Why Adding QuickBooks Live on Top of Your Current Bookkeeper Can Backfire
At first glance, hiring a QuickBooks Live expert in addition to your current bookkeeper or accounting contractor sounds like a great idea. What’s the harm in a second set of eyes, right?
Unfortunately, we’ve been seeing more and more small business owners try this—and instead of helping, it often creates confusion, unnecessary rework, and extra costs.
The Hidden Value of Your Current Bookkeeper
If you already have a bookkeeping team—especially one you’ve been working with for a while—they’re not just managing your data. They’re managing the context of your business.
They know:
Why a specific transfer happens every month and on what date.
Which charges at the parts store are for a customer job versus your own inventory.
The intentional reason behind that payroll adjustment you made last quarter.
That’s not something a QuickBooks Live expert—who’s never talked to you, never worked with your accountant, and is looking at your file “cold”—can pick up from the numbers alone.
The Real Problem With a “Second Set of Eyes”
When you bring in someone new who doesn’t have that context, a few things can happen:
They flag things that aren’t actually problems—just differences in process.
They undo correct work because it’s “not how they would have done it.”
They leave your current bookkeeper with a mess to clean up.
It’s like having two coaches calling different plays in the middle of a game. One coach tells you to make one adjustment, but another coach—who doesn’t know the plays your team has been practicing—tells you to do something totally different. Who do you listen to?
The result? Confusion, misalignment, and wasted time and money.
What QuickBooks Live Doesn’t Replace
QuickBooks Live has its place, but it doesn’t replace:
Strategy – Guidance on how to use your numbers to grow.
Relationships – A trusted partner who understands your goals.
History – The knowledge of how your business has evolved and why certain systems are in place.
If you’re unsure about your books or want a second opinion, your first stop should be your current bookkeeper. At A&L, we welcome your questions. We explain your numbers, double-check things with you, and fix issues if they exist—without undoing work that’s already correct.
Your Business Deserves Better Than Pieced-Together Bookkeeping
Adding a new player to your financial team without alignment usually leads to:
Errors
Missed context
Duplicate billing
Frustration for everyone
If you already work with a contractor or firm, give them the chance to support you. That’s what we’re here for. And if you’re not getting the level of service and partnership you deserve, reach out to us. We’ll show you what great bookkeeping and advisory support really feels like.
Your business deserves more than disconnected, pieced-together bookkeeping. It deserves a team that’s in your corner—fully aligned, fully invested, and ready to help you win.