The Difference between a CPA vs. Bookkeeper

If you stop and talk to business professionals across various industries, you will probably hear the words CPAs and bookkeepers used interchangeably. Upon first reflection, both job descriptions appear very similar; however, you would be surprised to know that CPAs and bookkeepers do have a number of important differences.

A bookkeeper, by definition, is an administrative professional whose primary job is to follow a set of procedures or tasks related to the financial management of a business. They generally do not need to have a particular certification in order to perform their tasks.

An accountant, on the other hand, is more specialized, and often handles higher level financial structuring and analysis. Becoming a CPA requires a four year college degree and a passing grade on the CPA exam. So while most companies do use the two titles interchangeably, it’s important to remember there are several key things which distinguish them.

If you really want to see your business grow to another level, it is recommended that you consider hiring both a CPA and a bookkeeper as opposed to trying to roll both of these jobs into one position. Be sure to allow each of these employees to actually operate based on their preexisting skill set. Hiring both a CPA and a bookkeeper will not only save you money in the long term, it will also help take your business to the next level. Many people may try to talk you out of hiring both on your team, but ultimately, at the end of the day, you cannot have a bookkeeper on your team without a CPA to guide your bookkeeper along the way.

Image credit: samuelallencpa