Identify What Your Business Needs: Accountant or Bookkeeper

 Some people use accountant and bookkeeper terms interchangeably, but these two terms are not the same. Both perform different activities, and both have different responsibilities. However, in this blog, we’ll discuss some different roles of bookkeeper and tax accountant Melbourne.

The responsibility of a bookkeeper is to manage your financial books by managing accounts, documenting transactions, and recording financial data. These tasks are known as bookkeeping.

On the other hand, accountants will have different responsibilities like they have to use this data to know the financial status of the business. An accountant could be a bookkeeper, but you can’t consider an entry-level bookkeeper as an accountant. Before you hire any bookkeeper or an accountant, ensure to check your business requirements first. Let’s have a look at the difference between these two personalities and the benefits of each:

Difference between Bookkeeper and Accountant

Here is an overview of a bookkeeper and an accountant that will help you understand the difference between both personalities:

Role of a Bookkeeper

The responsibility of a bookkeeper is to manage daily tasks of managing financial transactions, such as purchases, sales, payments, and receipts. The primary responsibility of a bookkeeper is to manage your data in books and update records. Small business bookkeeping services focus more on transactions, including all expenses and income. In addition to this, bookkeepers are responsible to help you with ongoing financial tasks, such as invoicing, payroll, and more. The foundation of bookkeeping services depends on ensuring that the accounting system has accurate data at all times. 

Common bookkeeping tasks that include:

· Storing Daily Transactions: Rechecking source documents and recording journal entries into accounting software.

· Back Reconciliation: Reconciling bank accounts and rechecking the general ledger to make sure that financial information is shared with the right accounts. 

· Data Entry: Storing the financial records required to process payroll, generate financial reports, and track debits and credits. The responsibility of a bookkeeper is to modify employee tax withholdings and wage rates so that net pay can be calculated accurately. 

· Money Monitoring: Auditing accounts payable to ensure vendors are paid without any delay. Bookkeepers also keep track of accounts receivable and help with the collection to enhance cash flow. 

There are various advantages of hiring a bookkeeper, such as:

· Error Prevention: Bookkeepers can help you avoid errors. Even business owners make mistakes while performing bookkeeping if they are not trained, such as mixing the expense types, entering data incorrectly, and missing some entries. 

· Analysis: The bookkeeper analyses to know the financial status of the company. This helps companies to make correct decisions. 

· More Focus on Your Work: As you know bookkeeping is a highly tedious job, so if you hire a bookkeeper, then you can give more time to your business. 

Role of an Accountant

If your business needs accounting services, then make sure to hire a professional accountant for your business. Most small business accountants can handle bookkeeping responsibilities. Accounting duties include billing, general ledger entries, checking of accounts payable activity, and payroll reconciliation. On the other hand, a bookkeeper is responsible to focus on daily transactions, cash flow management, tax preparation, and other details to manage the financial status of the business. Accountants generally hold a degree and are registered as a certified public accountant (CPAs). The responsibility of accountants is to review accounting transactions and handle the recordkeeping process. Their responsibilities include:

· Producing Financial Statements: Adjusting the trial balance and producing the income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet. 

· Preparing Tax Returns: Tax accountant Melbourne produces the financial reports needed to produce tax returns. 

How to Know Your Business Needs a Financial Professional? 

It can be hard to predict when your business needs a financial professional. If you are looking for a bookkeeper, then you should first decide if you want an independent firm, a consultant, or your business is growing. You can search online for ‘tax accountants near me’ if you are looking for a professional accountant. If you need a bookkeeper, then you still need to check qualifications and background research. Take a look at the below section to know when is the time to hire a financial professional:

· Complex Tax

When it seems difficult to manage your tax with various income streams, multiple deductions, or foreign investment, then at that time, you need to hire an accountant for your business. An accountant can help you save time and help you stay on top of essential matters like a tax deduction, payroll, and tax filings. 

· You Take More Time for Accounting

If you are spending your time on accounting than focusing on your business growth or keeping your clients happy, then you are not in the right direction. You can make more money if you give your accounting work to an expert accountant so you can focus on the growth of your business.

· Rapid Growth in Your Business

If your business is small, then you can perform bookkeeping and accounting only if you are aware of it. However, if your business is growing, then it will be a sign to hire someone to help you. You can hire a bookkeeper for your business who will balance the books. 

Now, you have an idea of when and which financial professional you should hire for your company. If you are looking for a reliable accounting firm, then you can reach Reliable Melbourne Accountants for experienced accountants for your business.