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Accountant vs. Bookkeeper: What’s the Difference?

Many people use the terms accountant and bookkeeper interchangeably, but there are some important differences between the two roles.

Accountants typically have more formal education, and they are responsible for a wider range of financial tasks, including preparing tax returns, auditing financial statements, and providing advice on financial planning or how to reduce business expenses.

Bookkeepers, on the other hand, typically have less formal education and they focus mainly on recording transactions and maintaining financial records.

While both roles are important to the smooth running of a business, accountants generally have a more strategic role, while bookkeepers play a more operational role.

As a result, businesses typically need both an accountant and a bookkeeper on staff to function effectively.

Bookkeeper vs. accountant qualifications

Most people are familiar with the role of an accountant.

They are the financial experts who prepare and file taxes and advise clients on financial planning, and auditing.

Bookkeepers, on the other hand, are often seen as lesser-skilled workers who simply keep track of a business’s spending and income.

However, this is not an accurate portrayal of the bookkeeping profession.

While it is true that bookkeepers do not need to have as much formal education as accountants, they still need to possess a strong understanding of financial concepts and accounting software.

In addition, bookkeepers must be highly organized and able to handle large volumes of data.

As a result, bookkeeping is a skilled profession that requires both training and experience.

Salary and job prospects for bookkeepers and accountants

The job market for bookkeepers and accountants is looking very good right now.

Salaries are on the rise, and there are plenty of job prospects available.

The demand for these professionals is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, so now is a great time to consider a career in this field.

Bookkeepers and accountants play an essential role in businesses of all sizes, so there will always be a need for skilled workers in this field.

If you are detail-oriented and have a head for numbers, then a career as a bookkeeper or accountant may be the perfect fit for you.

With the right training and experience, you could enjoy a long and successful career in this exciting field.

Are bookkeepers accountants?

A bookkeeper is primarily responsible for recording and organizing financial transactions.

This can include everything from invoices and receipts to payments and deposits.

While bookkeepers typically work with large amounts of data, they are not responsible for analyzing or interpreting that data.

That task is typically left to accountants.

Accountants are responsible for reviewing and analyzing financial statements, as well as providing advice on tax planning and compliance.

In many cases, accountants also prepare financial statements and other reports for their clients.

As you can see, there are some significant differences between bookkeepers and accountants.

While both play important roles in keeping businesses financially healthy, only accountants are qualified with eBanking professional certification to provide the type of in-depth analysis that is needed to make critical decisions about a company’s finances.

When should I hire a bookkeeper or an accountant?

Many small business owners ask themselves when the right time is to hire a bookkeeper or an accountant.

The answer depends on several factors, such as the size of the business and the complexity of its financial affairs.

For example, a business with only a few employees and a straightforward financial situation may be able to get by with a part-time bookkeeper.

On the other hand, a business with dozens of employees and a complex financial situation will probably need the services of a full-time accountant.

In general, it is best to consult with a professional before making any decisions about hiring someone to manage your finances.

A bookkeeper or an accountant can help you assess your needs and make recommendations about the best way to move forward.

Advantages of an accountant

An accountant can provide a valuable service to individuals and businesses.

They can help to keep track of finances, prepare tax returns, and offer advice on financial planning.

For businesses, an accountant can also help to ensure that the company is compliant with financial regulations.

In addition, an accountant can provide valuable insights into the financial health of a business and offer suggestions for improving profitability.

As a result, an accountant can be a valuable asset to both individuals and businesses.

Another clear advantage is that accountants are often proficient with accounting software. For example, if you’re using lease accounting software a good accountant should be fairly comfortable with it meaning they can hit the ground running. 


NetSuite is popular these days as it incorporates both business management and accounting software. However, you need to make sure your accountant knows how to use it, especially if you’re using it for lease accounting. It can get quite complicated which is why people use NetSuite in the first place. When tracking assets within your ERP, you’ll frequently need software that integrates with it directly to perform some of the more complicated accounting functions. For example, lease accounting in NetSuite typically requires a dedicated SuiteApp or some other software that integrates with that specific system. As you can see, you’ll need to make sure the accountant is proficient with these intricacies if you’re thinking about hiring one of them. 

Advantages of a bookkeeper

A bookkeeper can offer a wide range of advantages for any business, large or small.

Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that a bookkeeper can help to keep track of all financial transactions, ensuring that they are properly recorded and reported.

This can be a valuable time-saving measure for any business owner, as it frees up time that would otherwise be spent on paperwork.

In addition, a bookkeeper can also provide valuable insights into the financial health of a business.

By reviewing records and identifying trends, a bookkeeper can help to identify areas where a business may be overspending or underperforming.

This information can then be used to make necessary changes and improve the bottom line.

In short, a bookkeeper can be an invaluable asset for any business owner looking to save time and money.