What Services Do Bookkeepers Typically Offer Small Businesses?
Bookkeeping is the backbone of every small business’s financial health. While each business is different, most small businesses rely on bookkeepers to keep their finances organized, tax-ready, and under control. Whether hired in-house or through a remote service, bookkeepers help manage day-to-day finances and provide monthly clarity to support business decisions.
Core Bookkeeping Services for Small Businesses
Here are the most common services a professional bookkeeper provides:
- Transaction Recording
Bookkeepers log every income and expense transaction into your accounting system (e.g., QuickBooks), ensuring accurate records of your financial activity. - Bank & Credit Card Reconciliation
Monthly reconciliation ensures your books match your bank statements, catching missed entries or duplicate charges. - Accounts Payable (A/P)
Managing vendor bills, due dates, and payments – helping you avoid late fees and maintain supplier relationships. - Accounts Receivable (A/R)
Tracking customer invoices and following up on overdue payments to keep your cash flow steady. - Payroll Support
Some bookkeepers assist with processing payroll or coordinating with a payroll provider, including handling deductions and filings. - Sales Tax Tracking
For retail or service-based businesses, bookkeepers may track taxable sales and assist with filing sales tax returns. - Financial Reporting
Monthly Profit & Loss (P&L), Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statements help you understand how your business is performing. - CPA-Ready Books for Tax Season
Bookkeepers prepare clean and complete records, so your accountant or CPA can file taxes without asking for missing documents.
Test Case Example
A landscaping business owner tracks income through Venmo, expenses through a debit card, and invoices clients manually. Tax season becomes a nightmare, and they have no idea if they’re making a profit.
They hire RemoteBooksOnline. Their bookkeeper sets up QuickBooks, logs all transactions, reconciles accounts, and delivers monthly reports. At tax time, their CPA files everything with zero back-and-forth – and the business finally knows its profit margin.
Additional Bookkeeper Services (Varies by Provider)
- Catch-up bookkeeping for old or incomplete records
- Budgeting and forecasting support
- Inventory tracking
- 1099 contractor management
- Custom chart of accounts setup
At RemoteBooksOnline, we tailor our services based on your industry and business needs, so you only pay for what you use.
FAQs
Do I need all these services for my small business?
It depends on your size and complexity. At minimum, every business needs transaction recording, reconciliation, and reporting.
Can bookkeepers handle taxes too?
Bookkeepers prepare your books, but a CPA usually files your taxes. Some firms coordinate with your CPA directly for faster prep.
What’s the difference between bookkeeping and accounting?
Bookkeeping handles the day-to-day and monthly records. Accounting involves tax filing, audits, and financial strategy.
Do I need QuickBooks to hire a bookkeeper?
No. Bookkeepers can help you choose and set up the right software, or manage it for you entirely.
Final Thoughts
A professional bookkeeper gives small businesses more than clean books – they offer peace of mind, better cash flow control, and tax season simplicity. Whether you run a service business, ecommerce store, or local shop, reliable bookkeeping is essential to staying compliant and profitable.
Ready to offload your bookkeeping and focus on growth?
Start your free month with RemoteBooksOnline today
Want to know what virtual bookkeepers handle? This virtual bookkeeping services guide outlines everything from transaction management to monthly reporting.
Thinking about outsourcing your financials? Our Why Hire a Bookkeeping Service blog explains the top benefits-from expert accuracy to serious time savings.
Looking to simplify your financials? This outsourced bookkeeping guide walks you through the process-from onboarding to ongoing support-so you know exactly what to expect.
