Foley Bookkeeping Service in Baltimore: Fixed-Rate Monthly Packages for Small Business Owners

Foley Bookkeeping Service is a solo bookkeeper operating in the Baltimore area who manages month-end close, accounts receivable and payable, and tax-ready financial statements for small businesses and independent contractors on a fixed monthly fee. The service targets owner-operated businesses too large to manage their own books but too small to justify a full-time controller, and operates at the opposite end of the spectrum from large CPA firms that require minimum annual fees.

What Foley Bookkeeping Actually Offers

Foley provides bookkeeping only—not tax preparation, payroll processing, or accounting consulting. The service handles transaction entry, account reconciliation, monthly trial balance, and preparation of financial statements in QuickBooks Online. For businesses already using QuickBooks, Foley integrates into the existing setup; for those using spreadsheets or no system at all, setup and training are included in the onboarding package. Foley does not file tax returns or offer strategic advice on business structure or deductions. That work remains the responsibility of a business's accountant or CPA.

Services and Pricing

Foley charges fixed monthly rates based on transaction volume. A business with fewer than 100 monthly transactions pays $400 per month; 100 to 250 transactions cost $600; 250 to 500 transactions cost $900. Businesses exceeding 500 monthly transactions should contact Foley for a custom quote. These rates are current as of early 2024; confirm directly before engagement. The fixed-fee model eliminates surprise invoices and allows small business owners to budget predictably.

Onboarding includes QuickBooks Online setup (or migration from another system), historical data entry for up to three months prior, and a one-hour orientation on the monthly close calendar and what records Foley will need from the business each month. There is no additional setup fee; onboarding is included in the first month of service.

How Foley Compares to Other Baltimore Bookkeeping Options

Baltimore has two main categories of bookkeeping providers: independent bookkeepers and CPA firms offering bookkeeping as an ancillary service. Independent bookkeepers like Foley typically charge $400 to $800 monthly and operate one or two persons; CPA firms usually require annual engagements starting at $2,500 to $5,000 and often bundle bookkeeping with tax prep or consulting. Large firms offer audit readiness and broader compliance oversight; independent bookkeepers offer lower cost and flexibility for straightforward reconciliation and statement work.

Some Baltimore bookkeepers charge hourly ($35 to $65 per hour), which creates unpredictable monthly costs if a business has seasonal volume spikes or data organization issues. Foley's fixed rate transfers that risk to the bookkeeper, not the client. For a business that generates 200 transactions per month, hourly billing at $50 per hour could run $400 to $600 depending on efficiency, whereas Foley's model guarantees $600 flat. This trade-off favors owners who cannot predict their monthly hours and prefer certainty.

A business that uses a payroll processor (such as Guidepoint or ADP) and a separate bookkeeper should expect Foley to handle only the bookkeeping; payroll reconciliation is included, but payroll setup and processing are not. If a business needs weekly payroll support and bookkeeping combined, a larger firm offering both may reduce friction, though likely at higher cost.

Who This Service Suits and Who It Does Not

Foley is right for owner-operated businesses with 1 to 15 employees, monthly gross revenues between $50,000 and $500,000, and clean transaction sources (bank feeds, invoicing software, expense receipts). The service works well for consulting firms, home service businesses, e-commerce sellers, and professional practices. It requires that the business owner supply supporting documents monthly and be available for clarifications.

Foley does not suit businesses that need ongoing strategic accounting guidance, complex multi-entity structures, or monthly profit-and-loss analysis. Very large businesses or those with significant intercompany transactions should use a full-service CPA firm or controller service. Businesses that do not have a business bank account or that comingle personal and business expenses will require extra cleanup work and should discuss pricing adjustments with Foley upfront.

What the First Engagement Involves

A prospective client should email or call Foley with a brief description of the business, current transaction volume (or a sample), and what system they currently use to track finances. Foley will request the last three months of bank statements and a list of accounts currently in use (or a general chart of accounts if starting fresh). A 20-minute call will clarify the scope and confirm pricing.

Once engaged, the business provides monthly bank statements and a folder of invoices, expense receipts, and payroll records by the 10th of the following month. Foley closes the books, reconciles all accounts, and delivers the financial statement within 10 business days. The ongoing cadence is monthly; no quarterly or annual meetings are required unless the client requests a review.

Hours, Contact, and Logistics

Foley operates by email and phone during business hours, Monday through Friday. There is no office location for client visits; all work is digital. Records can be delivered by email, cloud folder, or secure portal; Foley will advise on the method after the first call.

Foley Bookkeeping Service is the practical choice for Baltimore small business owners who need consistent, predictable bookkeeping without the cost of a CPA firm or the variability of hourly billing.