Deciding whether to have a bookkeeper look at your books can help you catch errors, stay compliant, and make smarter financial decisions.
Yes, absolutely. One-hundred percent. If you do your own books because you are not ready to hire a bookkeeper or because you like doing bookkeeping, it is still a good idea to have another pair of eyes to review the books, because a good bookkeeper will look at your books from a tax perspective and make sure that everything in there is set up in a way for you to file your taxes easily. Or, depending on what else you need, you might want it set up in a certain way for the management of your company, and a good bookkeeper will be able to help you set that up that way and make sure your transactions are correctly booked and that your reconciliations are correct.
I would recommend at least quarterly reviews of your books. That way you have someone to ask if you have any questions about how to handle specific transactions such as how to enter the new loans, the PPP loan, the SBA loan. What do you do with that? How do you enter them? Do you enter the PPP as income – because it will be forgiven in the end?
You always want to have a person you can ask these questions to and to offer you another set of eyes. Sometimes, your CPA can be the other set of eyes, but CPA’s can charge $350 or $500 an hour, where a bookkeeper or a bookkeeping firm will charge a lot less, and can help as an intermediary or liaison between yourself and your CPA. I have had many clients who get an end-of-year questionnaire from their CPA but they don’t understand the questions. I end up being the translator between the CPA and the client, because I can speak both languages.
So in summary – I highly recommend having a bookkeeper review your books.
Please let me know if you would like a free consultation or if you need a bookkeeping review.
Schedule a 15‑minute consultation and experience what a guaranteed 24‑hour response system feels like.
Sincerely,
Maya Weinreb | Founder & CEO
813-336-1574
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I have a bookkeeper review my own bookkeeping?
Having a bookkeeper review your work provides an extra layer of accuracy. A professional bookkeeper can identify mistakes, verify reconciliations, and ensure your financial records are organized correctly for tax filing and business management.
How often should my books be reviewed if I do my own bookkeeping?
For most small businesses, quarterly bookkeeping reviews are a good starting point. Regular reviews help catch errors early and give you someone to consult when unusual transactions or financial questions come up.
Can a bookkeeper help me prepare for tax season?
Yes. A bookkeeper can help ensure your accounts are categorized correctly, reconciled, and organized so your CPA or tax professional has accurate information when preparing your tax return.
What types of bookkeeping mistakes can a review catch?
A bookkeeping review can uncover issues such as incorrect account classifications, unreconciled bank accounts, duplicate transactions, missing expenses, and improperly recorded loans or business income.
Is a bookkeeper less expensive than asking my CPA to review my books?
Often, yes. While CPAs provide valuable tax and advisory services, their hourly rates are typically much higher. A bookkeeper can handle regular reviews and help answer day-to-day financial questions before they become expensive tax issues.
Can a bookkeeper communicate with my CPA on my behalf?
Yes. A knowledgeable bookkeeper can act as a bridge between you and your CPA by helping translate financial information, answer bookkeeping questions, and ensure your CPA receives accurate records.