Salaries are typically based on education, certification, years of experience, credentials, industry or employer, job description, location, and complexity of work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2021, the national average salary for bookkeepers was $45,560 and for accountants was $77,250.

Bookkeepers and accountants sometimes do the same work, but have a different skill set. In general, a bookkeeper's role is to record transactions and keep you financially organized, while accountants provide consultation, analysis, and are more qualified to advise on tax matters.

Bookkeeping is a foundation/base of accounting. Accounting uses the information provided by bookkeeping to prepare financial reports and statements. Bookkeeping is one segment of the whole accounting system. Accounting starts where the bookkeeping ends and has a broader scope than bookkeeping.

You aren't legally required to have an accountant. However, if you do choose to do your own accounting, it is essential to complete your tax returns on time and ensure they're accurate and up-to-date. This ensures you're fully compliant with HMRCs long list of demanding reporting obligations.