Do I Need a Bookkeeper
if I Already Have an Accountant?

The answer depends on what your accountant currently handles and who looks after your records throughout the year.

If that ongoing work falls to you, a bookkeeper can take care of the agreed tasks and help keep your accountant supplied with organised information. The two roles can work closely together, with clear responsibilities for each.

What does a bookkeeper do

A bookkeeper helps maintain the records behind your business finances. Depending on your agreement, that may include:

• Recording and categorising business transactions.
• Reconciling bank and credit card accounts.
• Organising receipts and supporting documents.
• Keeping customer invoices and supplier bills up to date.
• Processing payroll within the agreed scope.
• Preparing regular reports and identifying items that need clarification.

This is the work that turns a collection of transactions into records you can use.

For example, a payment in your bank account might relate to several customer invoices, with a processing fee deducted before the money reaches you. Your bookkeeping needs to connect those details so the records explain what happened.

What does an accountant do

Depending on their qualifications, registration and engagement, an accountant may prepare financial statements, review business performance, advise on business structure or help with planning.

A registered tax agent can provide tax agent services within their registration. Some accounting firms also provide ongoing bookkeeping, payroll and BAS services.

That overlap is why it’s useful to ask what your current agreement includes. You may already have the support you need, or there may be a gap between your annual accounting work and the records being maintained each month.

Where do BAS services fit

Bookkeeping, BAS services and tax advice have different scopes. A person providing BAS services for a fee generally needs TPB registration unless an exemption applies. Registered BAS agents have a more limited scope than registered tax agents. You can check a practitioner’s registration through the Tax Practitioners Board.

When appointing someone, confirm which services they’ll provide and who will prepare, review and lodge each return or statement.

How a bookkeeper and accountant can work together

Imagine a business owner who sends their accountant a file at the end of the financial year. There are unexplained transfers, missing receipts and old invoices that may already have been paid.

Before the annual work can move forward, those questions need to be resolved.

With regular bookkeeping support, the same owner can address those items closer to when they happen. Their accountant then receives records that have been maintained throughout the year, along with any questions that need specialist attention.

Clear communication helps avoid duplicated work. Agree who manages the bookkeeping, who handles BAS, how year-end adjustments are shared and which questions go to each adviser.

Signs you may benefit from a bookkeeper

Additional support may be useful if you regularly fall behind, spend evenings sorting transactions or struggle to explain the figures in your software.

It may also help when your business becomes more complex: taking on staff, adding payment systems or working across several locations can all create more records to maintain.

The decision is about the support your business needs and the time you have available.

Keep your books and accounting connected

At Bookflow, we can work alongside your existing accountant to keep your agreed bookkeeping responsibilities clear and your records organised.

We’re also registered tax agents with the Tax Practitioners Board (TPB). If you’re looking for help with tax matters as well as bookkeeping, chat to us about what you need and how we can support you.

Our packages offer straightforward pricing and regular direct debit payments, so you can plan for ongoing support without wondering what the bill will be once the agreed work is finished.