Accounts Payable Services & AP Automation Providers in Saint Paul, MN

Office Alternatives, Inc. is a small bookkeeping firm based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It handles outsourced financial recordkeeping for small businesses. Founder and owner Diane started the company in 2004 to give business owners a professional, secure and reasonably priced alternative to keeping their books in-house. For buyers comparing accounts payable providers, the firm is a hands-on, owner-operated option. It does not sell a stand-alone AP automation platform. Instead, it manages payables as part of a full-service bookkeeping relationship.

Accounts Payable and Related Services

Accounts payable is one of the core services in the firm's small business package. The firm builds its work around QuickBooks, and clients on QuickBooks Online pay for their own subscription and any connected apps. This means vendor bills, payments and reports stay in a system the business owner already controls and can view. AP work sits alongside several connected bookkeeping functions:

• Accounts payable processing
• Accounts receivable
• QuickBooks set-up
• Reconciliation of bank and card accounts
• Job costing
• Monthly financial statements
• Budgets
• Sales tax filing
• Payroll processing and reporting
• 1099 preparation and filing, plus year-end and pre-tax preparation

Since the same firm handles payables, 1099 reporting and year-end tax preparation, vendor data entered during the year can feed straight into contractor reporting and tax season work. Companies that pay independent contractors may find this pairing useful.

How the Firm Works With Clients

Office Alternatives works remotely, and meetings are set by appointment rather than through fixed office hours. New clients start by requesting a free quote. They describe their type of business and roughly how many transactions they have each month, and the firm then puts together a proposal for ongoing or one-time accounting help.

Fees depend on transaction volume, how many bank and card accounts the business has, whether payroll is included and how involved the client wants the firm to be. Both hourly billing and monthly package arrangements are available, so a business can choose occasional help or a steady monthly engagement.

The firm presents its value in practical terms. Owners hand off routine bookkeeping so they can focus on running the business. They can reach the bookkeeper with questions, keep an up-to-date view of their finances for planning, and come into tax season with organized records.

Background and Who It Serves

Diane studied business and accounting. Her experience includes business administration work, a role in a CPA office and running her own small business. Having been both a business owner and a bookkeeper informs how the firm approaches clients. Its stated aim is to help owners succeed and keep a healthy balance between work and personal life.

The firm focuses on small businesses at any stage, from new ventures to long-established companies, and its website does not name particular industries. Its job costing service may suit project-based businesses that track costs by job.

For a Minnesota small business that wants a direct relationship with one experienced bookkeeper, Office Alternatives offers personal attention and integrated payables handling. Organizations that need high-volume invoice capture, approval workflows or dedicated AP software will likely need a larger provider.