Accounting vs Bookkeeping: What’s the Difference?

Most people think accounting and bookkeeping are the same. Two words for the same job. But inside the world of finance, there’s a line — sometimes sharp, sometimes blurred — that separates the recorder from the interpreter, the historian from the storyteller.

In this episode, we follow Sarah in Manchester and David in Austin, two people on different continents facing the same question: is bookkeeping just the smaller version of accounting, or is it something entirely different?

We’ll break down the real distinctions, explore qualifications in the UK and US, compare pay and lifestyle, and look at how both careers travel across borders. From steady ledgers to crunch-season deadlines, this is the difference between the map and the journey.

If you’ve ever wondered where bookkeeping ends and accounting begins, this is your guide.

📌 Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Pay scales, qualifications, and job requirements vary by country and change over time. Always check with official sources before making career decisions.