Discovery call → NDA → Soft start → Full handoff · 10–14 days
From discovery call to first deliverable in two weeks. every time.
The biggest barrier to outsourcing accounting isn’t cost or quality — it’s the unknown. this page removes the unknown entirely. here is the exact sequence from your first contact with us to the moment you receive your first completed file. Pair this with our dedicated-staff model or compare engagement models.
The full timeline
Every step — what happens, what you do, what we do.
Nothing is vague. nothing is “we’ll figure it out as we go.” each step has a defined input, a defined output, and a defined owner. that’s how 10–14 days becomes a reliable number — not an aspiration.
Day 1
Discovery call — 30 minutes. honest. no pitch.
We learn about your firm. you tell us your client volume, the software you use, which services you need, and what's driving the conversation. we assess fit and tell you which engagement model suits your situation — including if we're not the right fit. if we are, we confirm a start date and send you a written summary the same day.
What to have ready for the call
Approximate monthly client volume
Software platforms (QBO, Xero, Drake etc.)
Services you need most urgently
Any concerns about security or quality
Days 2–5
NDA executed, accountant assigned, software access configured.
Mutual NDA executed — both parties sign before any data changes hands. your dedicated accountant is assigned from our team based on your service needs, platform, and industry. they are fully briefed on your firm before receiving any access. you configure role-based software permissions and confirm everything looks correct. we receive no access until you are satisfied with the setup.
What happens during setup
Mutual NDA executed by both parties
Accountant selected and matched to your needs
Accountant briefed on your firm's style
You add accountant to software with role-based access
Communication protocol agreed (email, Slack etc.)
Turnaround SLAs documented and confirmed
Week 2
Soft start — one client. you review everything. we calibrate.
We begin on a single client you choose — typically a mid-complexity client that represents your typical work. your accountant completes the full engagement. you review it against your exact standards and provide feedback. we revise until every detail matches your expectations. this calibration step is what makes everything after it smooth. most CPA firms ask us to take on additional clients before the end of this week.
Week 3 onwards
Full handoff. your extended team. running at full capacity.
Your accountant takes on the full agreed scope. daily morning check-in and end-of-day status note. every deliverable reviewed internally before it reaches you. your review time drops — not increases — because work arrives clean, formatted to your standards, with any queries flagged in advance. scale when you’re ready: add clients, add capacity, or add a second accountant. there is no ceiling.
What to expect ongoing
What the engagement actually feels like after the first month.
Communication
Direct. structured. no surprises.
Morning check-in with daily priorities. end-of-day status note. urgent queries answered within 2 hours. you communicate directly with your accountant — no account manager in the middle.
Delivery
Arrived clean. queries pre-flagged.
Every deliverable goes through internal QA before it reaches your inbox. work arrives formatted to your template. any items needing your input are flagged in a single list — not buried in the file.
Scaling
Add capacity without renegotiating.
As your client base grows, you add clients to your accountant's scope or request a second dedicated accountant. no new contract required. the engagement grows as your firm grows.
Ready to start the clock?
Book a discovery call today. If we're a fit, your accountant can be working on your first client file within two weeks.
Book a discovery callOr email us directly at accounting@nimblechapps.finance — no forms, no bots.
