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 abookkeeperor accountantfor your business or personal needs? UseSam's Listto find and get in touch with both bookkeepers and accountants in seconds!
The Simple Difference
| Role | Focus | Tools/Tasks | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeper | Daily financial tracking | Categorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, reporting | $300–$1,200/month |
| Accountant | Big-picture financial strategy | Tax 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 Stage | Who to Hire | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Just launched | DIY Bookkeeping (or Bench/Wave) | Save money, stay organized |
| $100K–$250K in revenue | Bookkeeper | Offload tasks and prep for growth |
| $250K–$500K+ and hiring/expanding | Bookkeeper + Tax Accountant | Ensure compliance + monthly visibility |
| $1M+ and scaling fast | Accountant + Strategic CFO | Planning, fundraising, forecasting, tax optimization |
👉Find a vetted bookkeeper or accountant on Sam’s List
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.
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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.
