Bookkeeping & Payroll for Salem Businesses
Bookkeeping and payroll for Salem small businesses. Monthly financials, catch-up services, and payroll processing from a nearby Andover firm.
Bookkeeping for Salem Businesses
We’re Merrimack Valley bookkeepers based in Andover, about 20 minutes from Salem on Route 114. We handle ongoing bookkeeping, payroll, and catch-up work for small businesses throughout the North Shore. Monthly transaction tracking, financial statements, and the record-keeping that makes tax season manageable instead of stressful.
Our Salem clients run restaurants downtown, retail shops along Essex Street, professional offices near the courthouse, and healthcare practices throughout the city. We work remotely with everyone, which keeps costs reasonable and eliminates scheduling around traffic or parking.
Monthly Bookkeeping
Monthly Bookkeeping
Transaction categorization, bank reconciliation, monthly close, P&L and balance sheet. Your books stay current every month without you spending evenings and weekends in QuickBooks.
Payroll Processing
Payroll Processing
Full managed payroll service including tax deposits, quarterly filings, W-2s and 1099s. Your team gets paid correctly and on time, and you stop tracking payroll deadlines yourself.
Catch-Up Bookkeeping
Catch-Up Bookkeeping
If your books are months or years behind, we start here. We sort through the backlog, categorize transactions, reconcile accounts, and deliver a clean starting point for ongoing service.
Tax-Ready Records
Tax-Ready Records
Organized financials your CPA can use without follow-up questions. Proper categories, reconciled accounts, supporting documentation. No scrambling in March to find missing records or explain unclear transactions.
Salem Businesses We Work With
Salem has a business mix that’s different from most North Shore towns. Tourism and hospitality drive a significant part of the economy, but the city also has established professional services, healthcare providers, and retailers who serve locals year-round. Each has different financial rhythms and bookkeeping needs.
We work with businesses doing $50K to a few million in revenue. Companies that need accurate books and reliable payroll but don’t have enough volume or complexity to justify a full-time accountant on staff.
Restaurants and Hospitality
Restaurants and Hospitality
Downtown Salem has restaurants on every block, plus bars, cafes, and event venues. We track food and labor costs, handle tip reporting, and keep the books current even when you’re running service seven nights a week.
Retail and E-Commerce
Retail and E-Commerce
Shops along Essex Street and beyond, many selling online as well as in-store. Inventory accounting, multi-channel sales tracking, and sales tax compliance across platforms and jurisdictions.
Professional Services
Professional Services
Law firms, consulting practices, marketing agencies, and creative businesses. Many professionals have moved to Salem as Boston office space got more expensive. We handle monthly books, partner distributions, and project profitability tracking.
Healthcare Practices
Healthcare Practices
Medical offices, dental practices, therapy providers, and specialty care. Insurance receivables, patient balances, and revenue timing that reflects when payment actually arrives rather than when services were provided.
Common Questions
You're based in Andover. Why would a Salem business work with you?
We're about 20 minutes away on Route 114. Close enough to meet when it makes sense, but most work happens digitally regardless of distance. You get local access without paying for downtown office overhead.
What does monthly bookkeeping cost?
Starting at $199 monthly depending on transaction volume and complexity. We provide an exact quote after learning about your business.
Do you understand seasonal business cycles?
Yes. Many Salem businesses experience revenue swings throughout the year. We help with cash flow planning and payroll adjustments during both busy periods and slower months.
How long does it take to get started?
Usually within one week. If your books are months behind, we start with cleanup work to get you current. If they're already in decent shape, we jump right into regular monthly service.
What if my books are a complete mess?
We handle catch-up work for books that are months or years behind. Most business owners we work with started that way. We get you current and then keep you current going forward.
The Merrimack Valley's Trusted Accounting Partner
The Next Step:
A 15-Minute Call
Tell us about your business and what you're dealing with. We'll listen, ask a few questions, and give you a straightforward quote.
