Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About Small Business Accounting in O'Fallon, Breese & Chesterfield
We've answered the questions we hear most often from business owners in the Metro East and greater St. Louis area. If you don't see yours, give us a call — we pick up the phone.
Services
What accounting services does Rickhoff Accounting offer?
We offer three integrated services that run through one coordinated team: monthly accounting and advisory (book close, financial statements, and a monthly review call with your dedicated team), integrated payroll through Payroll Central (full-service payroll, direct deposit, tax filings, W-2s and 1099s), and proactive tax planning (year-round strategy, forecasting, and return preparation — not just filing in April). Because all three run together, nothing falls through the cracks between separate vendors.
How is Rickhoff different from a typical CPA or tax preparer?
A traditional tax preparer files what already happened — by the time your return is complete, the year is over and it's too late to change anything. Rickhoff works with you every month. We close your books, review your numbers with you, spot problems before they get expensive, and help you make decisions based on current financial data — not last year's return. You hear from us in October, not just March.
Does Rickhoff offer payroll services?
Yes. Payroll is handled through Payroll Central — a dedicated payroll company that is commonly owned with Rickhoff and fully integrated with our accounting team. This is the key difference from using separate vendors: your payroll and your books are managed by people who talk to each other. Payroll Central covers direct deposit, payroll tax payments and compliance reporting, W-2 and 1099 processing, and an employee self-service portal for pay stubs and tax documents.
Can I use Rickhoff for just tax filing or just payroll?
No — we don't offer à la carte services. Our model is a fully integrated monthly engagement that includes accounting, payroll, and tax planning working together as one system. This is intentional. Separating these functions creates the gaps, miscommunication, and errors that cost business owners more to fix than they would have cost to prevent in the first place. If you want all three working seamlessly under one roof, we're built for that.
What software does Rickhoff use to manage my books?
We use QuickBooks Online as our primary bookkeeping platform, which gives you real-time access to your books from anywhere at any time. We also use the Qount client portal for secure document exchange and communication. Several members of our team are Certified QuickBooks Online ProAdvisors.
What industries does Rickhoff Accounting specialize in?
Our deepest expertise is in restaurants, dental practices, franchises, contractors and trades, and professional service providers — including physicians, attorneys, chiropractors, and IT firms. We also work with service-based businesses across a wide range of industries. We focus on industries we understand deeply so we can anticipate what's coming, not just report on what happened.
Pricing
How much does small business accounting cost at Rickhoff?
We have three tiers, each customized to your business complexity and transaction volume:
Essentials — starting at $600/mo. Monthly bookkeeping, financial statements, sales tax, year-end tax-ready financials, business tax return, and one annual tax planning session.
Growth — most clients invest $1,200–$1,800/mo. Everything in Essentials, plus direct access to your accounting manager, proactive check-ins and recommendations, and two tax planning meetings per year. This is our most popular tier.
Executive — most clients invest $2,500/mo. Everything in Growth, plus cash flow forecasting, KPI tracking, strategic advisory sessions, and priority support. Built for established businesses that want a true financial partner.
Is my business too small to need monthly accounting?
Probably not. Our typical client is a small business owner with $500K–$10M in annual revenue who has outgrown the once-a-year tax approach. If you have payroll, multiple revenue streams, or plans to grow — monthly accounting tends to pay for itself. A single missed tax planning opportunity or an unexpected April bill often costs more than a full year of proactive accounting.
Does good accounting actually pay for itself?
In most cases, yes — in a few different ways. Proactive tax planning reduces your liability throughout the year instead of calculating damage in April. Monthly cash flow visibility helps you avoid expensive short-term decisions. Integrated payroll eliminates errors that cost time and penalties to fix. And having a team that knows your business means you're making decisions with current, accurate information instead of guessing. The clients who stay with us for 10, 15, even 20+ years tend to tell you it's among the best money they've spent.
Switching Accountants
I've been with my accountant for years. Is switching really worth it?
We understand — loyalty matters. But many of our clients came to us after realizing their business had grown beyond what a once-a-year relationship could support. What worked five years ago may not be the right structure for where you're headed. If you want more than a return filed in April — if you want a team that knows your business and calls you before problems happen — it might be worth a conversation. We'll tell you honestly if we're a fit or not.
How complicated is it to switch accounting firms?
Less complicated than you'd expect. Our team handles the transition for you — we coordinate directly with your previous accountant, gather the necessary documentation, and make sure your books, payroll, and tax planning continue without disruption. Our goal is for you to stay focused on running your business while we take care of the handoff behind the scenes.
What does the onboarding process look like?
Three steps. First, a free call where we learn about your business — what's working, where you're flying blind, and what decisions feel hardest right now. If we're a fit, we move to building your foundation: aligning your books, payroll, and tax strategy into one integrated system. From there, every month we review your numbers with you, talk through what's changing, and help you decide what to do next. Simple and low-disruption from day one.
Tax Planning
Does Rickhoff offer proactive tax planning — or just tax preparation?
Both — but the planning is the real difference-maker. A tax preparer files what happened. A tax planner helps you shape what's going to happen. Every Rickhoff client gets a real tax strategy built around their business and their goals — not just a return filed at the last minute. We provide tax forecasting throughout the year so you know what to expect, and we reach out proactively when a tax law change affects your situation. No surprises in April.
How do I avoid a big surprise tax bill every April?
Stop waiting until April to talk to your accountant. When we work with you monthly, we're monitoring your estimated tax liability all year long. We adjust your strategy in real time as your revenue and expenses change, so by the time April arrives, you already know roughly what you owe — and ideally you've been planning for it since October. No surprises. That's the whole point.
What does the onboarding process look like?
Three steps. First, a free call where we learn about your business — what's working, where you're flying blind, and what decisions feel hardest right now. If we're a fit, we move to building your foundation: aligning your books, payroll, and tax strategy into one integrated system. From there, every month we review your numbers with you, talk through what's changing, and help you decide what to do next. Simple and low-disruption from day one.
Local & Locations
Does Rickhoff Accounting serve businesses in Breese, IL and Chesterfield, MO?
Yes. Rickhoff Accounting has three physical office locations — O'Fallon, IL; Breese, IL; and Chesterfield, MO — and we serve small business owners across the Metro East and greater St. Louis area. We're a local firm with local roots: we've been in this region since 1974 and know the business landscape here.
Three offices: O'Fallon IL · Breese IL · Chesterfield MO
How long has Rickhoff Accounting been in business?
Rickhoff Accounting was founded in 1974 by Dennis and Jeanette Rickhoff in Breese, IL — starting with a handful of local tavern clients out of their basement. Today, the firm is a third-generation family business led by second-generation owners Kurt and Mindi Rickhoff, with third-generation Allison Rickhoff joining the team in 2023. Over 50 years, we've built relationships with more than 1,000 small businesses across Illinois and Missouri.
Where are Rickhoff Accounting's offices located?
We have three offices:
O'Fallon, IL — 1107 Frontage Road, O'Fallon, IL 62269 · (618) 632-1994
Breese, IL — 115 Clintonian Plaza, Breese, IL 62230 · (618) 526-2233
Chesterfield, MO — 1560 Woodlake Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63017 · (636) 227-9320
How do I get started with Rickhoff Accounting?
Book a free call at rickhoff.com/contact or call our O'Fallon office at (618) 632-1994. We'll learn about your business — what's working, where you're flying blind, and what decisions feel hardest right now. If it's a fit, we'll walk you through next steps. No pressure, no commitment — just a real conversation about your situation.
Still have questions?
We pick up the phone. Book a free call and get a straight answer about whether we're the right fit for your business.