07/09/2026
Today I received one of the most concerning phone calls I've had in a long time.
Someone called asking if I could teach them how to be a bookkeeper. They had just been hired, start tomorrow, have never worked as a bookkeeper, have never used QuickBooks, and were hoping a few videos and a couple of hours of guidance would get them through.
I had to tell them something they didn't want to hear.
Taking a bookkeeping job when you don't have the knowledge or experience isn't just unfair. It puts a small business at risk. That business owner has trusted you with one of the most important parts of their company, their financial records.
When bookkeeping is done incorrectly, the damage often isn't discovered for months or even years. By then, the business may spend thousands of dollars cleaning up the books, dealing with CRA issues, and trying to figure out what their true financial position actually is.
Bookkeeping is a profession. Many of us have gone to school, invested in mentors, completed ongoing professional development, and built networks of experienced professionals we can turn to when we encounter something new.
You can't become a competent bookkeeper overnight by watching a few videos.
This is exactly why choosing the cheapest option can become the most expensive decision. Hiring an established, experienced bookkeeping firm isn't just about data entry. It's about protecting your business.
If you've recently hired a brand new bookkeeper based solely on price, ask questions. Verify their experience. Your financial records deserve someone who knows what they're doing.
Your books are the foundation of your business. Treat them that way.
