What Does a Monthly Bookkeeper Actually Do? (And What They Shouldn't)

I get this question more than you’d think. And honestly? It makes sense that business owners are confused about what a monthly bookkeeper actually does: because the line between bookkeeping, accounting, and tax prep can feel pretty blurry from the outside.

So let me clear it up for you. I’m going to walk you through what I do every month for the businesses I work with, what “extra mile” services we offer, and: just as important: what bookkeepers like me don’t do (and shouldn’t pretend to).

If you’ve been wondering whether you need a monthly bookkeeper or what you’re actually paying for, this one’s for you.

What I Do Every Month (The Core Stuff)

When you work with me, here’s what happens behind the scenes every single month. This is the foundation of bookkeeping for small businesses, and it’s what keeps your financial house in order year-round.

I download and categorize your transactions.
Every purchase, every deposit, every payment: it all needs to be recorded and sorted into the right categories. I pull your bank feeds, credit card statements, and receipts, then make sure everything is logged correctly in QuickBooks or whatever system you’re using.

I reconcile your accounts.
This means I match your records to your actual bank and credit card statements to make sure nothing is missing or duplicated. It’s like balancing a checkbook, but for your entire business. If something doesn’t add up, I track it down.

I manage accounts payable and receivable.
I keep track of what you owe and what’s owed to you. That includes logging vendor invoices, making sure bills get paid on time, and tracking customer invoices so you know who still needs to pay up.

I run monthly reports.
You get a clear picture of where your business stands financially: usually a Profit & Loss statement and a Balance Sheet. These aren’t just numbers on a page; they’re the story of how your business is doing.

I keep your general ledger clean and up to date.
Think of this as the master record of every financial transaction your business makes. It has to be accurate, organized, and complete: because everything else builds on top of it.

This is the bread-and-butter work of a monthly bookkeeper. It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential. And when it’s done right, it saves you from scrambling at tax time or making decisions based on outdated or incomplete information.

The “Extra Mile” Services (Because Every Business Is Different)

Not every business needs the same level of support. Some of you just need the basics. Others need a little more help keeping the wheels turning. That’s where the extra services come in: and we tailor them based on what you actually need.

Inventory tracking.
For businesses that sell physical products, keeping tabs on inventory is critical. I can help you stay on top of what’s in stock, what’s been sold, and what needs reordering.

Sales tax management.
Sales tax can be a headache, especially if you’re operating in multiple locations or online. I track what you’ve collected and help make sure you’re ready when it’s time to file.

Job costing for contractors.
This is one of my specialties. If you’re in construction or another project-based industry, I can set up job costing bookkeeping so you know exactly how much each job is costing you: materials, labor, overhead, all of it. That way, you’re not just guessing whether a project was profitable.

Multi-location or multi-profit-center reporting.
Running a business with multiple locations or revenue streams? I can break out your financials so you can see how each one is performing individually. This is huge for hospitality businesses, franchises, or anyone juggling more than one operation.

These services aren’t one-size-fits-all. We work with you to figure out what makes sense for your business, and you only pay for what you need.

What I Don’t Do (And Why That’s Actually a Good Thing)

Here’s the important part: I’m not a CPA, and I don’t prepare your taxes.

I know that might sound like a limitation, but stick with me: it’s actually a strength.

My job is to make sure your books are clean, accurate, and ready to go all year long. I’m the one doing the legwork: categorizing, reconciling, tracking, organizing: so that when tax season rolls around, your CPA has everything they need to do their job efficiently.

Think of it this way: I’m the mechanic who keeps your engine running smoothly. Your CPA is the specialist who tunes it up once a year and makes sure you’re getting the best performance and savings possible.

I don’t interpret your financial data or make strategic recommendations about investments, tax strategy, or financial forecasting. That’s not my lane. But I am the best friend your CPA can have, because I hand them organized, reconciled, up-to-date books that make their job easier: and usually cheaper for you.

When your books are a mess, your CPA has to spend billable hours cleaning them up before they can even start on your return. When your books are tight? They can jump straight into strategy and savings. That’s where I come in.

What Makes AKOR Services Different

I’ve worked with a lot of different types of businesses over the years, but I specialize in a few key areas where affordable bookkeeping services really make a difference.

Construction and contractors.
Job costing is everything in this industry. If you don’t know what each job is costing you in real time, you’re flying blind. I help contractors set up systems that track labor, materials, subcontractors, and overhead so they can see profitability by project: not just at the end of the year.

Hospitality businesses.
Restaurants, hotels, event spaces: these businesses have a lot of moving parts. Multiple revenue streams, high-volume transactions, inventory management, tips and payroll. I help hospitality owners get clear on their numbers so they can make better decisions about menu pricing, staffing, and growth.

Businesses with multiple profit centers.
If you’re running more than one operation under one roof: or in multiple locations: you need your books broken out so you can see what’s working and what’s not. I set that up so you’re not just looking at one big number at the end of the month.

These aren’t the only types of businesses I work with, but they’re where I’ve built the most experience. And experience matters when it comes to bookkeeping services for contractors and other specialized industries.

Let’s Talk About What You Actually Need

Here’s the truth: not everyone needs a full-service monthly bookkeeper. Some businesses just need a quarterly check-in or help cleaning up a mess before tax season. Others need someone in their corner every single month, keeping things tight and organized.

I don’t believe in selling you services you don’t need. When we talk, I’m going to ask questions about your business, your goals, and where you’re struggling. Then we’ll figure out a plan that actually makes sense for you: not a cookie-cutter package that doesn’t fit.

Maybe that’s monthly reconciliation and reporting. Maybe it’s job costing and payroll. Maybe it’s just getting your books cleaned up so your CPA doesn’t charge you an arm and a leg come April.

Whatever it is, we’ll spell it out clearly in our engagement letter so there are no surprises. You’ll know exactly what I’m doing, how much it costs, and how long we’re working together. (And if you decide it’s not working for you, that’s fine too. No hard feelings.)

Ready to Get Your Books in Order?

If you’re tired of scrambling every month to figure out where your money went: or if you just want someone reliable keeping your financials clean and organized: let’s talk.

I’m Allen, and I’ve been helping small business owners get their books in order for years. I know you might be apprehensive about handing over your financials to someone new. I get it. But I also know what a relief it is when you finally have someone you trust keeping things running smoothly in the background.

Give me a call at (360) 334-3373 or shoot me an email at Allen@akorservices.com. We’ll start with a conversation, figure out what you need, and go from there. No pressure, no sales pitch: just a honest conversation about how we can help.

Your books deserve better than “I’ll get to it this weekend.” Let’s make sure they’re taken care of( the right way, every month.)