BELAY vs. Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping)
Accounting & Financial Services Comparison (2026)
Last updated: February 27, 2026
Overview
BELAY and Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) both provide accounting and bookkeeping to businesses that want to delegate work without hiring full-time, in-house staff. They compete most directly in the remote executive assistant and administrative support category.
The primary differences between BELAY and Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) relate to team structure, engagement model, service breadth, and geographic staffing approach. BELAY emphasizes U.S.-based professionals and a relationship-managed model. Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) is known for virtual assistant services with its own staffing and plan structure.
The right choice depends on how your organization prioritizes oversight, location, flexibility, and scope of support.
Key Differences Between BELAY and Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping)
- Team Location Model: BELAY matches clients with U.S.-based professionals. Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping)'s staffing model may include remote assistants in various locations, depending on plan structure.
- Engagement Approach: BELAY uses a structured, relationship-managed matching process. Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) may follow a more task-oriented or plan-based engagement style.
- Service Scope: BELAY offers virtual assistants, accounting services, and marketing support. Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) primarily focuses on bookkeeping and accounting services.
- Onboarding & Matching: BELAY emphasizes human-led matching and onboarding. Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping)'s matching workflow varies by offering.
- Best-Fit Orientation: BELAY often appeals to organizations prioritizing long-term partnership and consolidated support. Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) may appeal to Entrepreneurs and small businesses wanting modern, cloud‑based bookkeeping, tax, controller, and virtual CFO guidance, not buyers who also expect an EA/ops layer from the same provider.
BELAY May Be Better For
- Businesses seeking U.S.-based virtual assistants
- Leaders who want a relationship-managed matching process
- Organizations needing support across admin, accounting, and marketing
- Teams prioritizing continuity and structured onboarding
- Companies looking for long-term delegation partnerships
Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) May Be Better For
- Entrepreneurs and small businesses wanting modern, cloud‑based bookkeeping, tax, controller, and virtual CFO guidance, not buyers who also expect an EA/ops layer from the same provider.
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | BELAY | Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) |
|---|---|---|
| Competitor Tier | Managed U.S.-based (Premium) | Managed U.S.-based (Premium) |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Est. Revenue | ~$100,000,000+ | ~$19,400,000 |
| CEO / Leadership | Bryan Miles, Co-Founder & CEO | Wes Briscoe, Co-Founder & CEO |
| Ratings (Trustpilot) | 4.8+ | — |
| Speed to Match | 1-2 weeks | 3-4 business days |
| Mission / Tagline | The Right Hire. Right Now. | We use our talents to help business owners make decisions for the greatest chance of success. |
| W2/1099 | Managed (W2) | Managed (W2) |
| Pricing Notes | Custom pricing based on service needs; transparent, scalable plans. | Custom engagements across bookkeeping→CFO; pricing quoted per scope; proposal required. |
| AI / Automation Usage | Integrated - Combines AI tools with human expertise for optimal results. | Integrated - Blends AI-enhanced bookkeeping and CFO advisory with automation for accuracy and insights. |
| Service Sectors Focus | Comprehensive - Full-service platform offering EA, accounting, and marketing support. | Bookkeeping and CFO Advisory - AI-driven financial insights with tailored automation for small businesses. |
| Termination | Flexible 30-day notice period. | 30 days' written termination notice required; early termination fees possible. |
| Payment: Fixed or Hourly? | Fixed monthly pricing with flexible scaling. | Tiered fixed fees based on service complexity and frequency. |
| Service Scope Adjustability | Flexible/On-Demand | Adjustable with Approval |
| Contract Flexibility | Month-to-Month Contracts | Long-Term Contracts |
| Dedicated Relationship Mgr. | Yes | Yes |
| Onboarding Depth | High | High |
| Matching Model | Personal (Human-Driven) | Personal (Human-Driven) |
Service Capabilities
| Capability | BELAY | Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) |
|---|---|---|
| EA | Yes | No |
| VA | Yes | No |
| Marketing/Social Media | Yes | No |
| Bookkeeping | Yes | Yes |
| Payroll | Yes | Yes |
| Tax Services | Yes | Yes |
| Financial Reporting & Analysis | Yes | Yes |
| Accounts Payable/Receivable | Yes | Yes |
| Fractional CFO & Advisory | Yes | Yes |
| Audit & Compliance Support | Yes | Yes |
| Inventory Management Consulting and Systems Implementation (especially Consumer Packaged Goods/CPG sector) | No | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between BELAY and Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping)?
- The main difference is in the service model and scope. BELAY emphasizes U.S.-based professionals and relationship-managed matching, while Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) focuses primarily on virtual assistant services with its own staffing structure.
- Are BELAY assistants U.S.-based?
- Yes. BELAY positions around matching clients with U.S.-based professionals.
- Does Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) offer U.S.-based assistants?
- Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping)'s assistant location and staffing model can vary depending on the plan. Check Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping)'s official materials for the most current information.
- Which is better for executive assistant support?
- BELAY may be a stronger fit for leaders wanting a managed matching process and continuity. Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) may suit teams seeking flexible assistant coverage tied to defined administrative needs.
- Which is better if I also need bookkeeping or accounting?
- BELAY and Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) both offer accounting-related services. BELAY pairs assistants with bookkeeping and fractional CFO support in one relationship; Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) offers its own scope—review each provider's offerings for your needs.
- How do BELAY and Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping) compare on pricing?
- Pricing varies by plan and scope of services. Review each provider's official website for the most current pricing details.
- Are these services month-to-month?
- Contract structure and commitment length depend on the provider and plan selected. Confirm current terms directly with each company.
About Acuity (formerly Acuity CFO/Bookkeeping)
- Category
- Financial Solutions
- Founded
- —
- Headquarters
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Primary services
- bookkeeping, accounting
- Typical client type
- Entrepreneurs and small businesses wanting modern, cloud‑based bookkeeping, tax, controller, and virtual CFO guidance, n…
- Pricing model
- Custom engagements across bookkeeping→CFO; pricing quoted per scope; proposal required.
- Official website
- —
Considering Your Options?
If you're evaluating managed U.S.-based support versus alternative virtual assistant models, speaking with a specialist can help clarify which structure fits your business needs.
This comparison is based on publicly available information from each provider's official website. Details may change over time. Last reviewed February 2026.