DIY vs. Hiring a Pro: When to Get an Accountant to do Bookkeeping Cleanup

Running a business comes with hundreds of responsibilities, and somewhere between managing clients, handling payroll, and trying to stay compliant with taxes, your books can get out of control. When they do, many business owners wonder: “Can I clean this up myself, or do I need to hire a pro?”

In this blog, we’ll break down the difference between DIY bookkeeping cleanup and hiring a professional accountant, when to make the switch, and how to choose the right option for your business's needs and budget.

💡 Why Bookkeeping Cleanup Matters

Let’s start with the obvious: messy books = messy decisions.

If your business’s financial data is outdated, disorganized, or inaccurate, you’re likely:

• Making decisions based on false numbers

• Overpaying on taxes or missing deductions

• Unable to get approved for loans

• Struggling to understand where your money is going

  
  

Whether your books are a little behind or a complete disaster, cleanup is essential for accurate reporting, strategic planning, and tax readiness.

🛠️ DIY Bookkeeping Cleanup: What It Involves

If you’re considering doing it yourself, here’s what DIY bookkeeping cleanup includes:

✅ Gathering Documents

You’ll need all:

• Bank and credit card statements

• Receipts and invoices

• Loan agreements

• Payroll records

• Previous tax returns

✅ Organizing Transactions

• Enter all income and expenses

• Categorize each transaction correctly

• Separate personal and business transactions

✅ Reconciling Accounts

You must match every transaction in your books with your bank and credit card statements—ensuring there are no duplicates, missing entries, or math errors.

✅ Reviewing Reports

After cleaning things up, generate:

• Profit & Loss Statement

• Balance Sheet

• Cash Flow Statement

Check for red flags or inconsistencies.

🧩 When DIY Works

DIY may work if:

• You’re only behind 1–2 months

• You have minimal transactions

• You’re comfortable using accounting software

• You have time to devote 10–15 hours/week to catch up

🧨 DIY Dangers

DIY cleanup can quickly turn into a disaster if:

• You miscategorized transactions

• You skip reconciliations

• You’re unsure about tax rules or reporting

• You accidentally delete or duplicate entries

Remember: One mistake in your books can affect everything from taxes to funding eligibility.

👩🏽‍💼 Hiring an Accountant: What You Gain

Hiring a professional accountant or bookkeeping service takes the pressure off you—and ensures your books are cleaned up properly, quickly, and according to accounting standards.

Here’s what a pro cleanup typically includes:

✅ Expert Transaction Review

Professionals:

• Identify and fix errors

• Detect duplicate entries

• Properly categorize income and expenses

• Ensure compliance with IRS rules

✅ Bank & Credit Reconciliation

They’ll reconcile each account line by line—making sure your records match reality.

✅ Financial Report Preparation

You’ll get clean, accurate reports to use for:

• Tax filing

• Business planning

• Loan applications

✅ Tax Strategy & Support

An accountant can also:

• Amend previous tax returns (if needed)

• Spot tax-saving opportunities

• Prepare you for upcoming tax payments

💼 When You Should Hire a Pro

Here are clear signs it’s time to hire an accountant for cleanup:

❌ You’re more than 2–3 months behind

Once the backlog builds, it’s no longer efficient to do it yourself.

❌ You don’t understand your accounting software

If QuickBooks, Xero, or Wave feel confusing or overwhelming, it’s time to call in a pro.

❌ You’re approaching tax deadlines

Missing receipts and incorrect reports will slow you down and increase your risk of penalties.

❌ You’re preparing for growth

Planning to scale, apply for funding, or bring on investors? You need crystal-clear financials.

❌ You suspect errors in your books

If your profit doesn’t match your bank balance or reports aren’t adding up, an expert can diagnose and fix the issue quickly.

💰 Cost Comparison: DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Task	DIY	Hiring a Pro
Data entry	Time-consuming	Handled quickly
Reconciliation	Risk of errors	Accurate and compliant
Financial reports	May be incorrect	Clean and audit-ready
Tax prep support	Limited	Full support
Time investment	10–25 hours	1–2 onboarding meetings

Hiring a pro costs money—but saves you time, reduces risk, and protects your business. And in many cases, the expense is tax deductible.

✅ A Hybrid Option: DIY + Pro Support

If you’re on a tight budget but want some guidance, you don’t have to choose between all-or-nothing.

Many accountants (like Bartee Accounting Services & Integrated Corporate Solutions) offer:

• One-time cleanup packages

• Monthly reviews

• Software setup and training

• On-call support for questions

• 
  

This hybrid model gives you hands-on control with expert backup.

👣 What to Expect When Hiring a Pro

When you hire a cleanup specialist, the process usually looks like this:

1. Initial Consultation & Diagnostic Assessment: You’ll discuss the state of your books, goals, and how far behind you are.

2. Document Collection: Provide access to your bank statements, receipts, and current accounting software (if any).

3. Cleanup Begins: Your accountant will clean, organize, reconcile, and generate financial statements.

4. Review & Plan: You’ll review your updated books and discuss ongoing maintenance options.

   
   

👩🏽‍💼 Let the Pros Clean It Up Right

At Bartee Accounting Services & Integrated Corporate Solutions, we specialize in:

• Catch-up bookkeeping

• Reconciliation services

• Financial reporting

• Ongoing monthly bookkeeping

• Tax planning and compliance

No matter how far behind you are, we’ll clean up the mess, save you time, and set you up with a system you can trust.

📌 Ready to stop stressing over your books? Let us help you clean them up right.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning up your books isn’t just about organization—it’s about protecting your business. Whether you tackle it yourself or hire a pro, what matters most is that your financial records are accurate, up to date, and ready to support your next business move.

📥 Need help deciding? Contact Bartee Accounting Services & Integrated Corporate Solutions for a free consultation and let’s find the best path forward together.