How to hire a bookkeeper
Begin your bookkeeper search by assessing your business’s needs. For starters, do you need full-time, part-time, or virtual support? Get recommendations from your fellow business owners and browse online reviews to draw up your short list. Then book a consult with your favorites to see whose approach aligns best with your business goals and financial requirements.
1) What makes a good bookkeeper?
Seriously good bookkeepers are detail-oriented and organized, and have a solid understanding of financial practices. They should be comfortable using the latest software to make sure your financial records are accurate and tax-compliant. A talented bookkeeper is also proactive and can offer strategic insights into your business’s financial health.
Beyond the basics of maintaining accurate records, a good bookkeeper will be able to spot discrepancies quickly and solve minor problems before they snowball into something significant. A strong work ethic and discretion are also important. After all, your business’s financial records are sensitive and highly confidential.
In today’s world, expertise in digital bookkeeping and accounting software is crucial. A skilled bookkeeper will expertly use these tools to maintain clean, accurate books and communicate effectively with your accountant and other financial professionals.
2) How to find the right bookkeeper
Finding your ideal bookkeeper involves understanding your business’s unique needs and identifying someone with the right skill set for your industry and financial setup. Start your search by asking business owners in your network for referrals or seeking recommendations online.
If a few bookkeeping services catch your eye, check out their reviews to see if they have the qualifications and specialized knowledge your business needs. For example, if QuickBooks Online is your software of choice, SnapBooks’ team of Certified ProAdvisors could be your perfect solution!
3) How to hire a bookkeeper
It just makes sense: you should hire the bookkeeper who can best meet your business’s needs. Do you need a financial wizard who can tend to every last detail, or ad-hoc support with key tasks like payroll and tax compliance? For many businesses, a virtual bookkeeper can offer a flexible, cost-efficient service tailored to their requirements.
Once you've drawn up your short list of potential candidates, delve into their approach to managing their clients’ accounts, maintaining accurate records, and handling compliance issues like taxes and financial reporting. A reputable bookkeeper will be open and honest about their skills. If someone is vague or unclear about their services, that’s your cue to move on to the next candidate on your list!
Finally, take the time to interview candidates to see if they click with your business culture and financial goals. Ask specific questions about how they manage client accounts and handle common challenges in your industry. This is your chance to establish clear expectations about communication protocols, timelines, and—most importantly for many—pricing.
Hiring the right bookkeeper will give you the freedom to focus on growing your business. Trust us, we know! If you'd like to learn how the expert SnapBooks team can bring satisfying order to your business financials, let’s connect.
Welcome to SnapBooks! We’re a virtual accountant firm specializing in outsourced bookkeeping services, payroll for small businesses, and small business tax prep. Whether you’re a small business owner or running a growing company, we’ll help you stay on top of your finances with expert support and accurate, real-time numbers.
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