What Does a Bookkeeper Actually Do? (And Do You Need One?)
Let’s be real: bookkeeping sounds like one of those boring business chores you can figure out “later.”
But if you're running a small business, side hustle, or full-blown empire, you already are your bookkeeper. (Even if that just means frantically checking your bank app before making decisions 😅.)
So, let’s break this down.
What does a bookkeeper actually do?
And when should you stop doing it yourself?
📌 First Things First: What Is Bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping is the daily, behind-the-scenes work of keeping your business finances in order.
It’s not tax filing. It’s not financial strategy.
It’s the “What came in? What went out? And where did it go?” part of running a business.
If your business was a car, bookkeeping is making sure you’ve got gas, oil, and working brakes — not deciding where you’re going.
✅ So… What Does a Bookkeeper Do?
Here’s the tea. A bookkeeper is your financial organizer. They keep things clean, categorized, and up to date so you’re not spiraling at tax time.
1. Tracks All Your Transactions
That coffee shop meeting with a client?
The Canva Pro subscription?
The random refund you had to issue?
Your bookkeeper records every single one and makes sure it lands in the right category.
📌 Think: income, expenses, receipts, invoices. All tracked. All sorted.
2. Reconciles Your Bank Accounts
“Reconciling” just means checking that what’s in your accounting software matches what’s in your actual bank account.
They’ll:
Spot duplicate charges
Flag anything sketchy
Make sure your books actually balance
This alone can save you from so many headaches.
3. Manages Invoices & Payments
Bookkeepers often handle:
Sending client invoices
Tracking who’s paid (and who ghosted 💀)
Following up on late payments
Entering bills you owe and keeping you on track to pay them
Because nothing’s worse than realizing you forgot to get paid.
4. Keeps You Organized for Tax Season
Tax time doesn’t have to be a fire drill.
Your bookkeeper makes sure:
All receipts are uploaded and categorized
Everything’s filed correctly
Your accountant has what they need (without asking you 16 questions you don’t know how to answer)
5. Uses Accounting Software Like a Pro
Whether it’s QuickBooks, Xero, Wave, or something else — a good bookkeeper knows how to navigate your financial dashboard like a boss.
That means YOU get:
Real-time views of how much money you actually have
Cash flow clarity
A grip on your business health
🧠 What Bookkeepers Don’t Do
Let’s not confuse roles. A bookkeeper is NOT:
Filing your taxes
Helping you plan next quarter’s budget
Giving you financial advice or strategy
That’s your accountant’s lane. (And yes, you probably need both — but more on that next blog post 👀)
💡 So… Do You Need a Bookkeeper?
If you’re:
Drowning in receipts
Guessing at your profit margins
Afraid to open QuickBooks
Or doing everything manually and praying it’s “close enough”...
You don’t just need a bookkeeper — you deserve one.
Even if you’re just starting out, hiring a part-time bookkeeper (or getting someone to clean up your books quarterly) can save you:
Time
Stress
Expensive mistakes
🧠 CEO Mindset Moment:
You don’t have to do everything.
Knowing when to delegate (especially the stuff that’s not in your zone of genius) is how you move from hustling in circles to building with intention.
Bookkeeping might feel “small,” but when it’s wrong? It causes BIG problems.
And when it’s right? You feel so much more confident as a business owner.
🎁 BONUS: Not Sure If It’s Time to Hire a Bookkeeper?
Check out our bookkeeping services, here.
Book a free Discovery Call with our team. We can get you set up with a bookkeeper to help you manage all your financial business needs and get you ready for tax time!