A bookkeeper manages the day-to-day financial transactions of your business. This includes recording income and expenses, reconciling bank accounts, managing accounts payable and receivable, generating reports, and ensuring your books are accurate and up-to-date. They help you stay organized, compliant, and informed.

A bookkeeper handles the ongoing financial data entry and organization, while an accountant typically uses that data to provide higher-level financial analysis, file taxes, or offer strategic advice. Think of a bookkeeper as the person who keeps your financial engine running smoothly—so your accountant can do their job effectively.

This depends on the service level you choose, but typically, books are updated weekly or monthly. Some clients prefer real-time or bi-weekly updates if they have higher transaction volume or need regular reporting for decision-making.

Most modern bookkeepers specialize in platforms like QuickBooks Online or Xero. If you're already using one, great! If not, a good bookkeeper can help you set it up, migrate data, and learn how to use it effectively. (Katlyn Alyssa Inc., for example, specializes in QuickBooks Online.)

You'll need to provide access to your accounting software, bank and credit card accounts (read-only or accountant access), any payroll or sales systems you use, and historical data (if available). Don’t worry—your bookkeeper should walk you through a checklist to make onboarding smooth and simple.