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Bookkeeping Services vs Accounting: What’s the Difference?

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Alex, Staff Writer

Thursday, 17 June 2021

Let’s be honest; whether you're a small coffee shop or a large corporation, no one really enjoys sitting down and organizing their finances. Unfortunately, it is something that just has to be done, especially if you want to run a successful business.

But before you despair, we’ve got some good news for you. There are two professions out there that can give you a hand when it comes to all of this money management stuff: bookkeepers and accountants. If you’re not sure what the difference is between these two jobs, you’re not alone. 

In this article, we’re going to help you to get your head around what the difference is between a bookkeeper and an accountant. So if you're wondering if you need a bookkeeper or an accountant, this article is for you! By the end, you’ll be confident to choose the right professional to help your money management needs and to help your business to stay on track.

What does a Bookkeeper do? 

Let’s begin by looking at what a bookkeeper does. On the most basic level, a bookkeeper is someone who records all of the financial transactions that go into and out of a business. This job has been around for centuries, (well before any of us were born!). A few decades ago, bookkeepers would have kept a physical log of the money coming into a business. Nowadays, it’s all digital, and many use bookkeeping software to ease the process a little. 

Bookkeepers don’t need any formal qualifications to become a bookkeeper, but some choose to take a bookkeeping course online to add credibility to their services. It’s easy to hire a bookkeeper with the right experience and qualifications on Bark, whether you’re looking for bookkeeping services for small businesses or multi-national corporations!

Bookkeeping services vs accounting: what’s the difference?

We all know that bookkeepers and accountants deal with money, right? But do they deal with it in the same way? Well, no. 

Generally, an accountant can do everything a bookkeeper can do, like recording, tracking and logging financial information. Different from a bookkeeper, an accountant then takes this information, breaks it down and interprets it into useful advice. Accountants will put all of this information into action, whether it be ensuring taxes are paid on time, or helping a business to decide what it can and can’t afford to do in the future. 

Let’s just break that down one more time for the people at the back!

  • Bookkeepers collect, record and present financial information in a presentable way.

  • Accountants take the financial data and use it to help a business understand where its money is going, and where it can be used better.

These financial insights wouldn’t be possible without work from both sides, so rather than it being about bookkeeping vs accounting, let’s say that it’s bookkeeping with accounting.

So, the question is, do you need a bookkeeper or an accountant?

As we’ve already mentioned, it’s not a question of having one professional without the other. You’ll either need an accountant that can take on both roles, or two people who will work together. 

You might hire a bookkeeper to work with your business on a day-to-day basis, whereas an accountant might come more in handy at key tax dates, or if you’re going to make a big investment and want to know if you can afford it.

To sum up

As a business owner, it’s important to forget about bookkeeping services vs accounting and instead look at them as two must-needed roles in your company. Hiring a bookkeeper on Bark has never been easier. Simply tell us a little about your project, receive several free quotes, and pick the bookkeeping or accounting services that suit you the best! 

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