1-800Accountant stood out to me because it offers dedicated accountants, year-round tax guidance, and support for multiple business entities, all built around its own platform, ClientBooks. The mobile app mirrors the web version, and the service even includes options for forming an LLC or corporation, which adds to its appeal for newer businesses.
However, I noticed some drawbacks, such as the required annual commitment, the limitation of full bookkeeping to the Enterprise plan, and concerns about service quality. If you’re weighing whether it’s the right fit, here’s a closer look at what you can really expect.
As an entrepreneur myself, I am dedicated to researching the software and services that will streamline accounting processes, ultimately saving time and money. I leverage my expertise and extensive research capabilities to address the questions that the Fit Small Business audience has—and this ensures that content is rooted in knowledge and accuracy.
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Pros
- Has dedicated accountants
- Can manage multiple business entities
- Features a capable mobile app
- Offers business formation services for LLCs and corporations
- Has year-round tax advice
Cons
- Lacks a monthly subscription option (must commit annually)
- Offers financial reports and bookkeeping services only with an Enterprise plan
- Has multiple unresolved complaints with the BBB
Supported bookkeeping software | ClientBooks, a proprietary bookkeeping software |
Monthly pricing (billed annually) |
|
Free trial | ✕ |
Assigned a personal bookkeeper? | ✓ |
Bookkeeper communications | Phone, live chat, email, or secure messaging within the client portal |
Monthly account reconciliations & financial statements | Enterprise plan |
Back-office services like customer invoicing & bill pay | ✕ |
Full-service payroll available | Additional fee; undisclosed on website |
Tax & consulting services available | Core Accounting and Enterprise plans |
- Small businesses seeking a full-service accounting firm: If your business needs not only bookkeeping services but also tax filing and payroll processing, 1-800Accountant is a good option. It’s one of our best online bookkeeping services.
- Small businesses wanting access to year-round tax services: Available with the Business, Core Accounting, and Enterprise plans, 1-800Accountant can connect you with a dedicated accountant who will assist with proactive tax planning and quarterly reviews.
- Small businesses working remotely: Its robust mobile app has all of the same features as the cloud-based version, and it also includes mileage tracking and the ability to upload documents with your phone.
- New nonprofit organizations: It specializes in helping nonprofits with setup, compliance, bookkeeping, and more. Its certified public accountants (CPAs) will guide you through setup requirements and help you file your 501(c)(3) application. You’ll be educated on compliance, allowing you to accept donations while your nonprofit status is pending.
What actual users say about 1-800Accountant
Positive sentiments | Negative sentiments |
|---|---|
Reviewers often highlight positive one-on-one interactions, praising certain accountants for being knowledgeable, patient, and good at explaining complex tax topics. Many customers say these meetings helped them feel more confident and supported, making their tax and business tasks feel less overwhelming. | Some reviewers report communication issues, advisor turnover, missed appointments, or pressure during the sales process, which made the service feel less reliable.
A smaller but notable group describes more serious concerns, such as delays, lack of follow-through, or difficulty getting timely help. |
MY TAKE: When reviewing the feedback, I couldn’t ignore the Trustpilot notice flagging that some reviews may have been collected in an unsupported way. That warning alone makes it hard to take the ratings at face value, because it suggests possible bias and undermines the overall credibility of the platform’s recent feedback.
In my opinion, the reliability of the reviews is too compromised to lean on confidently. G2’s reviews are also several months old with no fresh input, while Trustpilot has the volume and recency. But with the unsupported-review warning in place, I can’t fully trust the authenticity of what’s being posted there.
- “Excellent advice. Very explanatory for my very inexperienced new small business owner just starting. Very patient with me as well!! Highly recommend their all-encompassing checks and balances system that incorporates all of your possible and available expenses. She even estimated my first year tax savings!!” — Judy Means
- “My first meeting with my 1800accountant Advisor Mark Caesar was so informative. I was greatly impressed with my new advisor’s knowledge. The information that he has been providing me with is helping me to learn and understand how the accounting world works, although I’m still learning he’s showing me how to take it step-by-step. It has been a pleasure to work with Mr. Caesar.” — DeBora Simmons-Edmondson
- “Grateful for the support! William was amazing to work with and answered all of my questions. He is incredibly kind and knowledgeable and made me feel like being in compliance and getting all of my tax needs met is completely doable. Thank you!” — Lauren Mason
- “They were okay, until they weren’t. It’s been a month since my tax advisor left, and I still have not been reassigned, even after countless phone calls and chats. I’ve asked 10 times, via phone call, chat, email, previous accountants’ help, over months, to be reassigned to a different payroll specialist who responds/does their job. And still nothing. So basically stuck paying for services we are not receiving. Wasting our time, money, and energy with this company.” — Lisa Ziti
- “Over the last four months, I’ve had four different Tax Advisors, multiple meetings cancelled last minute, can’t get responses to questions I message my Advisor, and can only schedule 30-minute meetings like once every 2 weeks. So imagine trying to figure this all out on your own for the first time, paying for support, and then basically not being able to get a hold of anyone who is actually supposed to give you the support. I would not recommend this service for anyone who expects them to have a strong hands-on approach with you.” — Jon P.
- “Ugh, the chaos. I have been a customer for 23 LONG days and am now asking for a full refund. This is NOT for solopreneurs, and I can’t imagine it would be a good fit for anyone. I am frustrated at the lack of communication when I attempted to salvage the relationship – no one responded. You did me a favor. P.S. Beware if they tell you you can get a refund if you cancel with them within the first 30 days. They are keeping $692 for my 23 days with them, for which I have received no services (!!!!)” — Adrienne G.
1-800Accountant Pricing
I see that a free live bookkeeping consultation is required before signing up, and paid services are billed annually. There’s also an option to customize a package to match specific business needs. For startups, 1-800Accountant offers both free and paid services, including a verified name availability search, customized articles of organization, secure online access to incorporation documents, and unlimited phone and email support.
Business | Core Accounting | Enterprise | |
|---|---|---|---|
Monthly fee (billed annually) | $209 | $249 | $419 |
Access to portal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Dedicated accountant | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Year-round tax advice | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Proactive tax planning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Quarterly reviews | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Personal & business tax preparation | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Bookkeeping software | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Bookkeeping services | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Priority support | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Financial reports | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
1-800Accountant features
The service includes a mobile app and online dashboard where users can message their bookkeeper and review uploaded documents. It also handles entity formation, assists with both personal and business tax returns, provides tax-related guidance, and provides catch-up bookkeeping for companies that need their records brought up to date.
Available on both iOS and Android, the 1-800Accountant mobile app mirrors the functionality of its desktop version. Users can create invoices, generate financial reports, enter journal entries, and sync bank accounts directly from their phone. The app also supports mileage tracking and lets users upload receipts, invoices, and other documents either from saved files or by taking photos within the app. For support, the platform includes options to schedule an appointment or request a call from a dedicated accountant.
1-800Accountant mobile app
1-800Accountant’s client portal functions as a secure online dashboard for accessing documents, messaging the accounting team, and scheduling appointments. The system is available through both web and mobile, offering the same backend tools the internal team uses. The dashboard displays assigned contacts such as the tax advisor, bookkeeper, or payroll support, and includes navigation to reports, banking, invoices, mileage tracking, and the message center.
1-800Accountant Dashboard (Source: 1-800Accountant)
Users can upload tax documents, receipts, and other files for their accountant, and the portal supports communication through secure messages, scheduled calls, and other channels depending on the plan. While many reviewers describe the portal as convenient and easy to access on mobile, some note that the interface can feel busy or less intuitive than those of other accounting tools.
1-800Accountant positions its “Dedicated Accountant” feature as a standard part of its business model, with each subscription assigning a primary accounting professional to handle advice and tax-related tasks. The lower-tier plans focus on tax assistance, while the Enterprise plan adds bookkeeping functions, including transaction categorization, account reconciliation, report preparation, and general compliance support.
The setup is delivered through flat annual pricing, and communication happens through the portal, scheduled calls, or email and phone. However, user feedback suggests that “dedicated” does not always translate to a long-term, single point of contact; some reviewers note turnover or reassignments that affect continuity.
1-800Accountant presents its tax preparation and payroll services as core offerings for small businesses, delivered through its team and supported by the online portal. The tax service covers federal and state returns for common business structures such as sole proprietors, LLCs, S corps, C corps, and partnerships, and it includes year-round advisory for estimated taxes, deductions, and entity decisions.
1-800Accountant Business Tax Information
The portal is used to gather documents, review information, and share completed returns for e-signature. On the payroll side, the service handles setup, processing, and ongoing management for employees and, in some plans, contractors. It calculates wages and withholdings, files the necessary federal and state payroll forms, and manages required tax deposits. The company also assists with initial state payroll registration, noting that timelines depend on each state’s process.
1-800Accountant includes entity formation support as part of its service lineup. The process involves guidance on selecting an entity type, with attention to tax implications and long-term cost considerations. Once the choice is made, the service manages state registration with the Secretary of State, obtains an EIN after approval, and provides formation documents through the client portal. Additional items like an operating agreement or registered agent services are offered as optional add-ons.
1-800Accountant offers a catch-up bookkeeping service designed for businesses that are behind on their records, even by several months or years. The team updates and reconciles past transactions using the company’s bookkeeping tools, including ClientBooks, to organize and categorize historical data. The goal is to bring the books up to date so they are accurate for tax filing and ongoing financial reporting.
The bookkeeping section of the portal includes tools for generating several kinds of financial reports, such as balance sheets, income statements, reconciliations, transaction lists, journal entries, mileage logs, invoices, and general ledger activity.
Accessing reports from 1-800Accountant’s dashboard
Reports can be adjusted by date range and downloaded as needed, and the ClientBooks system adds options for creating customized views when more specific data is required. The reporting tools are designed to give a clear picture of expenses and overall financial activity, supporting budgeting, tax preparation, and communication with lenders or advisors.
Working with your 1-800Accountant bookkeeper
Working with a bookkeeper at 1-800Accountant relies on a mix of portal communication and scheduled calls, with the goal of keeping financial records organized while leaving review and decision-making to the business owner. The onboarding stage starts with a message from the assigned bookkeeper and a short setup call, usually around 15 to 30 minutes. During this setup, the business profile is completed, and bank and credit card accounts are connected so transactions can feed into the system.
Once everything is in place, the bookkeeper handles monthly tasks such as categorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, and reviewing uploaded receipts. The portal serves as the main hub for messaging, scheduling appointments, and checking in when questions or changes come up. Financial reports and updated figures are available in the bookkeeping section, giving users a way to monitor cash flow and expenses through downloadable statements and summaries.
Customer service
Support for 1-800Accountant customers is handled through several channels. The portal’s message center is the main place for reaching the accounting team, and users can also schedule calls or submit questions through the Support or Contact Us sections. Phone support is available through the company’s main 1-800 number, and a web form is provided for more specific issues.
Communicating with your 1-800Accountant bookkeeper
Service availability runs on weekday business hours, generally listed as Monday through Friday from about 9:00 or 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The message center states a typical response window of one to two business days, though replies may take longer during busy tax periods.
1-800Accountant Alternatives & Comparison
Monthly Pricing | Account reconciliations | Invoicing & bill pay | Full-service payroll | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0 to | Enterprise plan only | ✕ | Additional fee |
 | ✓ | Additional fee | ✕ | |
 | From $300 | ✓ | ✕ | QuickBooks Payroll integration |
 | From $399 | Monthly and weekly plans only | Additional fee | Additional fee |
- Pick Pilot if you need CFO-level advisory services, including monthly financial oversight, budgeting and forecasting, fundraising support, vendor contract review, and guidance on benchmarking and sales efficiency. Read our Pilot Bookkeeping review
- Pick QuickBooks Live if you use QuickBooks Online and want help with setup, training, and monthly financial review meetings. Read our QuickBooks Live review
- Pick Bookkeeper360 if you run your business on Xero and want bookkeeping plus business advisory services, with optional integrated payroll and accrual-based accounting. Read our Bookkeeper360 review
How I evaluated 1-800Accountant
I evaluated 1-800Accountant based on the following:
35% of Overall Score
Because each plan depends on many factors, we looked at the value provided in terms of the time and potential money that you’re saving by using the service.
20% of Overall Score
You should be able to access a dedicated bookkeeper for any questions or advice and one-on-one assistance.
15% of Overall Score
The best online bookkeeping service should offer a wide range of bookkeeping solutions, including catch-up bookkeeping, invoicing, bill pay, bank reconciliation, payroll, and tax filing.
10% of Overall Score
We evaluated whether the online bookkeeping service offered tax and consulting, and the scope of those services.
20% of Overall Score
We consider the opinions of users and the service’s ratings on various review sites. These criteria were disregarded for providers where no reviews were found.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1-800Accountant offers a diverse menu of services that include small business taxes and advisory, bookkeeping and payroll, and assistance with entity formation.
Yes, catch-up bookkeeping is available no matter how far behind you have fallen with your books.
The team is composed of licensed tax professionals, including certified public accountants (CPAs) and enrolled agents (EAs). They are qualified to prepare and file your taxes and have an average of 17 years of professional experience.
1-800Accountant’s free plan is designed for startups and new businesses looking to form a limited liability company (LLC). The plan is free, but you’ll need to pay any applicable state fees. It will assist with customized articles of organization, verified name availability search, secure online access to your organization’s documents, and unlimited phone and email support.