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Bookkeeper Review

Friday, September 22nd

2023 Bookkeeping Service Reviews

Bookkeeper Review 4.5 Star Rating

Bookkeeper

4.5 Star Rating
  • Basic plans starting at $399 per month
  • Cash-or-accrual accounting
  • Basic plans starting at $399 per month
  • Lite CFO and advisory services included in mid-tier and higher plans

With a focus on interpersonal conversations, and an easy-to-navigate website, Bookkeeper is a no-nonsense mid-sized bookkeeping service that provides moderately priced services for a reasonable cost. With a commitment to no-surprise fees and clear pricing plans, we appreciate Bookkeeper's clarity of services. If a mid-priced, reliable bookkeeping service is what you're looking for, with the option for reasonably priced growth advisory and CFO services, then by all accounts, Bookkeeper will offer a good value for your money.

A solid range of services

Bookkeeper has three standard plans, all billed monthly, and the option for custom pricing based on your needs. All plans come with a dedicated bookkeeper and account manager, month-end bank and credit card reconciliation, balance sheets; profit & loss, statement of cash flows, cash or accrual accounting; and a secure online portal. However, keep in mind that individual and business tax returns, payroll service, invoicing, tax planning, clean-up services, 1099 service, QuickBooks service, and human resources services, are all extra, and not included in their plans.

Plans and Pricing

Bookkeeper offers 3 bookkeeping plans for you to choose from:

  • The "Small Business" plan costs $399 per month, is tailored for businesses with an Annual Gross Revenue of up to $500,000, services, includes 100 transactions per month, and meets on a monthly basis with limited online support.
  • The "Small Business Plus" includes unlimited online support, 20 monthly invoices for bills, 30 minutes of monthly meetings, and Lite CFO and advisory services.
  • The "Small Business Advanced" costs a significant $799 per month and is best for business with an Annual Gross Revenue of up to $1,000,000, and includes a monthly transaction volume of 300, weekly service, 40 monthly invoices, 45 minutes of monthly scheduled meetings, and separation of transactions by class/location/department.

Should your needs exceed what's listed here, Bookkeeper offers custom pricing on request.

Best Bookkeeping Services

The best value for CFO services

When compared to competitors, Bookkeeper's Lite CFO and advisory services come at a bargain. So, if a bit of growth advising is what you're looking for - in addition to standard bookkeeping services - be sure to give their plans a look. However, keep in mind that tax preparation, payroll, and invoicing, are all extras. So if you want those services included in your service package, you may want to look elsewhere.

A dependable, clear-cut, good choice for your business

While not the cheapest service on our list and offering no flashy software or integrations (except ol' reliable QuickBooks support), Bookkeeper is clear on what it offers, its pricing, and its dedication to add value to your business operations. Bookkeeper's clarity has earned kudos from us, and we think that a small business owner could do a whole lot worse than Bookkeeping's traditional, mid-priced, good value bookkeeping and accounting service.

What's the Best Online Bookkeeping Service on the Market?

The answer to that question is going to depend on your specific needs. There is no one-size-fits-all bookkeeping service. Online bookkeeping companies will often specialize in services for a particular type of company. Some companies on our list specialize in startups, with strategic cash-burn analysis, Series A-C funding guidance, and tax strategies to boot. Other companies offer attractive budget bookkeeping support, but little in the way of CFO guidance, while yet others cater to businesses that utilize a wide-variety of payment and payroll software integrations.

Online bookkeeping services offer several advantages to businesses looking to manage their financial records efficiently. One of the most significant benefits of online bookkeeping is accessibility. With online bookkeeping services, businesses can access their financial records from anywhere, at any time, and through any device with an internet connection. This allows business owners and their accountants to stay up-to-date on their finances and make informed decisions on the go.

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...

Another advantage of online bookkeeping services is that they offer real-time data tracking and reporting. This means that businesses can monitor their financial performance as it happens - and quickly identify any issues or opportunities for growth. Online bookkeeping services can also automate certain tasks, such as reconciling bank statements, generating financial reports, and tracking expenses. All this can save businesses valuable time and resources.

Online bookkeeping services can also be more cost-effective than traditional bookkeeping methods. They eliminate the need for businesses to invest in expensive accounting software or hire in-house accountants, since all the necessary tools and expertise are available online. This can be particularly beneficial for small businesses and startups with limited budgets.

While almost all of the companies in our review offer a variety of bookkeeping, tax, back-office, and advisory solutions, the extent to which those are included in base plans - or priced as premium services - is going to depend on the specializations of the provider you choose. With such a diversity of offerings, it can be difficult to parse the good from the bad. The best on our list is what we think is best for most, not for everyone. As such, identify your specific needs while reviewing our list, and you'll be sure to find the ideal fit from our top-rated services.

Before you jump right into our top bookkeeping providers, here are some important tips to keep in mind:

  • Cash vs. accrual accounting: accrual accounting records all revenue and expenses based on when invoices and bills are received, and is much more accurate. Cash accounting is much simpler, and only tracks when money changes hands. Most small businesses are well served by cash accounting; however, that may not be the case for you. Keep this in mind when you notice the price differences between cash and accrual accounting.
  • Type of service: Is it a single bookkeeper working with you one-on-one, or does a team manage your books? Do they offer proprietary software services, if so, do they integrate with your current software? Are they CPA certified? Whatever their services offer, just remember that - even though they may often sound similar - the type and quality of service varies greatly across our list.
  • Cost: Full costs are rarely upfront. Oftentimes, the actual costs of any bookkeeping or accounting service are hidden behind a phone call or consultation. Compare the prices of competitors-and what you're willing to spend - before you make that call.

At Top Consumer Reviews, we've done the work of comparing (and even interrogating) our listed bookkeeping services - and analyzing their user reviews - to make sure that whatever your needs, you'll find the right range of cost, service, and support for your small business.

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