Need Bookkeeper?

Many small businesses run into issues with their bookkeeping at one time or another. So if you’re a small business owner who is doing all the bookkeeping work yourself and it’s too much for you to handle, keep reading because you need a bookkeeper.

Here are some typical questions that business owners should ask a prospective bookkeeper:

How much will this cost per month?

If you’re like most small business owners, it’s not the hourly rate you’re concerned about, it’s how much your total bill is going to be at the end of each month.

Most freelance bookkeepers will assist you with this by offering to give you a flat rate after you’ve been with them for a few months. That way, they’ve had a few months to get familiar with your business and know how long it takes to do your books each month. It’s win-win for both of you as the bookkeeper is then able to rely on a steady income and you’re able to budget for this expense each month as well.

How much experience do you have?

There’s no easy answer to this question. Some bookkeepers can have years of experience, but have only worked for one or two companies, which limits their exposure to different business fields.

Other new bookkeepers have worked for many companies (perhaps doing “temp” work), but haven’t done one set of books for a long time. Both of these bookkeepers can still do the job, but there may be a learning curve if they’re unfamiliar with your business type. Make sure you always ask for and check references for any freelance bookkeeper you hire.

Which accounting software do you use?

This is important for a couple of reasons. You don’t want your bookkeeping records entered into outdated software that will require an expensive overhaul if you decide to switch bookkeepers.

Also, if you already have your books setup on specific accounting software, you’ll want to make sure that your prospective bookkeeper is using the same software to access your data. Unfortunately, converting accounting data does not always work the way it should.

So if you need a bookkeeper, make sure you come prepared for your first meeting with these questions.