Should I Do My Own Bookkeeping or Hire Someone?
When you're running a business, it's easy to take the “I'll just do it myself” route—especially when it comes to money. Bookkeeping might seem manageable at first, but as your business grows, the spreadsheets, receipts, and late nights start piling up.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I keep doing my own bookkeeping or hire someone to help?”—you’re not alone.
Here’s how to decide what’s right for you.
First—What Exactly Is Bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping is the process of recording and organizing your business’s financial transactions—every sale, every bill, every payment.
At a minimum, bookkeeping helps you:
Track income and expenses
Stay ready for tax season
Understand if you're actually making money
Done well, it also shows you where your money is going, what’s working (and what’s not), and gives you the financial clarity to grow.
When DIY Bookkeeping Can Work
Doing your own books might still make sense if:
Your business is very new or you have fewer than 5–10 transactions per week
You’re using tools like QuickBooks, Wave, or Xero, and feel confident navigating them
You’re staying fully up-to-date each month
You understand basic accounting (and enjoy it… sort of)
In the early stages, keeping it in-house might save money—if you're staying consistent and accurate.
Signs It’s Time to Hire a Bookkeeper
As your business grows, the cost of doing your own books often outweighs the benefit. Here are some signs it's time to delegate:
1. You're Behind on Your Books
If you're updating financials every few months (or not at all), you're flying blind—and setting yourself up for tax and cash flow problems.
2. You Dread Doing It
If bookkeeping is always pushed to the bottom of your to-do list, it’s probably not the best use of your time.
3. You Can’t Easily Answer Financial Questions
Like:
“How much did I make last month?”
“What do I owe in taxes?”
“Can I afford to hire someone?”
If you don’t have those answers on hand, it’s time for help.
4. You’re Making Business Decisions Without Financial Data
You shouldn’t be guessing when it comes to pricing, payroll, or spending. You need real numbers to make confident choices.
What a Bookkeeper Actually Does for You
A good bookkeeper doesn’t just organize your receipts—they help you:
Stay compliant and audit-ready
Track profit and expenses the right way
Reconcile your bank and credit card accounts
Prepare clean financial reports for you or your CPA
Identify where your business is making (or losing) money
Some even offer monthly insights and cash flow support—especially helpful if you don’t yet need a full CFO.
So, Should You Hire a Bookkeeper?
Here’s a simple way to think about it:
If you’re:
Earning under $100K/year
Handling only a few transactions each month
Just getting started
→ Consider: Doing it yourself or hiring part-time help.
If you’re:
Making over $100K/year
Managing multiple revenue streams
Juggling a packed schedule
→ Consider: Hiring a dedicated bookkeeper to keep things clean and current.
If you’re:
Growing quickly
Making high-level decisions about pricing, hiring, or scaling
Feeling unclear about your financial direction
→ Consider: Hiring a bookkeeper and an advisor who can help you use your numbers to make strategic moves.
Outsourcing bookkeeping frees up your time, reduces your stress, and helps your business run smoother behind the scenes. You started your business to serve clients, build something meaningful, and maybe even enjoy life—not to spend your nights sorting receipts. If you're at the point where bookkeeping is holding you back or just stressing you out, it might be time to pass the torch. You’ll not only get your time back—you’ll get peace of mind knowing your numbers are right, your taxes are ready, and your decisions are backed by real data.
Want to talk it through?
We offer done-for-you bookkeeping and financial support tailored for service-based businesses. Message us below for more details!
