What Does a Bookkeeper Do? (And Why It’s So Much More Than Recording Receipts)
When people hear the word bookkeeper, they often imagine someone quietly typing numbers into a spreadsheet, filing away receipts, and disappearing until the end of the year.
That kind of bookkeeper does exist - but that’s not what a modern, supportive bookkeeper does. And it’s certainly not how we work at Eleven Accounts Services.
So let’s clear things up.
What Is a Bookkeeper?
At its core, a bookkeeper helps you keep your business finances accurate, organised, and compliant. That includes:
Recording income and expenses
Reconciling bank accounts
Managing purchase and sales invoices
Tracking VAT (and preparing VAT returns if registered)
Keeping your financial records up to date
But that’s just the foundation.
A good bookkeeper doesn’t just record what’s already happened - they help you understand your numbers, stay in control, and make better decisions as a business owner.
The “Receipt Recorder” vs a Supportive Bookkeeper
Some bookkeepers will simply:
Log your receipts
Submit the numbers
Hand everything over at year-end
That might tick a compliance box, but it often leaves business owners feeling:
Confused about where their money is going
Unsure if they’re doing “well” or not
Stressed about tax bills appearing out of nowhere
Alone when they have questions
At Eleven Accounts Services, we believe bookkeeping should feel supportive, not stressful.
What Makes Eleven Accounts Services Different?
We do all the essential bookkeeping - but we go further.
Here’s what working with us really looks like:
🤝 Ongoing Support, Not Just Data Entry
You’re not bothering us by asking questions. That’s part of the job. We explain things in plain English, without jargon or judgement.
📊 Clarity Over Confusion
We help you understand what your numbers actually mean - not just what they are. You’ll know:
Where your money is coming from
Where it’s going
What you can afford
What to plan for
⏰ Up-to-Date Books (Not Last Minute Panic)
We keep your records current, so there are no nasty surprises at VAT time or year-end. You’ll always know where you stand.
🧠 A Second Pair of Eyes on Your Business
Because we look at your numbers regularly, we can spot issues early - whether that’s cash flow pressure, rising costs, or simple inefficiencies.
💬 A Human Approach
No lectures. No eye-rolling. No “you should already know this”. Just calm, professional support from someone who genuinely wants your business to succeed.
Who We Help
We work with small business owners and limited companies who:
Are tired of doing everything themselves
Feel overwhelmed by bookkeeping and admin
Want peace of mind around their finances
Value support, not just software
If you want a bookkeeper who simply records receipts, we might not be the right fit.
But if you want clarity, support, and confidence in your numbers, that’s exactly what Eleven Accounts Services is here for.
Bookkeeping That Supports You - Not Just the Spreadsheet
Your business deserves more than basic data entry. It deserves someone who understands the bigger picture and supports you every step of the way.
That’s what we do at Eleven Accounts Services - and we’d love to help you too.