CPA or Bookkeeper: Who Do You Actually Need?

Feb 19

Written By

"Do I need a bookkeeper or a CPA?"

Most business owners I talk to are confused about which accounting professional they need. Many don't understand why they might need both. And I get it - our public school education doesn't usually cover taxes or how to manage a business. As a bookkeeper, part of my work is helping business owners figure out which professional they actually need.

It Depends on Your Needs

So, which one do you need – a CPA or a bookkeeper?

Well, that depends on your needs.

Let's break this down based on what you're trying to solve:

"I'm Stressed at Tax Season"

If you want tax season to be easier, you need a bookkeeper. Here's why:

We keep your financial records organized monthly or quarterly
We catch and fix issues during the year
When tax time comes, your P&L and other reports are ready for your accountant

"I Need Help Filing Taxes"

If you need tax filing help, you need an accountant. But here's something interesting - they don't have to be a CPA. You have options:

Regular accountants can file taxes
Enrolled Agents (EAs) are tax experts who can represent you to the IRS
Not all CPAs even do taxes

Having a bookkeeper too makes your tax preparer's job easier (and often cheaper for you).

"I Want to Reduce My Taxes"

If you want to pay less in taxes, you need a tax planner, not just a tax preparer. What's the difference?

Tax preparers complete your tax return with the documents you provide
Tax planners work with you throughout the year to estimate and reduce your taxes

Important note: If you want tax planning, make sure to:

Look for an accountant or EA who specifically offers planning services
Verify you're getting (and paying for) planning, not just preparation

Many business owners get disappointed because they expected planning but only paid for preparation

"Wait, I Don't Need a CPA for Bookkeeping?"

No, you don't! In fact, not all CPAs know how to do bookkeeping. But you do want a quality bookkeeper who understands taxes. Pro tip: Ask your tax professional for a referral - they know who they work well with.

What This Means for You

You might need:

Just a bookkeeper (for organized finances)
Just a tax preparer (for filing taxes)
Both (for the smoothest tax season)
A tax planner (to reduce taxes)

The key is matching the professional to what you actually need.