Frequently Asked Questions
What types of businesses do you serve?
We primarily work with small businesses in and around Hercules and West Contra Costa that need help organizing their bookkeeping, payroll administration support, or QuickBooks Online setup and cleanup.
What is included in monthly bookkeeping?
Monthly bookkeeping typically includes transaction review and categorization, bank and credit-card reconciliations, general-ledger maintenance, chart-of-accounts review, monthly profit-and-loss and balance-sheet reports, and tracking month-end questions or issues so your records stay organized.
What is the difference between monthly bookkeeping and cleanup?
Monthly bookkeeping focuses on keeping current records organized going forward. Cleanup is a one-time project to bring overdue or disorganized books up to date, correct past issues, and prepare a clean starting point for ongoing monthly work.
Do you prepare or file tax returns?
Global Expert Systems focuses on bookkeeping and coordination. Tax returns are not prepared or filed unless the work is handled by an appropriately licensed or registered professional under a separate written agreement.
How does payroll administration support work?
We help you organize recurring payroll responsibilities using your approved payroll platform. That can include reviewing time and compensation inputs, supporting your payroll-processing workflow, organizing payroll reports, and coordinating bookkeeping entries and questions with your platform or tax professional. You remain responsible for approving payroll and employment decisions.
Can you set up or clean up QuickBooks Online?
Yes. We can help review or organize your QuickBooks Online settings, chart of accounts, bank feeds, and basic workflows, and provide training so you or your team can follow a repeatable monthly routine.
How is pricing determined?
Pricing depends on factors like the number of accounts, transaction volume, how current and organized your records are, and which services you need. Final scope, pricing, and timing are confirmed after we review your situation together.
How long does onboarding take?
Onboarding time varies by client. Simple, current records may take a short setup period, while more complex or overdue records may require a longer cleanup phase before regular monthly work begins. We outline an estimated timeline after reviewing your information.
How should clients send sensitive documents?
We do not recommend sending sensitive documents through a general contact form or email attachment. When documents are needed, we provide separate instructions or a more secure method for sharing files.
What happens during the free health check?
During the free bookkeeping and payroll health check, we review a sample of your current records and processes, discuss your goals and pain points, and outline whether monthly bookkeeping, cleanup, payroll support, or QuickBooks help may be a good fit.
Can I work with GES if my CPA already handles taxes?
Yes. Many clients keep their existing CPA or tax professional. We focus on organizing your books and coordinating bookkeeping questions so your tax professional receives clearer records and reports.
Do you require a long-term contract?
Engagement terms depend on the service. Some work is project-based, such as cleanup or QuickBooks setup, while ongoing monthly bookkeeping and payroll support are typically structured as recurring services. We review terms with you before you decide to move forward.