Bookkeeping Services for Musicians, Artists, & Small Businesses
From tracking income and expenses to optimizing tax deductions, Whitney Bookkeeping will keep your finances in perfect sync so you can focus on what matters most: your creative passion.
Why Work With Me?
Choosing to work with me means you’re not just hiring a bookkeeper—you’re gaining a dedicated partner with over 25 years of experience in finance, including specialized expertise in the music and creative industries. So I understand the unique financial challenges that artists and independent contractors face, from managing income and expenses to tracking sales.
Outsourcing your bookkeeping to me eliminates the high costs and commitments of hiring an in-house employee. You avoid expenses like salaries, benefits, office space, and equipment, while still benefiting from professional, personalized service that keeps your finances perfectly in tune. My services offer the flexibility to pay only for what you need, allowing you to direct your resources toward what matters most—growing your business, perfecting your craft, and enjoying your creative journey.
With my tailored approach, you’ll receive monthly financial reports that give you clear insights into your business’s health, helping you make informed decisions. Whether you need help cleaning up past records, managing payroll, or simply staying on top of day-to-day bookkeeping, I’ve got you covered.
A Professional Bookkeeper Makes All the Difference
Save Valuable Time
I save you time so that you can focus on implementing new marketing strategies, find ways to stay competitive, and have a work-life balance.
Pay Fewer Taxes
You may not be aware of expenses that can be captured as tax deductions. I correctly identify and categorize business expenses, saving money during tax time.
Save More Money
I record your transactions correctly and reconcile your business and credit card accounts throughout the year, so your accountant doesn’t have to redo them at a much higher cost to you. This is an enormous savings year after year.
Increase Profits
I provide monthly reports so you can gauge the growth of your business. Not sure how to read your financials? Not to worry. I help interpret your numbers to give you insight into what’s working and what isn’t. This information lets you implement robust cash management strategies, streamline manage accounts receivable, control operating expenses, and price your services for maximum profit.
Reduce Stress
50% of small businesses need their books cleaned. If this is you, rest assured I can clean up your books retroactively and keep them organized—a surefire way to de-stress your life.
With Whitney Bookkeeping, You Get:
Free Consultations & Communication
Streamlined Finances
A Trusted Financial Partner
Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor Services
30% Discount on QuickBooks Online Account
A Woman-Owned Business
30 Years of Financial Experience
Music-Industry Specialized Bookkeeping
Peace of Mind That Your Books Are in Good Hands
Bookkeeping Services
Monthly Bookkeeping
Say goodbye to overwhelming number crunching and paperwork, and instead, focus on what truly matters – marketing your business and pricing your services for maximum profit. With our reliable bookkeeping services, financial clarity becomes your strongest ally.
Sail through tax time with ease! Our expert bookkeeping services record all your monthly transactions from business bank accounts and credit cards. Additionally, we ensure accurate identification and categorization of expenses, ultimately saving you money when filing your taxes.
Includes monthly management reports, including P&L and Balance Statement – your compass to gauge the true growth of your business.
Clean-up & Catch-up
You’re not alone if you’re behind on your bookkeeping or need to clean up your financial records. 50% of business owners need this service to get back on track. I’m here to help.
With my bookkeeping clean-up and catch-up services, I’ll organize your financial data, reconcile accounts, and ensure your records are accurate and complete. Don’t let the stress of backlogged bookkeeping tasks hold you back.
Payroll
Simplify your payroll. Through our trusted partnerships, we offer customized payroll setups designed to meet the unique needs of your business.
Navigating complex payroll regulations can be challenging, but with our precise and compliant management, you can rest easy knowing that your payroll is handled accurately and efficiently. Focus on growing your business while we take care of the payroll details, providing you with a seamless and hassle-free experience.
1099 Annual Filing Service
The 1099 Service provided by Whitney Bookkeeping ensures that your business remains compliant with IRS regulations regarding contractor payments. If your company fails to file 1099 tax forms on time, you risk incurring penalties ranging from $60 to $630 per form.
Whitney Bookkeeping offers a comprehensive 1099 processing service to avoid these costly fines. For a flat fee of $15 per form, we handle 1099s related to contractor payments of $600 or more in a calendar year. This includes sending a copy of each 1099 to the respective contractor and ensuring all forms are filed with the IRS by the tax deadline of January 31st.
Review & Reconciliation (R&R)
R & R (Review and Reconciliation) is designed for freelancers and small business owners who value professional bookkeeping without the high price tag.
Suppose you’re not quite ready for monthly bookkeeping but still want assurance that your financial records are accurate. R & R service is designed for you. We’ll review your transactions quarterly to ensure they’re correctly categorized, make any corrections, and provide guidance.
It’s an affordable option for maintaining accuracy while learning along the way. This service is designed exclusively for clients with a low transaction volume who desire the expertise of a qualified bookkeeper.
Up to two business accounts for only $200 per quarter.
About Me
I’m Melissa Whitney, the maestro of numbers, and I’ve been orchestrating financial magic for nearly three decades behind the scenes of a top-tier talent agency. I’ve taken my financial mojo to center stage as a Rockstar Bookkeeper for the music industry’s finest. Small-to-medium-sized music businesses, you’ve got your backstage pass right here!
Fear not for those who might confuse your elbow with your assets (a bit of bookkeeping wit); I’m here to unravel the financial enigma. And guess what? I have a talent for harmonizing with those who’d rather chase musical dreams than chase discrepancies in bank statements.
I’ve deep roots in the entertainment realm, having worked in finance with the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the powerhouse in artist representation, supporting celebrities in film, television, and theatre. But my heart beats loudest for musicians, the true legends of the stage.
I orchestrated a promo fan club blitz for the rock sensation Quiet Riot in my early career. With my innate creative spark and marketing mojo, I lit a wildfire in the world of promotions. Their 1983 album skyrocketed to the coveted No. 1 spot on the U.S. charts, achieving platinum status five times over.
I wrote a coffee table book, “Keep on Rollin’: My Fan Club Years with Kevin DuBrow and Quiet Riot,” in March 2023. It celebrates the 40th anniversary of Metal Health.
My unique perspective as an entertainment bookkeeper and lifelong music promoter has established me as the go-to Rockstar bookkeeper.
Born and raised in sunny Southern California, I grew up in the heart of Hollywood’s live music scene, and now I call Santa Clarita home sweet home. You guessed it—I own Whitney Bookkeeping and am a Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor, serving as a bookkeeper for all stripes of the music and all service industries.
Client Testimonials
I started my gaming business but wasn’t sure how to set up my books. I know zero about bookkeeping. I contacted Whitney Bookkeeping, and Melissa sent me a link to QuickBooks Online and showed me around on the site. I was concerned about my books being done properly, but I feel comfortable going forward after my consultation with her.
– Lukas J.
I consulted with Melissa as I had some bookkeeping issues. Not only did she take the time to give me clear answers that I could understand, but she gave me tips on how I could reconcile and verify income monthly, so it wouldn’t be so hard at the end of the year during tax time. I appreciate her knowledge and ability to explain things in plain English!
– Jacob M.
Melissa provided excellent consultation about how to record and process unearned income, keep accurate balance sheets, and focus my financial planning in order to plan for future events. Highest recommendations!
– Laura R.
Melissa trained me on how to set up a bookkeeping process, so I have funds correctly earmarked for my quarterly tax payments. I’m so grateful and highly recommend her for bookkeeping services. She is super friendly and knowledgeable.
– Michelle M.
As a freelancer with no head for numbers, I needed lots of help understanding my finances. Melissa patiently explained everything I needed to know about 1099 filing and helped me plan for a bright financial future.
– CJ Stevens
Melissa took a potentially messy CD sales-and-accounting experience and turned it into a joyful journey. She was astonishing.
– Brian O’Brian
If you’re searching for a first-rate bookkeeping service, I wholeheartedly recommend Whitney Bookkeeping. Owner Melissa Whitney is the consummate professional, exceedingly proficient in her record keeping. She is utterly thorough, and demonstrates a meticulous attention to detail. Her service has been invaluable to maintaining my business financial records. I couldn’t ask for more from a bookkeeper.
– Mark McGuire
Getting Financially Sound is as Easy as the Waltz
Step 1:
Schedule a Free Call With Me
Schedule a free phone consultation to dive into the heart of your challenges and goals. During our chat, I’ll provide you with an estimated monthly price range tailored to your specific needs.
Step 2:
We’ll Review Your Records Together
With Accountant Access to your QuickBooks Online, I will review your records, identifying any potential issues we might not have addressed previously.
Step 3:
Start the Onboarding Process
Within 24 to 48 hours, I’ll provide the service and price proposal and answer any questions. If everything looks good, we’ll start the onboarding process!
Ready to Get Started?
A free call is the perfect first step to simplifying your finances and gaining peace of mind. Just use my handy booking form here to pick a date and time that’s convenient for you, and I’ll be in touch at our scheduled time.
Prefer to send an email? No problem! Visit my contact page to send me a message, and I’ll respond as soon as possible.
I look forward to being your Rockstar bookkeeper and helping you keep your finances in tune!
FAQs
Even though I specialize in bookkeeping for musicians, I also work with small businesses, freelancers, sole proprietors, independent contractors, therapists, photographers, graphic designers, artists, startups, and anyone else who broadly falls into these categories.
Knowing when to bring in a seasoned bookkeeper is like the timing of a crescendo. Are those hours spent riffing on your ledger keeping you from composing your next album? Do you possess the knowledge to orchestrate your bookkeeping flawlessly? Is the juggling act leaving you with a dissonant chord in your personal life? Bringing in a pro bookkeeper saves you time and plays a money-saving tune.
Starting my baseline bookkeeping groove at $300 per month. The tune changes depending on the services required, the rhythm of transactions, and the number of business bank accounts and credit cards in your ensemble. I’ll drop the beat on a monthly bookkeeping service quote.
Monthly Bookkeeping services lay down the foundational groove, like hitting the right notes for monthly transactions, harmonizing bank and credit card reconciliations, and crafting monthly financial reports that sing. Depending on your business’s jam, we can add some extra riffs and melodies if you need accounts payable, payroll or issuance of annual 1099s.
QuickBooks Online is the most widely used cloud-based accounting software crafted by Intuit. It’s the killer solo for small and medium-sized music businesses, helping them groove through their financial moves. The magic of QuickBooks Online? You can bring your pro bookkeeper to fine-tune and harmonize your books, freeing you to jam with your business.
Getting in tune with a new client or business starts with a complimentary session on the phone, where we dive into your business’s groove. Next up, I’ll need backstage access to your QuickBooks Online account to check out your operation. After that, I’ll provide a service proposal, making sure all the notes hit the right spots.
You bet! I can be your backstage pass to setting up QuickBooks Online. And here’s the encore – if you haven’t scored your QuickBooks Online subscription yet, my crew can crank out a sweet 30% discount each month just for you!
Absolutely! It’s like a riff that half the bands out there need – a good old bookkeeping tune-up or catchup session. The ticket price depends on how many months we must get in sync. And let me tell you, the relief you feel once your books are cleaned up or back in the pocket is like a standing ovation for your business!
No problem. Use the form on my contact page or book a free call with me using my booking page. You can tell me all about your business and ask any questions you may have. I look forward to hearing from you!