We’ll answer important questions, highlight signs that it’s time to bring in a bookkeeper, datacloud international and guide you through the steps of finding the right fit. You may also feel like it’s time to take a break from the grind and focus on other things that your business or clients need. Accountants are often asked to interpret complex data and analyses, with duties such as producing profit-and-loss statements and filing taxes. Financial accountants calculate assets and liabilities and show outside investors how a firm is doing. Cost accountants analyze financial processes within an organization and makes recommendations for improved cost control management. As you shop around, try to find out whether the remote service you’re considering is able to work with accountants.
- Bookkeepers manage transactions, track expenses, and reconcile accounts, saving you time and reducing errors.
- Bookkeepers oversee accounts receivable by recording and tracking all incoming payments from clients or customers.
- They are essential to manage the increased workload and ensure the financial stability of your growing enterprise.
- Bookkeeping requires fewer skills and work, so hiring a bookkeeper instead of an accountant can save you money in the long run.
- By maintaining financial accuracy, bookkeepers enable businesses to make informed decisions and comply with regulatory requirements.
How to Hire a Bookkeeper
For small businesses looking to hire a bookkeeper or an online bookkeeper, understanding these simple but crucial tasks can help in finding the right person for the job. A bookkeeper’s role is like the financial backbone of a business, making sure everything adds up correctly. If your accountant also does your bookkeeping, you don’t need to hire a bookkeeper. Some accountants don’t perform bookkeeping tasks, in which case you may want to hire a bookkeeper.
Find experts who use reputable financial software
Bookkeepers manage accounts payable by recording and tracking all outgoing payments, such as bills, invoices, and expenses. They ensure bills are paid on time to avoid late fees or disruptions in service. Interview several candidates to assess their skills, reliability, and compatibility with your business culture. Prepare questions about their previous work, problem-solving abilities, and how they handle financial discrepancies.
Working with a firm
Typically, it’s more expensive to hire a firm than a freelance bookkeeper, since firms have higher overhead to cover. There are lots of places online to find a quality freelance bookkeeper, but Upwork.com is a good place to start. Just look for a bookkeeper with high reviews from other customers like you. Unless your business has roughly thirty or more employees, or over a million dollars annual revenue, you probably don’t need to hire a full-time, in-house bookkeeper. All your hard work bringing in new business and keeping customers happy counts for nothing if you’re not making more money. Significantly underpay your quarterly estimated taxes, and you’ll get saddled with fines from the IRS.
Robert Half can help the people we place securely access necessary data and applications, including virtual desktops. For workers who lack the necessary equipment at home, we can quickly provide technology tools to help them jump into action immediately. Bookkeeping practices vary between industries, so look for a track record relevant to your line of work. A bookkeeper who has worked only with fashion retailers, for instance, may not have the knowledge and experience to do an equally good job for an air-conditioning company. In other words, the relevance of a candidate’s experience is often more important than the duration of experience.
How to hire a bookkeeper: Tips and key considerations to find the best fit
They can explain complicated financial language and processes in simple terms for you to understand. A bookkeeper knows how to handle records, what metrics to track, and run multiple reports. They can bring valuable knowledge if they’ve worked with similar businesses in the past. They generally know where to look for errors if they spot discrepancies and have protocols to solve them in no time.
If you’re thinking about hiring a bookkeeper or want to clean up your business books, there are different bookkeeping types that can suit your needs. To hire a bookkeeper, start by outlining your business needs and preferred qualifications. Post the job on reputable platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn, emphasizing skills in accounting software and attention to detail. Conduct thorough interviews to assess their experience and compatibility with your company. Consider candidates with certifications like CPA or relevant degrees. Clear and concise communication is essential for virtual bookkeepers, especially when explaining financial concepts to clients or collaborating with team members remotely.
