Do bookkeeping for a small business
Bottom line
QuickBooks (Intuit Assist) is our pick for do bookkeeping for a small business. Simple Start is $38/mo. Catch: we haven't hand-tested it for this task.
- Best overall
- QuickBooks (Intuit Assist)
- Best free
- Wave
Use QuickBooks (Intuit Assist) to do bookkeeping for a small business.
- Start cost
- Free · Simple Start $38/mo
ⓘ How we picked this
Basis Matched to catalog uses, then popularity. Basis: catalog order, not hands-on testing. Phone support: catalog claims.
Tested No hands-on test record.
Money Sponsors never change your pick. We may earn affiliate fees.
DisclosureQuickBooks (Intuit Assist)
Why it fits: Set up expense categories and import a small approved sample of transactions. Match receipts and flag uncertain categories for review.
Watch out for: No hands-on test record.
Cost: Free · Simple Start $38/mo
Your task, in 3 steps
Bring the statement and receipts together
Gather the bank statement and receipts for September; mark any purchase paid from your personal account.
Match receipts to transactions
Set up expense categories and import a small approved sample of transactions. Match receipts and flag uncertain categories for review.
Use in: QuickBooks (Intuit Assist)
Sort [expense records] into [approved categories]. Flag unclear entries.
Reconcile the month and list the exceptions
Match the statement ending balance to the ledger; send your bookkeeper the unmatched parts receipt and any suspected duplicate charge.
Compare alternatives
Xero
Xero is another ledger option for recording shop expenses and reconciling them with the bank; choose it instead of QuickBooks if it fits.
Open XeroI have thisI tried this
Wave
Records business income and expenses in the books for accounting review.
Open WaveI have thisI tried thisPrices checked Oct 18, 2026
Compare tools for this task
Matched to this task
| Tool | Best for | Price | Free tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks (Intuit Assist) | Set up expense categories and import a small approved sample of transactions. Match receipts and flag uncertain categories for review. | Free · Simple Start $38/mo | No |
| Xero | Xero is another ledger option for recording shop expenses and reconciling them with the bank; choose it instead of QuickBooks if it fits. | Price not recorded | No |
| Wave | Records business income and expenses in the books for accounting review. | Price not recorded | Yes · limits apply |
 Gusto | Pick this if you need a tool that runs payroll for your small business. | Simple $49/mo + $6/person | No |
 Ramp | Pick this if you need a tool that reviews business expenses before approval. | Price not recorded | Yes · limits apply |
Show all (8)
Other tools in this category — not assessed for this task
| Tool | Best for | Price | Free tier |
|---|---|---|---|
 FreshBooks | Not assessed for this task | Lite $23/mo | No |
 Square Invoices | Not assessed for this task | Price not recorded | No |
 Expensify | Not assessed for this task | Price not recorded | Yes · limits apply |
What we didn’t pick
Shown when a same-category catalog tool was considered and not picked.
- Xero: Catalog use: reconcile bank transactions for my shop; QuickBooks (Intuit Assist) is the editorial pick for this task.
- Wave: Catalog use: keep books for a small repair business; QuickBooks (Intuit Assist) is the editorial pick for this task.
- Gusto: Catalog use: run payroll for my small business; QuickBooks (Intuit Assist) is the editorial pick for this task.
- FreshBooks, Square Invoices, Expensify: Not assessed for this task.
- Ramp: Catalog use: collect receipts for company card purchases; QuickBooks (Intuit Assist) is the editorial pick for this task.