Financial Workflow & Reporting System Design

I'm a retired CEO looking for an experienced financial systems expert to help design (NOT manage) a personal financial reporting system. This is NOT a bookkeeping or accounting position. I'm NOT looking for monthly reconciliation, tax preparation, payroll, or ongoing support. My financial life now includes: • Personal finances • Two short-term rental properties • A nonprofit ministry • A small Shopify business • Multiple bank and credit card accounts I already have most of the underlying information, including transaction downloads, statements, and a master vendor list (185+ vendors). My challenge isn't finding the information—it's designing a simple, repeatable system that organizes it with the maximum degree of automation. Phase 1 Objective I want someone to help me design the system before we build it. Specifically, I'd like your recommendations for: • The best platform (QuickBooks, Excel, Google Sheets, or a hybrid) • A practical Chart of Accounts • An efficient workflow for importing and categorizing transactions • Multi-entity tracking • Financial reporting structure • What should be automated versus handled manually The final deliverable should be a written blueprint that I can either implement myself or use as the basis for a future Phase 2 build. I'm looking for someone with experience designing financial systems—not simply doing bookkeeping. Experience with any of the following is helpful: • Multi-entity accounting • Excel financial models • QuickBooks architecture • Small business accounting • Short-term rentals • Process improvement and workflow design Project Structure This is intended to be a fixed-price discovery and design project only. If Phase 1 goes well, there may be a separate implementation project later, but there is no expectation of ongoing work. When you apply, please tell me: 1. Why you're a good fit for this project. 2. Similar systems you've designed. 3. Whether you'd recommend Excel, QuickBooks, Google Sheets, or another solution—and why. 4. Your estimated timeline. 5. Your fixed-price proposal for Phase 1. My goal is to build a financial system that is organized, easy to maintain, and capable of producing accurate reports throughout the year and at tax time.