DIY Bookkeeping: What You Can Do Yourself (And What You Should Leave to a Pro)

When you’re running a small business, every dollar counts—and it’s tempting to do everything yourself, including the bookkeeping. While some financial tasks can absolutely be managed in-house, there are others where working with a professional bookkeeper can save you time, stress, and even money in the long run.

So how do you know what you should handle on your own, and when it’s time to bring in a pro? Let’s break it down.

Bookkeeping Tasks You Can Handle Yourself

If you’re just starting out or have a very simple operation, these tasks are usually safe to DIY—especially with tools like QuickBooks Online:

1. Invoicing Clients

Creating and sending invoices can easily be handled on your own. QuickBooks lets you automate invoices and even set up payment reminders.

2. Recording Daily Transactions

If you connect your bank and credit card accounts to QuickBooks Online, you can review and categorize transactions regularly with just a few clicks.

3. Tracking Mileage

Use QuickBooks’ mobile app or a tool like MileIQ to track business miles for tax deductions.

4. Managing Receipts

Take photos of your receipts and upload them into QuickBooks to stay organized.

5. Reviewing Financial Reports Monthly

While a professional can offer more insight, you can and should regularly review your Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow reports.

Tip: These tasks are manageable if you’re disciplined about staying consistent.

Tasks Better Left to a Bookkeeping Professional

As your business grows, your finances become more complex—and that’s when a DIY approach can start costing you money. Here’s what’s better left to a pro:

1. Reconciling Accounts

A bookkeeper will ensure that your books match your bank statements and catch any discrepancies, fraud, or missing transactions.

2. Setting Up or Cleaning Up Your Chart of Accounts

A poorly organized Chart of Accounts can lead to confusing reports and missed deductions. A pro will customize it to your business needs.

3. Handling Payroll

Payroll comes with tax rules, deadlines, and reporting requirements. One mistake can lead to costly penalties. Let a professional handle it or supervise a payroll service.

4. Filing Sales Tax or Preparing for Tax Season

Sales tax compliance varies by location and industry. A bookkeeper can help ensure you file accurately and on time—and provide organized books to your CPA for tax filing.

5. Financial Analysis & Forecasting

A bookkeeper can help you understand what your numbers mean and make recommendations based on trends in your income and expenses.

When to Make the Switch to a Pro

Still unsure if it’s time to hire a bookkeeper? Here are some signs:

• You’re spending more time on your books than on your business.

• Your reports don’t make sense—or you’re not looking at them at all.

• Tax time is stressful and disorganized every year.

• You’ve missed payments, lost receipts, or made costly errors.

Final Thoughts

Doing your own bookkeeping is possible, especially when you're just starting out. But as your business grows, so does the complexity of your finances. That’s where a professional bookkeeper becomes an essential part of your team.

At DPP Bookkeeping, LLC, we help small business owners stay organized, tax-ready, and focused on growth. Whether you need help cleaning up your books or taking over completely, we’re here to support you.

Ready to stop stressing about your books? Visit DPPBookkeeping.com to schedule your free consultation.