Blackline Financial | First Step

THE DIG

$1,000 Flat Fee · One-Time Engagement

Before we talk ongoing services, we get into your books. The DIG is a structured financial assessment — Discover, Investigate, Guide — where we analyze your business finances, find what's working and what's broken, and give you a clear, no-fluff plan. Zero obligation to continue.

iscover

We get a complete picture of your business — accounts, systems, revenue, and where the gaps are.

nvestigate

We go through your books in detail — reconciliations, categorizations, reporting, compliance.

uide

We present our findings and a clear recommendation: what needs to happen and what it will cost.

Schedule Your DIG — $1,000 See How It Works

What We Analyze

EVERYTHING WE LOOK AT

During The DIG, we go through your financials systematically. Here's what we cover:

Chart of Accounts

Is your account structure logical and consistent? Are things categorized correctly?

Bank Reconciliations

Are all accounts reconciled? Are there outstanding transactions or discrepancies?

Transaction Coding

Are expenses categorized correctly and consistently across all accounts?

Accounts Receivable

Are customer invoices current? Any aged receivables that need attention?

Accounts Payable

Are vendor bills recorded accurately? Any missed liabilities?

Payroll Records

Is payroll recorded correctly in the books? Are payroll tax liabilities accurate?

Financial Statements

Do your P&L and Balance Sheet tell an accurate story? Are there obvious anomalies?

Cash Flow Picture

Do you have a clear picture of cash coming in and going out? Any concerns?

Systems & Workflow

What tools are you using? What's working, what's not, and what needs to change?

The Three Phases

HOW THE DIG WORKS

Discover

We start with a structured intake call — typically 60–90 minutes — to understand your business: how you operate, what financial tools you use, how you currently manage your books, and what your biggest concerns are. We collect access to your accounts and relevant records.

Investigate

We spend several days in your books. We go through your QuickBooks file (or equivalent), reconcile accounts, review transaction history, analyze your financial statements, and document every issue, discrepancy, or risk we find. This is the part most business owners have never had done.

Guide

We deliver a written findings report and walk you through it on a dedicated call. You'll receive a clear assessment of your financial health, a prioritized list of what needs to be addressed, and a specific recommendation for what ongoing services would look like and what they'd cost. No pressure. No obligation.

Who It's For

THE DIG IS RIGHT FOR
YOU IF...

You're not confident your books are accurate
You've been doing your own bookkeeping and want a professional review
You just parted ways with a bookkeeper and need to know where things stand
You're behind on your books and don't know how far behind
You're considering outsourcing your finances but want to know the scope first
You're applying for a loan and need clean, reliable financials
Your CPA keeps asking questions you can't answer
You simply don't trust your numbers and want clarity

What Comes Next

AFTER THE DIG,
YOU DECIDE

The DIG is designed to give you total clarity with zero pressure. At the end, you'll receive our written findings and a specific recommendation for what ongoing support would look like for your business.

If it makes sense to continue working together, great — the $1,000 DIG fee is credited toward your first month of service. If you decide to handle things yourself or go a different direction, you still walk away with a detailed financial assessment that took us hours to produce. That alone is worth the investment.

Either way, you'll know exactly where your business stands — probably for the first time.

Common Questions

THE DIG FAQs

What exactly do I get for $1,000?

You get a complete, professional analysis of your business finances. This includes a structured intake call, a thorough review of your books and financial records, a written findings report documenting everything we discovered, and a guided walkthrough call where we explain our findings and present a clear recommendation. Most businesses have never had this done — and most are surprised by what we find.

How long does The DIG take?

From intake call to delivery of findings, The DIG typically takes 5–10 business days depending on the complexity of your books and how quickly we receive access to your accounts. The intake call is 60–90 minutes. The findings call is typically 45–60 minutes.

What if my books are really a mess?

That's exactly why The DIG exists. We've seen it all — years of uncategorized transactions, multiple bank accounts never reconciled, commingled personal and business expenses, payroll not recorded correctly. Whatever the situation, we document it clearly and give you a realistic plan to address it. No judgment — just clarity.

Is there any obligation to continue after The DIG?

Absolutely none. The DIG is a standalone engagement. You pay $1,000, we do the work, and you walk away with a professional financial assessment regardless of what you decide to do next. If you do choose to move forward with Blackline Financial, the $1,000 is credited toward your first month.

What do you need access to?

Primarily read-only access to your QuickBooks Online file (or equivalent bookkeeping software) and your bank and credit card statements for the current year. For businesses using spreadsheets or paper records, we work with whatever you have.

Can I do The DIG if I'm not in Phoenix?

Yes. The DIG is conducted entirely remotely. All calls are via video, and account access is shared securely online. We work with businesses across the country.

Serving Phoenix & Beyond

THE DIG IN PHOENIX, AZ

Blackline Financial conducts The DIG for small businesses throughout the Phoenix metro area — including Scottsdale, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, and Glendale — and for businesses across the United States. Whether you're a Phoenix contractor who's been doing your own QuickBooks for years and suspects something is off, or a nationwide e-commerce business preparing for your first outside financial review, The DIG gives you the honest assessment you need.

Most small business owners have never had a professional go through their books with a critical eye. The DIG changes that — and most clients tell us it's one of the best $1,000 investments they've ever made in their business.