5 Signs You Need a Bookkeeper (And 2 That Say You Don’t)
Let’s be honest—bookkeeping isn’t exactly the part of running a business that gets most people leaping out of bed in the morning. Unless you’re me, and then spreadsheets are basically foreplay. But for most business owners? Not so much.
If you’re wondering whether it’s time to call in a bookkeeper (or whether you can keep winging it with your trusty calculator and caffeine), here’s a quick reality check.
✅ 5 Signs You Do Need a Bookkeeper:
1. You’re Always Behind on Your Books
If reconciling bank transactions feels like a once-a-quarter panic event (usually triggered by your accountant calling), it’s time. Falling behind can cost you more in late fees, missed deductions, and avoidable tax stress than you might realise.
📣 Reminder: Scrambling to do 12 months of bookkeeping in one weekend is not a productivity hack. It’s a stress-inducing life choice.
2. You Don’t Know if You’re Profitable
If your gut is your main financial advisor, we have a problem. A bookkeeper can give you accurate reports that show exactly where your money is going—and growing.
3. Cash Flow Is a Mystery, Not a Metric
You’ve got money in the account one day, and then—poof!—it’s gone. A bookkeeper can help you track income vs. expenses and forecast what’s coming in and going out. That way, you’re not caught short (again) when a big bill lands.
4. Your Business Is Growing (Yay!) But So Are Your Transactions (Yikes!)
Success is fabulous. But with growth comes more clients, more invoices, more receipts, more VAT, and more to juggle. A bookkeeper helps you scale without the chaos.
5. You’re Spending More Time on Books Than Business
If your evenings are spent wrestling with QuickBooks instead of relaxing, networking, or—crazy thought—making money doing what you love, it’s time to delegate.
🔥 Pro tip: Just because you can do your own bookkeeping doesn’t mean you should.
🚫 2 Signs You Might Not Need a Bookkeeper (Yet)
Now, I’m not here to talk myself out of a job—but fairness matters. So here are two reasons why you might not need a bookkeeper right now:
1. You’re Pre-Revenue and Tracking Bare-Minimum Transactions
If your business is brand new, has barely any transactions, and you’re comfy using basic software to track things… you’re probably okay for now. Just make sure you’re doing it regularly and correctly (and not on a napkin).
2. You Genuinely Love Doing It—and You’re Good at It
There are unicorns out there (usually ex-accountants or spreadsheet super-nerds) who actually enjoy the numbers game and do it well. If that’s you, go for it! Just be honest: if things start slipping, it might be time to hand over the reins.
Final Thought
Bookkeeping isn’t just about compliance—it’s about confidence. Knowing your numbers lets you make better decisions, stress less, and build a business that doesn’t just survive—it thrives.
And when you’re ready to offload the books and get back to doing what you actually started your business for… a good bookkeeper is worth their weight in gold (or at least very well-organised receipts).
Interested in a no-obligation free discovery call?
