Do I Still Need a Bookkeeper If I Use QuickBooks Online?
If you’ve invested in QuickBooks Online (QBO), you’re already on the right path to managing your business finances. It’s user-friendly, cloud-based, and packed with tools to track income, expenses, and reporting. But here’s the question many small business owners ask once they log in, “Do I really need a bookkeeper if I’m using QuickBooks?”
The answer? For most businesses, yes - and here’s why.
QuickBooks Is a Tool. A Bookkeeper Is a Professional.
QuickBooks Online is software. It can automate and record, but it doesn't know your chart of accounts, what counts as a business expense, or how to reconcile discrepancies. It also won’t tell you if something’s wrong or how to fix it.
A professional bookkeeper brings the expertise to:
Set up and customize your chart of accounts
Ensure accurate categorization and coding
Reconcile your accounts to avoid errors
Catch and correct issues before they cause problems
Deliver clean books that your CPA or tax preparer can use
Interpret reports so you can make better business decisions
Without that layer of human insight, even the best software can become a source of confusion or worse, incorrect financials.
Common Pitfalls of DIY Bookkeeping in QuickBooks
Business owners often turn to QBO thinking it’s plug-and-play. But even with automation, things can go wrong quickly:
Bank feeds disconnect or duplicate transactions
Expenses get miscategorized, affecting your tax liability
Unreconciled accounts show incorrect balances
Undeposited funds build up without being cleared
Reports are inaccurate or misleading
These issues can accumulate fast and by the time you notice them, cleanup may be time-consuming and expensive. That’s where a bookkeeper steps in to prevent the problems before they start.
What a Bookkeeper Does That QuickBooks Doesn’t
At The Hazel Group, we help small to mid-sized businesses take full advantage of QBO but with the confidence that everything behind the scenes is accurate, current, and tax-ready. Our services include:
Monthly transaction categorization and review
Account reconciliation
Chart of accounts management
Monthly financial reports (Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet)
Collaboration with your CPA or tax preparer
Support via email, phone, and strategy check-ins
Add-ons like payroll, A/R, A/P, and clean-up services
QBO is the platform. We make it work for your business.
When It Makes Sense to DIY (and When It Doesn’t)
Some microbusinesses or solopreneurs with very limited transactions might manage with just QBO in the beginning. But if you:
Have growing monthly transactions
Are managing payroll, A/R, or A/P
Work with contractors or vendors
Want reliable, audit-ready books
Don’t have time to do it right yourself
Want financial clarity, not just software access
...then it’s time to bring in a bookkeeper.
Let’s Talk About Your Setup
Whether you’ve been using QuickBooks Online for months or are just getting started, we can help make sure your system is set up right and that your books stay clean, clear, and ready to support your business goals. Schedule a 30-minute consultation with The Hazel Group to learn how our virtual bookkeeping services can bring confidence and clarity to your financials.
