Working With a Bookkeeper vs DIY: What Actually Saves More Money?
Introduction
When you’re running a small business, every dollar matters. Many owners start out handling their own bookkeeping to save money. It feels like the smart choice — after all, why pay someone when you can do it yourself?
But as your business grows, the question becomes more important:
Is DIY bookkeeping really saving you money — or costing you more in the long run?
Let’s break down the true cost of DIY bookkeeping vs working with a professional bookkeeper, so you can make the smartest decision for your business.
The Real Cost of DIY Bookkeeping
On the surface, DIY bookkeeping looks cheaper. No monthly fees, no contracts, no external help. But hidden costs often show up in ways that business owners don’t expect.
Hidden cost of DIY bookkeeping
1. Your Time Is Not Free
Most small business owners spend 5–10 hours a week on bookkeeping-related tasks — like:
- Categorizing expenses
- Creating and sending invoices
- Tracking payments
- Reconciling bank statements
- Preparing for tax time
That’s 20–40 hours per month.
Now ask yourself:
Is my time better spent doing paperwork… or growing my business?
If your time is worth even $40–$60 per hour (very conservative for a business owner), DIY bookkeeping could be costing you $800–$2,400 per month in lost time alone.
2. Mistakes Are Expensive
Without a bookkeeping background, it’s incredibly easy to make mistakes such as:
- Misclassifying expenses
- Forgetting deductions
- Tracking incorrect sales tax (GST/HST / Sales Tax)
- Missing payments
- Filing incorrectly
These errors can lead to:
- Paying more tax than necessary
- CRA/IRS penalties and interest
- Stress during audits
- Financial reports you can’t trust
The worst part? Many business owners don’t even realize there’s a mistake until it becomes a serious problem.
3. Poor Financial Visibility
DIY bookkeeping often turns into “catch-up bookkeeping” once or twice a year — usually around tax season.
This means you’re making important business decisions blindly, not based on real data.
Without accurate books, you don’t clearly know:
- Your real profit
- Your true expenses
- Which products/services are actually making money
- If you can afford to hire, invest, or expand
This uncertainty can stop growth — or worse, cause you to make risky decisions.
The Value of Working With a Professional Bookkeeper
Now let’s look at the other side.
Working with a professional bookkeeping service like Remote Books Inc isn’t just an expense — it’s an investment in your business clarity, confidence, and financial health.
1. You Save Time (a Lot of It)
When your bookkeeping is handled for you, you get back 20–40 hours every month.
That’s time you can reinvest into:
- Marketing & sales
- Customer service
- Product improvement
- Strategic planning
- Actually taking a break (yes, that matters too!)
Time = opportunity. And opportunity = money.
2. You Pay the Right Amount of Tax (Not More)
A professional bookkeeper ensures:
- Expenses are categorized correctly
- All eligible deductions are claimed
- Sales tax is tracked properly (CRA & IRS compliant)
- Reports are accurate for your accountant or tax filer
This alone can save you thousands of dollars per year in overpaid tax and penalties.
Many business owners discover that a bookkeeper pays for themselves simply by finding missed deductions and correcting errors.
3. You Get Clear Financial Reports
With professional bookkeeping, you receive accurate reports such as:
- Profit & Loss Statement
- Cash Flow Statement
- Balance Sheet
These reports help you answer key business questions like:
✅ Am I actually making profit?
✅ Can I afford to hire someone?
✅ Which product or service makes the most money?
✅ Is my business growing or shrinking?
This kind of clarity is priceless for decision-making.
4. Less Stress, More Confidence
Let’s be honest: bookkeeping is stressful for most business owners.
There is constant worry about:
- Missing something
- Filing incorrectly
- Getting audited
- Falling behind
With a professional team like Remote Books Inc, you gain peace of mind knowing:
- Your records are up to date
- Your business is CRA/IRS compliant
- You always know where you stand financially
That peace of mind allows you to focus on what you do best: running and growing your business.
So… What Actually Saves More Money?
Here’s the honest answer:
| Option | Appears Cheaper | Actually Saves More |
| DIY Bookkeeping | ✅ Yes | ❌ Usually No |
| Professional Bookkeeper | ❌ Seems More | ✅ Most of the Time |
While DIY bookkeeping may look cheaper at first, the hidden costs of your time, mistakes, missed opportunities, and stress usually outweigh the monthly fee of a professional bookkeeping service.
For most growing small businesses, working with a bookkeeper actually increases profitability, improves organization, and supports long-term success.
Why More Small Businesses Choose Remote Books Inc?
At Remote Books Inc, we specialize in helping small business owners in Canada and the United States:
✔ Keep their books accurate and organized
✔ Stay tax-ready all year long
✔ Gain clarity over their finances
✔ Save time and reduce stress
✔ Grow with confidence
Whether you’re an eCommerce store, freelancer, contractor, or service-based business, our remote bookkeeping solutions are designed to support your success — without the headache.
Would like to know more about Remote Books Inc?
Summary
DIY bookkeeping may feel like the responsible, cost-saving choice at the beginning. But as your business grows, the question isn’t “Can I do this myself?” — it’s “Is this the best use of my time and energy?”
In most cases, the answer is no.
Choosing a professional bookkeeper isn’t just about staying organized — it’s about unlocking growth, reducing risk, and making smarter decisions with your money.