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?”
Download Our Free Brochure →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:
- Transaction Categorization
Logging income and expenses manually or in QuickBooks - Bank Reconciliation
Matching your books to monthly bank statements - Invoice Tracking
Helping you send invoices and follow up on overdue payments - Payroll Coordination
Some local bookkeepers partner with payroll companies - Reports
Monthly or quarterly Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet reports - 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.
Download Our Free Brochure →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.
To see how our Virtual Bookkeeping Services team compares, or browse local bookkeeping availability and ZIP-level solutions.
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.
