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Bookkeeper vs. Accountant: What’s the Difference—and Who Do You Actually Need?

Published on August 29, 2024
Cover image of post "Bookkeeper vs. Accountant: What’s the Difference—and Who Do You Actually Need?"

If you’ve ever Googled “do I need a bookkeeper or accountant,” you’re not alone.
Most founders assume they’re the same. They arenot.

Bookkeepers and accountants play different roles in your financial life. Hire the wrong one too early—or too late—and you’ll either overpay or leave major blind spots in your business.

Let’s clear this up once and for all.

Are you looking for abookkeeperoraccountantfor your business or personal needs? UseSam's Listto find and get in touch with both bookkeepers and accountants in seconds!


The Simple Difference

RoleFocusTools/TasksTypical Cost
BookkeeperDaily financial trackingCategorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, reporting$300–$1,200/month
AccountantBig-picture financial strategyTax prep, planning, audits, compliance, advisory$150–$400/hr or $2K–$10K+/year

“People get stuck thinking they need one or the other, but most growing businesses needboth—or at least a team that can do both well.”
— Kimi, Co-founder ofSam’s List 

How They Work Together

A good way to think about it:

Bookkeepers give you clean data. Accountants turn it into smart decisions.

If your books aren’t up to date, your accountant can’t plan anything meaningful.
And if your accountant isn’t doing more than taxes, you’re missing strategic insight.

Who You Need Based on Stage

Business StageWho to HireWhy
Just launchedDIY Bookkeeping (or Bench/Wave)Save money, stay organized
$100K–$250K in revenueBookkeeperOffload tasks and prep for growth
$250K–$500K+ and hiring/expandingBookkeeper + Tax AccountantEnsure compliance + monthly visibility
$1M+ and scaling fastAccountant + Strategic CFOPlanning, fundraising, forecasting, tax optimization

👉Find a vetted bookkeeper or accountant on Sam’s List

A Sam’s List infographic comparing bookkeepers and accountants, highlighting their responsibilities, costs, and best use cases.


FAQ

What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?

Bookkeepers handle daily financial tasks (categorizing expenses, reconciling accounts), while accountants focus on big-picture strategy, tax prep, and compliance.

Do I need both a bookkeeper and an accountant?

Most growing businesses do. Bookkeepers give you clean data, and accountants use that data for tax planning, forecasting, and decisions.

How much does a bookkeeper cost vs an accountant?

Bookkeepers usually charge $300–$1,200/month. Accountants may charge $150–$400/hour, or $2,000+ annually for tax prep and planning.

Can my accountant also do bookkeeping?

Sometimes. But many accountants outsource bookkeeping or expect clean reports from a bookkeeper. Always ask what’s included.


You Might Also Like

  1. When Should You Hire a Bookkeeper? 

  2. DIY vs Outsourced Bookkeeping

  3. How Much Does a Bookkeeper Cost?


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.


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