What Is Included In Bookkeeping Services? (List & Descriptions)

Wondering what is included in bookkeeping services? This is the practical bookkeeping services list you need.

No fluff. Just what each service covers, what triggers the need, and how to decide what fits.

Scan it in minutes. Walk away knowing exactly what you're paying for.

Need a specific service? Not sure which level of support fits?

Reach out to FlowFi. We'll map the simplest path forward: best online bookkeeping services.

Not ready yet? We'll explain when to hire a bookkeeper with no pressure to do so now if it isn't the right time.

What are bookkeeping services?

Bookkeeping services turn day-to-day money activity into clean, reliable records.

Capturing transactions. Categorizing them consistently. Reconciling accounts so balances match real statements. Producing reports you can trust.

So what does a bookkeeper actually do for your business?

They make sure your numbers are dependable enough to run the business without guessing. Pricing, hiring, cash planning, tax handoff. None of it based on "close enough."

Those bookkeeper responsibilities are what turn a spreadsheet of transactions into something you can actually use.

We'll break down exactly what that looks like below.

What is included in bookkeeping services?

So what services do bookkeepers provide in a real-world bookkeeping business?

Here's the quick overview. Services commonly included, plus the trigger that tells you it's time.

Common bookkeeping services and when you typically need them

Not sure if you need a bookkeeper or an accountant?

The accountant vs bookkeeper question usually comes down to this: bookkeeping gets day-to-day records clean. Accounting handles filings, compliance, and higher-level guidance.

Books behind or reports don't tie out? Start with bookkeeping.

Books solid but need help with taxes or strategy? Ask: what do accountants do for situations like yours?

Bookkeeping services list

Same list. Expanded.

Each item below has a bookkeeping services description so you understand the purpose, the outcome, and how it fits into different types of bookkeeping setups.

Monthly bookkeeping

Monthly bookkeeping is the "keep it clean" option.

Transactions categorized consistently. Accounts reconciled. Reports produced on a predictable schedule.

The benefit is simple. You stop discovering problems months after they happen.

You make decisions using current numbers. Not guesses.

Catch-up bookkeeping

Catch up bookkeeping services are for businesses that fell behind.

The goal: bring multiple months current without letting errors pile up.

This is often the fastest way back to usable reports. Especially when you've been relying on bank balances and memory instead of real financials.

Cleanup bookkeeping

A bookkeeping clean up focuses on correcting what's already been entered.

Fixing incorrect categories. Removing duplicates. Resolving negative balances that don't make sense. Rebuilding reconciliations.

Bookkeeping clean up services pay off in confidence. Once the foundation is corrected, ongoing bookkeeping becomes faster, cheaper, and more reliable.

Bank and credit card reconciliations

Reconciliations match what's in your accounting system to what actually happened.

This is where missing transactions, double entries, and timing issues surface.

If reconciliations aren't happening, reports become "maybe true." That's not a fun business model.

Chart of accounts setup and maintenance

Your chart of accounts is the structure that turns transactions into meaningful categories.

A well-built chart prevents messy "miscellaneous" dumping. Makes reports easier to read.

Supports better analysis later because your data is organized from day one.

Accounts payable support

Accounts payable support helps you track bills, due dates, and payments in a consistent workflow.

Reduces late fees. Protects vendor relationships. Makes cash planning less stressful.

Even a simple A/P process prevents "surprise" obligations from wrecking a month.

Accounts receivable support

Accounts receivable support covers invoicing workflows, recording customer payments, and tracking outstanding balances.

The practical win is visibility.

You know who owes you money. How long it's been outstanding. Where collections should be focused.

Payment processor reconciliation

When you accept payments through processors, deposits often arrive net of fees. Sometimes in batches.

Reconciliation ties gross sales, fees, refunds, and payouts together. Revenue and expenses recorded correctly.

Especially important when "the deposit" doesn't match "the sales."

Payroll posting support

Payroll is frequently handled by a payroll provider. But your books still need accurate payroll entries.

Wages. Taxes. Benefits.

Payroll posting support keeps financial statements complete. Labor costs aren't understated or floating in limbo.

Sales tax tracking support

Sales tax tracking support organizes your taxable sales and keeps underlying records consistent.

Reduces filing friction. Reduces the chance of missing liabilities.

Makes it easier to answer questions if you ever need to validate how totals were calculated.

Contractor (1099) tracking support

If you pay contractors, clean vendor and payment records matter.

Tracking contractor payments throughout the year makes year-end reporting smoother. Prevents a frantic scramble through bank statements.

Also improves internal clarity around project costs and outsourcing spend.

Month-end close

Month end close is the checklist-driven process that turns "we entered stuff" into "these numbers are final."

Includes reconciliations, reviews for obvious anomalies, and report preparation.

The benefit: leaders trust that monthly reports are comparable and not constantly shifting.

Financial reports (P&L, balance sheet)

Financial reports summarize performance and financial position.

Profit and loss shows what you earned and spent. Balance sheet shows what you own, owe, and what's left.

Clean reporting helps you spot trends, identify cost creep, and make better calls on hiring, pricing, and timing.

Tax-ready handoff support

Tax-ready support organizes your books so your tax preparer can work efficiently. Fewer follow-up questions.

Reconciled accounts. Consistent categories. Clean documentation. Clear separation of business vs personal activity.

Doesn't replace tax advice. Makes tax work faster and less painful.

Bookkeeping services offered by FlowFi

We cover all of the bookkeeping services examples you read about above.

Need help with any of them? Reach out.

We work with all types of companies that employ bookkeepers. Lean solo operations. Growing teams that need a disciplined monthly close. Everything in between.

Want to keep down the cost of bookkeeping services for small business owners?

The fastest lever is consistency. Clean monthly work is almost always more efficient than periodic fire-drills.

If any of the services above sound like what you're dealing with right now, reach out. We'll help you confirm what's in-scope, what can wait, and what will make the biggest difference first.