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Pilot vs Bookkeeper360

Sunday, May 18th

2025 Bookkeeping Service Reviews

Pilot Review 5 Star Rating

Pilot

5 Star Rating
  • Pricing starts at $259/month
  • Personal team of US-based expert bookkeepers who provide dedicated support and oversight
  • Built on QuickBooks Online for seamless integration with tax preparers and financial professionals
  • Accrual-based bookkeeping from day one to support business growth
  • User-friendly online portal for clear communication and financial visibility
  • Comprehensive monthly reporting including P&L and balance sheets
  • Optional add-on services including CFO advisory, tax services, and stock administration
  • Automated categorization and vendor identification capabilities
  • Data portability: all financial information remains accessible in standard QuickBooks format
  • Proven track record with notable clients like OpenAI, Airtable, and Scale
Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

You're getting a true powerhouse with Pilot, the largest startup accounting firm in the US. Their team of expert bookkeepers and CFOs handles everything from basic bookkeeping services to sophisticated financial planning, all while maintaining crystal-clear communication through their polished online portal. You'll love how they combine automation smarts with genuine human expertise - every transaction is properly categorized, but there's always a professional ready to tackle complex accounting scenarios. We highly recommend Pilot for ambitious startups and small businesses ready to build a rock-solid financial foundation. (After all, if this bookkeeping service is good enough for OpenAI and Airtable, it's probably good enough for you.)

Bookkeeper360 Review 2.5 Star Rating

Bookkeeper360

2.5 Star Rating
  • Starting at $599/month for basic bookkeeping, with tiered pricing based on monthly expenses ($20k to $100k+)
  • Dedicated accountant or accounting team assigned to your business
  • Choice of monthly or weekly accounting services
  • Supports both cash basis and accrual basis accounting
  • Comprehensive platform integration with QuickBooks, Xero, and Gusto
  • Custom Bookkeeper360 software included with all plans
  • Full-service CFO advisory available for strategic planning
  • Professional tax preparation services for both business and personal returns
  • Low-pressure, professional sales approach
  • Back-office support options including AR/AP and inventory management

You might be drawn to Bookkeeper360's polished platform that integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, and Gusto, offering everything from basic bookkeeping to CFO services. While their sales team impresses with a refreshingly low-pressure approach, and their core features look comprehensive on paper, recent customer reviews reveal concerning issues with communication delays and unexpected charges. At $599 monthly for basic bookkeeping (with essential add-ons quickly pushing that above $1,000), you're paying premium prices for what's become an increasingly unreliable bookkeeping service. We recommend looking at alternatives before committing to Bookkeeper360.

What is the Best Bookkeeping Service?

Are you a small business owner juggling countless tasks? Or perhaps you're a freelancer struggling to keep your finances organized? If tracking expenses, managing invoices, and preparing for tax season feels overwhelming, a professional bookkeeping service might be exactly what you need. These services can transform financial chaos into clear, organized records and giving you back precious time to focus on what matters most: growing your business.

Modern bookkeeping services come in various forms, each designed to meet different business needs and preferences. The traditional cash-based accounting approach tracks money as it physically moves in and out of your accounts, perfect for smaller businesses with straightforward transactions. Meanwhile, accrual-based bookkeeping records transactions when they're initiated rather than completed - ideal for businesses with complex revenue streams or longer payment cycles.

The Best Bookkeeping Services Compare Bookkeeping Services Compare Bookkeeping Service Reviews What are the best Bookkeeping Services Best Bookkeeping Service Reviews

Bookkeeping Service FAQ

The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Keep in mind that bookkeeping generally refers to the tracking and management of your financial data, while accounting analyzes and expands on the data bookkeeping to provide insights into your company's performance. Accounting is best done by a CPA (certified public accountant), so be sure to check the credentials of your service provider.
Cash accounting doesn't actually handle cash, but it only counts when you receive revenue and pay expenses. Accrual accounting on the other-hand takes into account expenses and revenue that have yet to process, giving you a much better picture of the overall financial health of your business. Because cash accounting is generally cheaper than accrual accounting, and not all companies will need the insights of accrual accounting, it can be a great choice for a freelancer or small businesses.
CFO stands for Chief Financial Officer, and if you're looking for some outside advice on growth, expense management, or anything in between, then it could be quite beneficial. However, CFO services can come at a decided premium (depending on who you choose), and many higher-quality platforms will offer CFO services as part of their top-tier packages.
This is going to depend on your budget, and the size of your business. Many accounting services are going to price their services based on your monthly expenses. In general, a business with under $50,000 dollars per month in monthly expenses will qualify for budget options anywhere from $200 to $399 per month depending on the service. Anything more than that, and it will probably qualify as a premium service. In short, keep in mind that your bookkeeping costs are largely going to depend on your expenses or annual gross revenue, which gives you a good heuristic for comparing prices across companies.
Don't worry if you're behind on your books: that's a common thing, and no one is going to bat an eye (and if they do, take your business somewhere else). In fact, many companies specialize in budget-friendly catch-up bookkeeping and can get you up-to-date with little to no hassle.
While some bookkeeping services include accounting, that isn't the case for all of them. Often, tax filing is billed as extra, or as part of a premium package. Keep that in mind as you browse your options.
Any business looking to catch up on their books, receive professional CFO guidance, or just free up some valuable time will benefit from an online bookkeeping service. Keep in mind that certain services specialize in different industries, so be sure to look for one that responds to your unique needs.
Not at all. Many bookkeeping services proudly incorporate low-stress software integrations into their services. Additionally, many services specialize in more tech-forward bookkeeping support. So whatever you're bringing to the table, you'll be sure to find a service that will meet you there.
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Continued from above...

The landscape has evolved dramatically with the rise of AI-powered solutions. These automated systems can categorize transactions, reconcile accounts, and even predict cash flow patterns with impressive accuracy. However, any bookkeeping service worth its salt won't be entirely hands-off - human oversight remains crucial for handling exceptions and ensuring accuracy. Responsible AI-powered services offer a hybrid approach, combining AI efficiency with professional review for the best of both worlds.

When it comes to service models, you'll find options ranging from self-service platforms (where you maintain control while using sophisticated tools) to fully dedicated bookkeepers who handle everything for you. Your choice often depends on your comfort level with financial matters, how much time you're willing to invest, and how much assistance you can afford.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you make your decision:

  • Integration capabilities. Does the service connect with all your current financial tools and software? How much manual data entry is required? What automation features are available? Choose a service that offers seamless integration with your existing financial ecosystem to minimize manual work.
  • Scalability. What volume of transactions can the service handle? How easily can you upgrade as your business grows? What additional features become available at higher tiers? Look for a service with flexible plans that can grow alongside your business needs.
  • Reporting features. What types of reports are included? How customizable are the reporting options? Can you easily access the specific insights you need? Select a service that provides clear, actionable reports that match your business intelligence needs.
  • Reputation and reviews. What do current clients say about the service? Are there verified reviews available? What is their track record for reliability and customer satisfaction? Look for services with strong testimonials and a proven history of delivering quality bookkeeping support.

Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the best bookkeeping services available today. We've carefully assessed each option's features, pricing, and real-world performance to help you make an informed decision. We hope our reviews help you find the perfect bookkeeping solution for your business needs.

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