Appletree Business Services

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the President of CLN of South Florida, Inc.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

CLN of South Florida, Inc manufactures industrial machinery for the industrial sign making market.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Appletree Business Services to accomplish?

• Accounting and tax services
• Bookkeeping
• Payroll

SOLUTION

How did you find Appletree Business Services?

• Online Search

Why did you select Appletree Business Services over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Appletree Business Services were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We hired Appletree to completely outsource the bookkeeping, accounting, taxes, and payroll which were all being handled internally. We wanted to hire a professional firm with full service capabilities.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Update and upgrade to Quickbooks Online and restructured categories in QBO to be less complicated. Payroll is much easier now as we were manually cutting checks once per week and are now using Gusto with direct deposit. The Appletree team has been helpful as we navigate everything that needs to be done transitioning the business after we acquired it in May 2023.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The team is always very fast to respond to requests. We are navigating a complex business that has been around for almost 30 years. There have been a lot of questions and a lot of things to set up with the new Quickbooks system as well as making sure all tax items are paid on time, and the team has been very helpful with all of that.

What was your primary form of communication with Appletree Business Services?

• Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They take the time to fully explain what needs to be done and why. Again we stepped into a running business that was in full operation, so assuming all of these reoccurring responsibilities has been a challenge and they have been here to help since the kickoff call.

Are there any areas for improvement or something  Appletree Business Services could have done differently?

The team is always responsive but it sometimes seems like they have a big workload.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the President of Nicki K Media, Inc

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We're a multi-brand digital training company for copywriters, freelancers, and course and group program creators.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Appletree Business Services to accomplish?

• Better understand our financials
• Create more realistic projections
• Get insight into what we can do to optimize our results

SOLUTION

How did you find Appletree Business Services?

Merger with our previous firm

Why did you select Appletree Business Services over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from Appletree Business Services were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Appletree is our full accounting firm and helps us track and analyze our finances, manage payroll and reporting, and processes our taxes.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Appletree became our accounting firm after merging with our previous firm. Understandably, I was a little nervous since we were very pleased with our previous firm but I'm happy to report that I'm absolutely *thrilled* with Appletree. 

The entire team is dedicated, focused, and endlessly helpful, and I can't say enough about Allen—he approaches our business and financials as if they were his own, constantly looking for new ways to help us view our financials and find new insights, as well as find opportunities and help us make the best decisions. I'm so happy and, frankly, relieved to have this team in our corner and be able to rely on their expertise.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They are impeccably reliable and always reply to requests or questions quickly. I'm confident that I'll always have their support with any questions or needs I have.

What was your primary form of communication with Appletree Business Services?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I think I'm most impressed by how much everyone seems to genuinely care about our company and our success. I mentioned in a previous note that everyone, and Allen especially, treats our financials and goals and initiatives with the same care and focus that they would if it were their own company and that is invaluable.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Appletree Business Services could have done differently?

Nothing that I've encountered!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and operator of a garage remodeling business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Appletree Business Services?

I was transitioning from a career in finance and wanted to focus on building out my small business through marketing our product. I didn’t have time to manage our day-to-day cash flow and bookkeeping operations, so I engaged Appletree Business Services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Appletree Business Services started by gathering our business parameters and learning about our revenue goals. Then, they determined our individual service needs and got us up and running. They were already familiar with our business.

Now, they support us with tax preparation, financial planning, financial auditing, and day-to-day bookkeeping. They also manage our cash flow, POS, and other complex business processes. We’ve provided them with shadow access to bank accounts, and they use QuickBooks to highlight critical things and set up financial reports. They also have a secure interface on their website. 

What is the team composition?

Patrick (Owner) handled our onboarding process, but we’ve worked with two other team members. 

How did you come to work with Appletree Business Services?

I found them on Twitter, and moved forward with the partnership because they’re local to us. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested $10,000–$25,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2022, and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Appletree Business Services provides good-quality services for a cost-effective price. We’re an early-stage business, so we don’t have daily success metrics. However, I've worked in compliance, so I know the requirements of documentation; those tasks take hard work and focus. Although I can’t share concrete metrics, I know what excellence looks like, and they're excellent. I’m comfortable that their side of the business is taken care of. 

Moreover, it’s important to have a base level of customer security and cyber protection because we deal with valuable information, and they have that. 

How did Appletree Business Services perform from a project management standpoint?

Appletree Business Services is a proactive partner who provides regular updates via email. They also send condensed reports via email, which I can also access through their client portal. 

A senior team member oversees our account, and another teammate handles the day-to-day operations. They deliver results on time and consistently share valuable information. Whenever I ignore their advice, I realize I should’ve listened to them initially.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m most impressed with their flexibility and willingness to grow. They’re willing to expand their responsibilities, and there’s never a question about whether a task fits into their framework.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have nothing they could improve on. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I recommend Appletree Business Services.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of a company called Elevate and Delegate. We help US businesses hire virtual assistants overseas.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Appletree Business Services?

We don’t have an in-house bookkeeper, so we’ve outsourced that function to them.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Appletree Business Services provides bookkeeping and other accounting services for us. At the start of the engagement, we had an introductory call. Appletree Business Services explained their services and how they support small businesses. I had an onboarding call with one of their accountants, who helped me set up our financial documents and reports. 

They send me monthly financial reports and complete other projects as requested. They’ve given me access to an online accounting portal where I can view all our financial statements. They also prepare and submit our taxes and manage our payroll. Their service package also includes the preparation of my personal taxes. They’ve begun implementing electronic signatures on documents.

Appletree Business Services has given me free bits of business advice, and we’re planning to hire them for consulting services later this year.

What is the team composition?

Initially, I spoke with the owner, who connected me to the main accountant that I now stay in contact with. There’s another teammate who reaches out to me with questions on occasion.

How did you come to work with Appletree Business Services?

A friend connected me with them.

How much have you invested with them?

Our engagement costs approximately $8,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since June 2022.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We’re able to make better decisions and be more mindful of our costs using the documents and reports they’ve set up. This visibility is especially important as the economy is softening. 

Their tax preparation process is smooth since they track our finances throughout the year. It’s helpful to have them onboard; with their services, we don’t need to manage an in-house bookkeeper. 

How did Appletree Business Services perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very timely and work within the budget. They’re very flexible; they communicate through whatever channels I choose — text, call, or email — and let me know if they have questions about our financial statements.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re friendly, kind, and patient with me. They answer all of my questions, even basic ones. They also provide helpful reminders when I’m slow to answer their questions or file documents they need me to file. They never wait until the last minute to send requests; they give me plenty of time to respond.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The software they use is not the most intuitive, but they’re upgrading it to make it easier to navigate. Also, I'd appreciate more advice on how to lower my tax burden. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you know what you want out of the partnership and use that to guide your progress. They can't read your mind; the better you can communicate your needs, the better they’ll be able to help you.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-founder of Legnd; we’re a digital marketing agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Appletree Business Services?

We engaged Appletree Business Solutions to provide accounting services.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Appletree Business Services handles our accounting, bookkeeping, and taxes. They pull data from QuickBooks and use another software to help with cash flow forecasting.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with two teammates: Patrick (Small Business Growth Expert) and Steven (Owner). 

How did you come to work with Appletree Business Services?

We found them through a referral from another business. Patrick ran us through their service offerings, and we liked that they could bundle all our requested services into a flat monthly rate. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spend $2,000 per month. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in June 2022, and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

We’ve had a great experience working with Appletree Business Services; the partnership has been worth it. They’ve boosted our productivity with regard to planning and budgeting, which has given us peace of mind.

Thanks to their efforts, we’ve identified areas where we were spending more money than we should have been. The financial side of the business is now a benefit instead of a headache. 

How did Appletree Business Services perform from a project management standpoint?

Appletree Business Services has familiarized themselves with our business. They’re knowledgeable, intelligent, and personable partners. Additionally, they’re great people who are willing to go above and beyond the scope of work to help us. For example, they’ve been gracious enough to answer our questions, and we've leveraged their expertise to help us make business decisions. 

Furthermore, they’ve delivered everything on time and within budget. The team is communicative via phone and email and responds promptly whenever we have questions. They’ve made us feel very comfortable throughout the engagement, and I have nothing but positive feedback.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m most impressed by their accessibility and availability. The Appletree Business Services team is very proactive and on top of it. They generally address requests before I’ve even thought of them. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have nothing they could improve on; we’ve had a really great experience.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

My advice is to sign up to work with Appletree Business Services as fast as you can! 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of 1776 Design Build &Remodeling, LLC. We’re a residential remodeling and construction company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Appletree Business Services?

We had trouble dealing with all the paperwork and taxes; it was too much to handle. We needed someone to take the load off our shoulders so we didn’t have to worry about those aspects of the company anymore.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Appletree Business Services takes care of everything, including bookkeeping, tax preparation, and all the paperwork needed. Our accounts are open to them, and they classify everything using QuickBooks.

Additionally, they provide business consulting services. We’ve partnered with them to build our company.

What is the team composition?

We initially contacted Steve (CPA & Former Owner). Patrick (Owner) bought the business from Steve, and we’ve met with him a couple of times. However, our main point of contact is Wendy (Bookkeeper).

How did you come to work with Appletree Business Services?

I found them online looking for liability insurance companies in Londonderry. I sat down with many companies to talk pricing, but I ultimately stayed with Appletree Business Services.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $20,000–$25,000 in total. Last year, we paid $8,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in December 2021, and our partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Appletree Business Services saves us a lot of time in bookkeeping; they’re a huge help. Before them, I spent 12 hours a week doing paperwork and taxes.

How did Appletree Business Services perform from a project management standpoint?

We have a biweekly Zoom meeting to review our numbers and what’s coming up. They have a proprietary virtual platform where we can log in and upload or receive files. Moreover, they plan in advance and help us set our goals.

We also communicate with Slack, Google Meet, emails, and texts. I’m usually busy, so I try to get back as fast as possible.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They go beyond bookkeeping. Appletree Business Services helps us build our company, and we’re extremely happy with them.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing pops up in my mind; they’ve been pretty good.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Sit down with them and be open with everything. They can’t help you unless you open your accounts to them. Appletree Business Services should become a part of your life, so be very communicative. They’re definitely worth the money.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Searcher of TibbCo Ventures LLC

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

I'm a searcher and looking to acquire a small business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Appletree Business Services to accomplish?

• Due Diligence
• Advice on Acquisition process.

SOLUTION

How did you find Appletree Business Services?

Online Search

Why did you select Appletree Business Services over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost
• Searcher owned

How many teammates from Appletree Business Services were assigned to this project?

1 Employee

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Due dilligence on a potential small business acquisition.  We were doing quality of earnings to ensure the business I was looking at is finacinally sound and worth acquiring.  

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

They were able to advise me that the business I was looking at was not as financially sound as stated.  They uncovered more questions than confirmations about the sellers accounting and reporting.  Ultimately the decision was made not to acquire the business based on their advice and help.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They were very responsive and alwasy willing to answer my questions.  Everything was delivered on time and as agreed upon.

What was your primary form of communication with Appletree Business Services?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I loved that they have been through the business buying process and trusted their experience in that realm.

Are there any areas for improvement or something Appletree Business Services could have done differently?

Nothing comes to mind.  I had a great experience.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Owner of Boston Budget Plumbing. Heating and Cooling

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We provide plumbing, colling and heating services to homes in the Boston area.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Appletree Business Services to accomplish?

• Increased efficiency
• Financial clarity
• Accurate payroll
• Timely tax filing

SOLUTION

How did you find Appletree Business Services?

Online Search

Why did you select Appletree Business Services over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from Appletree Business Services were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

We hired Appletree Business Services when we bought our company, and they have been an invaluable partner ever since. They expertly handle all of our accounting needs, from managing payroll and seamlessly integrating our CRM with QuickBooks to taking care of our taxes.

Their monthly financial statement reviews are thorough and insightful, giving us clear visibility into our financial health. What truly sets them apart is their responsiveness and expertise – whenever we have questions or need advice, they’re quick to help and always provide practical, informed solutions. If you're looking for a reliable and professional accounting firm, we highly recommend Appletree Business Services.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Financial clarity
• Improved efficiencies
• Accurate payroll

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Extremely responsive and knowledgeable

What was your primary form of communication with Appletree Business Services?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Understanding of the industry

Are there any areas for improvement or something Appletree Business Services could have done differently?

None

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the COO of United settlement

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Debt Consolidation Services

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire Appletree Business Services to accomplish?

• Clean Up Books

SOLUTION

How did you find Appletree Business Services?

Online Search

Why did you select Appletree Business Services over others?

Company values aligned

How many teammates from Appletree Business Services were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Ongoing bookkeeping services

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Goal completed 

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They deliver on time

What was your primary form of communication with Appletree Business Services?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

N/A

Are there any areas for improvement or something Appletree Business Services could have done differently?

N/A