How Do I Choose the Right Bookkeeping and Tax Services for My Business?
Whether you’re just starting out or managing a growing company, getting your books and taxes right is critical to your success. But with so many options-DIY apps, local accountants, online services-how do you choose what’s best?
Download Our Free Brochure →This guide breaks down what to look for in a bookkeeping and tax partner and how to avoid common pitfalls.
First: What Does Your Business Actually Need?
Start by identifying the level of support you need. Most businesses fall into one of these three categories:
Basic Bookkeeping
You need help recording transactions, reconciling bank accounts, and keeping everything organized for tax season.
Bookkeeping + Monthly Reporting
You want financial visibility-like Profit & Loss (P&L) and Balance Sheets-sent monthly.
Bookkeeping + Tax Services
You need full support through the year and during tax time, including 1099s, filings, and possibly payroll.
Download Our Free Brochure →What to Look for in a Service Provider
Whether you’re considering a local accountant or an online bookkeeping service like Remote Books Online, here are the must-haves:
Experience with Your Business Type
Service-based vs. inventory-based businesses have very different needs.
Transparent Pricing
Avoid providers that charge by the hour. Flat-rate plans keep things predictable.
CPA-Ready Financials
Reports should be clean and accurate enough to send straight to your tax preparer.
Catch-Up Options
If you’ve fallen behind on your books, make sure your provider can get you caught up-fast.
Secure Data Handling
Bank-level encryption and secure portals are non-negotiable.
What to Avoid
“One-size-fits-all” software with no real human support
Hourly billing without clear scope
Services that only reconcile once a year
Hidden charges for extra reports or tax prep handoffs
Why Remote Books Online Works for Small Businesses
At Remote Books Online, we provide bookkeeping only-with CPA-ready reports and catch-up services.
- Flat monthly pricing (starting at $150/month)
- 30-day free trial to test the service
- Dedicated U.S.-trained bookkeepers
- Seamless collaboration with your tax preparer or CPA
If you need tax filing, we coordinate directly with your accountant-or refer you to one of our trusted CPA partners.
Test Case: Ecommerce Business Gets Financials Back on Track
A Shopify seller with 18 months of missing books turned to Remote Books Online just before tax season.
- We caught up all books in under 10 days
- Provided monthly reports and reconciliations
- Flagged over $8,000 in deductible business expenses
- Enabled a smooth, on-time tax filing with their CPA
FAQs
Do you offer tax filing at RBO?
We don’t file taxes ourselves-but we provide CPA-ready financials and can refer you to one of our trusted partners.
What if I have multiple bank accounts and credit cards?
No problem. We support multi-account setups and reconcile all business transactions.
Is it better to combine tax and bookkeeping with one firm?
Not always. Keeping bookkeeping separate ensures focus and clarity-plus better handoffs.
Can you help if my last bookkeeper made a mess?
Yes. We specialize in QuickBooks cleanup and catch-up bookkeeping.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right bookkeeping and tax service isn’t about finding the cheapest option-it’s about finding the right fit for your needs, your industry, and your budget.
Remote Books Online offers a clear, affordable path to clean financials and tax-ready books-so you can focus on growing your business.
Explore our full range of bookkeeping services designed for small businesses looking for accuracy, simplicity, and CPA-reviewed financials.
If you’re behind on your books, our catch-up bookkeeping services can help you get current fast-no stress, no mess.
