBooks Online makes it easy to grant your CPA or tax preparer access to your books at tax time — no file exports, no emailing spreadsheets, no headaches. Because we keep your books reconciled and categorized throughout the year, your accountant will have everything they need, organized and ready. That typically means fewer billable hours from your CPA at year-end.

Bookkeeping Services for
Small Businesses in New Jersey
Focus on the Business. We'll Handle the Books.

OUR SERVICES

Bookkeeping Packages Tailored to Your Needs

Micro Start-Up

Growing Business

Established Business

Bookkeeping Services in New Jersey and Nationwide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is virtual bookkeeping and how does it work?

Do I need to already be using QuickBooks?

My books are behind. Can you help?

Do you work with clients outside New Jersey?

What factors affect the price of bookkeeping services?

What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?

Is it cheaper to outsource bookkeeping or hire someone in-house?

What services does Mountain Top Bookkeeping offer?

Do you work with startups or businesses just getting started?

I'm behind on my books. Can you catch up months (or years) of backlog?

Who does Mountain Top Bookkeeping serve?

What exactly does a bookkeeper do for my business?

How does virtual bookkeeping work? Do we need to meet in person?

What does the onboarding process look like?

How do I get started?

Do I need to use QuickBooks to work with Mountain Top Bookkeeping?

What does a QuickBooks ProAdvisor do, and why does it matter?

My QuickBooks is a mess. Can you clean it up?

Will my accountant be able to access my QuickBooks at tax time?

Stop Stressing Over Your Books. Start Growing Your Business.

Ready to Take Control of Your Finances?

Bookkeeping Services for Small Businesses in New Jersey Focus on the Business. We'll Handle the Books.

OUR SERVICES

Bookkeeping Packages Tailored to Your Needs

Micro Start-Up

Growing Business

Established Business

Bookkeeping Services in New Jersey and Nationwide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is virtual bookkeeping and how does it work?

Do I need to already be using QuickBooks?

My books are behind. Can you help?

Do you work with clients outside New Jersey?

What factors affect the price of bookkeeping services?

What is the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?

Is it cheaper to outsource bookkeeping or hire someone in-house?

What services does Mountain Top Bookkeeping offer?

Do you work with startups or businesses just getting started?

I'm behind on my books. Can you catch up months (or years) of backlog?

Who does Mountain Top Bookkeeping serve?

What exactly does a bookkeeper do for my business?

How does virtual bookkeeping work? Do we need to meet in person?

What does the onboarding process look like?

How do I get started?

Do I need to use QuickBooks to work with Mountain Top Bookkeeping?

What does a QuickBooks ProAdvisor do, and why does it matter?

My QuickBooks is a mess. Can you clean it up?

Will my accountant be able to access my QuickBooks at tax time?

Stop Stressing Over Your Books. Start Growing Your Business.

Ready to Take Control of Your Finances?

Bookkeeping Services for
Small Businesses in New Jersey
Focus on the Business. We'll Handle the Books.