Startups are built to move fast—but your books can’t be an afterthought.
Whether you're bootstrapping or backed by VCs, bookkeeping is what keeps you cash-aware, tax-ready, and investor-confident. The right approach can save you thousands and help you move faster. The wrong one? It’ll catch up to you when it matters most.
Let’s break down your options and help you figure out the best bookkeeping setup for your startup.
Do you need abookkeeperfor your startup?Sam's Listsimplifies the search so you can find bookkeepers,accountants, and CPAs specialized to your industry, needs, and stage of growth. Get connected in seconds!
Why Bookkeeping Actually Matters (Yes, Even at $0 Revenue)
You might not have revenue yet—but you do have expenses. A clean record from day one helps you:
Stay compliant (yes, theIRSstill cares about your burn)
Track your runway and monthly burn
Make informed decisions as you test and pivot
Save time (and pain) when you go to raise, file taxes, or apply for grants
One early-stage founder told us they didn’t track expenses properly until year two—and ended up paying $8,000 in back taxes after a sloppy 1099 submission and missed deductions. “It was honestly embarrassing.”
DIY Bookkeeping vs. Hiring Help: What Startups Should Know
| Option | When It Works | When It Breaks |
|---|---|---|
| DIY | Pre-revenue, minimal expenses, solo founder | Once revenue or team grows; frequent transactions |
| In-House Bookkeeper | Later-stage, $2M+ ARR, need full-time control | Too early = waste of cash |
| Freelance Bookkeeper | Great for $250K–$2M startups needing monthly books | Watch for generalists who don’t understand startups |
| Boutique Firm | Best for scaling startups with VC expectations | Slightly pricier, but scalable support from books → tax prep |
Pro tip: Most startups onSam’s Listhire a boutique firm once they hit $250K–$500K in revenue. These firms can grow with you—handling bookkeeping, taxes, and fractional CFO support all in one place.
Explore vetted startup bookkeepers here
The Best Bookkeeping Tools for Startups
Here are the most common software tools startups use (and why):
QuickBooks Online– The gold standard. Syncs with banks, Stripe, payroll. Can be messy if you’re not trained.
Xero– Great for global teams. Clean UI, strong integrations.
Pilot– Full-service bookkeeping software + team (pricey, VC-backed).
Bench– Outsourced bookkeeping for small biz. Works well if you’re solo.
A2X– For eCommerce founders using Shopify or Amazon. Syncs with QBO/Xero.
Gusto+ QBO – Great combo for startups with W2 or 1099 employees.
Many startup founders on Sam’s List started in QuickBooks but ended up hiring someone because they didn’t feel confident everything was reconciled properly. Bookkeeping isn’t hard—it’s just easy to get wrong.
When to Stop DIY-ing Your Startup's Books
You don’t have to hire someone on day one. But here are strong signals it's time to outsource:
You're making $250K+ in revenue
You spend more than 5 hours/month in QuickBooks
You’re preparing for fundraising, taxes, or need financial clarity
You’ve had to fix mistakes or missed tax deadlines before
One Sam’s List vendor told us a startup came to them with 8 months of unreconciled books and investor due diligence looming. “We had to rebuild their financials in 3 days. They got the round—but it cost them 4x in rush fees.”
How to Choose the Right Bookkeeping Setup
Ask yourself:
Do I have a clear picture of monthly burn and runway?
Is someone reviewing the books monthly?
If I had to raise money tomorrow, could I pull clean financials?
If the answer is “no,” it’s time to upgrade.
Q&A
What’s the best bookkeeping software for startups?
QuickBooks and Xero are top choices. Gusto pairs well for payroll. A2X is great for ecommerce. Bench and Pilot are all-in-one solutions if you want a team.
Should a startup hire a bookkeeper?
Yes—once you hit ~$250K revenue, bookkeeping starts taking too much founder time and mistakes become expensive.
What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and accountant?
Bookkeepers handle daily financials. Accountants offer analysis and tax prep. Boutique firms often offer both.
When is the best time to outsource bookkeeping?
Once your financial complexity increases—like multiple income sources, employees, or fundraising—it’s time.
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Author: Kimi, Co-founder of Sam’s List
Kimi writes about what she's learning while building Sam's List and shares honest takeaways from her conversations with accountants and financial advisors across the country. None of this is financial advice—just the stuff most people wish someone told them sooner.
