If you’re asking yourself, “Should I hire a bookkeeper?” you’re not alone. Many small business owners start with DIY bookkeeping, only to discover it often costs more—in time, money, and peace of mind—than they expected.
You started your business because you’re good at what you do—not because you wanted to become your own bookkeeper, or get stuck managing DIY bookkeeping systems.
And yet, like so many business owners, you’ve likely found yourself juggling client work, growth strategies… and the never-ending tasks that come with bookkeeping—especially if you’re doing it all yourself.
That’s the hidden trap of DIY bookkeeping: it seems simple, until it starts stealing your time and confidence.
In this post, we’ll go through the hidden costs of DIY bookkeeping, what’s really at stake when you go it alone, and how a certified bookkeeper like Amy Egan can help you move from stressed to structured.
The Hidden Risks of DIY Bookkeeping
1. Inaccurate Numbers Could Be Costing You
If your books aren’t up to date or reconciled properly, your reports could be way off. That means you might:
- Be spending more than you think.
- Have more money available—but are holding back unnecessarily.
- Misprice your services because you don’t know your margins.
Even a small miscalculation in expense categories, project costs, or income projections can lead to significant financial consequences.
2. Your Time Is Being Pulled from Revenue-Generating Tasks
Every hour you spend inside QuickBooks or tracking down missing receipts is an hour not spent:
- Closing sales
- Serving clients
- Growing your business
Your time has value. And DIY bookkeeping is often a hidden drain on your most valuable resource: you.
3. When DIY Bookkeeping Isn’t Good Enough, You’re Leaving Money on the Table
It’s not just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about preventing lost income.
Here’s what DIY bookkeeping can really cost:
- Missed invoices or delays in getting paid
- Underbidding jobs because you didn’t factor in full expenses
- Overpaying taxes due to unclaimed deductions
- Late fees from unpaid bills
If you’ve ever asked, “Where did the money go?”—you’re not alone. But the solution isn’t more spreadsheets. It’s professional help.
Disorganized books don’t just affect your bottom line—they can affect your growth. If you’re applying for business loans, working with investors, or trying to scale, messy financials can put those opportunities on hold. Lenders want to see clean, timely records. So do grant committees and potential partners.
And don’t forget tax season. Incomplete or miscategorized data can mean missing out on deductible expenses, or accidentally over reporting income. These aren’t small mistakes—they can lead to overpaying taxes, triggering audits, or causing compliance issues that cost you thousands.
4. It’s Hard to Make Confident Business Decisions
Many business owners start with good intentions. Maybe your assistant took a crash course in bookkeeping. Maybe you figured software like QuickBooks would be enough.
But unless the person doing your books is trained and experienced in:
- Categorizing transactions correctly
- Setting up rules to streamline your workflow
- Producing clear, accurate financial reports
…you’re working with guesswork. And when it comes to your finances, guesswork is dangerous.
You need accurate data to make confident decisions.
5. You’re Blocking Your Long-Term Growth
Many business owners wait until the last minute to get their books in order. That’s when stress peaks—and so do mistakes.
Getting started now means:
- Catching up early so tax time is painless
- Avoiding rush fees from accountants
- Having time to fix errors before they cost you
- Knowing exactly where you stand before the year ends
- According to a recent study, nearly 40% of small business owners say bookkeeping and taxes are the worst part of owning a business, and 82% of business failures are linked to cash flow problems—often due to poor financial visibility.
The sooner you get support, the more control and clarity you’ll have—so you can successfully grow your business.
Why Amy Egan Is the Bookkeeper to Trust
Amy Egan has over seven years of hands-on experience helping businesses just like yours gain clarity and control over their finances. She’s not just accurate—she’s approachable, discreet, and professional.
She holds professional certifications in bookkeeping and financial software, and she’s seen it all—so you don’t have to worry about whether your books are messy, or if you’re financially struggling. In fact, that’s all the more reason to call her.
Amy is based in Utah and proudly supports small businesses throughout Salt Lake City, Utah County, and surrounding areas. But her services aren’t limited by geography—she also works remotely with clients across the U.S. through secure, cloud-based bookkeeping systems. Whether you’re located in Utah or running your business from another state, Amy offers the same level of care, clarity, and confidentiality to help you stay on top of your finances.
Learn more about Amy and her certifications here
See the services she offers
“She didn’t just clean up the books—she took the time to educate me, organize everything properly, and set me up for success. She even went the extra mile to tag transactions, set up effective rules, and gave me insights on how to better manage my finances moving forward.
If you need a reliable, knowledgeable bookkeeper, Amy is the one to call. Highly recommend!”
– Shannon, CEO/Founder of Recovery Movement Consulting
Should I Hire a Bookkeeper?
Hiring a professional bookkeeper isn’t just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about gaining back clarity and control. With accurate books, you can:
- Know which services or products are most profitable
- Make confident hiring or investment decisions
- Stay ahead of seasonal slowdowns or growth spurts
- Spend less time worrying about money—and more time serving clients
- Be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to your finances
When your books are in order, your business runs smoother—and your peace of mind increases. It’s a simple change with a powerful impact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bookkeeping Support
What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
A bookkeeper manages your day-to-day financial records—things like categorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, and organizing reports. An accountant typically reviews your books at tax time, handles higher-level financial strategy, or files your taxes.
Learn how Amy supports small businesses year-round
I’m embarrassed my books are such a mess. Can Amy still help?
Yes—and you’re not alone. Amy has seen everything from boxes of receipts, to years of incomplete records. She offers a judgment-free approach, and keeps your financial info 100% confidential. You don’t need to clean up before reaching out. That’s exactly what she’s here for.
Can my assistant or spouse just do the books for now?
It’s tempting, but unless they’re trained and certified, they could be missing important steps—like correct categorization, monthly reconciliation, or spotting tax-saving deductions. Well-intentioned help still leads to costly errors. A professional, like Amy, makes sure your books support your goals.
Is it too early to get help if I’m not ready for taxes yet?
Absolutely not. Getting ahead now gives you time to fix errors, organize everything, and avoid last-minute panic. Plus, clean books help you make better decisions now—not just during tax season.
Is hiring a bookkeeper expensive?
The better question might be: what is it costing you not to have one? Many clients are surprised to learn how affordable Amy’s services are—especially when they realize how much money, time, and stress they save in return. With clean books, better insights, and fewer financial surprises, most clients find the investment pays for itself quickly. If you’re unsure, Amy offers a free consultation to help you determine what level of support fits your needs and your budget.
How do I know if I’m ready to hire a bookkeeper?
If you’re asking the question—you probably are.
Here are some signs:
- You’re behind on invoices or expense tracking
- You don’t know how much profit you’re actually making
- You’re spending too much time in QuickBooks
- You’re worried about tax prep or missing deductions
Schedule your free consultation here
Hiring a Bookkeeper Isn’t a Cost—It’s an Investment
When you know your numbers, you make better decisions. You price your services right, capture every invoice, and avoid costly mistakes. That clarity and confidence can generate more revenue than you expected.
Amy’s clients often find they recover the cost of bookkeeping in the first few months—just by seeing exactly where their money is going, and where they can improve.
Ready for Peace of Mind?
Bookkeeping stress isn’t just a burden—it can cost you money and peace of mind.
If you’ve been wondering, “Should I hire a bookkeeper?”—now is the perfect time to find out what that decision could save you.
Let Amy help you get caught up, clean up your financials, and confidently move forward. So you can increase your chances of success in your business.