The big question: DIY or outsource?
As a hairdresser or beauty professional, bookkeeping probably isn't what gets you out of bed in the morning. Yet it needs to happen. The question many salon owners ask themselves: do I really need an accountant for this, or can I handle it myself?
The honest answer: it depends on your situation. In this article, we help you determine what's the best choice for you.
When can you handle it yourself?
For many starting hairdressers and beauty professionals, an accountant isn't strictly necessary. You can manage it yourself if:
You run a sole proprietorship without staff – Your administration is relatively simple: income from treatments, a few fixed costs, and done.
You qualify for VAT exemptions – If you're under the small business VAT scheme, you don't need to file VAT returns, which simplifies your administration considerably.
You use good accounting software – With tools like Moneybird or e-Boekhouden, you can manage your books without accounting knowledge. They guide you through the process.
You're willing to spend 15 minutes per week on it – A quarter of an hour weekly is enough to keep your administration up to date if you do it consistently.
When does an accountant make sense?
There are situations where an accountant can save you significant hassle and money:
You have employees – Once you have staff, your administration becomes more complex. Payroll, employer costs, and labour law obligations: you don't want to make mistakes there.
You're growing fast – If your revenue is rising and you're investing in your salon, it's smart to have an accountant review things. They can advise on depreciation, investments, and tax benefits.
You genuinely dislike it – If administration causes you stress and you keep postponing it, outsourcing is better. Better to pay an accountant than receive fines for incorrect tax returns.
Your situation is complex – Multiple locations, international clients, or a limited company structure? Professional advice is valuable.
What does an accountant cost for hairdressers?
Costs vary, but roughly expect:
- Simple administration (sole proprietor, VAT exempt): €50 – €100/month
- Full bookkeeping with VAT returns: €100 – €200/month
- Including payroll administration: €200 – €400/month
- Annual closing and tax return only: €300 – €800/year
The popular middle ground: maintain your daily administration yourself in accounting software and have an accountant handle only the annual closing and tax returns. This costs €300 – €800 per year instead of €1,200 – €2,400.
The hybrid approach: self-manage daily, accountant for tax returns
This is what most salon owners do, and it works excellently:
- Daily: your booking system automatically records your income
- Weekly: you check everything looks correct in your accounting software (15 minutes)
- Annually: your accountant handles the annual closing and tax return
With a system like Bookura connected to Moneybird, step 1 is fully automatic. Every booking becomes an invoice, every invoice is automatically entered in your accounting. Your accountant just needs to tie up the loose ends.
How to find a good accountant
Not every accountant is the same. Pay attention to:
Experience with self-employed beauty professionals – An accountant who understands how your salon works can advise better. They know the VAT schemes, understand which costs are deductible, and grasp your revenue model.
Digital working – Choose an accountant who works with the same software as you. If you use Moneybird, find an accountant who's proficient with it.
Clear pricing – Ask upfront what it costs. A good accountant is transparent about fees.
Accessibility – Can you easily reach them when you have a question? Some accountants are only available via email, others you can simply call.
Save on your accountant by automating smartly
The less manual work in your administration, the fewer hours your accountant needs — and the lower your costs.
What you can automate:
- Invoicing – Have invoices created automatically through your booking system
- Bank import – Connect your bank account to your accounting software
- VAT returns – Moneybird and e-Boekhouden calculate your VAT automatically
- Receipts – Scan them immediately with your phone and upload to your accounting software
Want more tips? Read our article on salon accounting.
Conclusion
An accountant isn't a must if you run a small salon and are willing to spend fifteen minutes a week on your administration. With the right software and automatic integrations, you can manage it yourself. If your business is growing or you simply don't want to deal with it? Then an accountant is a smart investment — especially if you automate the daily admin yourself and only outsource the annual closing.
Want to make your administration as simple as possible? Try Bookura for free and connect it to your accounting software.