What Kinds of Businesses Aren’t a Fit for TMA’s Services

We’ll say it upfront: TMA Accounting isn’t the right choice for every business.

And we think that’s a good thing.

Over the years, we’ve learned that the best client relationships start with clarity about what we do, how we work, and who we work best with. It’s just as important for us to be upfront about who we work well with as it is to be clear about who might be better served elsewhere.

If you aren’t a fit for TMA’s services, we are happy to refer you to a few other accountants in our area who may be able to handle your business’s needs.

This isn’t about judging businesses. It’s about making sure every business owner gets the kind of financial support they actually need — even if that support comes from someone else.

So, in the spirit of transparency, here are a few situations where TMA might not be the right accounting support team for your business.

1. Businesses Looking for Hourly or À La Carte Services

We completely understand the appeal of one-time help. Maybe you need a quick tax filing, help cleaning up your books, or a few hours of advice. But that’s not what we offer.

At TMA, we provide fixed-fee, bundled service packages that include ongoing accounting, tax, and payroll support, tailored specifically to small businesses. We don’t charge by the hour, and we don’t offer à la carte services. We fit best for business owners who value a team approach and a long-term solution.

Why? Because one-off services don’t allow us to really get to know our clients. Furthermore, we find that these types of arrangements may miss the bigger picture. They can potentially create gaps in understanding, lead to surprises, or result in missed opportunities for improvement. 

We value working with your team throughout the year, rather than once a year or in a one-off scenario.

Our clients want clarity. They want predictability. They want to know what they’re paying — and what they’re getting — month after month. If you’re looking for a transactional relationship, there are plenty of firms that do that well. We’re just not one of them.

2. Businesses That Struggle with Responsiveness or Collaboration

Look, we get it. Some businesses just want to hand off their tax items and not have to worry about it anymore. 

However, we believe successful accounting support hinges on strong two-way communication.

No, we’re not talking about endless meetings or daily email chains. We keep things efficient and streamlined. But we do need our clients to:

• Respond to basic questions (like “What was this $1,000 payment for?”)
• Provide timely and accurate payroll data
• Review and approve information when needed

When communication is delayed or ignored, mistakes happen. Deadlines get missed. Tax filings can be delayed. And ultimately, the business owner feels the consequences.

We value business owners who see us as a trusted resource, not something to avoid or ignore. We may not be the best match if responsiveness or follow-through is a struggle. In fact, if collaboration becomes too difficult, we may discontinue service to protect the quality of our work and your experience.

3. Businesses That Need a CFO or Fractional CFO

Some businesses grow to a point where their accounting needs are more complex than our model is built to support. And that’s okay — growth is a good thing.

You might be better served by hiring a CFO (full-time or fractional) or controller if:

• You have significant obligations to lenders (e.g., bank debt and the ongoing reporting requirements that go with it)
• You have significant obligations to outside investors or the Board of Directors
• You’re operating in multiple states with complicated tax compliance issues
• You need customized forecasting, KPIs, or investor-grade financial statements

These situations often require deep, hands-on financial leadership — the kind that goes beyond monthly reporting and basic compliance. 

TMA’s service packages don’t include CFO-level strategy or complex reporting frameworks, but we’re happy to point you in the right direction if that’s what you need.

4. Industries We Don’t Serve

We work best with small and mid-sized service-based businesses — think restaurants, dental and medical practices, architects, electricians, auto repair shops, and other professional or trade services.

However, TMA is not a good fit for:

• Manufacturing businesses
• Real estate construction or development firms
• Online retail and e-commerce businesses
• Nonprofit organizations
• Businesses that require job costing

These industries often require specialized tools, accounting systems, or reporting structures that go beyond the scope of our standard services. We’d rather you get the right help from someone who specializes in those areas than try to fit a square peg into a round hole.

When It Is a Fit, It Works Beautifully

If none of the above applies to you — and you’re a service-based business that values simplicity, clarity, and proactive accounting — you might be exactly the kind of business we do our best work with.

Our clients are business owners who:

• Want to avoid compliance and tax-time surprises
• Are ready to stop managing five vendors for one problem
• Value transparency and ongoing support
• Understand the importance of working with us so we can work for them

If that sounds like you, we’d love to learn more. We take pride in being a trusted accounting support team that simplifies financial complexity for business owners. 

Our mission is to help you stay out of trouble, understand your numbers, and have the confidence to make smart decisions.

We believe owning a small business shouldn’t feel overwhelming. It should feel exciting, rewarding, and empowering. And that’s what we work hard to help our clients experience every day.

Think You Might Be a Fit? Let’s Find Out

When you reach out, we’ll ask a few questions about your business, answer anything you're wondering about, and give you an honest assessment of whether TMA is the right resource for you. No pressure. No surprises. Just straight talk.

Because whether we work together or not, we believe every small business owner deserves the right support to achieve success.

Ready to find out if TMA Accounting is the right fit for you? Contact us today for a no-pressure conversation. Let's take the complexity out of your business finances and put clarity back where it belongs — in your hands.