Margaret Alder
CPA · Founding Partner
Twenty-five years in small business tax. Specialises in S-corporations and owner pay.
Accounting & tax · Asheville, NC
Clear books. Fewer surprises. A CPA who calls you back.
We keep the finances of small businesses and busy households in good order all year, so tax season is a formality and decisions are easier.
- Fixed monthly pricing, agreed up front
- A named accountant who knows your file
- Secure portal for every document
- 18 yrsserving Western NC
- 340+businesses and families
- 1 daytypical reply time
- 4.9 / 5average client rating
What we do
Everything a small business needs from its accountant
Use us for one thing or all of it. Most clients start with bookkeeping and stay for the advice.
Monthly bookkeeping
Reconciled accounts, tidy categories and a plain-English report by the 10th of each month.
Business tax returns
S-corporation, partnership and LLC returns prepared from books we already know.
Individual & family tax
Thoughtful preparation for households with a business, rental, equity pay or multi-state income.
Payroll
Paychecks, filings and year-end forms handled, with one person to call when something changes.
Quarterly planning
A short meeting each quarter to set estimated payments and avoid an April surprise.
New business setup
Entity choice, EIN, state registrations and a clean chart of accounts from day one.
Who we work with
- Independent professionals
- Restaurants & cafes
- Trades & contractors
- Creative studios
- Medical & dental practices
- Real estate investors
- Nonprofits
Free tools
Get an answer before you ever call us
Quick, private calculators and checklists. No sign-up needed to use them.
- Schedule a consultationRequest a time that suits you.
- Bookkeeping price estimatorSee a monthly estimate in under a minute.
- Quarterly estimated tax calculatorFor freelancers and the self-employed.
- Tax deadline calendarKey dates, ready to add to your calendar.
- Document checklistA printable list of what to bring.
- Small business financial health checkA two-minute check-up for your finances.
Our firm
Small on purpose
Alder & Finch was founded in 2008 by two CPAs who wanted to do careful work for people they actually know. We have stayed small ever since.
Every client has a named accountant, a direct phone line and a standing invitation to ask questions before making a decision, not after.
- No junior hand-offs
- No hourly billing surprises
- No jargon
How it works
Getting started takes about a week
Talk
A free 30-minute call to understand your business and what is worrying you.
Review
We look over your books and last return, then send a fixed-fee proposal.
Onboard
We connect your accounts securely and tidy up anything outstanding.
Relax
Monthly reports, quarterly check-ins and a return with no drama.
People
Who you will work with
Daniel Finch
CPA · Partner
Leads bookkeeping and advisory. Former controller for a regional restaurant group.
Priya Raman
EA · Senior Tax Associate
Enrolled Agent focused on multi-state returns and IRS correspondence.
Client words
Trusted by people who dislike paperwork
For the first time in nine years I knew what I owed before April. They explained everything without making me feel foolish.
They cleaned up two years of messy books in a month, and their monthly fee was exactly what they quoted.
I email a question and get a real answer the same day. That alone is worth it.
Common questions
How much does monthly bookkeeping cost?
Most small businesses pay between $350 and $900 per month depending on transaction volume and payroll. Try the price estimator for a quick figure; we confirm a fixed fee after a short review.
Can you work with clients outside Asheville?
Yes. About a third of our clients are remote. Everything can be handled by video call and our secure portal.
How do I send you my tax documents?
Through the secure client portal only. Please do not email documents that contain Social Security numbers or account numbers.
I am behind on my books. Can you help?
Yes. Catch-up work is quoted separately as a one-time project, and then we move you onto a simple monthly plan.
Already a client?
Upload, review and e-sign through our secure client portal. For your protection we never ask for tax documents or Social Security numbers by email or web form.
Contact
Ask us a question
Tell us a little about your situation. A partner reads every message.
Thank you — message received
A partner will reply within one business day.
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