--- title: "Bookkeeper vs. accountant vs. CPA: who do you need? | MCC" description: "The difference between a bookkeeper, an accountant, a CPA and an enrolled agent for a New Jersey small business, and when each one is worth paying for." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/bookkeeping/guides/bookkeeper-vs-accountant-vs-cpa" --- Bookkeeping guide · Updated October 7, 2026 # Bookkeeper vs. accountant vs. CPA: who do you need? The titles overlap, and they are not regulated the same way. Here is a plain version of who does what. By [Matthew Coleman](/about), MCC Solutions **Quick answer.** A bookkeeper records daily financial activity: categorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, tracking bills and invoices and producing monthly reports. Bookkeeping does not require a license in New Jersey, and the titles accountant and CPA mean different levels of work. Want this handled for you? Monthly bookkeeping, cleanup and year-end close for small businesses. Start with a free health check of your books. [Free health check](/bookkeeping/health-check)[Get a quote](/bookkeeping/#interest) **Related:** [Owner contribution or loan](/bookkeeping/guides/owner-equity-and-capital-contributions) · [Closing entries and retained earnings](/bookkeeping/guides/closing-entries-and-retained-earnings) · [Void vs delete a transaction](/bookkeeping/guides/voiding-vs-deleting-transactions) **Free tools:** [Free invoice template](/bookkeeping/free-invoice-generator) · [Mileage deduction calculator](/bookkeeping/mileage-deduction-calculator) [![Intuit ProAdvisor Gold tier badge](/img/credentials/intuit-proadvisor-gold.png)](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)Gold tier in Intuit's ProAdvisor program. [See my Intuit listing](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77) [Español](/es/bookkeeping/que-es-un-bookkeeper/) Keeping your own books? Tallyfinch does invoices, bank import and reports on your computer. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) ## Bookkeeper A bookkeeper records the daily financial activity: categorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, tracking bills and invoices, and producing monthly reports. The goal is accurate books you can rely on. Bookkeeping does not require a license in New Jersey. ## Accountant An accountant works with the numbers the bookkeeper produces: reviewing them, advising on structure and tax planning, and often preparing returns. "Accountant" is a general term, so ask about credentials. ## CPA A Certified Public Accountant is licensed by the state. CPAs can prepare and review financial statements, represent clients before the IRS, and provide tax advice. If you need an audit, a review, or a formal opinion on financial statements, you need a CPA. ## Enrolled agent An enrolled agent is a federally authorized tax professional who can represent taxpayers before the IRS. Many small businesses use an enrolled agent for tax planning and returns. ## What most small businesses do Use a bookkeeper every month to keep books current, and a CPA or enrolled agent once or twice a year for taxes and planning. Clean books make the tax professional faster and cheaper. MCC Solutions provides the bookkeeping side and works alongside your tax preparer. We also prepare tax returns as a separate service, starting with the 2027 filing season. ## Common questions **Can my bookkeeper do my taxes?** Only if they are qualified and registered to prepare returns. Ask. Many small businesses use a separate tax professional. **Do I need a CPA if I have a bookkeeper?** Most businesses still want a tax professional at least once a year, especially with employees, an S corporation election or multiple owners. This guide is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Rules, fees and due dates change; check with the IRS, the NJ Division of Taxation or a licensed professional for your situation. Let us handle it [### Monthly bookkeeping Categorizing, reconciling and monthly reports, with cleanup, payroll and NJ filings available. Bookkeeping →](/bookkeeping/) [### QuickBooks Online Monthly bookkeeping, cleanup and reconciliation in QuickBooks Online for New Jersey small businesses. Your account stays in your name. QuickBooks →](/bookkeeping/software/quickbooks-online)[### Xero Bookkeeping and reconciliation in Xero for New Jersey small businesses, including cleanup and moving from spreadsheets or another program. Xero →](/bookkeeping/software/xero) More guides - [How to set up bookkeeping for a new New Jersey LLC](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-set-up-bookkeeping-for-a-new-nj-llc) - [How to catch up when your books are months behind](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-catch-up-on-behind-books) - [How to reconcile a bank account (and why it matters)](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-reconcile-a-bank-account) - [New Jersey sales tax for small businesses](/bookkeeping/guides/nj-sales-tax-for-small-businesses) Free tool - [Bookkeeping health check](/bookkeeping/health-check) [All guides](/bookkeeping/guides) Reach small business owners, freelancers and bookkeepers who read this guide: [advertise here](/advertise#bookkeeping). [![Cover of Bookkeeping Fundamentals (ebook) by Matthew Colt](/img/toolkits/bookkeeping-fundamentals-ebook/cover.webp)](/toolkits/bookkeeping-fundamentals-ebook) From the bookshelf ### Bookkeeping Fundamentals A college-level bookkeeping course, without the tuition. By Matthew Colt, $9.99 as an ebook (EPUB and PDF). [See the book](/toolkits/bookkeeping-fundamentals-ebook) [Read the first pages free](/toolkits/bookkeeping-fundamentals-ebook#free-starter) Document pack ### Bookkeeping Client Onboarding Pack The documents a solo bookkeeper writes again for every new client, drafted once: what to ask, what to agree in writing, and what to request each month. [See what is inside ($39)](/toolkits/bookkeeping-client-onboarding-pack) Also in the [Bookkeeper Practice Bundle](/toolkits/bookkeeper-practice-bundle): 3 products for $59 instead of $77 separately. Tallyfinch ### Books you keep on your own computer Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) [Download it free](/tools/pro/trial/mccBooks) [Compare the three apps](/software) ## Rather have us keep the books? Ask for a quote. [Get a Quote](/bookkeeping/#interest)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)