What's the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
Bookkeepers handle the daily recording and organizing of your financial transactions. Accountants analyze that data to prepare tax returns and provide strategic advice. Think of it this way: bookkeepers build the foundation, and accountants use that foundation to help you make decisions and stay compliant.
A bookkeeper categorizes your income and expenses, reconciles your bank accounts, tracks accounts payable and receivable, and prepares basic financial statements like your profit and loss report. They keep your books accurate and up to date throughout the year. Without this groundwork, you’re flying blind on your business finances and scrambling every April.
An accountant typically focuses on taxes, compliance, and financial strategy. They prepare your annual tax return, advise on tax planning and entity structure, and help you understand what your financial data means for the future of your business. CPAs can also represent you before the IRS if you get audited. Some accountants offer bookkeeping too, but many prefer to focus on higher-level work and leave the transaction-level recording to bookkeepers.
The two roles work together better than either works alone. Your monthly bookkeeping keeps financial records clean and organized all year. When tax season arrives, your accountant receives books that are already reconciled and categorized correctly. This means less time fixing errors, lower accountant fees, and a more accurate tax return. Business owners who skip bookkeeping and hand their accountant a shoebox of receipts in April end up paying for catch-up work and often miss deductions because things get overlooked in the rush.
Most small businesses need both. Start with bookkeeping to get your records in order. Work with an accountant for tax preparation and any questions about deductions, entity structure, or tax strategy. Some business owners try to handle their own bookkeeping to save money, but the time cost and error risk usually aren’t worth it once your business has regular activity.
If you’re not sure which you need, think about what problem you’re trying to solve. Behind on your books and need to get caught up? That’s bookkeeping. Worried about taxes or need advice on business structure? That’s an accountant. Need someone to keep your financial records accurate month after month? A bookkeeper in Northwest Arkansas can handle that ongoing work so you’re always ready when your accountant needs the numbers.
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More Questions
How do I know when it's time to hire a bookkeeper?
It's time to hire a bookkeeper when you're spending hours you don't have on the books, falling behind on reconciliations, or unable to answer basic financial questions about your business.
Read answerWhat does a bookkeeper actually do for a small business?
A bookkeeper handles day-to-day financial record-keeping including transaction categorization, bank reconciliation, and financial statement preparation. The work keeps your books accurate and tax-ready so you can focus on running your business.
Read answerWhat questions should I ask before hiring a bookkeeper?
Ask about their industry experience, what's included in their pricing, how often you'll communicate, and how they handle mistakes. Pay attention to how they answer as much as what they say.
Read answerHow much does a bookkeeper cost for a small business?
Small business bookkeeping typically costs $200 to $600 monthly for basic services. The actual price depends on transaction volume, industry complexity, and what services you need beyond monthly books.
Read answerShould I do my own bookkeeping or hire someone?
DIY bookkeeping can work when you're starting out with simple transactions and have time to learn. As your business grows or becomes more complex, the time you spend on books usually costs more than hiring someone who gets it right the first time.
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