Bookkeepers do just that—they keep the books, otherwise known as your financialrecords. They record income and expenses for your act, also known as “money in and
money out.” They may also handle sales tax record-keeping and other types of financial
notation. They may or may not have an accounting degree. As such, their services are
usually limited to the tedious task of data entry. For example, small businesses with em-
ployees often employ a full or part-time bookkeeper who manages the day-to-day finan-
cial entries, along with running various reports and payroll duties. But, many bookkeep-
ers are freelancers, and you can tap into their services on an as-needed basis. A good free-
lancer with an excellent reputation might be just the ticket for your band (pun intended).
Depending on how many numbers your band or solo act need to enter, that can mean
weekly or monthly bookkeeping. Also, some bookkeepers are certified by accounting
software such as QuickBooks and MYOB. If you’re set up with either of those, it can be a
good idea to find a certified bookkeeper.
Accountants have been educated in accounting practices and will often have a bache-
lor’s degree in either accounting or business. They may even have a master’s degree.
They fall between the skill sets of bookkeepers and CPAs. It’s important to note that not
all accountants possess bookkeeping skills or are skilled in various accounting software.
It may be hard to believe, but there are still diehards out there who do their work with a
pencil and paper. As such, be sure to ask if they are familiar with the software you use
and their comfort level with it.
The certified public accountant (CPA) is what most small business owners think of
when it comes to accountants and are likely the best bet for a successful band or even one
starting on its way up. CPAs have completed college business and accounting coursework