Do You Know the Difference Between Bookkeeping vs. Accounting?

Aristotle once quoted, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. This quote speaks of synergy, the interaction or cooperation of two or more parties that produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. In context of small business accounting, this saying holds true. Small business owners often find themselves handling the accounting function on top of everything else that is important to operating a business. Some hire a bookkeeper to assist with the day to day recording of cash receipts and disbursements to alleviate the burden of financial record keeping, while others may look towards hiring an accountant to oversee and verify the accounting data.

The key difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant is that bookkeepers simply record in sequential order the daily transactions of a business, while accountants take this information a step further and verify and analyze this data into meaningful financial reports that small business owners can use to make sound business decisions as well as communicate business operations to key stakeholders.

Bookkeepers must ensure that all transactions are accurately and timely recorded into the accounting system. Accountants must ensure that all data entered into the accounting system provides a true picture of the financial health of the business. In order to enhance the individual efforts of the bookkeeper and accountant, your small business needs a skilled professional to properly interpret your accounting information and bring valuable insight to your business.

At CFO Your Way LLC , we are a group of experienced professionals who can offer you a cost-effective solution that will make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. CFO Your Way enables your business to have a financial professional on your management team at your fingertips without having them in your office. We provide financial expertise to many of northern New Jersey’s fast-growing companies, tailoring our services to best suit your needs.

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation to discuss your needs.