What Is the Best Time of Year to Switch Bookkeepers?
If you’ve been DIY’ing your books and are experiencing some of these signs — or working with a bookkeeper who isn’t cutting it — you might be wondering: When is the best time to make a switch?
Most business owners assume it’s easier to wait until the end of the year, but the realist is: mid-year is actually the best time to change bookkeepers (and it could save you thousands in taxes).
Why Mid-Year Is the Sweet Spot
There’s a good chance you’ll know after tax season whether you felt supported and seen, and if not, don’t be afraid to shop around! Service providers, like bookkeepers and tax professionals, are people too, and sometimes you just need a different person to get the right support.
We recommend switching bookkeepers sometime between May and September. It may seem random, but it aligns with these key milestones that matter to every small business owner.
Quarterly Tax Estimates (Due June and September 15th)
If your books aren’t accurate, your tax payments won’t be either.
An experienced bookkeeper can review your year-to-date numbers, catch errors, and make sure you’re not overpaying (or underpaying) the IRS.
Tax Planning Season (October–November)
Accountants and tax pros do the bulk of tax planning in late Q3 and early Q4.
If your books aren’t up-to-date by then, you miss the chance to make proactive moves (like adjusting payroll, maximizing deductions, or timing expenses).
Year-End Compliance for S Corps
S-Corp owners, in particular, need clean books before year-end.
Switching in mid-year gives your new bookkeeper time to review your entire year-to-date file, make adjustments, and ensure you’re compliant before tax filing season.
The Cost of Waiting Until Year-End
Many business owners think it’s “easier” to switch in January. The reality?
Your new bookkeeper has to clean up 12 months of records at once (which costs more + they have to do it on a deadline with tax season right around the corner).
You’ve already missed opportunities to save on taxes in Q3 and Q4.
If your current system is wrong, you’ve been making bad decisions all year long.
Waiting means more stress, more expense, and fewer options to be savvy about saving! If you’re looking to keep more of what you earn, the sooner you switch the better.
Signs It’s Time to Switch Bookkeepers Now
You (or your VA) are doing the books and second-guessing every number.
Your QuickBooks balance doesn’t match your bank balance.
You don’t know what you actually owe for taxes.
You want to maximize the benefits of being self-employed (or an S Corp) but aren’t confident your numbers are correct.
Any of these is a great reason to switch, and if you’re experiencing more than one of these, you should switch asap!
Why Accurate Numbers Matter for Strategy
If your books are incomplete or inaccurate, your tax plan is basically guesswork.
But when your numbers are current and clean, you can:
Make strategic year-end investments.
Decide whether to change your pay structure before December.
Allocate cash confidently in Q4 to maximize deductions and protect profit.
Accurate numbers don’t just make tax season easier — they help you keep more of what you make.
How Better Bookkeeping Makes the Switch Simple
At People First Finance, we review all new client books as of the first of the year to make sure your QuickBooks file is clean, compliant, and accurate. That means when you switch to us mid-year:
We fix errors in your books before Q3 tax estimates are due.
We prepare your reports so you’re ready for tax planning season.
You go into the end of the year knowing your books are compliant and your cash strategy is solid.
Part of our Better Bookkeeping service is ensuring you have clean, organized, and tax-ready books year round! If you’re already dreading the next tax season, Better Bookkeeping is for you.
The Bottom Line
So, what’s the best time of year to switch bookkeepers?
👉 Before Q3 estimates and Q4 planning — not year-end.
Switching earlier in the year gives you the clarity you need to finish the year strong, avoid costly mistakes, and start the next tax season ahead of the curve.
📅 Ready to cross bookkeeping off your list for good? Book an intro call today and get your books in order!
