“What Does a Bookkeeper Really Do?”
Bookkeeper vs. Accountant: What’s the Difference and Which One Do You Need?
If you’re a small business owner trying to stay on top of your finances, you’ve probably wondered: Do I need a bookkeeper or an accountant? The terms are often used interchangeably, but they serve different (and equally important) roles in your business.
In this post, we’ll break down the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant—so you can make the best decision for your business, whether you're located in sunny South Florida’s Treasure Coast or managing operations remotely from anywhere in the U.S.
📚 What Does a Bookkeeper Do?
A bookkeeper handles the day-to-day financial tracking of your business. They’re the ones who keep your financial records clean, organized, and up-to-date.
Common tasks of a virtual bookkeeper include:
Recording income and expenses
Categorizing transactions
Reconciling bank and credit card accounts
Managing invoices and bill payments
Preparing monthly financial statements
Maintaining up-to-date books for tax season
Bookkeepers provide the foundation for good financial management. Without accurate books, you (and your accountant) are flying blind.
🧾 What Does an Accountant Do?
An accountant typically uses the records kept by your bookkeeper to provide higher-level financial analysis and tax advice. They often:
Prepare and file taxes
Offer tax planning and strategy
Conduct audits
Provide business and financial consulting
Help with budgeting and forecasting
Think of accountants as the advisors who help you interpret the numbers your bookkeeper tracks.
🆚 Bookkeeper vs. Accountant: A Quick Comparison
| Task | Bookkeeper | Accountant
Tracks daily transactions | ✅ | ❌
Reconciles accounts | ✅ | ❌
Prepares financial statements | ✅ | ✅ (usually reviews them)
Files taxes | ❌ | ✅
Financial analysis & forecasting | ❌ | ✅
Provides tax strategy | ❌ | ✅
🧑💼 So, Which One Do You Need?
If you’re behind on your books, overwhelmed by receipts, or unsure about cash flow—start with a bookkeeper.
If your books are clean and you need help with taxes or financial strategy, work with an accountant (or both!).
Most small businesses need both roles at different times. The good news? You can start with virtual bookkeeping services that scale with your needs.
💻 Simplify Your Finances with Our Virtual Bookkeeping Services
At Seal and Sum, we provide reliable and secure virtual bookkeeping services for business owners on the Treasure Coast and nationwide. Our goal is to keep your financial records accurate, so you can focus on growing your business—with peace of mind that your numbers are in good hands.
📅 Ready to get started? Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
