What can a freelance bookkeeper do?

By Carsten Bjerregaard, CEO, Addcapacity.com

A bookkeeper is the foundation for correct and reliable finances in the company. The function ensures that all financial transactions are registered correctly, timely and in accordance with applicable regulations. The bookkeeper works closely with the day-to-day operations of the business and uses financial systems, document management and reconciliations to create order in the numbers. When the bookkeeping is solid, management and the finance function have a stable basis for reporting, budgeting and decisions. A well-functioning bookkeeper’s efforts provide peace of mind in the organization, fewer errors and a much better opportunity to react quickly when the economy changes.

1. What does a bookkeeper do in his or her day-to-day work?

The bookkeeper’s day-to-day work is characterized by structure, precision and continuity. The task is to ensure that all receipts and payments, invoices and vouchers are handled correctly so that the accounts are always up-to-date. The accountant is often the first to discover irregularities or missing documentation, and therefore plays an important role in internal control. At the same time, everyday life requires good dialogue with colleagues, suppliers and customers to ensure that data is complete and correct.

Typical daily tasks

• Bookkeeping of vouchers and financial postings
• Accounts payable and receivable management
• Reconciliation of bank and balance sheet accounts
• Handling VAT and taxes
• Ongoing dialogue about missing vouchers

From practice: When bank accounts are reconciled on an ongoing basis, errors are discovered quickly and the accounts can be closed without stress at the end of the month.

2. What are the most important tasks – where the effort makes a difference?

The biggest difference is made when the accountant works systematically and on time. Correct bookkeeping is not only a requirement, but a prerequisite for the rest of the finance function to work effectively. A skilled accountant ensures that data can be used directly for reporting and analysis without extensive post-corrections. This saves time, reduces errors and strengthens confidence in the figures.

Where the accountant creates value

• High quality in basic data
• Fewer errors and corrections
• Stable and predictable financial process
• Better collaboration with the auditor
• Faster period closure

A concrete example: When supplier invoices are posted correctly from the start, later deviations in cost reporting are avoided.

3. What distinguishes a strong accountant from an average one?

The difference often lies in overview and a sense of responsibility. A strong accountant does not only see the individual entry, but also understands the context of the accounts. The person works in a structured way, documents his work and is proactive when something is not right. At the same time, communication is important: speaking up in time is often just as valuable as correct posting.

Characteristics of high quality

• Systematic and consistent workflow
• Understanding the context of the accounts
• Proactive handling of deviations
• Clear and timely communication
• Respect for deadlines and processes

In practice: A strong accountant will often discover missing documents early and ensure clarification before they affect reporting.

4. What tools does an accountant typically use?

The accountant’s tools are crucial for efficiency and quality. Most people today work digitally with financial systems and automated workflows. This reduces manual work and minimizes errors when the systems are used correctly and consistently.

Typical tools

• Finance and accounting systems
• Digital document management solutions
• Bank integration and payment modules

A practical picture: With digital document management, the accountant can quickly find documentation and ensure traceability in the accounts.

5. How does an accountant create value – which KPIs are relevant?

The accountant’s value is measured by stability, quality and timeliness. The most relevant KPIs relate to error rate, completion times and compliance with deadlines. When these work, the rest of the finance function becomes significantly more efficient.

Relevant KPIs

• Timely accounting
• Number of corrections
• Time to period close

An example: When the month-end closing can be completed quickly and without significant corrections, confidence in the accounts increases throughout the organization.

6. Who does the accountant collaborate with – and why is it important?

The accountant collaborates closely with both internal and external parties. Internally, the dialogue with management and the finance function is important for prioritization and overview. Externally, the collaboration with the auditor and possibly the bank is crucial for correctness and documentation. Good collaboration ensures smooth processes and fewer misunderstandings.

Important partners

• CFO and management
• Colleagues in the administration
• Auditor and external advisors

A concrete example: When the accountant and auditor work from the same structure, the year-end closing becomes significantly more efficient.

7. What is happening right now in bookkeeping?

Bookkeeping is changing. Automation and digitalization are taking over more routine tasks, while the demands for quality and overview are increasing. This means that the accountant must understand systems and processes to a greater extent – and less simply enter data.

Current trends

• More automated bookkeeping
• Increased use of digital documents
• Greater focus on data quality

In practice: Many accountants today spend less time on manual entry and more time on checking and reconciling.

8. Getting off to a good start – input for your briefing

A good start with an accountant requires a clear framework. It should be clarified which tasks are expected to be completed, which deadlines apply, and how the collaboration should work in practice. The clearer the structure, the better the result.

Good points to clarify

• Systems and workflows
• Deadlines and reporting needs
• Distribution of responsibilities and contact points

An example: If VAT and reconciliations are a high priority, this should be made clear from the start.

Conclusion – when a freelance accountant makes sense

A freelance accountant can be a flexible and effective solution when there is a need for stable operations without permanent employment. The start-up is quick, the collaboration is close, and the cost is often lower than with larger agencies. Some freelance accountants work very hands-on with daily accounting, while others primarily ensure structure, quality and process discipline. Addcapacity.com helps identify three qualified candidates who match both professional needs and the scope of the task – completely without obligation. This provides a secure basis for choosing the solution that creates the most peace of mind and value in the economy.