QuickBooks Online vs. Hiring a Professional Bookkeeper: Which Is Right for Your Salon?
If you’re a business owner, chances are you’ve heard of QuickBooks Online (QBO). It’s one of the most popular bookkeeping tools out there, offering features to track income, manage expenses, and stay on top of your business's financial health. But while QuickBooks Online can be an incredibly useful tool, there’s a common misconception: it’s not a substitute for a knowledgeable, experienced bookkeeper.
At The Summa Collective, we’ve seen firsthand how many salon owners rely on software alone, only to find themselves overwhelmed or dealing with messy books. So, let’s dive into the difference between entering bookkeeping data using QuickBooks Online and hiring a professional bookkeeper to make sure that data is accurate, meaningful, and supports your goals.
QuickBooks Online: A Tool, Not a Solution
QuickBooks Online is like having a powerful hairdryer…it’s a fantastic tool, but you still need the skills to achieve that salon-quality blowout. Similarly, while QBO is a robust platform for bookkeeping, it requires the right expertise to truly make the most of it.
What QuickBooks Online Offers:
Expense Tracking: Link your bank accounts to automatically track expenses.
Invoicing and Payments: Create professional invoices and receive payments online.
Basic Reporting: Access financial reports like profit & loss, balance sheets, and cash flow.
Tax Prep: Categorize transactions for smoother tax filing.
These features can simplify your life as a business owner, but here’s the catch: QuickBooks Online only works as well as the person using it.
The Common Pitfall of DIY Bookkeeping:
Many salon owners jump into QBO, assuming the software will “do the bookkeeping for them.” But the reality is, you’re the one responsible for entering, categorizing, and reviewing the data. Without the knowledge of best practices, tax laws, and accounting principles, errors are almost inevitable.
For example:
Are you categorizing that lunch meeting as a tax-deductible business expense or a personal meal?
Did you record your revenue properly so your profit margins are accurate?
Have you reconciled your bank accounts to make sure no transactions are missing?
QuickBooks Online is only as good as the data you input. Garbage in, garbage out.
The Value of Hiring a Professional Bookkeeper
Now, let’s talk about what happens when you partner with a professional bookkeeper (like us at The Summa Collective).
Why Expertise Matters:
A bookkeeper isn’t just someone who enters numbers into a software system, they’re a trained professional who makes sure your financials are accurate, complete, and aligned with your goals.
Here’s what a bookkeeper brings to the table:
Accuracy & Clarity: We make sure every transaction is categorized correctly, so your books aren’t just "done"—they’re done right.
Tax-Ready Books: With clean and compliant records, tax season becomes less of a headache (and you minimize the risk of an audit).
Custom Insights: We provide insights into your financial data so you can make strategic decisions, like when to raise prices or invest in growth.
Saved Time: By outsourcing your bookkeeping, you free up hours to focus on running your business, not your spreadsheets.
QuickBooks Live vs. an Experienced Bookkeeper
If you’ve ever tried QuickBooks Live, you know it offers “live” support from a QuickBooks expert. But here’s the thing: it’s more like calling customer service than having a dedicated financial partner.
Imagine walking into a salon with box dye in hand and asking for help…you’ll get advice, sure, but the results won’t compare to a professional stylist who understands the nuances of your hair type, color, and style.
Similarly, QuickBooks Live provides assistance, but:
They don’t know your business inside and out.
They won’t create personalized financial strategies.
They’re reactive, not proactive…you’ll need to reach out for help instead of having someone constantly monitoring and optimizing your books.
A professional bookkeeper takes a holistic, hands-on approach to your business finances, offering ongoing guidance and support.
The Hybrid Approach: Tools + Expertise = Success
At The Summa Collective, we believe QuickBooks Online is an amazing tool—when paired with the right expertise. That’s why we specialize in using QBO to its fullest potential while providing the human touch to make sure your numbers are accurate, actionable, and aligned with your goals.
Why This Matters:
Your finances are the foundation of your business. When they’re messy or inaccurate, you risk making decisions based on incorrect data, and that can lead to cash flow problems, missed opportunities, and unnecessary stress.
With a professional bookkeeper managing your QBO account, you’ll:
Stay compliant with tax laws.
Get actionable insights to grow your business.
Avoid costly mistakes or oversights.
Ready to Ditch the Stress of DIY Bookkeeping?
If you’ve been trying to juggle QuickBooks Online on your own, or relying on QuickBooks Live for occasional support, it’s time to level up. Let us handle your financials so you can focus on growing your business and doing what you love.
Schedule a free consultation call today to learn how The Summa Collective can help you achieve financial clarity, confidence, and success.
Final Thoughts
QuickBooks Online is a fantastic tool, but it’s not the whole solution. Think of it as your box of makeup…it’s great to have, but it takes skill to apply it correctly for that flawless finish. Hiring a professional bookkeeper ensures your financial foundation is solid, empowering you to make smart, confident decisions for your business.
Let’s make tax season (and every season) stress-free, together. 💛