Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Q: What services does Steinke & Company offer?
A: We help rural and small-town businesses grow through tech & AI consulting, business coaching, accounting, tax preparation, and payroll services.

Q: Do you only work with North Dakota businesses or those located in a small town?
A: No. While we specialize in rural and small-town businesses, we work with clients across the U.S. who want practical systems without corporate hype. Our clients are small businesses, mostly service professionals, farmers, and contractors. No matter the industry, they want to integrate technology into their business and they want to grow and be more efficient.

Tech & AI Consulting

Q: What is tech consulting for small businesses?
A: It’s helping you choose and set up the right tools, software, and AI so your business runs smoother, saves time, and scales. We focus on rural businesses that don’t have the staff or money to waste on trial-and-error. We have deep experience with the softare options that work best for farmers, contractors, and service providers.

Q: How can AI help my small business?
A: AI can replace repetitive admin work, streamline bookkeeping, connect QuickBooks to your operations, and even improve marketing and sales. For rural businesses, it’s like adding a virtual employee you can actually count on.

Q: Do I have to be tech-savvy to work with you?
A: No. We meet you where you are. You don’t need to know the tools—we’ll set them up, train you, and keep it simple so you can actually use them.

Q: What if I can’t hire more staff? Or my current staff is maxxed out?
A: That’s exactly why we’re here. We help you replace hard-to-fill roles with systems and automation, so your business keeps growing even when your labor pool is small. We’re in the same boat and had to get creative to solve our own problems and grow in a tight labor market.

Q: How do QuickBooks integrations work?
A: QuickBooks or Xero is the heart of your financials, but most owners don’t connect them to their sales, operations, or payroll. We help you integrate your ledger with the rest of your business so your numbers drive decisions. Books are useless on their own, but when you connect it all together, you can really make some magic.

Accounting, Tax, and Payroll

Q: What’s the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?
A: Honestly, we are not doing bookkeeping. That’s mostly done by AI now. We don’t just put transactions into a category. We act as financial controllers for your business. We do the regular bookkeeping, but we also track your loan payments, assets, taxes, and estimated payments, work with your staff, and take control of the overall financial picture for your business.

Q: Do I still need an accountant if I use QuickBooks?
A: Yes. QuickBooks tracks your numbers, but it doesn’t tell you what they mean and give you real, practical help day to day. An accountant ensures your books are accurate, compliant, and useful for decision-making. We also help you connect your Quickbooks to your point of sale, reporting, CRM, and other software to create your unique business environment.

Q: What tax services do you provide?
A: We handle small business tax returns, year-end filings, and proactive tax planning. Our goal is to minimize surprises and keep you compliant while saving you money.

Q: Do you provide payroll services?
A: Yes. We set up and manage payroll systems, ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, and handle filings so you never miss a deadline.

Q: What’s the difference between tax preparation and tax planning?
A: Tax preparation reports what already happened. Tax planning is proactive—it looks ahead to minimize what you’ll owe and create strategies for the year. If we do your accounting, we also provide a few quarterly tax reviews throughout the year.

Business Coaching & Growth

Q: If I already have accounting, why do I need business coaching?
A: Accounting tells you what happened. Coaching helps you use that information to make better decisions about pricing, sales, and growth. We translate your numbers into strategy, so you’re not just compliant with the basic IRS rules, we make sure you’re profitable too.

Q: How can business coaching help me with pricing?
A: We analyze your costs, margins, and market demand so you can stop guessing. Many rural business owners underprice out of fear or because they don't know their break-even point. We help you find the price that attracts customers and keeps your business sustainable.

Q: Can you help me navigate tariffs or supply chain costs?
A: Yes. Tariffs and freight charges can crush margins if you’re not paying attention. We help you track the impact, adjust pricing or sourcing, and protect your profit. The current environment demands a more proactive approach and the ability to pivot fast.

Q: How do you work with inventory-based businesses?
A: We look at your sales data and carrying costs to identify what’s tying up cash. Then, we design systems to move slow items, double down on best-sellers, and improve your cash flow. We can also help you find good inventory software and integrate your Shopift, inventory, and Quickbooks.

Q: Can coaching improve my sales?
A: Yes—by looking at the data. We show you which products, services, or customers generate the most profit, then create strategies or new offers to increase those sales while cutting what doesn’t work.

Q: What’s the difference between tax planning and business coaching?
A: Tax planning minimizes what you owe. Coaching maximizes what you make. Together, they ensure your business isn’t just surviving tax season, it’s growing year-round.

Q: Should I be a certain size before coaching makes sense?
A: Not at all. We work with both solo owners and multi-million-dollar companies. If you’re asking, “How do I grow without burning out or running blind?” Coaching is your next move.

Working Together

Q: What does working with you look like?
A: We start with an application to understand where you’re at and what you need. If we’re the right fit, we design a custom accounting proposal and tech + growth plan. From there, you can keep us on for coaching, accounting, and tax support—so your systems and finances stay aligned as you grow.

Q: How long does it take to get started?
It varies. For payroll, we need to get setup with in 2 weeks. For accounting, it ususally take 2 months to get through the monthly cycle twice to work out the kinks and get all the access we need.