If you’re running a business—whether you’re just starting out or already pulling in six figures—you’ve probably asked this question at least once:“Can I just do my own bookkeeping?”
The short answer is yes.
The better answer is: you can, but should you?
In this post, we’ll walk through:
What DIY bookkeeping really looks like
When it makes sense to do it yourself
When it’s time to hire help
What business owners get wrong (and how to avoid it)
What tools to use if you’re doing it solo
What BookkeepingActuallyMeans
Bookkeeping is not just typing numbers into a spreadsheet.
It includes:
Categorizing your income and expenses
Reconciling your bank and credit card statements monthly
Tracking invoices, receipts, and payments
Preparing financial reports like P&Ls or balance sheets
Staying organized for tax time
If you’re inconsistent or using the wrong categories, your books might look “fine”—until your CPA finds five-figure mistakes during tax season.
Why Some People DIY Their Books
“A lot of people are either manually DIY-ing their books or fumbling through QuickBooks with no real system in place. Some are trying cheap AI bookkeeping tools that seem helpful—until things go off the rails.”
— Kimi, Co-founder ofSam’s List
Here’s why DIY bookkeeping appeals to many founders:
It saves money (in the short term)
You gain a better understanding of your financials
You stay in control of cash flow
But without structure or regular check-ins, it becomes stressful fast.
The Real Risks of DIY Bookkeeping
Missed deductions = overpaying taxes
Unreconciled accounts = false profit/loss
Cash flow surprises = avoidable stress
Wrong categories = bad data for decisions
DIY vs Hiring a Bookkeeper (Visual Guide)
This chart breaks down the most common tradeoffs. If you’re spending hours per week on your books—or second-guessing every transaction—it’s time to call in help.
When to Bring in a Bookkeeper
“If you're spending more than 30% of your time on bookkeeping, that’s a clear sign it's time to hand it off. Once your business hits around $250K in revenue, you’ll save timeandmoney by having a pro keep things clean.”
— Cooper A.
Here are some other clear signals:
You have no clue what your numbers are
You’re behind on tax prep or 1099s
You’re ready to hire or scale
You’re in eCommerce (inventory tracking = bleh)
Looking for someone to help? Check out ourBookkeeper Directoryorbrowse accountants for solopreneurs.
Best Tools If You’re DIYing It
If you’re going to do this yourself, make it easy on yourself:
QuickBooks Online– Most popular (but steep learning curve)
Wave Accounting– Free and beginner-friendly
Xero– Cleaner UX, better for modern SaaS & eCom
Bench or Pilot– Hybrid bookkeeping + software (more expensive)
Bonus: Bookmark our guide onbookkeeping software for real estate investorsif that applies to you.
Pro Insight: DIY Can Be a Trap
Many founders start with DIY because it feels frugal. But time is expensive. A part-time bookkeeper or boutique firm can:
Fix errors you didn’t know you made
Help with strategic planning
Save you money come tax time
“If you wait too long, you can be cash poor and not even realize it. Or you might miss ways to scale faster just because your financials aren’t organized.” — Brent N.
TL;DR
Yes, youcando your own bookkeeping.
But that doesn’t mean you should forever.
Make it a habit. Use software. And when you're ready,hire someone who knows what they’re doing.
FAQ
Can I do bookkeeping myself?
Yes—many small business owners start out doing their own books. It’s doable with software and consistency, but prone to error.
Is it hard to do your own bookkeeping?
It’s more tedious than hard. The real challenge is staying consistent and accurate, especially during busy seasons.
Can bookkeeping be self-taught?
Absolutely. Use tools like FreshBooks, QuickBooks, or take a free course likeOpenLearn’s bookkeeping intro.
When should I hire a bookkeeper?
Once your revenue hits $250K, or if you're spending too much time on books and not enough running your business.
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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.
