Robert G. Neumann, Accounting Services

The work here stops deliberately short of tax: Robert G. Neumann keeps the monthly books and hands a clean set of them to whoever prepares the client's return. Each month that means recording sales and payroll, reconciling bank and credit card accounts, and producing a balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and statement of cash flows.

Engagements begin with a free consultation of about an hour, held at his office, the client's premises, anywhere else that suits, or by video conference. A written proposal follows, setting out the direction he thinks the books need to take along with estimated start-up costs and ongoing monthly fees, and leaving room for the client to point out anything missed. Neumann holds a B.A. in political science and a master's in business from UC Berkeley, and has worked corporate accounting roles from clerk through CFO across retail, wholesale, manufacturing and distribution, real estate, design, restaurants, and software.