What Services Does a Local Bookkeeper Offer?

When you’re starting or growing a business, one of the first questions you may ask is: “Should I hire a local bookkeeper?”

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Local bookkeepers can provide in-person support, which feels familiar and convenient. But in today’s remote-first world, are they offering everything your business needs?

Let’s break down the typical services a local bookkeeper offers-and how they stack up against remote providers like Remote Books Online.

What Local Bookkeepers Usually Offer

Most local bookkeepers provide:

  1. Transaction Categorization
    Logging income and expenses manually or in QuickBooks
  2. Bank Reconciliation
    Matching your books to monthly bank statements
  3. Invoice Tracking
    Helping you send invoices and follow up on overdue payments
  4. Payroll Coordination
    Some local bookkeepers partner with payroll companies
  5. Reports
    Monthly or quarterly Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet reports
  6. In-Person Meetings
    For clients who prefer physical document drop-offs or face-to-face check-ins

The Limitations of a Local Bookkeeper

While local support is helpful, it often comes with drawbacks:

  • Higher hourly rates (average: $50–$75/hour)
  • Limited hours and availability
  • Slower turnaround during tax season
  • No backup team-if they’re sick or on vacation, your books wait

Remote Bookkeeping: A Better Alternative?

Remote Books Online offers everything a local bookkeeper does-and more:

  • Flat-rate monthly plans
  • CPA-ready books and reports
  • 24/7 dashboard access
  • Dedicated account manager
  • Team-based model (you’re never waiting on one person)
  • 30-day free trial with no credit card required

Test Case

A small dental clinic in Texas relied on a local bookkeeper who worked two days a week. When the bookkeeper took a leave, the clinic had three months of missing reports.

They switched to Remote Books Online and got:

  • Weekly updates
  • Daily reconciliation
  • Full reporting access for their accountant

Their practice is now fully compliant-and they pay less than before.

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FAQs

Do I lose control if I go remote?
No. You gain visibility with 24/7 access to your books and a dedicated team ready to support you.

What if I still want someone local?
Remote Books Online works with CPAs across the country. We can coordinate with your local tax preparer.

Is remote more secure than local?
Yes. All your documents are stored in encrypted, secure portals-no physical paperwork to lose.

Conclusion

A local bookkeeper might seem like the safe choice-but in today’s fast-moving business environment, remote bookkeeping gives you flexibility, reliability, and scale.

Remote Books Online gives you expert bookkeeping-without the delays, missed calls, or hidden hourly rates.

Try our services risk-free or request a quote to see how we compare.

Explore our Virtual Bookkeeping CPA Review-tailored for CPAs who want reliable, remote-ready support.

Discover expert solutions on our Virtual Bookkeeping CPA Review in California-designed for CPAs operating in the Golden State.

Need local insights? Visit our Virtual Bookkeeping CPA Review in Miami, Florida 33101 to see how we help CPAs stay audit-ready with ease.


Need to pick both bookkeeping and payroll from one provider? Our bookkeeping & payroll services guide helps compare experience, credentials, tools, pricing, and support.

Considering outsourcing your books? Our outsourced bookkeeping services guide highlights key benefits like cost savings, scalability, and expert accuracy-so you can decide with confidence.

Not sure which bookkeeping software fits your needs? Use our bookkeeping comparison tool to see how QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks stack up – and choose the best fit for your business.

Streamline Your Finances: Download Our Free Bookkeeping Brochure

Take control of your business finances with confidence! Our detailed brochure provides insights into how Remote Books Online can help you maintain accurate bookkeeping, stay tax-ready, and make informed financial decisions. Discover how our tailored bookkeeping services can support your business growth and simplify your financial management.