Bookkeeping and Tax Services for Surf City Businesses
Bookkeeping, tax, and accounting support for Surf City small businesses. Seasonal cash flow, sales tax, and clean records for coastal operators.
Bookkeeping and Tax for Surf City
GMJ Accounting provides bookkeeping, tax and consulting services for small businesses in Surf City and across Topsail Island. Monthly bookkeeping, sales tax, payroll setup, business tax returns, and the year-round support coastal business owners need to stay organized between busy seasons.
We are based in Jacksonville and work with operators up and down the Carolina coast. Surf City businesses see big swings between summer and winter, and the books need to reflect that clearly so you know what each season actually produced and what is left to carry you through the off-months.
Monthly Bookkeeping
Monthly Bookkeeping
Transactions categorized, bank and card accounts reconciled, monthly financials delivered. Your books stay current so you are not piecing together a year of activity in March. Full-service bookkeeping starts at $225 per month.
Catch-Up Bookkeeping
Catch-Up Bookkeeping
Behind a few months or a few years? We rebuild the records, reconcile the accounts, and get you current. Most clients come to us this way after a busy season got away from them.
Sales Tax Management
Sales Tax Management
North Carolina sales tax and prepared meals tax handled from calculation to filing. Rates tracked, returns submitted on time, no scrambling at the end of the month while you are still running the shop.
Business Tax Returns
Business Tax Returns
Federal and state business returns prepared by an IRS Enrolled Agent. Because we have kept the books all year, tax time is a handoff instead of a fire drill.
Surf City Businesses We Work With
Surf City runs on tourism, food, fishing, and the businesses that keep visitors fed, housed, and entertained. From the bridge over to Topsail Beach, you find restaurants, surf shops, ice cream stands, rental companies, charter captains, and the trades that keep cottages and condos in shape between renters.
We work with owners doing roughly $100K to a few million in annual revenue. Big enough that the bookkeeping has outgrown a shoebox of receipts, not big enough to hire a full-time accountant. That is the spot we fit into.
Restaurants and Bars
Restaurants and Bars
Beachfront kitchens, seafood spots, bars, and cafes along the island. We handle daily sales reconciliation, tip reporting, prepared meals tax, and food cost tracking so you can see what is actually profitable. Restaurant and bar accounting is one of our core areas of work.
Vacation Rentals and Property Services
Vacation Rentals and Property Services
Owners of short-term rental portfolios, cleaning crews, and property managers. We separate rental income by unit, track expenses by property, and keep the books ready for the tax treatment short-term rentals require.
Retail and Surf Shops
Retail and Surf Shops
Surf shops, gift stores, bait and tackle, beachwear. Inventory tracking, sales tax across product categories, and clear reporting on margins by department so you know which lines are carrying the store.
Charters and Coastal Trades
Charters and Coastal Trades
Fishing charters, boat services, landscapers, and contractors working the island. We track jobs and trips, manage seasonal cash flow, and keep records ready for licensing, lending, or insurance needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work with businesses in Surf City?
Yes. We are based in Jacksonville, a short drive up Highway 17. We work with businesses on Topsail Island and throughout the surrounding coastal area. Most of the work happens remotely, so location is rarely a factor.
Can you handle seasonal businesses that are busy in summer and slow in winter?
Yes. Most of our coastal clients have a heavy season and a quiet one. We build the books and reporting around that reality so you can see what each season actually produced and plan cash for the off-months.
What does monthly bookkeeping cost?
Full-service bookkeeping starts at $225 per month. The final rate depends on your monthly expense volume and how many accounts we are reconciling. We give you a flat quote after a short conversation about your business.
Do you handle North Carolina sales tax?
Yes. We track sales tax on retail, food, and prepared meals where it applies, file on time, and keep you compliant with state and county requirements.
My books are months behind. Can you still help?
That is how a lot of clients start with us. We do catch-up work to get you current, then move into monthly service so the backlog does not return.
Trusted Accounting for Small Businesses
First Step:
Start With a Call
Tell us about your business and what you need help with. We'll ask a few questions, evaluate your current situation, and let you know how GMJ can support your books, taxes, and day-to-day operations.
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