JACOB A. DOUGLAS / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A few things to know.
Quick answers before we talk.
Based in California. Serving clients remotely across the contiguous United States (the lower 48 states).
Who is this for?
Creative agencies, studios, and other project-based businesses that need clearer costs, cash plans, or payment workflows. Jacob is California-based and works remotely across the lower 48.
Which service should I start with?
Choose Foundation for bookkeeping and a routine workflow, Growth for ongoing cash and operations support, or Strategic for one major decision. A project assessment investigates a specific cost or contractor-spending question. Compare services and pricing.
What does it cost?
Foundation starts at $800/month. Growth starts at $1,750/month with an initial six-month commitment, or $1,950 for flexible monthly service. Strategic starts at $3,000 per engagement; project assessments start at $1,500. Foundation onboarding is $800 or one month’s fee, whichever is higher. Growth onboarding starts at $750. See scope and fee details.
Does Growth include bookkeeping?
Growth requires current, reconciled books. Use your bookkeeper or request a separate bookkeeping quote. The base scope includes up to ten active payment/vendor items, one monthly follow-up round, and one improvement priority at a time. You retain payment approval and handle urgent deadlines between updates.
What happens before we start?
We discuss your goals, records, and timing. Your written proposal confirms deliverables, fees, responsibilities, information sharing, and cancellation terms. Jacob leads the work and reviews deliverables. You keep control of business decisions and payments. We agree on deliverables; results and savings are not guaranteed.
How do you handle records, software, and AI?
We agree on access, transfer methods, approved tools, and AI permissions before sharing records. You can request restrictions on AI; extra manual work may affect scope and fees. New software or integrations require agreement. Please keep passwords and confidential records out of the website inquiry.
How quickly will you respond?
Jacob provides an initial reply within one business day: Monday through Friday, excluding observed U.S. federal holidays, in Pacific time. The reply may confirm receipt and the next step. Analysis and solutions can take longer; your proposal defines included support.
How do I arrange a conversation?
Send an inquiry with your question and preferred times in Pacific Time, or email Jacob@JacobADouglas.com. Jacob will reply to arrange a conversation. Sending a request does not reserve an appointment.
Engagement terms: billing, cancellation, and breaks
Starting and managing your engagement
When does my engagement start?
Your engagement starts when you accept the agreement. Delivery begins after the initial payment and required information and access are available. You agree to provide these promptly. Client delays can postpone work and outcomes; they do not automatically change the start date or pause billing. We confirm delivery timing after reviewing the inputs.
Use named invitations, delegated access, or agreed exports wherever possible. Do not email passwords or sensitive records. We agree on a secure method when another access arrangement is necessary.
What happens during the first month?
We confirm the scope, responsibilities, approved tools, access, and review schedule. For Growth, we establish the cash outlook and shared payment/vendor register, then agree on the first operational improvement priority. We build your working knowledge base as we document the process. Progress depends on complete inputs and timely client decisions.
How does the six-month Growth option work?
Growth starts at $1,750 per month with an initial six-month commitment, billed monthly in advance, plus onboarding from $750. Flexible monthly service starts at $1,950 with onboarding from $750. Both cover the same defined scope. After six service months, the discounted option continues month to month at the same rate with no new agreement or commitment.
Can either of us cancel?
Either party may cancel with 30 days’ written notice. If you cancel during the initial six-month term, the early cancellation fee is the lesser of one discounted monthly fee or the recurring fees remaining in that term. At the starting Growth rate, the cap is $1,750. This replaces fees for remaining unperformed months, with credits for overlapping prepaid amounts so the same period is not charged twice.
If I end the engagement, no early cancellation fee applies, and prepaid fees for services not provided are refunded. Your agreement confirms notice, final billing, and handoff details before you join.
Can I take a break?
You may request one approved break of up to three months during the initial six-month term, normally with 30 days’ notice. Later breaks require mutual agreement. During an approved break, recurring billing and the service-term clock pause. Work, monitoring, outreach, and support also pause, so you take responsibility for time-sensitive items.
Returning requires a confirmed restart date, availability, updated information and access, and a quoted onboarding fee. Reusable setup may reduce that fee. Your discounted monthly rate continues after an approved break. If you do not return by the agreed break end, cancellation terms apply, including any remaining initial-term cancellation fee. A delay caused by my availability is handled separately.
What if I cancel and return later?
After cancellation, you choose from the plans and prices available when you return. I review your records, systems, scope, and reusable setup before quoting onboarding. Prior work may qualify you for a reduced onboarding fee.
Will anyone else work on my business?
I may use support personnel while remaining your engagement lead and primary contact. I oversee onboarding and review deliverables. Before anyone receives client access, the engagement requires documented, role-appropriate screening, confidentiality obligations, security training, and access limited to their work. We agree on permitted tools and information handling before sharing records.