How to Find the Right Bookkeeper for Your Business

You love having your own business and generating your own income.  But keeping up with bills, receipts, your budget not to mention being ready for tax time? If you are anything like me that is something you do not enjoy at all!

In the back of your mind you know you need a bookkeeper but how do you find the right bookkeeper for your business?  And what about a virtual bookkeeper? Should you consider that option?

Jessica Ritter is one of those crazy people who actually loves bookkeeping. Jessica likes bookkeeping so much that she is a Bookkeeping Professional and CEO of Wholesome Bookkeeping.

Jessica recently broke down the mystery of the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant.

In today’s guest post Jessica is solving another big bookkeeping question, how do you find the right bookkeeper for your business.

How to Find the Right Bookkeeper for Your Business by Jessica Ritter

You’ve had your business a few years and there are some things your ready to get off your plate. You’re ready to hire a bookkeeper.

Tracking expenses has become cumbersome. It’s time consuming. Your brain feels like mush after you’re done and you’d much rather be doing other things.

But, there is something stopping you. How do you find the right bookkeeper for your business? A bookkeeper you can trust? There are so many options and you’re overwhelmed.

Here are three simple steps to get you an exceptional bookkeeper for your business.

Step 1: Consider the Bookkeeping Needs of Your Business

Define what you want your bookkeeper to do. They come in all shapes and sizes, so answering these questions will narrow down your search.

• Do you want more than having your books tied up in a neat little bow for tax time?
• Do you want help with understanding how money is impacting your business?
• Do you want them to take on paying bills and creating invoices?
• Do you want an in-house or virtual bookkeeper?

If your business has less than 30 employees and less than $1 million in revenue per year, a virtual bookkeeper is a great option. And their fee will be fully tax deductible.

When you grow to more than 30 employees/$1 million in revenue, an in-house full or part time bookkeeper likely becomes a better option.

Step 2: Look for a Bookkeeper in Your Industry

The easiest place to find a bookkeeper is by using your current network of colleagues. Ask for recommendations from other business owners in your industry.

You should try to find a bookkeeper who specializes in your industry if possible. You’ll get significantly more value from a specialist than a generalist.

Another great place to look is social media. Ask in Facebook groups or on Instagram; use your LinkedIn network.

You’ll get more industry specific results by asking real people on social media than you will through a general google search.

Having an exceptional bookkeeper is just as much about relationship as it is having certain tasks completed. Networking is a great way to start looking for a bookkeeper and then fostering a know, like and trust relationship.

Step 3: Evaluate your Bookkeeper Options

Once you have a list of possible bookkeepers, follow them on social media. Like their Facebook page, join their Facebook group, get their free opt-in, watch their videos. Get to know them and their style.

Mare sure this is a person who you enjoy and/or would want to be friends with. If you like them, you’ll be more likely to have an honest conversation with them.

After getting to know them and making sure they are someone you like and would enjoy working with, look for some key things: behavior and certifications.

When looking for a bookkeeper you want someone who displays three behaviors: good communication, innovation and problem solver.

Your ideal bookkeeper is going to be one who will be able to explain how the numbers relate to your business. They will be up-to-date with helpful apps and technology to make things easier. And they need to be able to figure things out quickly, efficiently, and sometimes creatively.

Certifications are not required to be a bookkeeper, but those who have a certification or belong to a bookkeeping organization are usually required to have continuing education. That generally means they will keep up to date with the newest information and technology.

 

Conclusion

You definitely get what you pay for in this industry. The best bookkeepers are going to be higher priced. Do not focus only on price.

Follow these three step to find the right bookkeeper for your business 

1. Consider the Bookkeeping Needs of your Business
2. Look for a Bookkeeper in Your Industry
3. Evaluate Your Options

When you find your excellent bookkeeper, they will likely find you money – at least the amount you are paying them, if not more! Plus they’ll save you time, headaches and frustration, which is priceless.

Now go and find your perfect bookkeeper!

Click here for a free guide to 10 Bookkeeping Mistakes That are Costing You Money. 

About Jessica

Jessica Ritter is a Bookkeeping Professional and CEO of Wholesome Bookkeeping and can be found at https://www.facebook.com/wholesomebk/. She helps women-owned, service-based businesses make sense of their books so they are empowered to make the best financial decisions for their business, their money flows freely and their business becomes more stable. Jessica has over 5 years experience in the finance realm and is a mom to two energetic kids, loves coffee and pancakes, and enjoys exploring the mountains with her family anytime they get a chance.

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