How to Choose the Right Bookkeeper in Utah
Hiring a bookkeeper is one of those decisions that can either bring peace of mind OR create nonstop headaches. The right bookkeeper keeps your numbers organized, your cash flow clearer, and your business decisions easier. The wrong one can leave you guessing and scrambling at tax time.
I’m Taylor, owner of Chariot Bookkeeping. I started bookkeeping because I genuinely love money, more specifically what businesses and people do with money. We’re based in Logan, Utah and work with small businesses across the state.
Step 1: Get clear on what you actually need
Before you compare options, figure out which bucket you’re in:
You are behind and need catch-up work
Your books are months behind, your transactions are messy, or you are not confident in your numbers.
You need ongoing monthly bookkeeping
You want consistent monthly reports and someone to keep things organized all year.
You need help staying on top of invoices and bills
You need better systems for getting paid and paying vendors on time.
You need payroll support
You want payroll to run smoothly and accurately without stress.
Tip: Many businesses need a mix of these. A great bookkeeper will help you start where it matters most.
Step 2: Use this Utah bookkeeper checklist
When you are comparing bookkeepers, look for these basics:
Must-haves
Works with the accounting system you use (often QuickBooks Online)
Clear monthly process (what gets done weekly vs monthly)
Accurate reconciliations (bank and credit cards, every month)
Clean, understandable financial statements
Reliable communication and response time expectations
Secure way to request and store documents
Nice-to-haves
Experience with your industry (construction, trades, retail, service businesses)
A simple dashboard or monthly summary, not just reports
Process for catching errors quickly
Collaboration with your CPA for smoother tax filing
Important note: Many bookkeepers do not file taxes. At Chariot, we focus on clean books and clear reporting so tax filing is easier for you and your CPA.
Step 3: Ask these questions before you hire anyone
These questions will reveal a lot, fast.
Questions about process
What do you do every month, specifically?
Will my accounts be reconciled monthly?
When will I receive my monthly reports?
How do you handle missing receipts or unclear transactions?
Questions about communication
How do you communicate, and how often?
What is your typical response time?
Do we meet monthly to review reports, or is it email only?
Questions about scope
What is included, and what costs extra?
Do you handle A/R and A/P, or only categorize transactions?
Do you offer payroll support, and what does that include?
Step 4: Know the red flags
If you see these, pause.
“I don’t really do reconciliations.”
Vague answers about what you receive monthly
They only talk about categorizing transactions and nothing else
They cannot explain your financial statements in plain English
No mention of documentation, security, or organized workflows
Pricing is wildly low with no clear boundaries on scope
Tip: A good bookkeeper helps you understand your numbers, not just produce them.
Step 5: Understand pricing in a simple way
Most Utah bookkeepers price one of these ways:
Monthly flat rate (best for stability)
Tiered packages (based on transaction volume and needs)
Hourly (common for catch-up or cleanup)
Tip: If your books are behind, expect an upfront cleanup or catch-up cost first, then ongoing monthly support.
Step 6: Pick the bookkeeper who helps you make decisions
At the end of the day, bookkeeping should give you clarity, not just compliance.
A good monthly close should help you answer things like:
How much did we actually make last month?
Where is cash going?
Are we growing, stable, or leaking money?
What should we change next month?
Tip: If your current setup cannot answer those questions, it is time to improve the system.
Ready to hire a bookkeeper in Utah?
If you want help getting clean, reliable books without stress, Chariot Bookkeeping can help. We are based in Logan and work with small businesses across Utah. Schedule a discovery call or reach out by phone or email and we’ll talk through what you need and the best next step.
