Need a Bookkeeper for Your Small Business? Here’s What to Know Before You Hire
If you’re like most small business owners, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Do I need a bookkeeper?” The answer is almost always yes-especially if you’re spending too much time sorting receipts and reconciling accounts instead of growing your business. In this guide, we’ll break down when to hire a bookkeeper, how much it costs, and why outsourced remote bookkeeping might be your smartest move.
Why You Might Need a Bookkeeper
Even with tools like QuickBooks or Xero, bookkeeping takes time, focus, and financial know-how. Signs you need a professional include:
- You’re behind on monthly reconciliation
- You’re unsure about your cash flow
- Tax season is overwhelming
- You’ve been hit with penalties due to accounting errors
- You want to scale and need financial clarity
A bookkeeper doesn’t just input numbers-they help you run smarter.
When Should You Hire a Bookkeeper?
Ideally, before things spiral. Most business owners wait until the books are messy or tax deadlines are near. But the earlier you request a quote, the fewer problems you’ll face.
If you’re asking “should I hire a bookkeeper now?” the answer is likely: yes.
Need help fixing reconciliation errors and cleaning your books?
Cost of Hiring a Bookkeeper
The average hourly rate for a freelance bookkeeper is $30-$60. In-house bookkeepers can cost $45K–$55K per year, plus benefits.
But here’s the smarter option:
Outsourced bookkeeping services start as low as $150/month and often include CPA review, monthly reports, and dedicated support.
Test Case: Before and After Hiring a Bookkeeper
Before:
Jenny, owner of a 3-person design agency, was reconciling her books every 3 months. She missed several deductions and her CPA charged extra to clean up messy records.
After:
She hired RemoteBooksOnline for $150/month. Her books are now updated weekly, and her CPA bills dropped by 40%. Most importantly-she gets to focus on clients, not debits and credits.
Benefits of Remote Bookkeeping Services
- Flat monthly pricing with no surprises
- Access to a dedicated bookkeeping team
- 24/7 availability of financial data
- No hiring, training, or managing staff
- CPA-ready reports delivered on time
How to Get Started
Whether you need catch-up bookkeeping or ongoing monthly support, the best providers will:
- Review your current setup
- Offer a free trial or review
- Assign a dedicated team
- Sync with your existing platform (QuickBooks, Xero, etc.)
FAQs
Can I hire a bookkeeper just for tax season?
Yes-but it’s more cost-effective to stay up to date year-round so you’re not paying extra for cleanup.
What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
Bookkeepers handle daily finances; accountants focus on taxes, analysis, and strategy. Most businesses need both.
Is it safe to outsource my bookkeeping?
Absolutely. Reputable services like RemoteBooksOnline use bank-grade encryption, secure portals, and offer CPA-reviewed reports.
Tired of juggling receipts and invoices? Let us handle the books so you can handle your business.
If you’re already behind on your books, check out our Catch-Up Bookkeeping Services to get back on track quickly.
For consistent support, our Monthly Bookkeeping Plans start at just $150/month and scale with your needs.
Dedicated bookkeeper