--- title: "Small Business Accounting: Internal or Third-Party?" description: When your small business accounting becomes too much for just one person, you can partner with a third party or hire an internal accounting employee. How do you know which option is best? image: https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-532302064.jpg --- ![icon-phone](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/file-469552994-png/images/icon-phone.png)508-533-5700 **Call today to book your appointment!** [![Ann M. Irons](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/file-480654324-png/images/circle-logo4.png?width=630&height=168&name=circle-logo4.png "Ann M. Irons")](https://www.ironscpa.com/) Hopkinton MA, CPA [Contact](https://www.ironscpa.com/contact-us) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Ann+M.+Irons,+CPA,+17+Main+St+Suite+1,+Hopkinton,+MA+01748/@42.2283595,-71.5220826,17.25z/data=!3m1!5s0x89e470559903948b:0xba338aa31b2a0f29!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x89e46e7ca0d1d73b:0x531938b62807ebe1!2m2!1d-71.5200665!2d42.2284497!3e0?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDExNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) [![facebook](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/file-811720473-png/images/facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/AnnIronsCPA?ref=br_tf)[![LinkdIn](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-817405565.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ann-m-irons-cpa-llc)[![twitter](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-817410620.png)](https://twitter.com/AnnMIronsCPALLC) # The Bean Counter with Ann M Irons, CPA --- [![Tax Year 2024 Business/Individual Tax Returns](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/332864/aef2b35b-07b9-4f4e-be11-0410ebf842de.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/332864/aef2b35b-07b9-4f4e-be11-0410ebf842de) --- ## [Small Business Accounting: Internal or Third-Party?](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/small-business-accounting-internal-or-third-party) Posted by [Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/author/ann-irons-cpa) Feb 21, 2014 2:21:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) “It seems like I’ve spent more time doing menial data entry tasks than I have meeting with prospective clients or catching up on industry news.” “By the time I finish entering accounts receivable and accounts payable, the sun has gone down and everyone’s in bed. I can’t tell you the last time I sat down to have dinner with my family.”  “Our outdated software makes bookkeeping a real nightmare, but I don’t have the time to learn about using QuickBooks.” ![accounting](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-532302064.jpg)Do any of these statements sound familiar? If so, you could benefit from the services of a CPA or **accountant in Bellingham, MA**. [Ann Irons](https://ironscpa.hs-sites.com/bookkeeping), a certified public accountant, discusses important considerations for hiring either an inside or third-party professional to manage your company’s finances. ## Advantages of Outsourcing Financial Functions If you have a very limited budget, you might balk at the idea of paying a third-party professional up front, choosing instead to hire a part-time or full-time employee to work inside your company. Although this may seem like a better bargain in the short term, Ann cautions that you will probably pay an employee more in salary and benefits than you would hiring an outside firm. When you hire a [CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/cpa-in-bellingham), you receive the full benefit of his or her education, professional experience, and knowledge of current tax and accounting requirements. Could you hire and train a college student with no prior experience? Sure you could, says Ann, but do you really want to entrust your business to someone who is simply going through the motions?  An experienced professional doesn’t just know *how* to manage finances, but who also understands the *why* and *when*. ## Advantages of Internal Accounting  Although most businesses benefit from hiring an outside accounting professional, an inside accountant works almost as well under certain conditions. For example, suppose your small business is more of a side project than a primary source of income. Perhaps you own a lawn care company that only provides its services on weekends. In that case, you could just as easily hire a part-time employee to work an hour or so each week. If needed, you can always enlist our services on a seasonal basis when your workload increases. Alternately, suppose that you are well-versed in financial accounting and[ tax preparation](https://www.ironscpa.com/tax-preparation), and you decide to include a family member as part owner of your company. In this type of situation, you can work closely with your new co-owner, introducing him or her to your preferred accounting method, current tax status, and financial software. Note that this option only applies if you have current knowledge and total confidence in your ability to handle and train on complex financial matters. If you discover otherwise, we will still be here for you. **About[ Ann Irons, CPA](https://www.ironscpa.com/meet-ann-irons), LLC:** Ann and her team provide accurate, ethical, and expert guidance on matters as diverse as tax preparation, succession planning, real estate taxes, and **small business accounting in Bellingham, MA**. We serve individuals and companies located in and around Franklin, Mendon, Medway, Woonsocket, and neighboring communities. To inquire about our services, or to schedule a consultation with Ann,[ contact our office](https://www.ironscpa.com/contact-us) at 508-966-0700. Topics: [Small Business Accounting](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/small-business-accounting) ## About **Ann M. Irons, CPA LLC** ![Ann](https://www.ironscpa.com/hubfs/images/Ann.jpg)Ann has spent over 25 years in the financial service industry, gaining knowledge and experience that allows her to provide an array of tax, and accounting and advisory services for her clients. Relying on a stringent code of ethics and a dedication to maintaining the highest industry standards, Ann works hard to ensure her clients receive the quality service they’ve come to expect. A member of AICPA and MSCPA, Ann has also had an article featured in the renowned publication, Banker and Tradesman.  ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search by Topic Search ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Small Business Accounting (24)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/small-business-accounting) - [Individual Income Taxes (18)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/individual-income-taxes) - [International Tax (17)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/international-tax) - [Accounting for Lawyers (11)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/accounting-for-lawyers) - [Escrow Accounting (10)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/escrow-accounting) - [Foreign Investment Tax (8)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/foreign-investment-tax) - [Family Business (6)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/family-business) - [Bookkeeping (5)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/bookkeeping) - [Personal Finance (4)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Client Stories (3)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/client-stories) - [Payroll Processing (3)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/payroll-processing) - [Small Business Tax (3)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/small-business-tax) - [Starting Your Own Law Firm (1)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/starting-your-own-law-firm) - [Words of Wisdom (1)](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/topic/words-of-wisdom) [see all](https://www.ironscpa.com/blog/small-business-accounting-internal-or-third-party#) ## Inviting You to Visit Our Office! Please call us at your earliest convenience to set up a consultation. We look forward to meeting you, and determining how we can best serve you. ![Map Irons CPA Hopkinton](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/Map%20Irons%20CPA%20Hopkinton.png?width=305&height=167&name=Map%20Irons%20CPA%20Hopkinton.png)   ### OUR LOCATION: 17 Main Street, Suite 1 Hopkinton, MA 01748 Phone: 508-533-5700 Fax: 888-922-2242 ## About Ann M. Irons, CPA LLC Ann Irons’ personal philosophy focuses on strong experience, integrity, and commitment to service above all else.  [Learn More](https://www.ironscpa.com/meet-ann-irons) ## Navigation ## Recent Blog Posts ## [![facebook](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/file-811720473-png/images/facebook.png)](https://www.facebook.com/AnnIronsCPA?ref=br_tf)[![G+](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-815314232.png)](https://plus.google.com/b/100124969766767305083/100124969766767305083/about)[![LinkdIn](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-817405565.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ann-m-irons-cpa-llc)[![twitter](https://www.ironscpa.com/hs-fs/hub/332864/file-817410620.png)](https://twitter.com/AnnMIronsCPALLC) ## Ann M. Irons, CPA LLC © 2025. All rights reserved.   ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/951439776/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0)