The Lesson I Learned from a $3,000 Clean-up Project

Working in bookkeeping means you get a front-row seat to the chaos that often hides behind beautiful brands. That was exactly the case with a recent $3,000 clean-up project for a talented floral designer here in Northwest Arkansas.

She’s a genius with flowers—her arrangements were stunning. Her social media? On point. But behind the scenes?

Her QuickBooks Online account was an absolute mess.

When Beauty Meets Bookkeeping Chaos

The project started with one goal: clean up her accounts payable so she could get her financials ready for tax season. But the deeper we looked, the more problems we found:

❌ Mismatched payments
❌ Duplicate bills
❌ Missing vendor records
❌ No clear system to manage purchases

She had done her best—but like many service-based business owners, bookkeeping wasn’t her thing. And her CPA gave her the common advice we hear all too often:
“Go get a bookkeeper—your books aren’t usable.”

The Power of a Clean-Up

Over the course of the project, we rebuilt her vendor records, matched every payment properly, and created a system she could maintain moving forward. By the end of it, not only were her books clean…

We helped reduce her tax liability by nearly $15,000. 💥

Why? Because with clear books, her CPA could now identify valid deductions, properly track expenses, and confidently defend her return.

The Real Lesson

The big win wasn’t just the $15K saved on taxes.
It was the relief on her face when she finally had clarity.

For the first time, she knew what she owed, what she paid, and how to stay organized moving forward.

That’s the power of doing business right.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a bookkeeping clean-up?
A clean-up involves reviewing and correcting errors in your financial records—often from months or years of disorganization.

Who needs a clean-up?
If your books are behind, messy, or your CPA says they’re unusable, you need a clean-up—especially before tax season.

How much does a clean-up cost?
Projects vary, but most DBR clean-ups range from $1,500–$6,000+ depending on complexity.

Can QuickBooks Online help avoid future clean-ups?
Yes. With proper setup and regular support, QBO can keep your books accurate and up-to-date.

Don't Wait Until It's a Mess

If your books feel overwhelming or your CPA is pushing back...

📅 Book your free call with Dr. Bryan Raya today
Let’s clean things up—and get you back to focusing on what you do best.

Let’s start Doing Business Right.

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