Need a Bookkeeper for Your Small Business? Here’s What to Know Before You Hire
If you’re like most small business owners, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Do I need a bookkeeper?” The answer is almost always yes-especially if you’re spending too much time sorting receipts and reconciling accounts instead of growing your business. In this guide, we’ll break down when to hire a bookkeeper, how much it costs, and why outsourced remote bookkeeping might be your smartest move.
Download Our Free Brochure →Why You Might Need a Bookkeeper
Even with tools like QuickBooks or Xero, bookkeeping takes time, focus, and financial know-how. Signs you need a professional include:
- You’re behind on monthly reconciliation
- You’re unsure about your cash flow
- Tax season is overwhelming
- You’ve been hit with penalties due to accounting errors
- You want to scale and need financial clarity
A bookkeeper doesn’t just input numbers-they help you run smarter.
When Should You Hire a Bookkeeper?
Ideally, before things spiral. Most business owners wait until the books are messy or tax deadlines are near. But the earlier you get help, the fewer problems you’ll face.
If you’re asking “should I hire a bookkeeper now?” the answer is likely: yes.
Cost of Hiring a Bookkeeper
The average hourly rate for a freelance bookkeeper is $30-$60. In-house bookkeepers can cost $45K–$55K per year, plus benefits.
But here’s the smarter option:
Outsourced bookkeeping services start as low as $150/month and often include CPA review, monthly reports, and dedicated support.
Test Case: Before and After Hiring a Bookkeeper
Before:
Jenny, owner of a 3-person design agency, was reconciling her books every 3 months. She missed several deductions and her CPA charged extra to clean up messy records.
After:
She hired RemoteBooksOnline for $150/month. Her books are now updated weekly, and her CPA bills dropped by 40%. Most importantly-she gets to focus on clients, not debits and credits.
Benefits of Remote Bookkeeping Services
- Flat monthly pricing with no surprises
- Access to a dedicated bookkeeping team
- 24/7 availability of financial data
- No hiring, training, or managing staff
- CPA-ready reports delivered on time
How to Get Started
Whether you need catch-up bookkeeping or ongoing monthly support, the best providers will:
- Review your current setup
- Offer a free trial or review
- Assign a dedicated team
- Sync with your existing platform (QuickBooks, Xero, etc.)
FAQs
Can I hire a bookkeeper just for tax season?
Yes-but it’s more cost-effective to stay up to date year-round so you’re not paying extra for cleanup.
What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
Bookkeepers handle daily finances; accountants focus on taxes, analysis, and strategy. Most businesses need both.
Is it safe to outsource my bookkeeping?
Absolutely. Reputable services like RemoteBooksOnline use bank-grade encryption, secure portals, and offer CPA-reviewed reports.
Tired of juggling receipts and invoices? Let us handle the books so you can handle your business.
If you’re already behind on your books, check out our Catch-Up Bookkeeping Services to get back on track quickly.
For consistent support, our Monthly Bookkeeping Plans start at just $150/month and scale with your needs.
