RemoteBooksOnline vs 1-800Accountant: Who Offers the Best Bookkeeping Support for SMBs?
Both RemoteBooksOnline and 1-800Accountant promise bookkeeping services for small businesses — but they serve very different purposes. RemoteBooksOnline is a dedicated bookkeeping provider with CPA-reviewed financials. 1-800Accountant is an accounting firm that bundles tax services with bookkeeping-lite features.
Download Our Free Brochure →If you’re trying to decide which one is the right fit, this side-by-side breakdown reveals where each service shines – and where it falls short.
Service Offerings
| Feature/Service | RemoteBooksOnline | Pairo |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Bookkeeping | Yes – CPA-reviewed, handled in-house | Depends on freelance partner hired via platform |
| Catch-Up Bookkeeping | Yes – up to 24+ months | Offered by select freelancers only |
| Tax Filing Support | No – tax-ready books provided | Depends on freelancer – not standardized |
| White-Label for CPAs | Yes | No |
| Industry Flexibility | All SMBs – real estate, law, ecommerce, etc. | Varies by available freelancers |
Verdict:
RemoteBooksOnline is ideal if you want accurate, CPA-reviewed books using QuickBooks or Xero. 1-800Accountant leans toward basic tax support with bundled, low-touch bookkeeping.
Pricing Comparison
RemoteBooksOnline provides flat, predictable monthly pricing based on your needs – with no hourly billing and first month free. Catch-up is quoted separately and affordably.
1-800Accountant operates on a tiered model, with bookkeeping only included in mid- to high-level plans. Their pricing is less transparent, and upsells are common during onboarding.
| Service | RBO | 1-800Accountant |
| Monthly Bookkeeping | Included (CPA-reviewed) | Included only in higher plans |
| Catch-Up Work | Yes, flat quote | Not included |
| Tax Filing | No (CPA-ready books only) | Yes, in higher-tier bundles |
Verdict:
RBO is more cost-efficient if you already have an accountant or just need reliable, tax-ready books. 1-800Accountant may make sense for solopreneurs needing tax help but lacks advanced bookkeeping quality.
Technology & Integration
RemoteBooksOnline works inside your existing QuickBooks or Xero account – no software switch required.
1-800Accountant uses a custom dashboard but often requires manual uploads, and their bookkeeping process lacks transparency or integration with QBO/Xero.
Verdict:
RBO wins on integration, efficiency, and software flexibility.
Customer Support
RemoteBooksOnline provides a dedicated bookkeeping team, CPA review every month, and phone/email support from real humans.
1-800Accountant support is available via chat or ticketing. Reviews often mention long wait times and difficulty reaching consistent support reps.
Verdict:
RBO delivers consistent, reliable support with CPA involvement. 1-800Accountant feels more like a call center.
User Reviews & Reputation
RemoteBooksOnline:
- Praised for accurate, CPA-reviewed bookkeeping
- Loved by small business owners who want to stay audit-ready
- Especially recommended by QuickBooks users
1-800Accountant:
- Mixed reviews for customer support and transparency
- Some praise for all-in-one tax + bookkeeping bundles
- Criticized for upselling and long-term contracts
Notable Review Themes:
- RBO: “Best value,” “No surprises,” “QuickBooks cleanup pros.”
- 1-800Accountant: “Too much upselling,” “Good for taxes, weak for books,” “Hard to cancel.”
Pros and Cons
RemoteBooksOnline – Pros:
- CPA-reviewed monthly financials
- Works with QBO and Xero
- Affordable catch-up options
- First month free
- White-label option
1-800Accountant – Pros:
- Bundled tax + bookkeeping for freelancers
- Nationwide availability
- Mobile-friendly dashboard
RBO – Cons:
- Doesn’t file taxes (just prepares clean books)
- Not focused on tax consulting
1-800Accountant – Cons:
- No dedicated bookkeeper
- Limited integration
- Frequent upsells and inconsistent support
Test Case: E-Commerce Store Owner in New Jersey
Background:
A Shopify store owner had signed a 1-year package with 1-800Accountant but was frustrated by poor bookkeeping accuracy and lack of QuickBooks integration.
Solution:
They switched to RemoteBooksOnline. RBO cleaned up the last 12 months of data, synced it with QBO, and now handles all ongoing books with monthly CPA review.
Results:
- Books now fully aligned with inventory and sales
- 6 hours saved monthly
- Prepared tax-ready financials for external CPA
- Store owner avoided penalties and got peace of mind
FAQs
Does RBO file my taxes?
No, but we deliver tax-ready, CPA-reviewed books your accountant will love.
Can I switch from 1-800Accountant to RBO?
Yes. We’ll help you migrate, clean up your books, and ensure smooth ongoing service.
Does RBO offer phone support?
Yes. You’ll get phone, email, and direct communication with your bookkeeping team.
What if I need catch-up work?
RBO specializes in full-service catch-up – even if you’re 2 years behind.
Does 1-800Accountant use QuickBooks or Xero?
Not directly. Their system doesn’t integrate well with these platforms.
Conclusion: Which One’s Right for You?
If you want clean, CPA-reviewed bookkeeping with no hidden fees, no software switching, and real support, RemoteBooksOnline is the clear winner. You keep your accountant, your QuickBooks/Xero – and gain financial clarity.
1-800Accountant may be a fit if you want basic tax help bundled in, but their bookkeeping lacks the accuracy and flexibility growing businesses need.
Stay organized and tax-ready year-round with our flat-rate monthly bookkeeping services.
CPA and bookkeeping firms can scale faster with our white-label bookkeeping services fully branded for your clients.
Tax professionals and CPAs rely on our QuickBooks bookkeeping services to streamline financials and scale their practices efficiently.
If you’re behind on your books, our catch-up bookkeeping services can help you get current fast-no stress, no mess.
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