Accounting for Clarity

I'll focus on the numbers

Bookkeeping service (show on map)

Portland-based bookkeeping and accounting service helping businesses and nonprofits stay organized and compliant.

About

Accounting for Clarity evolved from years of being called upon to create order and stability from chaos and uncertainty. I quietly step in to declutter and clean up overstuffed bookkeeping closets, then develop and document new workflows tailored to the organization's needs.

I specialize in working with nonprofits and construction firms—two worlds where mission and hard work often come first, and complex bookkeeping tends to get back-burnered. I bring practical solutions and straightforward answers, whether you want to catch up, clean up, or keep up.

Specializes in nonprofits and construction firms

Calm, practical support tailored to your needs

Focus on creating order from chaos and uncertainty

Combines bookkeeping with system design and managerial insight

Familiarity with GAAP, GASB, and modified cash basis

Experience supporting board treasurers and executive leadership

Services

Monthly Bookkeeping

Consistent, accurate bookkeeping including transaction entry, account reconciliations, timely financial statements, and a tax-ready financial package at fiscal year end.

Transaction entry Account reconciliations Financial statements Tax-ready financial package

Managerial Accounting

Turn your books into a decision-making tool using financial data to run the business more effectively.

Profitability analysis Break-even calculations Team performance tracking Budget creation and variance reporting Cost allocation and forecasting Marketing ROI tracking

Construction Accounting

Construction-specific bookkeeping supporting decision-making at every stage, from job costing to payroll coordination.

Job costing and project profitability WIP and over/under billing reports Retainage tracking Change order tracking Payroll coordination Subcontractor management Cost code setup Cash flow visibility

Nonprofit Accounting

Helping community-based organizations get and stay organized, compliant, and prepared for board and funder reporting.

Fund accounting Functional expense allocation for 990s Budget monitoring Grant tracking and audit prep Treasurer support

Bookkeeping Setup & Coaching

Assist solopreneurs, startups, and nonprofits in setting up user-friendly accounting software and coaching them to interpret financial reports.

Software selection and setup Coaching on financial reports Preventing costly errors Ensuring tax-season reliability

Catch-Up & Cleanup

Sort through messy financial records, fix what's out of place, and leave clear, accurate, easy-to-navigate books.

Financial record decluttering Error correction Reconciliation Organization for clarity

Credentials & Certifications

GAAP, GASB, and modified cash basis familiarity

Oregon Local Budget Law familiarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of organizations do you work with? +

I work with a wide variety including construction firms, nonprofits, small businesses, startups, government agencies, law offices, biotech firms, and solo entrepreneurs.

Do you specialize in any particular industries? +

Yes, I specialize in working with nonprofits and construction firms.

What software and tools do you use? +

I use QuickBooks Online, Xero, Wave, Excel, Google Workspace, Bill.com, Dext, Expensify, Melio, Stripe, Square, and PayPal integrations.

What is included in monthly bookkeeping? +

Monthly full-charge bookkeeping includes transaction entry, account reconciliations, timely financial statements, and a tax-ready financial package at the end of your fiscal year.

Do you offer catch-up or cleanup services for messy books? +

Yes, I offer catch-up and cleanup services to sort through financial messes, fix what's out of place, and leave clear, accurate records.

How do you help nonprofits stay compliant? +

I provide fund accounting, functional expense allocation for 990 reporting, grant tracking, audit prep, and support for part-time treasurers.

What construction-specific accounting services do you offer? +

I offer job costing, WIP and over/under billing reports, retainage tracking, change order tracking, payroll coordination, subcontractor management, cost code setup, and cash flow visibility.

Do you provide managerial accounting insights? +

Yes, I help turn your books into a decision-making tool with profitability analysis, break-even calculations, budget creation, variance reporting, and marketing ROI tracking.