What Should You Expect From a Bookkeeper? | Clear Terms & Reporting

What Should You Expect From a Bookkeeping Service? Terms, Reporting & Clear Communication

When business owners delegate their bookkeeping, they’re often unsure what to expect beyond data entry and reconciliations. But professional bookkeeping involves far more than just updating numbers—it should come with clear terms, consistent reporting, and accountability from both sides.

Whether you're hiring a solo bookkeeper or working with a firm, setting the right bookkeeping contract terms from the beginning ensures both parties understand their roles. Let’s break down what you should reasonably expect from your bookkeeping provider—and what you’re responsible for too.

1. Clear Contract Terms Define the Relationship

A good bookkeeping arrangement begins with a clear service agreement. This should cover:

• The scope of services (e.g. bank reconciliations, payroll processing, or software support)

• Frequency of work (e.g. weekly, monthly, quarterly)

• Deliverables (reports, summaries, alerts)

• Payment terms (hourly or fixed-fee)

• Termination clauses (notice periods, exit protocols)

Clarity on these bookkeeping contract terms prevents miscommunication and protects both parties in the long run.

2. Decide on Meeting Frequency to Stay on Track

Too often, business owners hand over their books and disappear until tax time. But consistent check-ins help identify issues early—before they turn into expensive mistakes.

Agreeing on the meeting frequency with your bookkeeper keeps everything transparent and collaborative. You might:

• Meet monthly for financial updates and forecasts

• Hold quarterly check-ins to prepare for tax planning or budgeting

• Use email summaries with optional call-ins for lower-maintenance setups

This rhythm ensures your books are aligned with your business goals, not just kept up for compliance.

3. Expect Monthly Work Reporting That Adds Value

If you’re not getting reports from your bookkeeper, you’re missing out. At a minimum, your monthly work reporting should include:

• Bank and credit card reconciliations

• Profit & loss statements

• Balance sheet summaries

• Notes or flags on irregularities

• Optional KPI tracking (for growth-minded businesses)

Good reporting turns raw numbers into business insight—helping you make informed decisions.

4. Clarify Responsibility for Receipt Storage

One grey area in many engagements is receipt storage responsibility. Who’s meant to store and categorise receipts—the bookkeeper or the client?

The best practice is for the client to supply receipts digitally, either through accounting software, dedicated apps, or email. From there, the bookkeeper ensures they are properly linked to transactions.

Some businesses mistakenly assume the bookkeeper will “chase” all paperwork. That’s inefficient and causes delays. Set this expectation early to keep things running smoothly.

5. Know What a Great Bookkeeping Service Looks Like

At its best, a bookkeeping service should:

• Save you time and mental load

• Keep your business compliant and audit-ready

• Provide regular reports with clear takeaways

• Offer responsive communication when needed

• Set realistic expectations and boundaries

If you're unsure whether your current service meets this standard, it may be time to realign—or explore alternatives.

Final Thought

Expectations make or break service relationships. In bookkeeping, clarity around terms, deliverables, communication, and responsibilities is what separates a reliable partnership from a costly mismatch. If you're unsure what to expect, it might be time for a service review.

Justwise Accounting can help you clarify what you need, what’s missing, and how to set up a system that actually supports your growth.