GAAP Chart of Accounts Setup

I need a seasoned finance professional to design a complete, GAAP-compliant chart of accounts for my growing marketing agency so I can produce clean, audit-ready financial statements and stay fully aligned with U.S. reporting requirements.

You will start by learning how we earn revenue—media buying fees, retainers, performance bonuses, strategic consulting—and the key cost centers that drive our margins. With that insight, craft a logical account structure with clear numbering, parent-child relationships, and concise descriptions that slot naturally into modern platforms such as QuickBooks Online or Xero (we run QBO today).

Deliverables
• Master chart of accounts in Excel and CSV, formatted for direct import into QBO
• One-page mapping guide that explains where each revenue stream and expense type belongs and why it meets GAAP presentation rules
• Brief user notes (max two pages) covering day-to-day posting tips, month-end close checkpoints, and how the structure supports financial reporting & compliance

Acceptance criteria
The file must load without errors in a QBO test company, balance sheet accounts must present correctly under Assets, Liabilities, and Equity, and the P&L must separate COGS from operating expenses in line with GAAP.

When you respond, highlight relevant experience creating GAAP charts of accounts—especially for agencies or service businesses—and any firsthand knowledge of QBO imports.