If QuickBooks feels “set up but still messy,” you’re not alone. A Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor is a professional trained and tested by Intuit to configure, optimize, and run QuickBooks the way owners actually manage a business—clean books, reliable payroll, decision-ready reports. Why choose Bookkeeping Company? Because we blend ProAdvisor expertise with finance-first thinking: cash flow, margins, and unit economics come first; software settings follow. From QuickBooks payroll help to day-to-day QuickBooks bookkeeping, we turn your file into a management system—so you get clarity, not chaos.
What follows: what ProAdvisors really do, how to find and vet one, where the fast wins are, and how Bookkeeping Company builds a 90-day plan tied to ROI.
Key Takeaways
- A Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor is trained and exam-verified by Intuit; recertification keeps skills current
- The best partnerships go beyond setup—clean reconciliations, payroll compliance, and KPIs you’ll actually use.
- Owners should vet via Intuit’s Find-a-ProAdvisor directory, then interview for fit, ROI, and process.
- Bookkeeping Company delivers a 30/60/90 plan: tidy the file, lock payroll accuracy, and ship actionable reports.
What a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor Is (and Why It Matters)
A Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor completes Intuit’s official training and passes exams covering setup, day-to-day workflows, reporting, and advanced features (like payroll, multi-user controls, and integrations). Recertification keeps them up-to-date as QuickBooks evolves.
What that means for you
- Correct chart of accounts and class/location structure (clean P&L by product, project, or location).
- Monthly reconciliations that prevent “mystery balances.”
- QuickBooks payroll help that handles classifications, deductions, and on-time tax filings.
- Management-ready dashboards: cash runway, gross margin, A/R aging, budget vs. actual.
Quick note: Intuit’s current guidance confirms annual recertification options, including a shorter, focused exam for staying current.
QuickBooks Bookkeeping That Owners Actually Use
“Accurate” is the baseline. Useful is the goal. Here’s what our ProAdvisors implement:
Close-the-Books Routine (Monthly)
- Bank/credit card reconciliation; suspense cleared to zero
- Vendor/customer cleanup; open credits applied
- A/P and A/R aging reviewed; past-due follow-ups queued
- Cash flow worksheet and 13-week view for decisions
Payroll You Can Trust
- Employee/contractor setup, classifications, and state/local tax accounts
- Automated filings and deposits; audit trail maintained
- PTO, benefits, and overtime rules embedded in the file
Prefer an all-in-one service? QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping is a paid option with tiered pricing based on monthly expenses, but it’s more “done-for-you bookkeeping” than strategic advisory—know the trade-offs.
Find a QuickBooks ProAdvisor: A Simple Vetting Playbook
You can start with Intuit’s Find-a-ProAdvisor directory—filter by service (payroll, cleanup, advisory), industry, and product (Online vs. Desktop). Shortlist 3–5 profiles, read reviews, then book intro calls.
What to Ask (and Why It Matters)
- “Show me a before/after cleanup.” You’re checking for reconciliation rigor and document trails.
- “How do you prevent payroll penalties?” Listen for calendars, auto-filings, and review checkpoints.
- “Which reports will I see monthly?” Expect cash flow, GM%, A/R aging, budget vs. actual.
- “What’s your 30/60/90?” You want a sequence, not random tasks.
- “How do you hand off?” The finish line is a simple SOP + loom/video walkthroughs.
Red flags: big promises without a sample dashboard; no plan for handover; “we’ll clean later.”
Become or Work With One? Certification Basics You Should Know
Even if you’re hiring (not certifying), understanding the path helps you vet quality.
- Where training lives: ProAdvisor Academy inside QuickBooks Online Accountant (QBOA).
- Exam shape: Open-book modules, typically 80% pass score with three attempts and a cool-down before retakes (varies by track; Intuit updates details).
- Annual recertification: shorter refresh exams to keep status and benefits.
A 30/60/90 Owner Plan We Run for New Clients
This is where Bookkeeping Company earns its keep—fast, visible wins, then systems that stick.
Days 1–30: Clean & Stabilize
- Reconcile last 3–6 months; eliminate duplicates and misclassifications
- AR focus: statements out, reminders on; deposits/milestones implemented
- Payroll audit: taxes synced, liabilities cleared, next filings scheduled
Output: clean trial balance; “what changed” report; first cash-flow view
Days 31–60: Structure & Insights
- Chart of accounts simplified; classes/locations for management reporting
- QuickBooks payroll help: PTO, benefits, contractor 1099s standardized
- Reporting pack: GM%, A/R aging, cash runway, budget vs. actual
Output: monthly close checklist; owner dashboard; KPI targets
Days 61–90: Systemize & Handoff
- SOPs + loom walkthroughs for close, billing, collections, payroll
- Quarterly tax prep sync; audit trail conventions
- Manager cadence: 30-minute KPI review, 30-minute blockers, 30-minute next steps
Output: reliable month-end close in <10 business days; “who owns what” list
QuickBooks Online vs. Desktop (Plain-English Fit)
- QuickBooks Online: best for remote teams, app integrations, shared access; recurring updates.
- QuickBooks Desktop: robust job costing and complex inventory for certain industries; consider hosting if you need multi-location access.
Either way, your Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor will map features to your workflow (estimates-to-invoice, progress billing, inventory, class/location).
Why Bookkeeping Company?
We’re not here to “just fix your file.” We build a finance-first operating system on QuickBooks:
- Clean books → smarter pricing and spend decisions
- Payroll that doesn’t miss deadlines
- Dashboards you’ll actually open
- A documented close you can run without us
Weekly, you get a one-page KPI snapshot, blockers list, and next steps—no fog, no fluff.
FAQs
Is a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor different from a bookkeeper?
Yes. ProAdvisors are trained and exam-verified by Intuit and keep skills current via recertification; they also design systems and reports for decisions, not just data entry.
Where do I find a ProAdvisor near me?
Use Intuit’s Find-a-ProAdvisor directory to filter by services, industry, and product expertise, then check reviews and certifications.
What if I want someone to “just do the books”?
Consider QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping—tiered monthly pricing based on expenses—then add strategic advisory as needed.
Do ProAdvisors need to recertify annually?
For QuickBooks Online, Intuit offers an annual recertification so advisors stay current with product changes.
What’s on the certification exams?
Modules on setup, workflows, reporting, and more; open-book with an 80% pass score and three attempts (per current Academy guidance).
Conclusion
Getting “good” at QuickBooks is different from running your business by the numbers. A Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor turns the software into a system: accurate books, compliant payroll, and reports tied to decisions. With Bookkeeping Company, that system shows up in 90 days—clean file, confident payroll, and a dashboard you’ll actually use.
Ready for cleaner books and calmer months-end? Book a Free Consult with Bookkeeping Company. Meet your Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, review your file, and leave with a clear 30/60/90 plan.