For professional services
How professional services use Red Rock Trade
A professional services firm, like accounting, legal, consulting or bookkeeping, earns credits by taking on work for other member businesses during lighter weeks, then spends them on marketing, office updates, meals and vehicle maintenance. One credit is $1 of purchasing power with members. Credits are spent only inside the network.
Why it works for professional services
Billable hours vary week to week. Taking on member work during slower stretches fills that time with earning, while your cash stays available for salaries and overhead.
Earn credits
The easiest credits come from work that fits cleanly into your existing practice. A few ways firms put open hours to use:
- Tax prep, bookkeeping and accounting.
- Legal work and document review.
- Consulting and advisory projects.
- Ongoing retainers for member businesses.
Spend credits
Each credit is $1 of purchasing power with any member business, not just the one that hired you. Where firms tend to spend them:
- Marketing, website and social media.
- Office furniture and updates.
- Meals and client entertainment.
- Vehicle maintenance for the firm.
- Printing and stationery.
An example of how it adds up
Illustrative scenario, not a guarantee
Here is one way it could look. A few member engagements during lighter weeks could pay for a website refresh and a season of marketing. Unspent credits roll forward month to month. Real results will depend on your capacity and how active the network is.
Professional services FAQ
- How does a professional services firm earn credits?
- A professional services firm earns credits by taking on work for other Red Rock Trade members during lighter weeks. Tax prep, bookkeeping, legal review, consulting projects and ongoing retainers for member businesses are common ways to fill open hours. Credits post when the member confirms, or on their own after 7 days.
- What can I spend credits on?
- Firms usually spend credits on marketing and website work, office furniture and updates, meals and client entertainment, vehicle maintenance, and printing. You can spend with any member business, not only your own clients.
- Do I have to take trade from every client?
- No. You choose which services take trade and when. Cash clients stay exactly as they are, and you can pause new trade customers anytime with one switch during busy season.
- Is trade income taxable for my firm?
- Yes. The IRS treats trade income like cash income in the year the trade happens. After year end, Red Rock Trade sends each business a Form 1099-B for its trade. Your normal tax obligations stay with you, so see IRS Topic No. 420 and confirm the details with your CPA.
New here? Read how Red Rock Trade works, how credits work and taxes on trade. Related industries: marketing and print shops, contractors and trades, restaurants and cafés.
Ready to fill your lighter weeks?
One monthly price with no transaction fees. Plans start at $59 a month. Every new member starts with 100 welcome credits to spend with any member.