NACPB - NACPB Public Bookkeeping National Survey 2008

NACPB Public Bookkeeping National Survey 2008

Executive Summary
NACPB's Public Bookkeeping National Survey provides valuable information public bookkeepers and accountants can use to manage their bookkeeping and accounting businesses more effectively. NACPB also uses this information to better serve and promote the public bookkeeping profession and help its members gain a competitive edge.

The Survey consists of 20 questions on public bookkeeper Owner and Business information as follows:

Owner Information

Professional Designations
Accounting Education
Certifications or Accreditations
Years of Experience

Business Information

Business Entity
Home Based Business
Part-time of Full-time Professionals
Years in Business
Number of Business Owners
Number of Professional Employees
Website
Annual Gross Revenue
Number of Bookkeeping Clients
Services Provided
Billing Methods
Billing Rates/Fees
Industries Served
Financial Software Supported
Financial Software Used Internally
Member Affiliations

NACPB Regions
The Survey asks the public bookkeeper to identify his/her geographical location by region. NACPB divides the nation into five geographical regions as follows:

Midwest - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Northwest - Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.
Northeast - Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Southeast - Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Southwest - Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.

The Survey responses are listed according to these regions.

Qualification
NACPB's Public Bookkeeper National Survey is not a scientific survey. A representative sample of public bookkeepers is invited to participate in the Survey via press releases, email, and direct mail.

Press releases are sent to national bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, and QuickBooks media; email is sent to NACPB's collective email database of over 18,000 emails, and direct mail is sent to over 16,000 small business bookkeeping, accounting, and payroll provider Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes. Thus, the Survey includes a comprehensive representation of public bookkeepers, accountants, payroll providers, and QuickBooks advisors.

The 2008 Survey includes the following number of responses based on NACPB Regions:

Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
511	219	635	707	1501	3591

Conclusion
In our opinion, the NACPB Public Bookkeeper Annual Survey presents fairly, in all material respects, the owner and business information of public bookkeepers in the United States as of May 31, 2008.

Copyright
NACPB's Public Bookkeeper Annual Survey 2008 or any part thereof can be used or cited without the consent of NACPB, providing NACPB is recognized as the source of the information used or cited.

Tip: If you have taken the Survey, we suggest you compare your responses to the Survey results. If you have not taken the Survey, we suggest you take the Survey and compare your responses to the Survey.

To take or view the 2008 Survey, go to www.nacpb.org/survey2008.cfm.

OWNER INFORMATION

Professional Designations
Percentage of public bookkeepers using the following designations:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Bookkeeper	55%	64%	69%	58%	63%	62%
Accountant	78%	64%	54%	66%	44%	56%
Payroll Provider	39%	50%	35%	38%	47%	42%
Tax Planner/Preparer	61%	55%	55%	52%	59%	57%
QuickBooks Advisor	39%	64%	46%	48%	50%	48%

Accounting Education
Percentage of public bookkeepers with the following accounting education:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
One Year Certificate	6%	5%	3%	4%	7%	6%
Associate's Degree	24%	9%	17%	11%	17%	16%
Bachelor's Degree	41%	55%	49%	56%	36%	44%
Master's Degree	10%	5%	11%	3%	17%	11%
None	20%	27%	20%	25%	23%	23%

Certifications or Accreditations
Percentage of public bookkeepers with the following certifications or accreditations:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Certified Public Bookkeeper (CPB)	6%	14%	2%	10%	5%	6%
Certified Bookkeeper (CB)	2%	9%	5%	3%	5%	4%
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)	18%	14%	11%	3%	10%	10%
Public Accountant (PA)	6%	18%	9%	10%	7%	8%
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor	14%	23%	17%	13%	25%	19%
Enrolled Agent (EA)	29%	23%	22%	27%	45%	33%

Years of Experience
Percentage of public bookkeepers with the following years of experience:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Under 1 year	0%	0%	2%	0%	0%	0%
1 to 3 years	4%	0%	2%	1%	2%	2%
3 to 5 years	2%	5%	2%	4%	3%	3%
5 to 10 years	12%	5%	5%	7%	10%	8%
10 to 20 years	25%	27%	22%	18%	22%	22%
Over 20 years	55%	64%	69%	68%	58%	62%
No response	2%	0%	0%	1%	5%	3%

BUSINESS INFORMATION

Business Entity
Percentage of public bookkeepers with the following business entity:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Sole Proprietor	35%	55%	52%	32%	45%	43%
Partnership	4%	0%	0%	6%	1%	2%
Limited Liability Company	12%	9%	23%	13%	13%	14%
Corporation	12%	27%	3%	11%	11%	11%
S Corp	25%	9%	22%	30%	22%	23%
No response	12%	0%	0%	8%	8%	7%

Home Based Business
Percentage of public bookkeepers with home based businesses:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Yes	41%	50%	60%	41%	35%	42%
No	59%	50%	40%	58%	58%	54%
No response	0%	0%	0%	1%	7%	3%

Part-time of Full-time Professional
Percentage of public bookkeepers working part or full time:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Part time	22%	9%	22%	21%	19%	20%
Full time	78%	91%	78%	76%	75%	77%
No response	0%	0%	0%	3%	5%	3%

Years in Business
Percentage of public bookkeepers with the following years in business:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Under 1 year	0%	5%	6%	8%	4%	5%
1 to 3 years	14%	14%	11%	4%	8%	9%
3 to 5 years	12%	5%	5%	13%	7%	8%
5 to 10 years	18%	18%	11%	11%	11%	13%
10 to 20 years	14%	27%	23%	15%	19%	19%
Over 20 years	43%	32%	43%	46%	43%	43%
No response	0%	0%	2%	1%	7%	3%

Number of Business Owners
Percentage of public bookkeepers with the following number of business owners:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
1	80%	86%	86%	79%	69%	77%
2	12%	9%	11%	13%	21%	15%
3	4%	0%	2%	3%	4%	3%
4	2%	5%	0%	0%	0%	1%
5	0%	0%	0%	1%	0%	0%
Over 5	0%	0%	0%	1%	1%	1%
No response	2%	0%	2%	3%	6%	4%

Number of Professional Employees
Percentage of public bookkeepers with the following number of professional employees:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
None	35%	23%	38%	28%	31%	32%
1 to 3	47%	64%	40%	44%	44%	45%
3 to 5	10%	14%	9%	13%	11%	11%
5 to 10	6%	0%	8%	8%	3%	5%
Over 10	2%	0%	2%	6%	3%	3%
No response	0%	0%	3%	1%	9%	5%

Website
Percentage of public bookkeepers with a Website:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Yes	43%	50%	45%	62%	49%	50%
No	51%	50%	52%	38%	51%	48%
No response	6%	0%	3%	0%	0%	2%

Annual Gross Revenue
Percentage of public bookkeepers with the following annual gross revenue:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Under $100,000	55%	50%	54%	44%	45%	48%
$100,000 to $250,000	27%	36%	22%	31%	30%	29%
$250,000 to $500,000	4%	9%	11%	10%	11%	10%
$500,000 to $750,000	8%	0%	5%	4%	5%	5%
$750,000 to $1,000,000	0%	0%	2%	1%	0%	1%
Over $1,000,000	4%	0%	3%	6%	2%	3%
No response	2%	5%	5%	4%	7%	5%

Number of Bookkeeping Clients
Percentage of public bookkeepers with the following number of bookkeeping clients:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
1	6%	0%	6%	6%	3%	4%
1 to 5	24%	14%	28%	14%	14%	18%
5 to 10	20%	14%	17%	15%	25%	20%
10 to 20	22%	23%	23%	15%	17%	19%
20 to 50	20%	18%	12%	27%	19%	19%
50 to 100	8%	14%	11%	10%	5%	8%
Over 100	2%	9%	2%	13%	8%	7%
No response	0%	9%	2%	0%	9%	5%

Services Provided
Percentage of public bookkeepers providing the following services:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Bookkeeping	80%	95%	91%	90%	87%	88%
Accounting/write-up	80%	86%	75%	72%	65%	72%
Payroll	75%	95%	72%	82%	77%	78%
Tax Planning/Preparing	84%	73%	75%	80%	74%	77%
QuickBooks Setup, Personal Training, and Support	59%	91%	74%	72%	65%	69%

Billing Methods
Percentage of public bookkeepers using the following billing methods:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Hourly rate	71%	77%	77%	65%	69%	70%
Fixed rate	73%	45%	57%	56%	59%	59%
Value-added	33%	23%	22%	28%	23%	25%

Billing Rates/Fees – Bookkeeping Hourly Rate
Percentage of public bookkeepers billing the following bookkeeping hourly rate:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
$10 to $20	2%	0%	2%	7%	1%	3%
$20 to $30	24%	23%	9%	20%	10%	14%
$30 to $40	18%	5%	20%	14%	10%	13%
$40 to $50	12%	23%	20%	10%	9%	12%
$50 to $60	14%	23%	18%	15%	22%	19%
Over $60	14%	23%	20%	21%	34%	25%

Billing Rates/Fees – Accounting/Write-up Average Monthly Fee
Percentage of public bookkeepers billing the following accounting/write-up average monthly fee:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
$300 to $400	51%	27%	40%	46%	35%	40%
$400 to $500	6%	27%	9%	8%	11%	11%
$500 to $750	0%	9%	5%	4%	7%	5%
$750 to $1,000	4%	9%	2%	3%	5%	4%
Over $1,000	2%	5%	6%	3%	7%	5%

Billing Rates/Fees – Payroll Average Monthly Fee for 5 Employees
Percentage of public bookkeepers billing the following payroll average monthly fee for 5 employees:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
$40 to $60	31%	45%	29%	30%	24%	28%
$60 to $80	18%	18%	14%	24%	20%	19%
$80 to $100	12%	9%	12%	7%	15%	12%
$100 to $120	6%	0%	6%	8%	10%	8%
Over $120	4%	14%	3%	3%	7%	6%

Billing Rates/Fees – Tax Preparation Average Form 1040 Fee
Percentage of public bookkeepers billing the following tax preparation average Form 1040 fee:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
$100 to $200	65%	41%	31%	46%	29%	38%
$200 to $300	14%	27%	25%	23%	29%	25%
$300 to $400	10%	0%	5%	13%	11%	9%
$400 to $500	0%	0%	12%	1%	5%	4%
Over $500	2%	0%	2%	4%	3%	3%

Billing Rates/Fees – Tax Preparation Average Business Return Fee
Percentage of public bookkeepers billing the following tax preparation average business return fee:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
$300 to $400	51%	23%	25%	27%	25%	29%
$400 to $500	18%	32%	11%	23%	15%	17%
$500 to $750	4%	5%	14%	27%	11%	13%
$750 to $1,000	4%	9%	11%	7%	11%	9%
Over $1,000	4%	0%	6%	1%	6%	4%

Billing Rates/Fees – QuickBooks Setup, Personal Training, and Support Hourly Rate
Percentage of public bookkeepers billing the following QuickBooks setup, personal training, and support hourly rate:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
$20 to $30	12%	5%	3%	7%	5%	6%
$30 to $40	14%	9%	12%	8%	8%	10%
$40 to $50	6%	18%	17%	10%	6%	9%
$50 to $60	10%	9%	14%	8%	10%	10%
$60 to $75	10%	36%	8%	14%	22%	17%
Over $75	10%	14%	25%	23%	15%	18%

Industries Served
Percentage of public bookkeepers serving the following industries:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Agriculture, Forestry, Mining, & Animal Services	33%	50%	18%	21%	31%	28%
Construction	65%	82%	55%	66%	67%	65%
Manufacturing	24%	32%	42%	37%	33%	34%
Transportation	35%	23%	23%	30%	28%	28%
Wholesale Trade	24%	36%	40%	35%	34%	34%
Retail Trade	65%	86%	82%	82%	79%	78%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate	29%	50%	49%	55%	46%	46%
Business & Personal Service	71%	91%	82%	89%	83%	82%
Health Services	31%	32%	38%	39%	35%	36%
Legal Services	22%	27%	38%	42%	33%	34%
Education & Social Services	12%	23%	35%	17%	22%	22%
Art & Membership Organizations	24%	18%	25%	20%	21%	22%
Engineering, Architecture, & Management Services	12%	55%	34%	28%	32%	30%
Household & Misc. Services	31%	41%	38%	37%	37%	36%
Government	8%	5%	8%	18%	9%	10%

Financial Software Supported
Percentage of public bookkeepers supporting the following financial software:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Quicken	16%	41%	28%	14%	35%	27%
QuickBooks	82%	86%	89%	92%	84%	86%
Peachtree	25%	27%	31%	21%	28%	27%
Microsoft Office Accounting	8%	18%	14%	18%	11%	13%

Financial Software Used Internally
Percentage of public bookkeepers using the following financial software internally:

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
Quicken	2%	5%	2%	3%	1%	2%
QuickBooks	59%	68%	71%	66%	71%	68%
Peachtree	16%	14%	9%	4%	7%	9%
Microsoft Office Accounting	0%	0%	3%	4%	3%	3%
Other	24%	14%	15%	23%	18%	19%

Member Affiliations

Description	Midwest	Northwest	Northeast	Southeast	Southwest	National
National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers (NACPB)	22%	50%	23%	37%	27%	29%
American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB)	22%	27%	43%	32%	23%	29%
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)	12%	9%	6%	4%	7%	7%
National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP)	43%	41%	46%	44%	28%	37%
National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA)	29%	23%	22%	27%	45%	33%
National Society of Accountants (NSA)	16%	41%	17%	17%	14%	17%