Bookkeeper vs. Accountant
In all my years practicing as a full charge bookkeeper, I discovered that many business owners do not know the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant.
A bookkeeper records the numbers, the accountant analyzes the numbers.
A bookkeeper is responsible for recording transaction of all monies going in and out of a business. They are trained to understand a trial balance, balance sheet and most importantly a profit and loss statement. Bookkeepers do payroll, payroll and sales tax returns, pay bills and make deposits. They are involved in the actual running of a business and can answer questions to the owners, their accountants and of course the dreaded auditors. Bookkeepers understand how all accounting functions relate, and hand over to the accountant a balanced set of books.
The accountant function is to take the balanced set of books analyze the numbers to save the business owners taxes, prepare tax returns and guide the business owner towards a successful operation. With good numbers the accountant can make intelligent decisions that will enable a business to become more successful.
Business owners should also keep in mind that bookkeepers are not required to have a degree, but the accountant has a degree plus continuing education. It would then stand to reason that bookkeepers would be less expensive than an accountant.
Now I have defined the difference, my hope is that those of you already in business or those thinking about starting a business should think about hiring a bookkeeper on a weekly or monthly basis and consult your accountant when the need arises.