Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a growing medical practice, or an established company, there comes a point when spreadsheets and weekend accounting no longer cut it. That’s when you need a professional bookkeeper. But not just anyone. You need the right fit. Someone who can help you stay compliant, manage cash flow, and give you the clarity to make confident decisions.

This guide breaks down exactly what a bookkeeper does, how much they cost, where to find them, and how to hire someone you can trust, whether that’s an online bookkeeper, a tax strategist, or a full team like ours at NTC Accounting Firm.

What Does a Bookkeeper Do?

A bookkeeper is one of the backbones of your financial operations. Their role includes:

• Recording daily financial transactions 
• Managing accounts payable and receivable 
• Reconciling bank and credit card statements 
• Processing payroll 
• Maintaining your general ledger 
• Generating monthly reports 
• Handling basic tax prep and working with your CPA during filing season 

If you’re running a business, especially in a regulated industry like healthcare or law, your bookkeeping services need to be accurate and audit-ready. At NTC Accounting Firm, we often work with business owners who initially thought they “just needed QuickBooks help”, but what they really needed was a consistent system, reliable reports, and a trusted advisor.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bookkeeper?

Bookkeeper salaries vary by experience, location, and whether you hire in-house or outsource. Here’s a breakdown for U.S.-based hires:

• Junior bookkeeper: $45,000–$77,000 per year 
• Mid-level: $77,000–$84,000 
• Senior bookkeeper: $84,000–$100,000 

And that’s just salary. Add payroll taxes, training, PTO, and benefits, and the total cost climbs upwards quickly.

That’s why many businesses turn to bookkeeping services or CPA bookkeeper firms like ours. Our clients get access to a full finance team, including a bookkeeper. But it’s not limited to that; they also get access to an accountant, tax strategist, and financial advisor for a fraction of the cost of hiring full-time staff. You also get continuity. That means no more worrying about what happens when your in-house bookkeeper quits mid-year.

Where to Find Bookkeepers

There are three main routes to finding a bookkeeper:

Local In-House Bookkeepers

Hiring locally gives you face-to-face contact and may be useful if your systems aren’t fully digital. But it’s expensive, and you’re limited to the talent in your area.

Remote Bookkeepers and Remote Firms

Remote services like online bookkeepers or outsourced firms give you access to broader expertise. A good firm will already know your state tax codes, use cloud-based tools, and offer proactive financial advice. At NTC, we support clients in all 50 states and tailor our services based on your location, industry, and goals. 

Often, the more niche a firm is, the better. This is because they will likely have specialized knowledge of a particular industry/ niche and know the intricacies that can save or make you more money (compared to an accountant with a broader client base, who has to spread their knowledge across multiple areas). One of NTC’s specialties, for example, is within the healthcare industry.

International/Offshore Bookkeepers

This is often the cheapest option upfront. But if you’re based in the U.S., you need to be cautious. Many offshore bookkeepers don’t understand U.S. GAAP or IRS requirements. You may also run into issues with time zones, banking, and language.

If compliance matters to you, especially if you’re a healthcare provider, consultant, or someone who files under a complex entity structure, stick with certified bookkeepers or U.S.-based bookkeeping services.

Skills to Look for in a Great Bookkeeper

A good bookkeeper should be more than a data entry clerk. Here’s what to look for:

Hard Skills

• Understanding of accounting principles 
• Experience with QuickBooks, Xero, or your accounting software 
• Proficiency in spreadsheets and reconciliations 
• Familiarity with your industry’s financial norms 

Soft Skills

• Communication: Can they explain financial data in plain English? 
• Reliability: Do they meet deadlines and return messages? 
• Organization: Do they track and document everything properly? 

Bonus Skills for Online or Virtual Bookkeepers

• Comfortable using cloud tools 
• Responsive via email or video calls 
• Familiar with remote document sharing and digital storage 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Bookkeeper

Hiring for software skills alone

Just because someone can “use QuickBooks” doesn’t mean they understand bookkeeping. Always test for fundamental accounting knowledge.

Skipping the interview

Even if you’re outsourcing, speak with the bookkeeper (or team) to assess their approach and communication style.

No system for review

If your bookkeeper is the only person handling finances and there’s no second layer of review, you’re exposing yourself to risk. A pro bookkeeping setup includes separation of duties.

How to Hire a Great Bookkeeper: Best Practices

Stage 1: Define What You Need

Before hiring, get clear on:

• Part-time, full-time or outsourced? 
• Monthly transaction volume? High-volume businesses need stronger systems. 
• Industry-specific needs? If you’re in healthcare, construction, or professional services, your books need to reflect that. 
• Software requirements? QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite are different tools that need different experience levels. 

NTC Accounting Firm works with industries like healthcare, law, real estate, and construction, each with different compliance needs.

Stage 2: Screen and Evaluate Candidates

If Hiring In-House

Ask candidates to:

• Complete a test reconciliation 
• Walk through their bookkeeping process 
• Explain a past situation where they caught a financial error 

If Outsourcing

• Review testimonials and online reviews. Trust what real clients say, not just the firm. 
• Ask how they manage compliance 
• Look at the firm’s structure: Who will you actually work with? 
• Ask how they report results: Will they prepare reports monthly? Quarterly? Will they walk you through them? 

A certified bookkeeper with ongoing advisory experience will do more than enter data, they’ll help you understand what your numbers mean.

Why Choose NTC to Support Your Bookkeeping Needs

NTC Accounting Firm is more than just bookkeeping. We’re a full-service partner who helps you manage your money and build wealth.

When you work with us, you don’t just get an online bookkeeper, you get a team that includes:

• A dedicated bookkeeper to maintain your daily records 
• A tax strategist to help you reduce liabilities 
• A financial advisor who sees the full picture 

We help you:

• Choose the right business structure (LLC, S-Corp, etc.) 
• Plan for quarterly tax payments 
• Understand your profit margins
• Strategise on how to pay less tax (legally) 
• Avoid tax season panic 

From personal bookkeeping to CPA bookkeeper services, we’re here to make sure your money works for you, not the other way around.

Ready to stop winging it with your finances? Book a no-pressure consultation and see how our team can support your business today.

Why NTC Goes Beyond Bookkeeping

Anyone can record transactions. That’s the easy part. What most businesses actually struggle with is understanding what the numbers mean and how to use them to make better decisions. That’s where NTC Accounting Firm is different.

We don’t see bookkeeping as a standalone task. We see it as the foundation for financial strategy, tax planning, and long‑term wealth building. Clean books are only valuable if they lead to smarter moves. At NTC, bookkeeping is the starting point, not the finish line.

Our clients work with us because they want more than monthly reports. They want guidance. They want to know how to structure their business properly, how to pay themselves efficiently, how to reduce tax exposure legally, and how to build wealth beyond their operating account. That’s why our services extend far beyond basic accounting.

In addition to pro bookkeeping, we provide financial strategy and wealth advisory support, helping business owners understand cash flow trends, profitability, and growth opportunities. We look at the full picture, including entity structure, compensation strategy, tax planning, retirement planning, and long‑term financial goals.

We also bring access to a trusted network of professionals, including tax strategists, wealth advisors, and industry‑specific specialists. Instead of coordinating multiple advisors who don’t speak to each other, our clients benefit from an integrated approach where strategy, compliance, and execution work together.

This is especially important for regulated and high‑income professions like healthcare, professional services, and consulting, where small financial missteps can become expensive problems. NTC doesn’t just keep you compliant. We also help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

If you are looking for more than basic bookkeeping and want a financial partner who understands strategy, tax planning, and wealth building, NTC Accounting Firm can help. Whether you need personal bookkeeping, business bookkeeping services or a full CPA-level support team, we’ll help you build a system that works for today and scales as you grow.

Click here to schedule an pressure free consultation and see how we can be your best financial decision.