Client Results
Real outcomes from the businesses we work with.
Restaurant Owner Watching Cash Disappear Despite Strong Sales
The Problem
A restaurant owner in Wilmington was busy every weekend but the bank balance kept shrinking. His books were three months behind, food invoices were piling up in a drawer, and he had not updated his menu prices in over two years while his suppliers had raised theirs repeatedly.
He suspected food cost was the issue but had no way to prove it or fix it.
What We Did
We caught up the backlog and separated food costs, labor, and overhead so he could see where the money was actually going. We built a monthly report that broke out food cost percentage by category, drawing on hands-on restaurant operations experience from years spent as a CFO inside a restaurant group.
The Result
His food cost was running well above where it should have been. He repriced the menu, focused his promotions on the dishes with the strongest margins, and renegotiated terms with two suppliers. Cash stopped disappearing within sixty days.
The books now close on time every month. He spends his Mondays planning the week instead of digging through receipts before tax season.
Shopify Seller With Sales Tax Hanging Over Her Head
The Problem
An online seller had grown quickly across Shopify and Amazon, but she had not been collecting or filing sales tax in any state except her own. She suspected she had crossed economic nexus thresholds in several states and was afraid to look at the numbers.
Her inventory counts in Shopify also did not match what was actually on the shelves, which meant she had no real sense of her margins.
What We Did
We ran a nexus review based on her order history and registered her in the states where she had crossed thresholds. We set up TaxJar to handle calculations and filings going forward, and filed voluntary disclosures in two states where it made sense.
We then connected Cin7 Core to QuickBooks Online so inventory counts stayed accurate across systems.
The Result
She went from non-compliant to fully registered and filing on time. Two states waived penalties because she came forward voluntarily. Sales tax now runs in the background and she stopped losing sleep over it.
The accurate inventory data also revealed that her best-selling product was actually her lowest-margin item once shipping and platform fees were factored in. She adjusted her pricing and her ad targeting, and her take-home cash went up by roughly 25% over the next quarter.
Owner-Operator Trucker Losing Money on Loads That Looked Good
The Problem
A trucker hauling freight up and down the East Coast had been running his own authority for four years and could not tell you whether any given load was profitable. Fuel, the truck payment, maintenance, insurance, and his cell phone were all running through one account with no real separation.
He was accepting loads based on the rate per mile without knowing his true cost per mile.
What We Did
We rebuilt the prior year's books and set up expense categories that matched how trucking actually works. Fuel, maintenance, permits, insurance, and the loan payment were tracked separately so we could calculate his real operating cost. We built a one-page monthly report showing net profit per load type.
The Result
His cost per mile was nearly a third higher than he had assumed once deadhead and idle time were factored in. Short-haul loads that looked profitable on the rate sheet were actually costing him money.
He raised his minimum acceptable rate, walked away from a broker that consistently offered below-cost loads, and ended the year with higher net income on fewer total miles driven.
Dental Practice Buried in Provider Pay and Payroll Confusion
The Problem
A dental office had grown to three providers and a full support staff. The owner paid associate dentists as 1099 contractors based on production while hygienists and assistants were on hourly W-2 payroll. Payroll was being calculated by hand every two weeks.
An IRS notice had also arrived questioning a prior year's 1099 filings, and she did not know how to respond.
What We Did
We reviewed the worker classifications, corrected the contested filings, and responded to the IRS notice directly under Enrolled Agent authority. We moved the practice to a proper payroll system with automated tax filings and direct deposit, and set up production tracking so associate payouts could be calculated accurately every cycle.
The Result
The IRS notice was resolved without penalties. Payroll that used to eat half a day now takes thirty minutes, and she stopped second-guessing whether the withholdings were right.
The production tracking also revealed that one associate's compensation structure was costing the practice more than expected relative to the revenue they brought in. She had real numbers to work with when that contract came up for renewal.
Nonprofit Facing a 990 Deadline With No Real Books
The Problem
A community nonprofit had been run by volunteers for years. The treasurer who had kept everything in spreadsheets stepped down, and the new board discovered that no one really knew where the financial records lived. The Form 990 deadline was eight weeks out and the prior year's return had been filed late twice in a row.
What We Did
We reconstructed two full years of activity from bank statements, grant award letters, and donation records. We set up a proper nonprofit chart of accounts in QuickBooks Online that separated restricted and unrestricted funds, prepared and filed the Form 990 with time to spare, and trained the new treasurer on keeping the books current.
The Result
The 990 was filed on time and the organization stayed in good standing with the IRS. The board finally has reports they can hand to donors and grantors without explanation or apology.
The board chair told us that the cleaner presentation of their financials helped secure a larger annual gift from one of their longtime supporters during the next funding cycle.
Solo Attorney Worried About an IOLTA Audit
The Problem
A solo attorney had been practicing for several years but had never been fully confident in how the trust account was being managed. Client funds, earned fees, and operating money had occasionally been transferred between accounts without a clear paper trail. A state bar audit was scheduled and she was concerned about what it might find.
What We Did
We reconstructed the trust account history and reconciled it down to the client matter level. We built a proper three-way reconciliation between the bank statement, the trust ledger, and the client subsidiary ledger, and documented every prior transfer.
Going forward, we set up a monthly IOLTA reconciliation process so the trust account stays clean without any manual scrambling.
The Result
The bar audit came back without findings. The reconciliation now happens every month as part of the regular bookkeeping, and she has documentation she can produce immediately if it is ever requested again.
The peace of mind alone was worth it, but the real benefit is that she can take on more client matters without worrying that the trust accounting will fall apart in the background.
Client Reviews
You don't have to take our word for it. Here is what other business owners have shared about working with us.
"We've been working with GMJ Accounting for our bookkeeping needs and couldn't be happier with the partnership. They do a fantastic job tracking our monthly expenses and delivering clear, reliable financial reports — exactly what we need to stay on top of our business finances.
Come tax season, GMJ makes the entire filing process seamless and stress-free. What really sets them apart, though, is their people — the team is genuinely warm, approachable, and always willing to take the time to answer questions.
If you're looking for a bookkeeping partner who is both highly competent and a pleasure to work with, I'd highly recommend GMJ Accounting. They've been a true asset to our business."
Theresa Perez
Executive Director, Atmos.earth
"Working with Gina and the GMJ Accounting team has been a great experience. Gina brings a level of care and attentiveness to the accounting process that you don't always find. She's organized, thorough, and always on top of things, which makes a real difference when running a busy organization. She's also incredibly patient and encouraging, which I especially appreciate when navigating the more complex or stressful moments of the fiscal year.
The whole team is responsive and helpful. Questions get answered promptly and you never feel left in the dark. If you're looking for an accountant who will treat your business with real dedication and keep things running smoothly, I can't recommend GMJ Accounting highly enough."
Christie Quinn
Executive Director, Jackson Wild
"I've trusted GMJ Consulting with both my business bookkeeping and my personal taxes, and they've been outstanding on every level. They keep my books organized, accurate, and up to date, which has taken a huge weight off my shoulders as a business owner.
When it comes to taxes, they are thorough, strategic, and always looking out for my best interests. They make sure everything is filed correctly while also helping me minimize liabilities and plan ahead. I never feel in the dark — they explain things clearly and are always available to answer questions.
GMJ Consulting is reliable, professional, and truly cares about their clients. If you need someone to handle both your business finances and personal taxes with expertise and attention to detail, I highly recommend them."
Ali Krupnik
Chief Wellness Officer & Founder, MyWellCo
"The GMJ Accounting team is very responsive, fast acting, and thorough. They're fantastic partners that allow us to focus on scaling our business."
Alison R. Cove
CEO, USEFULL
"GMJ Accounting handles the accounting for my small business. Gina and her staff are incredible to work with. They are thorough, prompt, and handle my business with care! I could not recommend them enough."
Mike Cray
Owner, Harbor Perk
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.
