Bookkeeping for Vermont contractors and specialty trades

You build things for a living, and your books should be just as solid as the work you put into every project. Select Bookkeeper Advisory provides bookkeeping for contractors and specialty trades across Vermont, so you can focus on the job site instead of the spreadsheet.

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A contractor measuring and installing kitchen cabinets in a home.
A tradesman working with a piece of wood.

Why bookkeeping for trades is different

Running a contracting or specialty trades business creates financial challenges most general bookkeepers aren’t equipped to handle. You need someone who tracks the things that actually drive your profit:

  • Job costing across labor, materials, and overhead
  • Progress billing and retainage tracking
  • Cash flow planning around seasonal swings
  • Subcontractor payments and equipment depreciation
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Bookkeeping services for contractors and trades

Job costing & profitability tracking

We track labor, materials, subcontractor costs, and overhead for each job so you know exactly what every project costs and what you actually earned. No more guessing whether a job was profitable after the fact.

Cash flow management

Trade businesses live and die by cash flow. We build forecasts, track payment timelines, and help you plan around seasonal dips so a slow month doesn’t turn into a crisis.

Accounts receivable & invoicing

We stay on top of outstanding invoices, progress billing, and retainage tracking. You’ll always know who owes you, and how long it’s been outstanding, before small delays become big problems.

Tax-ready books

When tax season arrives, your books will be organized, reconciled, and ready to hand to your CPA. No scrambling through receipts, no reconstructing months of transactions. Just clean records ready to go.

QuickBooks setup for contractors

We configure your chart of accounts, job tracking, vendor management, and reporting templates specifically for how contractors and trade professionals work, then maintain it month to month.

Monthly close & reporting

Every month we reconcile your accounts, close your books, and deliver statements that show profit by job, customer, and service line, so you can bid the next project with real numbers.

Vermont trades we serve

Electricians

Residential, commercial, and service call operations

Plumbers

New construction, remodels, and emergency service work

HVAC technicians

Installation, maintenance contracts, and seasonal service

Painters

Interior, exterior, residential, and commercial painting

Landscapers

Lawn care, hardscaping, snow removal, and seasonal crews

General contractors

Residential builds, remodels, and multi-trade project management

What Our Clients Are Saying

  • As a leader of a nonprofit, working with Select Bookkeeper has made my job more manageable and has helped our organization grow. Darlene is professional, informed, and always responsive. It’s a pleasure to work with a local bookkeeper who cares about our business and has the know-how to keep our important work behind the scenes timely and compliant. 
    Thanks for all you do!
    Sarah
  • Darlene Palmer has been doing our books for a couple of years. Darlene makes it so easy to work with her. Her work is excellent, and without issue. Darlene’s a pleasure to know and I’m so grateful for her skills and excellent work!
    Jennifer H.
    CEO non-profit 501c3
  • I have been working with Darlene Palmer for the past 4 years and she is a Total Joy. Punctual Professional Always Pleasant and Responsive
    Hands Down Darlene is the Best Bookkeeper I have EVER worked with, and I spent 35 years on Wall Street as a Trading Desk Manager and Hedge Fund Portfolio Manager.
    You’re The Best!!
    Thank You
    Jack D.
  • Several years ago, my homeowners association, which runs a water system for its members, was seeking someone to do bookkeeping to help out our treasurer, me. Darlene was recommended by one of our Executive Board members. I reached out and she responded quickly. We could not be happier with her work for us! She is extremely responsive and just does not make mistakes. She handles all the bill paying and prepares regular financial statements. She also manages the annual assessment process by sending out invoices and collecting the payments. The members of the Executive Board are very happy with Darlene’s work, and we also find that what she charges for her services is very reasonable. I have not met Darlene in person, but I deal with her all the time. Personally, she has made my life much easier and is a pleasure to work with.
    D.V.
  • I had the pleasure of interning with Darlene at Select Bookkeeper when completing my
    Bookkeeping Certificate from the Community College of Vermont. From the very first day,
    Darlene demonstrated a remarkable blend of professionalism, expertise, and a genuine
    commitment to my growth and learning. One of the constants throughout my internship was the
    patient and thorough approach to training. Darlene took the time to explain complex accounting
    concepts in a way that was easy to understand, ensuring that I felt confident and competent in
    my tasks. Whether it was managing financial records, reconciling accounts, or preparing reports, I received clear guidance and constructive feedback that strengthened the foundation of my knowledge.
    P.B.
    CCV Intern
  • This hands-on experience was invaluable, as it gave me a practical understanding of bookkeeping practices and the intricacies of financial management for businesses of all sizes. What truly set my internship apart was Darlene’s dedication to mentorship. She not only shared her wealth of knowledge but also took a personal interest in my career aspirations. Her insights into the accounting industry and advice on professional development were instrumental in shaping my future goals and I can confidently say that I would not be working in the position I am today without her guidance.
    P.B.
    CCV Intern
  • At Champlain Valley Hops we have enjoyed working with Darlene and Select Bookkeeper for our bookkeeping services for the last several years.  Darlene has gone above and beyond to help our business and is always available to answer questions when they come up.  She has been thorough, responsive, knowledgeable, and professional.  We fully trust Darlene with managing our farm’s books and we are confident that we are in good hands.  
    Max
  • Since Darlene has taken over the financial aspect of the business I can relax, knowing that everything is getting done correctly. I am so grateful I can trust the quarterly payroll and state taxes are done correctly; and what a gift that Darlene works closely with our accountant to close the fiscal year out. Darlene is patient, thorough, reliable, trustworthy and has been so willing to be of service.
    Gratefully,
    BHB
  • Darlene saved us! We are a homeowner’s association of 32 camps in VT. We hired Darlene three years ago when the bookkeeping became too burdensome and time-consuming (payroll and other taxes, insurance, state loan repayments and filings, annual billing to association members, payments to vendors, preparation of financial statements, annual budgeting, etc.) Darlene came to us highly recommended, but she has added way more value than we could have imagined. She set us up on Quickbooks which is perfect for our needs. She handles all our accounting and reporting, researches issues, makes suggestions, follows up with vendors, and reminds us when we need to do things! She is knowledgeable, professional, thorough, efficient, accessible, lovely to deal with. She is a gem, and I can’t recommend her highly enough.
    Satisfied Client
  • I met Darlene when I was considering a career change. I had been in non-profit leadership for 10 years and was looking for a career that better fit my family’s needs. Since meeting Darlene, she has coached me through what certifications I should complete, the applications of bookkeeping, and how to start and run my own bookkeeping business. It has become abundantly clear that Darlene not only knows the business like the back of her hand but also cares a lot about the quality of books in our local community. She coaches me on the importance of doing things the right way, how to form meaningful relationships with clients, and where to find the right answers. Darlene is kind, a great listener, an excellent teacher, and will surely be a mentor for the rest of my bookkeeping career.
    A Fellow Bookkeeper

Your remote accounting team

Hiring a full-time bookkeeper is expensive, and most trade businesses don’t need one at a desk forty hours a week. What you need is a reliable team that knows your industry, keeps your books current, and gives you the information to make smart decisions about your business.

That’s what we do. Select Bookkeeper Advisory functions as your internal accounting department, handling day-to-day bookkeeping, monthly reports, and cash flow management. We make sure everything is organized for your CPA at tax time. We’re based in Addison County, Vermont, and work with trade businesses across the state through secure cloud-based systems.

A remote accounting team discussing financials with a painting contractor.

Ready to get your books in order?

Whether you need job costing set up from scratch, help untangling months of backlog, or a dedicated team month to month, we’ll walk through your situation and build a plan that fits.

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Contractor bookkeeping FAQ

Why do contractors need specialized bookkeeping?

Contracting and trade businesses have financial structures that don’t fit neatly into standard categories. Job costing, progress billing, retainage, seasonal revenue swings, materials purchased in advance, subcontractor payments, and equipment depreciation all require specific tracking methods. A general bookkeeper who doesn’t understand these patterns produces financials that don’t reflect how your business actually operates.

What is job costing, and why does it matter?

Job costing means tracking every expense tied to a specific project: labor, materials, subcontractor payments, equipment rental, permits, and allocated overhead. Done correctly, it tells you the true profit margin on each job. Without it, you might look profitable overall while consistently losing money on certain types of work. We set up job costing in QuickBooks so every dollar is tied to the right project.

Can QuickBooks Online handle contractor bookkeeping?

Yes. QuickBooks Online works well for contractors when configured properly: a contractor-specific chart of accounts, projects or classes for job costing, progress invoicing, and reports that show profitability by job, customer, or service type. We handle all of this setup and maintain it on an ongoing basis.

How do you handle seasonal cash flow for trade businesses?

Most trade businesses in Vermont experience significant seasonal swings. Landscapers, painters, and general contractors often see revenue drop in winter. We build cash flow forecasts that account for these patterns so you can set aside reserves during busy months, time major purchases, and manage expenses to stay healthy through slower periods.

Do I still need a CPA if I use your bookkeeping services?

Yes, and that’s by design. We’re not a tax firm. We handle the bookkeeping, financial reporting, and day-to-day accounting so that when tax season arrives, your CPA receives a clean, organized set of books. This saves your CPA time, which saves you money on their invoice, and reduces the risk of errors in your return.

I’m making good revenue but always feel short on cash. What’s going on?

Revenue on a profit and loss statement doesn’t equal cash in the bank. Timing gaps between buying materials and getting paid, invoices aging past 30 or 60 days, retainage held on larger projects, and equipment loan payments all create a disconnect between what your financials show and what’s in your checking account. We build cash flow reports that show exactly where the money is and help you plan around the gaps.