Overview – 1-800Accountant

Managing accounting tasks online can be complex and overwhelming, especially for beginners navigating feature-heavy platforms. However, 1-800Accountant simplifies the process by providing a straightforward yet effective tool designed for small businesses. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in New York, the company offers an intuitive dashboard focused on essential functions, making financial management more accessible. Additionally, the platform supports personal tax filing, with a guarantee that users will receive all the deductions they qualify for.

How it works?

One of the standout features of 1-800Accountant is its streamlined dashboard, designed for efficiency rather than unnecessary extras. The interface ensures that essential tools are just a few clicks away, making navigation simple. From the main menu, users can easily connect with their financial team.

Depending on the subscription level, they can send instant messages or schedule appointments with specialists such as tax advisors, accountants, analysts, bookkeeping experts, payroll professionals, or retirement consultants. This setup is particularly beneficial for small businesses, as it eliminates the need to hire in-house specialists, reducing overall costs.

The menu in 1-800Accountant is designed for convenience, providing easy access to essential features like transactions, banking, invoices, and reports. Its straightforward layout maximizes efficiency, though it does have some limitations—such as the inability to set up recurring invoices, requiring users to create each one manually.

Interestingly, the platform offers a detailed approach to tracking travel expenses. Through the Mileage Tracker, users can log employee trips, specifying company vehicles used, destinations, and travel purposes, including commuting, conferences, or site visits.

Plans and Pricing

The pricing for 1-800Accountant varies based on the services you require. The company provides three paid plans, all of which grant users access to expert guidance from a team of professionals. The Business tier starts at $125 per month, billed annually, and includes year-round support along with a dedicated accountant.

Start-up

Price: $0

This plan is perfect for both new businesses and those looking to convert a sole proprietorship, especially for those who want to take advantage of the tax benefits of filing as an LLC. Starting at $0 plus the state fee, which varies depending on the location of the LLC formation, it includes custom Articles of Organization, verified name availability and search, and secure online access to incorporation documents.

Business

Price: $1,668 annually ($139/month)

This plan is ideal for businesses seeking essential accounting support to optimize their tax savings. It offers access to an online portal, a dedicated accountant, year-round tax advice and support, proactive tax planning, and quarterly reviews to help businesses make the most of their tax opportunities.

Corporation

Price: $2,868 annually ($239/month)

This advanced plan is designed for businesses that require additional tax features, such as tax planning and filing. It includes access to an online portal, a dedicated accountant, year-round tax advice and support, proactive tax planning, quarterly reviews, as well as personal and business tax preparation services.

Enterprise

Price: $4,788 annually ($399/month)

This plan is tailored for established businesses seeking comprehensive tax support and expert guidance. It includes access to an online portal, a dedicated accountant, year-round tax advice and support, proactive tax planning, quarterly reviews, personal and business tax preparation, bookkeeping, priority support, and financial reports.

As your business grows, 1-800Accountant offers additional pricing plans to meet the needs of your expanding company. The Corporation package builds on the basic Business tier with more comprehensive tax preparation. The Enterprise plan includes bookkeeping and priority support for $375 per month. For businesses looking to file an LLC, the free Startup option is available. Payments are accepted via major credit cards, and cancellations can be made through email at any time. If you decide to cancel within the first 30 days, you can receive up to 90% of the initial service costs refunded.

Tools and Features

Invoicing

The invoicing section includes all the essential features, except for recurring invoices. Users must first populate the Products/Services category with relevant details, though this functions differently from an inventory system, as it does not track stock levels. The Invoices List provides access to all past invoices, which can be emailed or downloaded as PDFs. Filtering options allow users to sort invoices by paid, unpaid, or overdue status, though the addition of a search bar would enhance usability. Additionally, the Invoice Dashboard offers a visual overview of invoices with a cash flow chart for better financial insights.

Payroll Processing

If you require payroll processing, you have the option to add it to your account. The cost varies depending on the service level you select. However, pricing details are not listed on the website, and you’ll need to contact the company for a consultation to receive a free quote before getting started.

Tax Services

One of the most well-established features of 1-800Accountant is its tax services, covering both business tax preparation and advisory support. Users simply input their tax details, and a dedicated tax accountant handles the tax return preparation. Through the tax portal, users can also request personal and business tax extensions, which are filed on their behalf.

The Tax Projections section offers a clear breakdown of taxable income and potential credits, ensuring users know what to expect. Additionally, the Tax Suggestions area provides personalized recommendations from a tax advisor to optimize tax savings.

Mobile App

With 1-800Accountant’s Android and iOS apps, you can manage your accounting tasks on the go. These apps function as mobile-friendly versions of the main dashboard, allowing you to access essential features without being confined to a desk.

While the app doesn’t support direct receipt scanning using your phone’s camera, you can still upload documents by scanning them with an external printer and saving the file to your device. Alternatively, if you prefer not to download the app, the 1-800Accountant website is fully optimized for mobile browsers, ensuring smooth navigation across all devices.

Security

1-800Accountant has implemented robust technical and organizational measures on its servers to safeguard your Personal Data. These measures are designed to protect against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, or access to Personal Data during transmission, storage, or processing.

Conclusion

1-800Accountant is an excellent choice for small businesses that need not just accounting software but also expert guidance. While the platform is easy to use and accessible even for beginners, it does have some limitations, such as the inability to set up recurring invoices. Additionally, the cost may be a concern for some, but the value you receive is undeniable. The real payoff comes with access to a dedicated financial team that can help you achieve your business goals.

One of the standout features is the comprehensive tax preparation service, ensuring you get the maximum return and save money over time. For newer businesses, 1-800Accountant’s free plan may be a good starting point, but investing in a paid subscription can offer even greater benefits in the long run.