Us vs. Them vs. DIY
See exactly how 406 Consulting Group stacks up against the alternatives
The question isn't "can I afford professional financial infrastructure?" It's "can I afford NOT to have it?"
Select Your Revenue Range
| Comparison | DIY | Budget Bookkeeper | Traditional CPA | 406CG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | ✓ $0-$75 | ✗ $600-$1,000/mo | ✗ $300-$600/mo | ⚠ $800-$1,500/mo |
| Tax Planning | ✗ None — file & hope | ✗ None — data entry only | ✗ Reactive — Q4 tips | ✓ Proactive year-round strategy |
| Financial Visibility | ✗ Whatever you figure out | ✗ Basic P&L, maybe | ✗ Annual financials | ✓ Real-time dashboards + weekly reporting |
| Cash Flow Forecasting | — None | — None | — None | ✓ 12-month rolling forecast |
| Audit Protection | — You're on your own | ✗ Not their job | ✗ They'll respond if audited | ✓ Proactive compliance + representation |
| Strategic Advice | ✗ Google and hope | — None | ✗ Minimal — generalist | ✓ Monthly CFO advisory |
| Payroll Management | ✗ DIY through Gusto | ✗ Basic processing | ✗ Not typically | ✓ Full service + tax optimization |
| Time You Spend | — 15-25+ hrs/week | ✗ 8-12 hrs/week | ✗ 4-8 hrs/week + tax chaos | ✓ 2-3 hrs/month |
Monthly Cost
DIY
$0-$75
Budget
$600-$1,000/mo
CPA
$300-$600/mo
406CG
$800-$1,500/mo
Tax Planning
DIY
None — file & hope
Budget
None — data entry only
CPA
Reactive — Q4 tips
406CG
Proactive year-round strategy
Financial Visibility
DIY
Whatever you figure out
Budget
Basic P&L, maybe
CPA
Annual financials
406CG
Real-time dashboards + weekly reporting
Cash Flow Forecasting
DIY
None
Budget
None
CPA
None
406CG
12-month rolling forecast
Audit Protection
DIY
You're on your own
Budget
Not their job
CPA
They'll respond if audited
406CG
Proactive compliance + representation
Strategic Advice
DIY
Google and hope
Budget
None
CPA
Minimal — generalist
406CG
Monthly CFO advisory
Payroll Management
DIY
DIY through Gusto
Budget
Basic processing
CPA
Not typically
406CG
Full service + tax optimization
Time You Spend
DIY
15-25+ hrs/week
Budget
8-12 hrs/week
CPA
4-8 hrs/week + tax chaos
406CG
2-3 hrs/month
Total Cost of Ownership
Annual Cost
DIY:$900
Budget Bookkeeper:$8,400
Traditional CPA:$5,400
406CG:$12,000
Estimated Annual Value
DIY:$0
Budget Bookkeeper:$2K-$5K
Traditional CPA:$5K-$15K
406CG:$35,000+
The Real Question
"The question isn't 'can I afford professional financial infrastructure?' It's 'can I afford NOT to have it?' At your $1M - $3M revenue level, the gap between DIY and strategic advisory is estimated at $35,000/yearin missed savings, wasted time, and invisible risk."