Frequently asked questions

Yes. Dunham Bookkeeping Services is based in Merriam, Kansas, and works virtually with small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals across the United States. Some tax-preparation services are limited by state-specific requirements.

You do not need to diagnose the problem before reaching out. Start by describing what is happening, what records or systems are involved, and what you need help accomplishing. I’ll determine whether the best starting point is ongoing bookkeeping and accounting, cleanup, specialized support, tax preparation, or a diagnostic review.

Schedule a consultation for bookkeeping, accounting, cleanup, payroll, sales tax, nonprofit support, or another specialized accounting need.

For individual, business, or nonprofit tax return preparation, submit the tax quote request form instead. The form collects the information needed to review the filing requirements and provide the appropriate next step.

I’ll review the information you provide and let you know whether I need any additional details. Depending on the service, the next step may be a consultation, a diagnostic review, a written proposal, or a tax-preparation quote.

No work begins until the scope, pricing, responsibilities, and required records have been explained and approved.

QuickBooks Online is the primary accounting platform I support. I also work with payroll systems, payment processors, practice-management software, and other platforms that connect to the accounting records.

I am not currently accepting new clients who want to remain on Wave or Freshbooks.

Yes. Ongoing bookkeeping and accounting services are generally provided for a fixed monthly fee.

Pricing depends on the number of accounts, transaction volume, reporting needs, payroll or sales-tax activity, connected systems, tracking requirements, and the condition of the existing books. Your written proposal will clearly explain what is included.

The exact scope varies by client, but monthly services may include transaction categorization, bank and credit-card reconciliations, financial statements, review of unusual activity, and plain-English reporting.

Payroll, sales tax, accounts receivable, accounts payable, nonprofit fund tracking, custom reporting, and other specialized services may be included when listed in the engagement.

Yes. Cleanup and catch-up accounting may include correcting reconciliations, duplicate transactions, missing activity, inaccurate balances, misclassified transactions, payroll entries, payment processors, loans, and other accounting issues.

Some projects can be quoted after an initial conversation. More complex situations may require a paid diagnostic review before the full scope can be determined.

The timeline depends on how far behind the books are, the number of accounts and transactions involved, the condition of the records, and how quickly requested information is provided.

After reviewing the situation, I’ll explain the estimated timeline, priorities, and any deadlines that may affect the project.

Payment terms depend on the service. Monthly accounting, cleanup projects, tax preparation, and specialized work may use different billing schedules.

Your proposal or engagement letter will explain the fees, payment timing, any required deposit, and whether recurring billing applies before work begins.

Routine questions related to the services included in your engagement can generally be handled by email. The level of support depends on the scope of the service.

Extended research, advisory work, training, meetings, or questions outside the agreed scope may require a separate appointment or additional fee. Email and text support are not unlimited unless that is specifically stated in the engagement.

Yes. A signed engagement letter is required before work begins.

The agreement identifies the services included, each party’s responsibilities, pricing and payment terms, document requirements, deadlines, and any important limitations. Additional services may require an updated agreement or separate proposal.

Rush work may be available depending on the project, records provided, existing deadlines, and current capacity, but it is not guaranteed.

An expedited fee may apply when a project must be prioritized ahead of previously scheduled work. I’ll confirm whether the requested deadline is realistic before accepting the engagement.

I prepare individual, sole-proprietor, partnership, S corporation, corporation, and nonprofit tax returns. I also assist with prior-year, unfiled, and amended returns when the work falls within my scope.

The tax quote request form collects the information needed to identify the returns and filing years involved.

Possibly, but the accounting records may need to be reviewed or corrected before the return can be prepared accurately.

Minor adjustments may be handled during tax preparation. More significant bookkeeping problems, unreconciled accounts, missing activity, or unreliable balances may require a separately quoted cleanup or diagnostic review first.

I prepare federal and multistate returns for many clients, but I am not currently accepting tax-preparation work that requires a California or Oregon return. Those states have additional preparer registration, licensing, and fee requirements outside my current scope.

If California or Oregon is involved, I’ll let you know whether I can prepare any separate federal or other-state filings or whether another preparer would be a better fit.

Tax documents and sensitive financial information should be submitted through the secure upload links provided during the engagement.

Please do not send Social Security numbers, account numbers, identity documents, or complete tax records through regular email. I’ll provide clear instructions for the forms and uploads required for each person, business, and filing year.