What to Expect When You Hire a Bookkeeper

May 5

Hiring a bookkeeper is a smart step for any business owner who wants more clarity, control, and confidence in their finances. Whether you're a freelancer, side hustler, or small business owner, here's what you can expect when you bring a bookkeeper onto your team.

1. Initial Onboarding & Setup

Your bookkeeper will typically begin by learning about your business, understanding how you earn and spend money, and getting access to your existing financial records. This may include:

Connecting to your bank and credit card accounts
Reviewing past financials
Setting up or cleaning up your accounting software (like QuickBooks)

This is the foundation of an organized bookkeeping system.

2. Ongoing Transaction Management

A good bookkeeper keeps your books up to date by regularly:

Categorizing income and expenses
Reconciling bank and credit card accounts
Tracking receipts and reimbursements
Monitoring accounts payable and receivable

This helps you avoid costly mistakes and keeps your financials audit-ready.

3. Monthly Reports You Can Understand

Expect clear, timely reports such as:

Profit & Loss (Income Statement)
Balance Sheet
Cash Flow Report

These reports give you insight into how your business is performing—and where you can improve.

4. Help with Compliance & Tax Readiness

Bookkeepers don’t file taxes (unless they’re also a tax preparer), but they do prepare your financial records so tax time is smooth and accurate. With clean books, you’ll:

Minimize tax prep fees
Maximize deductible expenses
Be prepared for audits or loan applications

5. Time and Peace of Mind

Perhaps the most valuable benefit is the time you get back. Instead of wrestling with spreadsheets or wondering if you missed a write-off, you can focus on running your business—confident your finances are handled.

6. Optional Add-Ons

Depending on your bookkeeper, you may also get:

Payroll support
Invoicing and collections help
Sales tax tracking and filing
Budgeting and forecasting
Advisory on growth or tax strategy (with CPA or financial advisor collaboration)

Final Thoughts

Bookkeeping isn’t just a task—it’s the backbone of good business decision-making. When done right, it gives you the numbers you need to grow confidently, stay compliant, and sleep better at night.

If you're ready to get your finances in order, consider starting with a consultation to learn what’s possible.

Mark Reed