What is the Difference Between Full-Service Bookkeeping and Self-Bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping is the backbone of every business’s financial health. But when it comes to managing your books, business owners are often faced with two choices: do it yourself (self-bookkeeping) or hire professionals (full-service bookkeeping). Which is better for your business?
Download Our Free Brochure →This blog explores both options in detail, helping you make an informed decision based on your time, resources, and long-term goals.
What Is Self-Bookkeeping?
Self-bookkeeping means handling your own books—recording income and expenses, managing invoices, reconciling bank statements, and generating reports. You might use software like QuickBooks or spreadsheets, but you’re responsible for all data entry and accuracy.
Pros of Self-Bookkeeping
- Lower upfront cost
- Direct control over finances
- Good learning experience for new business owners
Cons of Self-Bookkeeping
- Time-consuming and error-prone
- Difficult to scale with business growth
- Risk of non-compliance with tax laws
What Is Full-Service Bookkeeping?
Full-service bookkeeping is when a professional or team of bookkeepers manages all aspects of your financial records. Companies like RemoteBooksOnline provide dedicated bookkeepers who work with your data, reconcile your accounts, and deliver monthly reports—often using platforms like QuickBooks or Xero.
If you’re a CPA or firm looking to scale without hiring internally, our white-label bookkeeping services are also available.
Pros of Full-Service Bookkeeping
- Accuracy and compliance
- Saves time so you can focus on your business
- Scalable support as your business grows
- Monthly reports and insights delivered to you
Cons of Full-Service Bookkeeping
- Monthly cost (though often less than hiring in-house)
- Requires trust and communication with your bookkeeper
Use Case: A Bakery Owner’s Experience
Elena owns a bakery in Austin. For the first 18 months, she did her own bookkeeping. Every weekend was spent entering receipts, chasing down missing expenses, and trying to figure out tax categories.
When her revenue grew and she hired two staff members, things got complicated. Payroll, vendor bills, and multiple sales platforms overwhelmed her.
She hired RemoteBooksOnline for full-service bookkeeping. Her dedicated bookkeeper caught missed deductions, cleaned up her reports, and provided monthly profit & loss summaries. Elena now uses weekends to plan new menus, not reconcile spreadsheets.
If your books are behind like Elena’s were, our catch-up bookkeeping services can bring everything up to date—fast.
Download Our Free Brochure →When Should You Choose Self-Bookkeeping?
- You’re just starting and have minimal transactions
- You enjoy doing finances and have time for it
- You can commit to regular bookkeeping reviews
When Should You Choose Full-Service Bookkeeping?
- You’re missing tax deadlines or making data entry errors
- You want clean books to qualify for loans or investment
- You’re spending more than 2–3 hours a week on books
- Your business is growing and complexity is increasing
Cost Comparison
| Expense | Self-Bookkeeping | Full-Service Bookkeeping |
|---|---|---|
| Tools | Low (software fee) | Included in service |
| Time | High | Low |
| Accuracy | Depends on skill | High |
| Support | None | Dedicated bookkeeper |
Full-service doesn’t mean expensive. View our pricing plans starting at just $150/month, with no hidden fees.
FAQs
Is full-service bookkeeping only for large businesses?
No. Many small businesses benefit from outsourcing to professionals like RemoteBooksOnline who offer affordable packages.
Can I switch from self-bookkeeping to full-service mid-year?
Yes. RemoteBooksOnline can catch up your books and take over at any point in the year.
Is my financial data secure?
Yes. Reputable services use bank-grade security and encrypted platforms like QuickBooks Online.
Call to Action
Ready to make the switch from spreadsheets to stress-free?
Start your free month of bookkeeping with RemoteBooksOnline and let us handle the books while you grow your business.
