How safe is it to give a free-lance bookkeeper access to my QBO account?

Glad to see you here in the Community, @GBTH.

In QuickBooks Online (QBO), you can specify user access rights to any of your employees. You can use the Standard user or Company admin type to limit the access of your bookkeeper. You can check this link for more information: What different types of users can we have in our company?

To add a user:

1. Go to the Gear icon.
2. Under Your Company, select Manage users.
3. Click Add user.
4. Select the user type, and then click Next.
5. Click the access rights you want to give your bookkeeper, and then Next.
6. Select user settings, and then Next.
7. Enter the First name, Last name, and Email.
8. Click on Next, once done.

Once done, your bookkeeper will receive an email. Let your bookkeeper, read it, and then click the link that says Click Here.

I've also added this link about user management in QBO: Add and manage users.

Also, I encourage checking our Help articles page to learn some tips and tricks in managing your QBO account. From there, you can read great articles that can guide you through the steps by steps process.

Stay in touch with us if you have other questions. I'm more than happy to help. Take care!

@GBTH 

I would recommend 2 additional apps to integrate with your QBO.

1. If you don't run the bank feeds, you may utilize a converter app.

https://www.moneythumb.com/?ref=110

2. If your bookkeeper may register the Bill transactions, utilize the authorization feature to pay them on Melio.

https://melio.grsm.io/quickbooks