Hiring a remote bookkeeper: controls and access

Separate the three permissions

Viewing, recording and paying are different powers. A remote bookkeeper typically needs the first two, not the third. Keep payment approval with an owner or controller.

A sensible control set

• Accountant-level access in your ledger, not admin.
• Read-only bank feeds; no online banking credentials.
• Bill payment tools with approval workflows.
• A monthly close checklist signed off by you or your CPA.
• Audit trail reviews each quarter.

What you get

Books closed on a fixed day each month, reconciliations you can rely on and a CPA who spends their time on advice instead of clean-up.