What Does a Bookkeeper Need From Me? A Plain Checklist Before You Start
Hiring a bookkeeper goes faster when you know what to hand over. Most delays at the start come from missing statements or access invites, not from the bookkeeping itself.
This checklist covers what a bookkeeper needs from you, and how Linked-do-Books™ asks for it.
1. Platform access, not passwords
Your bookkeeper needs to see your accounting file, and possibly your store and payment platforms. In QuickBooks, Xero, Shopify, Stripe, PayPal or similar, invite your bookkeeper as an accountant, user or authorized collaborator inside the platform.
Never send passwords, bank logins, tax IDs, Social Security numbers or full card numbers by form, chat or email. See how to give your bookkeeper access safely.
2. Bank and card statements
Have statements for every business bank account, credit card and loan for the period being worked on. These are what reconciliation is checked against. See how to reconcile a bank account.
3. A list of your accounts and income channels
List every account and every way money comes in: deposits, card processors, marketplaces and payment apps. A missed account is the most common reason books don't tie out.
4. Receipts and bills for larger or unusual items
Your bookkeeper will ask about transactions they can't categorize from the description alone. Keep receipts and bills handy, especially for big purchases, owner transfers and loan payments. See how to categorize business transactions.
5. Your prior-year return or opening balances
Last year's numbers help your bookkeeper start from the right place. If your books are behind, it also shows how far back the clean-up needs to go.
6. Context about your business
A short note on what you sell, how you get paid and anything unusual this year saves a lot of back-and-forth.
How it works at Linked-do-Books
- Start with a short conversation. Use the contact form to explain what you need, without attaching records.
- Review your next-step email. After you book or purchase, you get a follow-up and your Client Services Agreement with the agreed scope, first requests and access needs.
- Share records and invite access. Send documents through the designated upload page only when we direct you there.
- Steady monthly rhythm. Ongoing clients get a monthly status update with completed work, open questions and reviewed reporting once the records for the period are ready.
If your books are behind, Books Clean-Up may come first: $150 per month behind, with a $600 minimum and an $1,800 cap. Monthly plans start at $199 (Lite), then $249 (Starter), $399 (Growth) and $649 (Full-Service) a month. See pricing and which bookkeeping plan do I need.
Not sure where your books stand? Try the free bookkeeping checklist or the Bookkeeping Health Score.
Linked-do-Books provides bookkeeping only. Tax preparation and tax advice stay with a licensed tax professional. See bookkeeping vs. tax prep.
FAQ
Do I need to send my bank password?
No. Invite your bookkeeper inside each platform. Never send login credentials.
What if I'm missing statements?
Say so up front. Most banks let you download past statements, and your bookkeeper can tell you which months matter.
Is there a client portal?
There's no login-protected client portal on the website. Records go through the designated upload page when you're directed there.