About BalancedRow
BalancedRow helps US individuals and small businesses understand what kind of accounting help they may need and get matched, at no cost, with licensed accountants. We are **not** an accounting firm or tax preparer, and we do **not** give tax, legal, or financial advice.
Our mission
Money paperwork can feel confusing fast. Taxes, bookkeeping, payroll, deadlines, notices, business records. If English is not your first language, or you are new to the US system, it can feel even harder.
BalancedRow exists to make that first step easier. We help people understand the basic service categories and connect with licensed accountants they can choose from. That includes CPAs and IRS Enrolled Agents.
We built this for people who often get overlooked or feel nervous asking for help:
- individuals filing a simple or more complicated return
- freelancers and self-employed workers
- small-business owners who need help with books, payroll, or tax planning questions to discuss with a licensed professional
- new immigrants and ITIN filers
- non-native English speakers who want plain language and a safer process
Our job is simple: help you get oriented, help you compare options, and remind you how to protect yourself. You choose who to hire.
What BalancedRow is — and what it is not
BalancedRow is a free matching service. We are not a CPA firm, not an Enrolled Agent practice, not a bookkeeping company, not a payroll processor, and not a law firm.
That means:
- we do not prepare tax returns
- we do not keep your books
- we do not run payroll
- we do not file forms for you
- we do not represent you before the IRS
- we do not give tax, accounting, financial, or legal advice
What we do is help you describe what you need, then connect you with accountants who may be a fit. If you are not sure what service you need, our guides can help you ask better questions. For example, you can learn the difference between a CPA, EA, and other tax preparers before you hire anyone.
If you move forward, hire a licensed, qualified accountant, verify the credential and PTIN yourself, and confirm the fee and scope in writing before work starts.
How matching works
Getting matched is meant to be simple.
- You tell us what kind of help you are looking for. That may be tax prep, bookkeeping, payroll, or small-business accounting.
- We collect contact and request details only so we can help connect you. We do not ask for SSNs, ITIN numbers, bank-account numbers, bank logins, or tax documents.
- We share your request with participating licensed accountants.
- You compare responses, ask questions, verify credentials, and decide whether to hire anyone.
If you want to start, you can get matched.
A few smart rules to follow:
- Never share your Social Security Number, ITIN number, bank login, or tax documents with anyone you have not verified.
- Check the person’s license and PTIN yourself using the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers or your state board of accountancy.
- Ask what is included, what is extra, how they bill, and when payment is due.
- Get the scope and fee in writing before any work begins.
How we are paid
Matching is free to you.
Participating accountants pay BalancedRow a flat fee to take part. That is how we keep the service free for readers.
What that means for you:
- there is no charge to ask for a match
- there is no obligation to hire anyone
- you should still compare fees and services carefully
- you should still verify every credential yourself
We do not promise the lowest price. We do not promise a specific outcome. Fees for accounting work are usually estimates and typical ranges, not guarantees. The real cost depends on the work involved, your situation, the records you bring, and your area.
Typical ranges people often see in the US:
- individual tax return: $180-$500
- small-business tax return: $500-$1,800
- monthly bookkeeping: $150-$600 per month depending on volume
- payroll: $40-$120 per month plus a per-employee charge
- hourly CPA work: $150-$400 per hour
If you want more detail on common costs by service, see our pricing guide.
Who this is for
BalancedRow is for people who want a clearer, safer way to find help.
You may be a good fit if:
- you are filing taxes as an employee, contractor, landlord, or family with dependents
- you just started a business and need help understanding books, payroll, or what kind of accountant to hire
- you received a tax notice and want to find a licensed professional to review it
- you are an immigrant or ITIN filer and want someone who understands common paperwork issues without judgment
- you have outgrown doing everything yourself and want to stop guessing
You do not need to know the perfect accounting term before you reach out. It is normal to be unsure. A lot of people do not know whether they need bookkeeping, tax prep, payroll help, or broader small-business accounting. The important thing is to ask questions early, verify who you are dealing with, and keep control of your sensitive information.
BalancedRow helps you find licensed accountants for taxes, bookkeeping, payroll, and small-business accounting. It is free to use, we do not take sensitive tax or identity documents, and you should always verify the accountant’s license and PTIN yourself before hiring.
Common questions
Is BalancedRow really free for me?
Do you need my SSN, ITIN, or tax documents to match me?
How do I know if an accountant is legitimate?
Get matched with a licensed accountant — free
Tell us what you need and your area. We connect you, at no cost, with licensed accountants (CPAs and Enrolled Agents) near you. You compare and choose who to hire.