If you’re running a business, you’ve probably asked yourself this:

Do I need both a bookkeeper and a tax preparer? Or can one person just do everything?

It’s a fair question — and the answer depends on what stage your business is in and how clean you want your finances to be.

Here’s the Difference:

• Bookkeepers handle the day-to-day numbers. They record your income and expenses, categorize transactions, reconcile bank accounts, and make sure your financial data is organized and accurate.

• Tax pros (CPAs, enrolled agents, or tax preparers) step in to take that clean data and file your federal and state taxes. Some offer tax planning too — helping you strategize and reduce your tax bill.

The truth is, most tax pros don’t want to do your bookkeeping.

And most bookkeepers can’t or shouldn’t do your taxes.

That’s why having both can make a huge difference. A bookkeeper keeps your financials clean, and a tax pro uses that clean data to file accurate returns and find smart ways to save you money.

What Happens When You Don’t Have Both?

• If you only have a tax pro: They’ll likely charge more (or say no) if your books are messy or incomplete.

• If you only have a bookkeeper: You’re still left on your own when tax season hits.

The best setup is having both sides covered — especially as your business grows.

At WDS, tax is our main service, but we also offer full bookkeeping support to make sure everything lines up. So when tax time comes, you’re not scrambling — you’re ready.