Bookkeeping is something every business needs. Owners may try to handle their own bookkeeping initially, but eventually the business grows, becomes more complex, and the owner no longer has the time or desire to manage the books every day. Although you should always stay involved and know what’s going on with your financials, day-to-day management can be delegated.
When you’re ready to hire a bookkeeper, what should you look for? Price certainly shouldn’t be a deciding factor, since trust and expertise are essential, and they usually aren’t found in cheap bookkeepers. Here’s what you should consider.
- Does the bookkeeper have experience in your industry? Certain industries are more complex and require additional knowledge beyond what would be needed for a consulting business, for example.
- Does the bookkeeper understand inventory, if your business operates with inventory, or job costing, if you’re in the construction industry? Expertise in the areas you need is important.
- Can the bookkeeper help you with systems and process improvements? A good bookkeeper goes beyond logging transactions to help you think through the financial implications of every aspect of your business.
- Is the bookkeeper comfortable with a background check? A bookkeeper is in an ideal position to embezzle money, so it’s essential that you make sure the person you choose is trustworthy.
- Can the bookkeeper work with your industry accounting software? A good bookkeeper should be capable of working with the type of system you need.
- Is the bookkeeper willing to answer tough questions? Because bookkeeping is such an important function in your business, you shouldn’t shy away from asking hard questions.
When you’re ready to hire bookkeeping help, it can be tempting to rush into getting help. While the search shouldn’t drag out, you do want to make sure you hire the right person or outsourced team.
If you have questions about your specific bookkeeping needs, please feel free to give me a call at (864) 836-3136, and we’ll schedule a time to talk.