Trucking & Transportation
Lynn ran a trucking company with her husband. She knows the cash flow gaps, IFTA stress, and broker payment delays. We track Cost Per Mile so you know what every load actually nets.
The Industry
Trucking brings in cash, but it goes out just as fast. Fuel, insurance, tires, maintenance, and the truck payment eat into every load. A few cents shift in diesel prices or a blown steer tire can turn a profitable month into a loss. The revenue looks good until you subtract everything it takes to earn it.
The payment timing makes it worse. You haul the freight today but might wait 30 to 45 days for the broker to pay unless you factor the invoice. Meanwhile, fuel and insurance are due now. Managing that gap while keeping the wheels turning requires tracking that most trucking owners don’t have time to do themselves.
Who This Covers
Who This Covers
Owner-operators, small fleets, hotshot drivers, moving companies, and towing services. Any transportation business in Benton County or Northwest Arkansas where profit is measured in cents per mile and cash flow is a constant balancing act.
The Cash Flow Gap
The Cash Flow Gap
Factoring helps with cash flow, but those fees add up. The bank deposit shows a net figure after fees and reserve holdbacks. Recording just the deposit understates your revenue and hides what you’re actually paying for that quick access to cash.
The Process
We focus on Cost Per Mile. That’s the number that tells you whether a load is worth taking. Expenses get broken down by truck when possible. Fuel, maintenance, insurance, loan payments. Everything gets allocated so you can see the true floor rate for moving that truck. If it costs you $2.05 per mile to operate and a broker offers $1.90, you know to walk away instead of hauling freight at a loss.
Driver settlements are handled correctly. If you run owner-operators leased on or pay drivers by percentage, the calculations need to be right every time. Fuel advances, insurance deductions, and any other adjustments are tracked so the settlement check is accurate and nobody questions the math on payday.
IFTA Support
IFTA Support
Fuel tax reporting requires matching fuel purchases to miles driven by state. We organize your fuel receipts and mileage data so quarterly IFTA filings go smoothly. No more scrambling at the end of the quarter to find receipts or reconstruct your mileage logs.
Factoring Reconciliation
Factoring Reconciliation
We reconcile your factoring statements to the original invoices. This tracks the actual fees you’re paying and ensures the reserve holdbacks are released correctly. You see the true cost of factoring instead of just the net deposit hitting the bank.
Common Problems
The “cash rich” trap catches a lot of trucking owners. There’s $25,000 in the bank, so everything feels fine. But $18,000 in fuel bills, insurance premiums, and the truck payment are due next week. We provide cash flow visibility that accounts for the delay between hauling loads and receiving payment so you see what’s actually available.
Lynn Oliver ran a trucking company with her husband before starting Oliver Bookkeeping Solutions. She has seen these problems firsthand. The factoring fees that seemed manageable until you added them up for the year. The repair bill that hit at the worst possible time. The disconnect between feeling busy and actually being profitable.
Per Diem Tracking
Per Diem Tracking
Drivers on the road are eligible for per diem deductions for each day away from home. This is a significant tax benefit when tracked properly. We make sure the days are logged so you get the deduction you’re entitled to instead of leaving money on the table.
Maintenance Reserves
Maintenance Reserves
Major repairs are not a matter of if but when. Tires, engine work, transmission problems. We help you set aside money for these expenses so you’re not scrambling for financing when a truck goes down. Planned reserves beat emergency loans every time.
What Changes
You stop taking loads that lose money. When you know your true Cost Per Mile, you can evaluate every rate offer against your actual operating costs. You bid on lanes based on profit, not just to keep the trucks moving. That confidence to say no to bad rates is what protects your margins over time.
Compliance stops being stressful. IFTA filings are prepared with the data already organized. Driver settlements are accurate and documented. You focus on finding freight and keeping drivers happy while the numbers get handled in the background by someone who understands the business.
Lane Profitability
Lane Profitability
The data shows which routes actually make money. A dedicated run might look good on paper but the fuel costs and empty return miles eat the margin. With accurate tracking, you can adjust your dispatch decisions based on what nets the most, not just what pays the highest gross rate.
Fleet Growth
Fleet Growth
Adding another truck becomes a calculated decision. You know exactly what that unit needs to generate to cover its payment, insurance, and operating costs. Growth happens when the numbers support it, not on a hunch or because you’re tired of turning down loads.
Northwest Arkansas's Dedicated Bookkeeping Partner
The Next Step:
A Quick Conversation
Tell us about your business and where you need help. We'll listen, ask a few questions, and give you a clear plan and honest price.
