Why You Need Both a Bookkeeper (Who Doesn’t Work for Your CPA) and a CPA
After owning a bookkeeping firm for nearly 14 years, I’ve seen just about everything when it comes to business finances.
I’ve caught employees stealing from their employers. I’ve uncovered billing department errors that cost companies millions & one company even fired the entire department. I’ve found mistakes on tax returns that led to years of amendments & over $50,000 in savings for a client. I’ve had to explain financial reports to business owners that their CFOs or CPAs couldn’t make clear.
I’m not sharing this to brag, I’m sharing it to protect you, the business owner.
And I’ll stand by this statement until the end of time:
“If you own a business, you need a bookkeeper who doesn’t work for your CPA. You don’t need one or the other, you need both.”
This blog isn’t here to bash CPAs or bookkeepers. There are good and bad professionals in every field.
My goal is to help you understand why having both, independently, should be a non-negotiable if you want to save time, money, and frustration.
You Wouldn’t Expect Your Kid to Play Every Position
Imagine your child is on a baseball team. Would you expect them to be the pitcher, catcher, shortstop, and outfielder all at the same time?
Of course not. Each position has a purpose, and the team works best when everyone plays their role.
Your financial team is no different.
Expecting one person or firm to handle both your day-to-day bookkeeping and your high-level tax strategy is like asking your kid to pitch and catch the same ball. It’s not only unrealistic. Tt’s a setup for missed plays.
Having a bookkeeper and a CPA who work independently gives your business the full team it needs to succeed.
Bookkeepers Do More Than Prep for Taxes
A good bookkeeper isn’t just focused on getting your books ready for tax season. They’re focused on getting your books ready for you. So you can see monthly reports, track cash flow, understand your margins, and make smart decisions.
They’re your financial translator, helping you understand what’s really happening in your business day to day.
Most CPAs Focus on Taxes, Not Operations
Most (not all) CPAs are focused on compliance: making sure your taxes are filed correctly and your financial statements meet legal standards. They’re not usually concerned with whether your reports help you run your business better.
That’s not a flaw, it’s just not their role. Just like it isn’t the role of the bookkeeper to give tax advice.
Checks and Balances Matter
When your bookkeeper doesn’t work for your CPA, you create a natural system of checks and balances. Each professional can review the other’s work, catch mistakes, and offer a second opinion.
This protects you from errors, oversights, and even fraud.
And here’s something to keep in mind:
If your bookkeeper gets defensive or upset when your CPA asks questions, it may be time to find another bookkeeper.
A confident, collaborative bookkeeper welcomes questions because they know it’s all about serving your business better.
You Deserve Transparency and Control
If your CPA also controls your books, you may not have full visibility into your financials. You might not even know what questions to ask. An independent bookkeeper ensures you stay informed and in control no matter who prepares your taxes. They may even ask the questions for you. If they aren’t sure how to code something they can ask the questions in the language both the bookkeeper & CPA understand.
I’ve seen firsthand how having only 1 person doing everything can go wrong. I once received a set of books from a tax preparer, and in the journal entry memo, there was a line that literally said:
“I don’t know, moving shit around.”
I wish I was joking, but because there wasn’t another set of eyes on it for years they could just move shit around. And that’s not transparency. That’s confusion.
Final Thoughts
Your business deserves a financial team that works for you not just for each other. By hiring a bookkeeper who doesn’t work for your CPA, you gain clarity, control, and confidence.
So if you’ve been relying on one person or firm to do it all, it might be time to rethink your setup.
Your business and your peace of mind will thank you.
It Takes a Village Building a Business Too
We all know the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” But the truth is, it takes a village to build a business, too.
No one builds something meaningful entirely on their own and you shouldn’t have to.
Whether you're trying to understand your numbers, build a financial team you trust, or just talk through a tough client situation, having support matters. That’s why I’m passionate about being part of the village for mom business owners and fellow bookkeepers through a mentorship, perspective, and a space to ask the questions that don’t always have easy answers.
Simply Inspired Mom is more than a blog. It’s a growing community of women building businesses on their terms, and I’d love to be part of your journey.
