Can I do my own bookkeeping or should I hire someone?
You can do your own bookkeeping. It’s not magic. Modern software handles the math, and the fundamentals aren’t complicated. Categorize transactions, reconcile accounts, keep records organized. Most business owners are capable of learning this.
The real question isn’t whether you can. It’s whether you will, consistently, month after month.
Bookkeeping requires regular time, not a big block once a quarter. A small business with 50-100 transactions per month needs a few hours of attention to do it properly. Skip a month and you’re catching up. Skip two months and catching up becomes a project you keep putting off.
DIY makes sense when you’re starting out with simple operations and limited transactions. You should understand your numbers anyway, and doing the books yourself forces you to look at every dollar moving through the business. This builds real knowledge about where money goes and what drives your margins.
DIY stops making sense when you’re consistently behind and can’t seem to catch up. Or when you’re guessing at categories because you’re not sure what goes where. Or when tax time is stressful because your books aren’t ready. Some owners reach a point where they’d honestly rather do almost anything else, and the work starts reflecting that.
The time cost is real. Whatever time you spend on bookkeeping is time not spent on customers, operations, or growth. What’s an hour of your time worth when you’re doing billable work? Compare that to what a Tri-Cities bookkeeper charges. For many business owners, the math is obvious once they actually calculate it.
Errors cost money too, just less visibly. Miscategorized expenses mean missed deductions. Messy books mean your accountant bills more hours at tax time. Late reconciliation means problems go unnoticed longer than they should.
There’s middle ground that works for some businesses. Some owners handle day-to-day transactions themselves and bring in help for monthly bookkeeping to clean things up and produce accurate reports. This costs less than full-service but still puts professional eyes on your numbers regularly.
The choice isn’t permanent. Many owners start doing their own books and bring in help later when they grow or when they’re honest with themselves about the backlog building up. Others hire from day one because they know they won’t stay consistent.
If you’re current and staying current without stress, you’re probably fine doing it yourself. If you’re reading this question wondering how to dig out of a mess, that’s your answer.
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More Questions
Should I use cash basis or accrual accounting for my business?
Most small businesses do fine with cash basis because it's simpler and matches what you see in your bank account. Accrual makes more sense when you need an accurate picture of profitability across longer billing cycles or carry significant inventory.
Read answerWhat does it mean to reconcile my accounts?
Reconciling means comparing what your bank statement shows against what your accounting software shows, then fixing any differences. It confirms your books match reality.
Read answerCan a bookkeeper help me catch up on years of messy records?
Yes. Catching up on neglected books is one of the most common reasons small businesses hire a bookkeeper. The process involves reconstructing transactions from bank records, categorizing expenses, and reconciling accounts month by month.
Read answerWhat's the best way to categorize expenses in QuickBooks?
Consistency matters more than the specific categories you choose. Use QuickBooks defaults as a starting point, keep things simple, and match categories to tax return line items for easier year-end prep.
Read answerWill I get in trouble with the IRS for falling behind on my books?
Falling behind on bookkeeping itself doesn't trigger IRS penalties. The problem is what happens next. Messy books lead to inaccurate tax returns, missed deductions, and late filings. Those are what create real trouble.
Read answerWhat financial reports should I be reviewing every month?
Start with the profit and loss statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. Add accounts receivable and payable aging reports to track money coming in and going out. Monthly review catches problems while they're still small.
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