Why You Should Hire a Bookkeeper
Most become entrepreneurs to meet personal, financial needs and have the flexibility and resources to live out lifelong dreams. In business the most important activity is selling. The answer is clear. A bookkeeper saves time, helps connect daily business activities to financial performance and provides the information needed to make informed decisions. With a bookkeeper as part of the team there is freedom from the administrative task of keeping up with the numbers. Your focus is on acquiring new customers and serving existing patrons.
What to Look for in a Bookkeeper
The bookkeeper will be handling the financial information of the business. Make sure that both comfort and trust is established when interviewing prospects. There are 3 main qualities to look for in a good bookkeeping service provider: industry experience, bookkeeping and accounting software knowledge and compatibility.
Industry Experience
It is important to know the experience of the prospective bookkeeper. These financial professionals have different backgrounds. Some have worked with larger businesses and performed one task such as billing customers or paying bills. Others have performed the full bookkeeping cycle and have served multiple clients. Many are experienced in a single industry, while others have worked in multiple industries. By far the best bookkeeper is one who has experience in multiple industries and is accustomed to serving various clients. Ideally the accounting professional should have experience in the same industry as the business.
Bookkeeping and Accounting Software Knowledge
An adept bookkeeper has knowledge of numerous accounting software programs such as Quick Books and Great Plains. Ask about his or her experience with the preferred software of the business. Also ask about how they keep up to date on the latest version of the software and if he or she is certified.
Compatibility
Finally, use intuition. When hiring a bookkeeper make sure his or her personality is compatible. In the interview, be mindful of the communication style. Do they quickly garner trust? Is there comfort with allowing this person access to your financial data? Use your gut and do not ignore any signals. Trust your own judgement.
Having an experienced, personable bookkeeper helps entrepreneurs stay informed of the performance of the business. The business owner is freed to focus on customer service and growth. Have the needs of the business in mind. Make sure the provider hired can meet those needs.