Accountant and bookkeeper in Columbus, OH
Online bookkeeping, catch-up books, payroll support and tax-ready financials for small businesses in Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, Hilliard and Grove City — at a flat $15 per hour.
Columbus levies a municipal income tax on wages and net business profits, which employers must withhold and businesses must file separately from Ohio state returns.
Accounting services for Columbus businesses
Monthly bookkeeping
Every transaction categorized and every account reconciled, with financial statements by the 15th for Columbus businesses.
Open →OH14.2Catch-up bookkeeping
Months or years behind? We rebuild the books from bank statements and get you current before tax season.
Open →OH14.3Columbus payroll support
Payroll set up through Gusto, ADP or QuickBooks Payroll with Ohio withholding and any Columbus local requirements handled.
Open →OH14.4Sales and local tax tracking
Ohio sales tax and Columbus-area local taxes tracked and reconciled every month.
Open →OH14.5QuickBooks and Xero
Setup, cleanup and monthly bookkeeping in QuickBooks, Xero or whichever software you use.
Open →OH14.6Tax-ready books
Year-end close and a complete package for your CPA or Enrolled Agent.
Open →Columbus industries we work with
Insurance & financial services
Insurance & financial services is one of Columbus's core sectors. We set up the chart of accounts, reports and tax tracking around how these businesses actually operate.
Logistics
Logistics is one of Columbus's core sectors. We set up the chart of accounts, reports and tax tracking around how these businesses actually operate.
Retail
Retail is one of Columbus's core sectors. We set up the chart of accounts, reports and tax tracking around how these businesses actually operate.
Online firm vs a local Columbus accountant
An honest comparison. A local Columbus firm is the better choice if you want face-to-face meetings or need a CPA to sign your return — we are the better fit if you want affordable, Excel-strong bookkeeping done remotely.
| Jay Excel Expert & Accounting | Typical local firm | |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | $15 per hour, written estimate before work starts | Set by each firm — varies by city, credentials and service level |
| How you meet | Video calls and screen share scheduled in Eastern time | In-person meetings at their office are usually possible |
| Local tax knowledge | Columbus-specific rules tracked in your books — e.g. Columbus levies a municipal income tax on wages and net business profits | Day-to-day familiarity with local agencies and rules |
| Excel & reporting | In-house Excel experts: custom reports, dashboards and automated reconciliations | Usually standard reports from the accounting software |
| Accounting software | QuickBooks, Xero, Zoho Books, FreshBooks, Wave, Sage, NetSuite or Excel | Many firms standardize on one or two systems |
| Cover when someone is away | Team of 19 specialists across time zones | Depends on the size of the firm |
| Tax returns & IRS representation | Not offered — we prepare tax-ready books for your CPA or Enrolled Agent | Offered by firms with CPAs or Enrolled Agents |
| Audits & attest work | Not offered | Licensed CPA firms only |
Columbus accounting FAQ
We are an online accounting and bookkeeping firm serving Columbus and the surrounding area — Dublin, Westerville, Hilliard, Grove City — entirely through cloud software and video calls scheduled in Eastern time. You get the same work as a local firm, usually faster, at $15 per hour.
Columbus levies a municipal income tax on wages and net business profits, which employers must withhold and businesses must file separately from Ohio state returns. We track these in your books alongside Ohio state requirements.
We charge $15 per hour wherever you are. Most small Columbus businesses need somewhere between a few hours and a couple of days of bookkeeping a month, and you get a written estimate before we start.
We are an accounting and bookkeeping firm, not a CPA firm, so we do not sign or file returns. We prepare tax-ready books and local tax schedules for your CPA or Enrolled Agent and coordinate with them directly.
Need a spreadsheet fixed, automated or built? See our Excel experts in Columbus. For state-wide rules, see accountant in Ohio.
Get a free quote from a Columbus accountant
Reply from Jay within one business day with a written scope and an estimate of hours at $15 per hour. No obligation.
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Books you can trust, for Columbus businesses
Twenty minutes, no obligation. You leave the call with a written estimate at $15 per hour.