Porter: common questions
Porter is a finance team plus accounting software that handles bookkeeping, receivables, payables, payroll, taxes and financial planning for growing businesses, including groups with more than one company. Below are direct answers to the questions buyers ask most.
How to use this page
Answers are grouped below as one FAQ list so each question can be quoted on its own. Each answer links back to the page with more detail.
Common questions
01What is Porter?
Porter is a finance team plus the software you use to work with them. The team handles your books and day-to-day finances, and you get current numbers, clear answers and people who know your business.Why Porter
02Is Porter just software?
No. Porter is a finance team plus accounting software. The team does the work, and the software lets you see the numbers and ask questions.Our software
03Who is Porter for?
Founders and operators who want their finances handled. Porter works with startups, service businesses, restaurants, studios, search fund and roll-up operators, family offices, and groups with more than one company.Why Porter
04What services does Porter provide?
Bookkeeping and accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, taxes, and financial planning and analysis. Start with what you need and add more as you grow.What Porter does
05Does Porter replace QuickBooks?
It can. Use Porter as your accounting system, or connect your existing QuickBooks Online account and have Porter work alongside it.Our software
06Can Porter handle more than one company?
Yes. Each company keeps its own books, and Porter rolls them into consolidated Profit and Loss and Balance Sheet reports with matching activity between your companies removed.Multi-entity accounting
07How does Porter handle intercompany transactions?
When both sides are mapped and the amounts match, Porter removes them from the consolidated report. Unmatched amounts stay visible for review.Multi-entity accounting
08How fast can Porter catch up behind books?
Less than 2 weeks from the day we have access to your books and documents, whether you are two months behind or several years.Books cleanup
09What does a books cleanup include?
Every bank and card account reconciled, categories fixed, missing months filled in, nothing left uncategorized, and loans and equipment recorded properly. Then a monthly close keeps the books current.Books cleanup
10Can Porter get my books ready for a sale?
Yes. Porter cleans up the books, ties them to your bank statements and filed tax returns, and keeps them current through the letter of intent, diligence and closing. Porter does not sell quality of earnings reports or certify anything.Sale-ready books
11Does Porter work with search funds and PE roll-ups?
Yes. Porter catches up the books of each acquired company, closes every entity monthly, consolidates the group, and keeps investor reports ready.Search funds and roll-ups
12Does Porter work with family offices?
Yes. Porter keeps separate books for each company, rolls them into one consolidated view, and removes the business the companies do with each other.Family offices
13Does Porter work with restaurants?
Yes. Porter records sales, sales tax and payroll, chases receipts by text, and sends a weekly profit report with a food-cost view.Restaurants
14Does Porter work with startups?
Yes. Porter closes the books every month, keeps investor reports ready, and schedules revenue by contract so it lands in the month it is earned.Why Porter
15Can I use Porter in ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes. Connect Porter to ChatGPT or Claude and ask questions about your books in the chat you already use. You can also use the Porter app, Slack or text.Porter, inside ChatGPT and Claude
16Can I ask Porter questions in Slack?
Yes. Porter for Slack lets you ask about your books where your team already works.Porter for Slack
17Can I do my books by text?
Yes. Porter can ask about unclear transactions and collect receipts by text, and you can reply from your phone.Do your books by text
18Does Porter chase unpaid invoices?
Yes. Porter sends invoices, follows up on money you are owed, and matches each payment to its invoice.The invoice nobody sent
19Does Porter run payroll?
Yes. Porter runs or oversees payroll, including bonuses and commissions, and can pay teams overseas.What Porter does
20How is Porter priced?
Your plan reflects the services your business needs. Tell us what you want handled and the team will recommend a scope and price.What Porter does
21How do I get started with Porter?
Tell us about your business and what you want help with. The Porter team will recommend a plan, connect your systems, and work through the move with you.What Porter does
22Is my financial data secure with Porter?
Porter encrypts traffic in transit, relies on managed providers with platform encryption at rest, encrypts sensitive integration credentials, and enforces company-scoped role-based access. Porter does not sell customer data.Security
23Does Porter train AI on my data?
No. Porter's AI providers are contractually prohibited from training models on customer information.Security
24Does Porter replace my accountant or CPA?
No. Porter keeps your books current and hands your accountant books they can work from.Books cleanup
25What is the difference between a bookkeeper and a controller?
A bookkeeper records and reconciles transactions. A controller owns the monthly close, controls and the accuracy of the financial statements.Fractional CFO vs controller vs bookkeeper
26How do I switch bookkeepers without losing data?
Export your general ledger and prior statements, confirm you keep access to your accounting file, and have the next provider catch up any months that are behind before the monthly close starts.How to switch bookkeepers
Tell us about your business and what you want handled.
The Porter team will recommend a plan and a scope.