Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL

What does Apparatus do, exactly?

We build and operate end-to-end financial systems for construction businesses on the Intuit platform family—QuickBooks® Online and Intuit Enterprise Suite. This includes job costing, revenue recognition, AP/AR automation, CMS integration, and CFO-level advisory—fully managed by our team.

Who do you work with?

We serve residential and commercial builders, remodelers, developers, and specialty contractors across the U.S.—typically companies between $2M and $50M+ in revenue. Whether you’re running 5 jobs or 50, we provide the financial clarity to grow with confidence.

Do you work with companies outside of construction?

No. We work exclusively with construction entrepreneurs. Our expertise, systems, and service model are purpose-built for the financial complexities of the construction industry.

SERVICES

What’s included in your services?

Every client engagement includes:

• QuickBooks® Online or Intuit Enterprise Suite financial system architecture, based on your specific complexity and needs
• Project-level job costing
• GAAP-compliant revenue recognition (CCM, POC, or APB/WIPRA)
• Workflow automation (AR, AP, billing, draws, payroll)
• CMS integration with Buildertrend®, JobTread®, or Procore®
• Recurring CFO-level strategic planning

How are your service tiers structured?

We offer three tiers:

• Gold Tier – Best for companies between $2M–$8M in revenue; focused on foundation building
• Platinum Tier – Best for companies between $6M–$25M; focused on systemization and automation
• Platinum X Tier – Best for $20M–$50M+ enterprises; includes executive-level reporting and CFO partnership

Do you offer standalone bookkeeping or cleanup services?

No. Apparatus operates your entire finance function as a system—from cleanup to CFO. We don’t offer partial services like one-time cleanups or a la carte bookkeeping.

SOFTWARE + TECH STACK

Which accounting platforms does Apparatus operate?

Apparatus operates two platforms in 2026: QuickBooks® Online and Intuit Enterprise Suite (IES). Both are in the Intuit platform family and both are operated by the same Apparatus team using the same Transform-Stabilize-Scale methodology. The right platform for your business depends on your revenue, complexity, entity structure, and growth trajectory—we’ll recommend the best fit during the Discovery Call. If you’re on QuickBooks® Desktop or another platform today, we’ll migrate you to the right Intuit platform as part of onboarding. Learn more on our Our Platforms page.

How do I know whether QuickBooks® Online or Intuit Enterprise Suite is right for my business?

Most of our clients—particularly those under $20M in revenue, with single-entity or simple multi-entity structures—are the right fit for QuickBooks® Online. Intuit Enterprise Suite is typically the right fit for construction businesses in the $8M–$40M range with multi-entity structures, sophisticated reporting needs, or complexity that has outgrown QuickBooks Online. During the Discovery Call, we diagnose your specific situation and recommend the platform that fits your business best. Our recommendations reflect your interest, not ours—Apparatus fees are tied to scope and complexity, not to the platform you operate on.

Do you integrate with Buildertrend®, JobTread®, or Procore®?

Yes. We have deep expertise integrating these CMS tools into your financial system to ensure consistent job-level data and real-time reporting.

Do I have to manage the tech stack myself?

No. Our team manages the financial stack and ensures that your systems (QuickBooks® Online or IES, CMS, payroll, etc.) stay aligned and accurate. You run the business—we run the system.

Does Apparatus operate Sage Intacct?

Not yet. Apparatus plans to launch Sage Intacct operational capability in late 2026. In 2026, we operate QuickBooks® Online and Intuit Enterprise Suite. For construction businesses whose complexity currently exceeds what Intuit Enterprise Suite can support, we are honest about the situation and help identify the right path forward—which may include a referral to a firm we trust to serve them on Intacct today, or working together to stay on their current platform until our Intacct capability launches.

 

STRATEGY + CFO SUPPORT

What’s your onboarding process like?

We use a proven 3-phase model:

1. Transform – Clean and structure your books using our Precision Bookkeeping Formula™
2. Stabilize – Align QBO, CMS, and workflows through our Construction Advantage Program™
3. Scale – Deliver recurring CFO insight and strategic planning with our Strategic Growth System™

How long does onboarding take?

Most clients complete the “Transform” phase within 4–6 weeks, depending on file condition and scope. We move quickly but thoroughly—so you’re not waiting months for clarity.

How involved will I need to be?

We’ll need your engagement early on to understand your company, goals, and current systems. After onboarding, our team runs the finance function—while keeping you in the loop with recurring updates and strategic reviews.

PROCESS

Is this just bookkeeping, or do I get real CFO support?

You get both. We build your financial architecture and provide ongoing CFO-level advisory—cash forecasting, KPI dashboards, pricing analysis, board-ready reporting, and growth strategy.

Do you replace an in-house controller or CFO?

Yes—often. Many of our clients either don’t have an internal finance team or are replacing one. For larger clients, we often augment internal teams with strategic leadership and systemization.

FIT + NEXT STEP

How do I know if Apparatus is the right fit for me?

If you:

• Run a construction company with $2M–$50M+ in revenue
• Are tired of messy or manual financials
• Want real-time job costing and reliable reporting
• Need an integrated, operated Intuit platform financial system—QuickBooks® Online or Intuit Enterprise Suite
• Are ready to scale with clarity and confidence

…then we’re probably a great fit.

What does it cost?

Our pricing is aligned to your revenue, complexity, and service tier. We’ll provide a transparent proposal after our Discovery Call—no surprises, no hourly billing.

How do I get started?

Schedule a Discovery Call. We’ll assess your current systems, recommend a service tier, and map out your transformation.