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TradeBuilt Accounting
Bookkeeping, tax, and advisory services for contractors and trade businesses in Long Beach, the South Bay, and Greater Los Angeles. Fill out the form and we'll take it from there.
What We Do
Monthly bookkeeping with flat-rate pricing. Catch-up work for books that are months or years behind. Business and personal tax returns. Tax planning and strategy. We do both the books and the taxes, which means nothing gets missed when it matters most.
Who We Work With
General contractors, electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, landscapers, roofers, cleaning companies, and other service-based businesses across Long Beach, the South Bay, and Greater LA. We focus on the trades because that's what we know best.
What Happens Next
Fill out the form and we'll reach out within one business day. We'll ask about your business, review your current situation, and give you a straightforward quote. No pressure and no obligation.
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Licensed CPA • 10+ Years Experience • Trade Business Specialists
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You Can Also Call or Text: (562) 738-7344
Any of This Sound Familiar?
Problems we see in nearly every trades business we start working with.
No Books to Speak Of
A lot of contractors run their business without any real bookkeeping. Maybe a spreadsheet, maybe nothing at all. We set up clean books from scratch and keep them current every month so you always know where the business stands.
Leaving Money on the Table
When your books are a mess, deductions get missed. Material costs, equipment, mileage, subcontractor payments. We track everything throughout the year so nothing falls through the cracks when it's time to file.
The Annual Tax Scramble
Every year it's the same routine. Tax deadline is approaching and you're scrambling to pull something together. With monthly bookkeeping, your financials are ready when tax season arrives. No panic, no overpaying.
No Clear Answers
Should I buy that truck? Can I afford another crew? What did we actually make on that last job? Without accurate books, those questions are impossible to answer. We give you the numbers to make real decisions.
Receipts Everywhere
Job sites, truck gloveboxes, email inboxes. Expenses end up scattered all over the place. We put a simple system in place and handle all the categorizing and reconciling so nothing gets lost.
IRS Letters and Notices
Getting mail from the IRS is never fun. Whether it's a notice, an audit, or an unfiled return, we deal with them directly so you don't have to sit on hold or try to figure out what they're asking for.
Why Work With Us
Trades businesses generate serious revenue but rarely get serious financial support.
CPA, 10+ Years
Michael Garr is a licensed CPA with over a decade of hands-on accounting experience. He's spent his career working with family-operated and small businesses. You get senior-level expertise without big-firm overhead.
Based in Long Beach
Our office is in Long Beach. We serve contractors and trades businesses across the South Bay and Greater Los Angeles. You work directly with Michael, not a rotating cast of junior staff.
Built for the Trades
We work exclusively with blue collar service businesses. Construction companies, plumbers, electricians. We know the patterns in your books because we see them every day.
Not Just Data Entry
We don't just record transactions and send you a report. When you have a question about buying equipment, hiring, or planning for next quarter, we help you think it through with real numbers.
Our Services
Bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial guidance for trades businesses.
Full-Service Bookkeeping
Transaction categorization, bank and credit card reconciliation, and monthly reporting. We handle the books so you can focus on the job site.
Catch-Up Bookkeeping
Cleaning up and bringing current past months or years of bookkeeping. We rebuild your records from bank statements, receipts, and whatever else you have so your books are accurate and current.
Bill Payment
We manage your accounts payable so every bill gets tracked, scheduled, and paid on time. Up to 50 bills per month.
Invoicing
We track what customers owe you, apply payments as they come in, and provide accounts receivable reports so you always know where your money stands.
Payroll System Setup & Training
We set up your payroll system correctly from the start and walk you through how to run it yourself. You get a working system and the confidence to use it without calling for help every pay period.
QuickBooks Online Setup & Training
Get QuickBooks Online configured for your trade or service business and learn how to use it properly. We set up your chart of accounts, connect your banks, and walk you through the basics.
Business Tax Returns
Annual federal and state business tax return preparation with all required schedules. We know trade and service businesses, so nothing gets missed.
Personal Tax Returns
Individual federal and state tax return preparation including all income sources, deductions, and credits. Built for trade and service business owners whose personal and business finances overlap.
IRS Tax Representation
When the IRS sends a notice or starts asking questions, you don't have to deal with them yourself. We step in with power of attorney and handle the communication, negotiation, and resolution on your behalf.
Tax Audit Support
Assistance during IRS or state audits with document preparation, response drafting, and guidance through the audit process.
Tax Strategy
Proactive tax planning to minimize what you owe through entity structure, timing, deductions, and retirement strategies. Planning ahead beats scrambling in April.
External Controller
A second set of eyes on your books. We review and oversee the work your in-house team is doing, catch errors before they compound, and make sure your financial reports actually reflect reality.
Budgeting & Cash Flow Forecasting
Creating budgets and projecting cash flow so you can plan for expenses, spot shortfalls before they hit, and make decisions based on real numbers.
Fractional CFO
Part-time CFO-level support for your trade or construction business. Cash flow forecasting, financial analysis, and strategic planning without the full-time salary.
Common Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often from business owners.
How much does bookkeeping cost?
Monthly bookkeeping starts at $200. Your rate depends on your total monthly expenses. We'll look at your situation and give you an exact number before any work begins.
My books are a mess. Can you fix them?
Yes. We do catch-up work to bring everything current and accurate, whether you're a few months behind or a few years behind. We'll assess the scope and give you a project price upfront.
Will clean books actually save me money on taxes?
In most cases, yes. We regularly see contractors and trade businesses missing deductions because their records are incomplete or disorganized. Keeping clean books throughout the year means we capture every eligible expense and make smarter tax decisions before year-end, not after.
Is there a contract?
No. Our bookkeeping service is month-to-month. You can cancel anytime if it's not the right fit.
How do I send you documents?
We use a secure portal for document uploads. It's simple and we'll walk you through everything during onboarding. You can also email documents directly if that's easier.
Do we need to meet in person?
Not required. Most of our clients work with us remotely over phone, email, and video calls. If you're in the Long Beach or South Bay area and prefer to meet face to face, we can arrange that too.
What accounting software do I need?
We work in QuickBooks Online. If you don't have it set up yet, we'll get you started and make sure everything is configured correctly for your business.
What do I need to do each month?
Very little. Grant us access to your bank feeds and upload any receipts we can't pull automatically. Most clients spend less than 15 minutes a month on their end. We handle everything else.
Do you handle payroll?
We offer payroll system setup and hands-on training so you can run payroll on your own going forward. We'll configure everything, walk you through the process, and make sure you're comfortable before handing it off. Setup starts at $300.
Do you handle tax returns too?
Yes. We prepare both business and personal tax returns. Because we already maintain your books, your return is based on accurate financials and every deduction is accounted for. Business returns start at $1,200 and personal returns start at $500.
How quickly do you respond to questions?
We get back to you within one business day, usually sooner. This isn't a hands-off relationship. If you have a question about buying a truck or taking on a big job, we want to help you think through it.
How soon can you start?
Usually within a few days of our first conversation. If your books need cleanup, we start there. If they're current, we move straight into monthly service.
Long Beach's CPA for Contractors and Trades
The Next Step:
A Quick Conversation
Tell us about your business and where you need help. We'll ask a few questions, let you know what we can do, and give you a quick quote.