The Lighthouse Group

Much of the work is structured around an outsourced CFO package that absorbs a business's back office: bookkeeping, payroll and benefits administration, 401(k) management, accounts payable and receivable, and both individual and business tax returns, with customizable monthly reports and dashboard analytics clients can review at any hour. Payroll runs through Gusto as a third-party application, with federal deposits made via EFTPS and California taxes through the state's e-Pay system. The firm is direct about where responsibility sits — the employer remains the party liable for its own employment tax deposits and filings, and is encouraged to register on EFTPS independently to verify that payments are landing. Payroll engagements scale from owners who want training and software to run it themselves up to full-service processing and benefits setup for larger companies. Tax planning and preparation is also taken on separately, as is help choosing a structure for a new venture. Wyatt Kneaper is founder and CEO.