What Is A Bookkeeper?
In medicine, patients often ask, “What’s the difference between a nurse and a doctor?” In business, people ask a similar question: “What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?”
As a nurse-turned-bookkeeper, I see the roles clearly—and I’m here to explain what a bookkeeper is and why they are so important.
They are like the financial record-keepers, making sure every penny is accounted for. The unsung heroes who ensure your business’s financial health.
What a Bookkeeper Does
-Maintaining Ledgers ensuring all transactions are recorded properly
- Records daily financial transactions (income, expenses, invoices, payments)
- Keeps accounts organized and up-to-date
- Reconciles bank and credit card statements
-Payroll Processing (employee salaries and wages)
- Prepares financial reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) so you can see the “pulse” of your business at any time. If you want those reports interpreted and delivered in a way that shows you trends, profitability by service, and real decision-making insight, our Financial Statements & Reports service does exactly that.
And when you’re ready to move beyond reports and into true financial strategy—pricing decisions, hiring projections, and profit planning—that’s where our Fractional CFO Advisory & Strategic Financial Planning service takes over.
Bookkeeper vs Accountant (CPA)
- Bookkeeper: Maintains accurate, timely records
- Accountant/CPA: Analyzes records, prepares tax filings, and gives higher-level financial advice - Together, they’re a team—but without clean books, the CPA can’t do their job well
Why Businesses Need a Bookkeeper
Just like patients rely on vital signs, businesses rely on accurate books. Without them, decisions get riskier, stress levels rise, and growth slows down. A bookkeeper keeps things running smoothly, so your CPA and your business can thrive. With out organized, accurate bookkeeping you could not have:
-An Accurate Financial Picture
-Informed Decision-Making
-Compliance with Regulations
-Time Savings
-Peace of Mind
If you're learning what a bookkeeper does because you’ve been managing it yourself, our Monthly Bookkeeping Services can take it off your plate completely so you can stay in your role—owner, not data entry clerk.
Final Thoughts
My goal as your bookkeeper is more than balancing numbers—it’s about building trust, tailoring support to your unique business, and setting the stage for long-term success.
Want to learn more? Follow Claire’s Bookkeeping Tips with a Clinical Twist each week on LinkedIn, and for help with your books contact Lisa at BrizBookkeepers.com.
“Bookkeeping Tips with a clinical twist: where gut instinct meets financial diagnosis.” — Claire Brizwell