The short answer
Plumber bookkeeping in Chandler, AZ starts with knowing what each call and job type earns. AZ Easy CPA sets up QuickBooks to track service calls, installs and repipes separately, accounts for truck stock and membership plans, and keeps your field service software synced so reports match the bank.
Why do plumbers need bookkeeping built for plumbing?
A plumbing company earns money in very different ways: quick drain calls, water heater replacements, repipes, new construction rough-ins and commercial service. Lumping all of it into one income line hides which work pays best. Plumber bookkeeping separates it so you can price and staff with real numbers.
When everything sits under "Sales" and "Materials," you cannot tell whether your water heater installs are carrying the shop or dragging it down. We split income and direct costs by job type so the profit and loss tells a story you can use.
- Service and repair calls
- Water heater and fixture replacements
- Repipes and larger remodel work
- New construction or commercial work, if you do it
How should truck stock be handled in the books?
Truck stock is the parts and fittings your techs carry every day. Small shops often expense parts when bought, while larger ones track inventory on the trucks. We help you choose the approach that fits your size and keep it consistent so job costs stay accurate.
The problem with buying parts in bulk and expensing them right away is that one big supply house run can make a month look terrible and the next month look great. Neither is true.
For shops with several trucks, we can set up inventory or periodic counts so parts hit job costs when they are used. Chris will walk you through the tradeoffs before anything changes, since more tracking means more work for your team.
Ask your supply house for a monthly statement. Reconciling it against the bills in QuickBooks catches missing invoices and duplicate charges early.
How do you account for membership and maintenance plans?
Many plumbers sell annual memberships that include an inspection, a drain cleaning or priority service. When a customer pays upfront for a year, that money is earned over the year, not all on the day it is collected. Tracking it properly keeps your monthly results honest.
Memberships are a great tool for steady work and loyal customers. In the books, they should be tracked separately from regular service income so you can see how many plans you have, what they bring in and whether members actually book more work.
We help you decide how to record annual and monthly plans and make sure your field software sends them to the right accounts.
Can you sync ServiceTitan, Jobber or Housecall Pro with QuickBooks?
Yes. We work with plumbing shops using ServiceTitan, Jobber and Housecall Pro. We map your pricebook items to the right income accounts, record card processing and financing fees, and check each month that invoices and payments in your software match QuickBooks and the bank.
Customer financing is a common source of confusion for plumbers. When a finance company pays you for a water heater install, it usually deducts a fee, so the deposit is less than the invoice. We record the fee as an expense so the invoice closes out cleanly.
- Pricebook items mapped to job type income accounts
- Merchant and financing fees recorded, not left as gaps
- Deposits on repipes and big jobs tracked until the work is done
- Duplicate customers and invoices cleaned up
What about trucks, equipment and tech pay?
Service vans, jetters and camera equipment are usually financed, and each loan belongs on the balance sheet with principal and interest split correctly. Tech pay, including commissions or spiffs, should flow through payroll so labor cost per job is accurate.
We set up each vehicle and equipment loan and reconcile it to the lender statement, which helps when you apply for your next truck. Payroll is run through our trusted payroll partners, and we make sure those entries are recorded correctly in your books.
If you sell both repairs and installation work, how Arizona transaction privilege tax applies can depend on the type of job. That is something to get right with your tax partner, and we keep your income split in a way that makes the conversation easier.
Is your plumbing company behind on the books?
If the books are months behind or the field software and QuickBooks no longer agree, we start with a cleanup to get every account reconciled. Once everything ties out, we move into monthly bookkeeping with reports and a monthly review with Chris.
See our bookkeeping cleanup and catch-up bookkeeping pages for how that works. You can also see how we approach other trade businesses.
How do we get started?
Free phone call
Tell us how your shop runs: service, installs, new construction and the software you use.
Review the setup
Chris looks at your QuickBooks file and software sync and spots what needs fixing.
Build the structure
We set up job type income, cost accounts, truck stock handling and loan accounts.
Monthly close and review
We reconcile every account, send reports and go over the numbers with you.
Plumbers questions
Do you only work with plumbers in Chandler?
No. Chandler is our home base, and we work with plumbing companies across Arizona remotely through a secure upload portal. You can also meet with Chris in person at our Chandler office.
Should I track parts as inventory?
It depends on how many trucks you run and how much stock you carry. Smaller shops often keep it simple, while larger shops benefit from tracking. We explain the options on a call and help you pick one.
How do I see which techs or job types are most profitable?
We set up classes or projects in QuickBooks and map your field software so income and costs land by job type. Your monthly reports then show margins by category.
Can you help with customer financing deposits?
Yes. Finance company payouts usually come in net of fees. We record the full invoice, the fee and the deposit so everything matches the bank.
Do you run payroll for my technicians?
We do not run payroll in house. We work with trusted payroll partners and record payroll correctly in your books so labor costs show up where they belong.
What does plumber bookkeeping cost?
Monthly bookkeeping plans typically start around $300 a month, depending on volume and complexity. We give you a quote after a free call.
Will this help me get financing for a new van?
Clean, reconciled financials make lender conversations easier. We cannot promise approval, but we can give you accurate statements to bring to the bank.
Bookkeeping near you
From our Chandler office we work with businesses across the East Valley and Arizona, in person or online.
