# 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 fictional details without personal identifiers; have a qualified financial professional review decisions.Use QuickBooks (Intuit Assist) to do bookkeeping for a small business.

Start cost: Free · Simple Start $38/mo

#1 · Our pick for your task

## QuickBooks (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.

[See pricing ↗](https://xero.com/)

[Open Xero](/go/xero?from=%2Ft%2Fdo-bookkeeping-for-a-small-business)

#### Wave

Records business income and expenses in the books for accounting review.

[See pricing ↗](https://www.waveapps.com/)

[Open Wave](/go/wave?from=%2Ft%2Fdo-bookkeeping-for-a-small-business)

Prices checked Oct 18, 2026

## Compare tools for this task

### Matched to this task

| Tool | Best for | Price | Free tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [QuickBooks (Intuit Assist)](/tools/quickbooks) | 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](/tools/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](/tools/wave) | Records business income and expenses in the books for accounting review. | Price not recorded | Yes · limits apply |
| [Gusto](/tools/gusto) | Pick this if you need a tool that runs payroll for your small business. | Simple $49/mo + $6/person | No |
| [Ramp](/tools/ramp) | Pick this if you need a tool that reviews business expenses before approval. | Price not recorded | Yes · limits apply |

### Other tools in this category — not assessed for this task

| Tool | Best for | Price | Free tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [FreshBooks](/tools/freshbooks) | Not assessed for this task | Lite $23/mo | No |
| [Square Invoices](/tools/square-invoices) | Not assessed for this task | Price not recorded | No |
| [Expensify](/tools/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.

## Keep going

[Next step

### Track expenses and receipts

](/t/track-expenses-and-receipts)[Also popular

### Remove a photo background

](/t/remove-a-photo-background)[Also popular

### Answer customer emails

](/t/answer-customer-emails)[Adapt this

### Negotiate a bill

](/t/negotiate-a-bill)[Adapt this

### Write an invoice reminder

](/t/write-an-invoice-reminder)[Adapt this

### Budget my money

](/t/budget-my-money)