You might think you’re saving money by doing your own books.
But if your idea of bookkeeping is:
Logging into five accounts once a month
Praying your bank balances match your spreadsheet
Or ignoring it all until tax season...
It’s time to stop.
This post isn’t for the side hustler with five transactions a month. It’s for the business owners making money and wearing too many hats—and who might be unknowingly making expensive mistakes.
Here’s the Truth: DIY Bookkeeping Can Cost You
“I’ve noticed already that I’m catching mistakes I’ve made—unaccounted for revenue, uncategorized expenses, no clue if I’m profitable.”
— Real quote fromthis Reddit thread
If any of these sound familiar, you’re likely losing timeandmoney:
You haven’t reconciled your accounts in months
You’re miscategorizing expenses and missing deductions
You don’t actually know your net profit
You’re working weekends just to catch up on admin
Why Founders Try to DIY (Even When They Shouldn’t)
Let’s be honest—it feels cheaper. But in reality:
Your hourly value is way more than what you’d pay a bookkeeper
Sloppy books = higher CPA bills + tax penalties
You’re making decisions off bad numbers (or none at all)
“We’ve seen founders spend 10–15 hours/month doing their books instead of hiring a vetted bookkeeper for $600–$1,500. It’s one of the first things that should be offloaded.”
— Kimi, Co-founder ofSam’s List
What You Think You're Saving vs. What You're Risking
| DIY "Savings" | Actual Risks |
| $300-$600/month not spent on a pro | $5K+ tax errors from miscategorized items |
| Learning the business by doing books | Wasted time doing non-revenue tasks |
| Full control of your data | Incomplete or inaccurate financial reports |
When to Let Go
Here’s when to stop DIYing your books:
You’ve passed $250K in annual revenue
You manage team payroll or contractors
You feelanxiousopening QuickBooks
Your CPA charges extra just to “clean up” your books
You’re prepping for taxes and don’t trust your own numbers
Hiring someone doesn’t mean losing control—it means you’ll actuallyknowwhat’s going on.
Who Should You Hire?
You don’t need a full-time CFO.
You need someone who:
Understands your industry
Can sync with your systems
Responds to emails
Sends monthly reports (not surprises)
Sam’s Listlets you find vetted bookkeepers by specialty—whether you’re in real estate, eCom, or services.
FAQ
Why shouldn't I do my own bookkeeping?
It takes time, opens you up to errors, and prevents you from making informed decisions. Founders should focus on running the business, not managing every expense line.
How do I know it’s time to stop?
If you’re overwhelmed, growing, or feel unsure about your numbers—bring in a pro.
What happens if I keep doing it myself?
You could miss deductions, misreport income, or delay tax prep—costing more than a bookkeeper would.
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.
