(A nonjudgmental guide for small biz owners who’d rather be doing literally anything else)

Let’s be real: if you’ve ever opened QuickBooks, stared at a bunch of uncategorized transactions, and immediately closed the tab again… you’re not alone.

Whether you’re DIYing your books in a spreadsheet, trying to stay afloat in QuickBooks, or finally ready to let a pro take the reins, this is your guide to figuring out what kind of bookkeeping support fits your life and stage of business.

Spoiler: none of these options require shame, spreadsheet trauma, or knowing what “accrual” means. ✨

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Level 1: DIY Bookkeeping for Small Businesses (a.k.a. “It’s fine. I’ve got it. I think.”)

Best for: New businesses or side hustlers with simple finances and decent Excel tolerance
What it looks like: You’re in a spreadsheet, or maybe you’ve dipped a toe into QuickBooks. You try to stay on top of categorizing, reconciling, and tracking everything… but it’s starting to feel like that one junk drawer that just keeps getting worse.

What to keep in mind:
DIY is totally fine when you’re starting out. But over time, it can become overwhelming or unreliable—especially as revenue grows or life gets busier. If your books are mostly vibes and you’re crossing your fingers at tax time, it may be time to level up.

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Level 2: Partial Bookkeeping Help (because “I just need someone to tell me what to do.”)

Best for: DIYers who want a clean foundation or help interpreting their numbers
What it looks like: You still want to be hands-on, but you don’t want to be confused. You’d love a solid bookkeeping template, maybe a one-time intensive to walk through your books, and someone to say, “Hey, this looks great—but let’s clean up these five things so your reports actually make sense.”

What to keep in mind:
This is for the business owner who’s self-sufficient but sick of second-guessing. You want to feel confident in your process and stop yelling “WHY IS THIS NUMBER SO HIGH?!” at your laptop.

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Level 3: Full-Service Bookkeeping (aka, “Please just take this off my plate.”)

Best for: Solopreneurs and small teams earning ~$100k+ who want clean, consistent books (without lifting a finger)
What it looks like: You hand off your logins, and we do the rest—categorizing transactions, reconciling accounts, and sending you monthly reports that actually make sense. You get to stop thinking about it, but still feel in control.

What to keep in mind:
This is the most popular package for a reason. You get your time (and your sanity) back, and we make sure everything behind the scenes is smooth, clean, and ready to support whatever goals you’re dreaming up next.

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Bonus Level: Fractional CFO Services (a.k.a. “Let’s think like a CEO.”)

Best for: Business owners ready to scale, hire, or do some big-picture money moves
What it looks like: Regular strategy calls, cash flow forecasting, financial analysis, and someone in your corner saying, “Yes, you can afford to hire that VA.” (Or, “Let’s hold off on that rebrand until Q3.”)

What to keep in mind:
This is off-menu and available by request. If your business is growing fast and your financial questions are starting to sound like MBA homework, let’s chat.

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So… Which One Sounds Like You?

There’s no shame in any of these levels—only clarity.

You deserve bookkeeping support that matches your season of business. Whether you’re juggling three client projects, launching a new offer, or still trying to figure out how to log into your accounting software (no judgment), there’s a next right step for you.

Whether you’re drowning in uncategorized transactions or just ready to get your weekends back, we’ve got space for a few more small business clients this season—especially those needing a midyear cleanup.

👉 Book your discovery call here to find your best-fit bookkeeping solution. We’ll talk through where you’re at and what kind of support would actually make your life easier.

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Frequently Asked Questions (because we love a good “what even is this?” moment)

What does a bookkeeper do for small businesses?
We track and categorize your income and expenses, reconcile your accounts, and give you financial reports so you can actually understand your money. Basically? We make sense of your mess.

When should I stop doing my own bookkeeping?
If you’re behind, unsure, frustrated, or spending more time trying to make sense of it than actually doing it—it’s time.

What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and a CFO?
Bookkeepers manage the day-to-day transactions. CFOs look at the big picture, help you plan, and guide your business growth with data-driven decisions. At Numbers by Jen, we offer both.

Need help deciding? Want to share your bookkeeping horror story? I’m here—and I’ve probably heard worse. 😅

Talk soon,

Jen