The decision to hire a bookkeeper or a business accountant depends primarily on whether you are starting a new business, are in a growth phase, or have an established company. Each phase has its own specific needs and complexities.
As a business owner, your expertise is a crucial factor in this decision. If you have a good understanding of finances, a bookkeeper can help keep your transactions organized, and you can review them yourself. However, when you need assistance in interpreting your business’s financials, an accountant can provide valuable financial advice and analysis, empowering you to make the best decisions for the growth of your business.
Bookkeeper vs Business Accountant
Bookkeepers and accountants work within varying elements of accounting. Both bookkeepers and accountants are integral to your financial needs and often work in tandem to bring a company closer to its economic objectives. Understanding the roles of each is essential in choosing the best fit for your business.
What to Expect When You Hire A Bookkeeper
A bookkeeper’s role is to record daily financial transactions and store them in a database. They’re responsible for updating your general ledger and preparing trial balances for accountants to review.
Bookkeepers also maintain tax documents to ensure compliance, monitor cash flow, and prepare financial reports, which helps management make strategic decisions.
Additional Responsibilities of a Bookkeeper:
- Recording, Balancing, and Maintaining the general ledger
- Trial balance preparations for accountants’ review
- Compare actual financial results to planned or projected results.
- Establishing different accounts
- Summarize accounting financial transactions.
A.M.I. CPA Professional Corporation provides comprehensive bookkeeping services tailored to the unique needs of businesses and entrepreneurs. We focus on fostering growth and success by building enduring relationships and delivering personalized, expert guidance.

What to Expect when Hiring a Business Accountant
Business accountants take a strategic, comprehensive approach to problem-solving by analyzing the information provided by bookkeepers to derive broader insights and perspectives.
A.M.I. CPA (Certified Public Accountants) Professional Corporation offers accounting performance management. Our team works closely with your business to ensure that financial and operational goals are aligned and that everyone contributes to the organization’s long-term goals.
It is vital for business accountants to possess sharp logic and big-picture financial problem-solving skills. In addition, accountants must use the foundational information provided by the bookkeeper to draw much more significant and broader conclusions.
Responsibilities of a Business Accountant:
- Accurate documentation of financial reports
- Offer insights on the performance of the business’s finances through the preparation of financial statements.
- Create expense and revenue forecasts for the business to plan for the future effectively.
- Prepare and file tax returns to ensure the business complies with tax laws and advise on tax planning strategies to minimize liabilities.
- Analyse data to identify trends, variances, and areas for improvement, which can inform strategic planning and operational efficiency.
The team at A.M.I. CPA Corporation offers business accounting services that support financial and strategic growth in areas such as reporting and analyzing, tax planning and compliance, and budgeting and forecasting. Our ultimate goal is to empower clients with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions, maintain financial stability, and achieve long-term success.
AMI CPA Professional Corporation is a full-service accounting firm offering a broad range of accounting services to meet the needs of businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals in Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, Milton, and Mississauga.