Accountant and bookkeeper in Milwaukee, WI
Online bookkeeping, catch-up books, payroll support and tax-ready financials for small businesses in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, West Allis, Brookfield and Waukesha — at a flat $15 per hour.
Milwaukee added its own city sales tax in 2024, on top of the Milwaukee County and Wisconsin state rates, so point-of-sale and bookkeeping setups need the right combined rate.
Accounting services for Milwaukee businesses
Monthly bookkeeping
Every transaction categorized and every account reconciled, with financial statements by the 15th for Milwaukee businesses.
Open →WI30.2Catch-up bookkeeping
Months or years behind? We rebuild the books from bank statements and get you current before tax season.
Open →WI30.3Milwaukee payroll support
Payroll set up through Gusto, ADP or QuickBooks Payroll with Wisconsin withholding and any Milwaukee local requirements handled.
Open →WI30.4Sales and local tax tracking
Wisconsin sales tax and Milwaukee-area local taxes tracked and reconciled every month.
Open →WI30.5QuickBooks and Xero
Setup, cleanup and monthly bookkeeping in QuickBooks, Xero or whichever software you use.
Open →WI30.6Tax-ready books
Year-end close and a complete package for your CPA or Enrolled Agent.
Open →Milwaukee industries we work with
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is one of Milwaukee's core sectors. We set up the chart of accounts, reports and tax tracking around how these businesses actually operate.
Healthcare
Healthcare is one of Milwaukee's core sectors. We set up the chart of accounts, reports and tax tracking around how these businesses actually operate.
Food & beverage
Food & beverage is one of Milwaukee'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 Milwaukee accountant
An honest comparison. A local Milwaukee 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 Central time | In-person meetings at their office are usually possible |
| Local tax knowledge | Milwaukee-specific rules tracked in your books — e.g. Milwaukee added its own city sales tax in 2024 | 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 |
Milwaukee accounting FAQ
We are an online accounting and bookkeeping firm serving Milwaukee and the surrounding area — Wauwatosa, West Allis, Brookfield, Waukesha — entirely through cloud software and video calls scheduled in Central time. You get the same work as a local firm, usually faster, at $15 per hour.
Milwaukee added its own city sales tax in 2024, on top of the Milwaukee County and Wisconsin state rates, so point-of-sale and bookkeeping setups need the right combined rate. We track these in your books alongside Wisconsin state requirements.
We charge $15 per hour wherever you are. Most small Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee. For state-wide rules, see accountant in Wisconsin.
Get a free quote from a Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee businesses
Twenty minutes, no obligation. You leave the call with a written estimate at $15 per hour.