Bookkeeper v/s Accountant: What’s the Difference? 🤷♀️
If you're a small business owner or sole trader, you may be wondering:
“Do I need a bookkeeper, an accountant… or both?”
Though the terms are often used interchangeably, bookkeepers and accountants play very different roles — and both are vital to keeping your business finances healthy, compliant, and stress-free.
What Is a Bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper is responsible for the daily recording and organising of financial transactions. Think of a bookkeeper as the foundation layer — keeping everything sorted so you always know where your money is going.
💼 Common Bookkeeping Tasks:
Recording income and expenses
Bank and credit card reconciliations
Managing payroll and superannuation
Invoicing and debtor follow-ups
BAS and IAS preparation and lodgements
Providing monthly financial reports
At The Bookkeeper’s Touch, we specialise in bringing calm and clarity to your finances through reliable, tailored support for small businesses and sole traders.
What Is an Accountant?
An Accountant takes your financial data and interprets it to provide big-picture insights and advice. They are essential for tax planning, compliance, and strategic financial decisions.
📌 Common Accounting Tasks:
Lodging tax returns
Preparing financial statements
Providing tax minimisation strategies
Offering business structure advice
Ensuring ATO and legal compliance
While some accountants may offer basic bookkeeping, they rely on clean and accurate records — which is where your bookkeeper plays a critical role.
Bookkeeper + Accountant = A Powerful Combo
Here’s how it works together:
Your bookkeeper keeps your data clean, current, and ready to go.
Your accountant uses that data to give you tailored financial advice, lodge your returns, and help your business grow.
When both professionals work in harmony, you get better insights, avoid ATO penalties, and free up your time to focus on your business.
Who Should You Hire First?
If you’re just starting out, overwhelmed by paperwork, or preparing for BAS deadlines — a bookkeeper is your best first step.
At The Bookkeeper’s Touch, we offer:
Customised weekly or monthly bookkeeping
BAS/IAS lodgements
Payroll & super setup and support
Month-end processing
Xero and QuickBooks support
We take the stress out of your books, so your accountant can take care of the rest — efficiently and with complete confidence.
💡 Final Thoughts
The difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant isn’t about choosing one or the other — it’s about having the right support at the right time.
Start with strong, organised financial records through a professional bookkeeper, and you’ll unlock more value when working with your accountant later on.
Need help getting started?
Book a consultation and let’s take bookkeeping off your plate — so you can get back to doing what you love.
🔗 Book an Appointment
📩 info@thebookkeeperstouch.com