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I saw an ad this week from a bookkeeper who works 30 hours a week and serves 300 clients.

I did the math. That’s about 6 minutes per client, per week. Roughly 24 minutes a month.

That’s not enough time to get to know anyone’s business.

What Volume Bookkeeping Does Well

Let’s be fair. High-volume bookkeeping has a place. If you run a simple business with a few dozen transactions a month and you want the lowest price possible, a fast, automated service can work. That’s a valid choice.

But a growing trade business isn’t simple. And that’s where 6 minutes falls apart.

What 6 Minutes Can’t Cover

In 6 minutes, a bookkeeper can categorize transactions. That’s about it.

They won’t know which jobs made money and which ones quietly lost it. They won’t notice that materials on the Henderson job got coded to overhead. They won’t know you just hired your third tech, or that you’re bidding bigger commercial work next year.

They won’t know your CPA’s name. They won’t know what your CPA asked for last spring, or why. They won’t know your history, so they can’t tell when something looks off.

Software can sort numbers. It can’t tell you what they mean for your business.

Questions Worth Asking Your Bookkeeper

If you already have a bookkeeper, here are a few honest questions to ask yourself.

1. Do they know what your goals are for next year?
2. Have they ever talked with your CPA?
3. When something looks unusual, do they ask you about it or just categorize it?
4. If they left tomorrow, would anyone notice the difference?

If the answers make you uneasy, that’s worth paying attention to.

Why I Keep My Client List Small

I run a boutique practice on purpose. I keep my client list small so I can actually know the books, the business, and the owner.

I spent years keeping the books for my family’s business at the kitchen table. I know what’s riding on those numbers. Payroll for your crew. The slow winter you’re planning for. The truck you need before spring.

My clients work with me every time. I know their CPAs by name, and I make sure those CPAs get what they need without the owner playing middleman. When something looks off, I don’t just flag it. I know why it matters.

That takes more than 6 minutes. It’s supposed to.

If you’re unsure how well your bookkeeper really knows your business, perhaps we should talk.

Clean Books. Clear Reporting. Better Decisions.