You’re Ready To Hire A Bookkeeper, Now What?
So, you’ve decided to hire a bookkeeper! Go you! But, now what do you look for in a bookkeeper? How do you know you’re hiring the best? We’ve got you!
Following last week’s blog here’s our tips and insights into hiring the right bookkeeper for your business!
First, let’s start off with the age old question - should I hire an internal or external bookkeeper? Many small and medium businesses opt for an external bookkeeper, which is what we would recommend. There are many benefits to outsourcing your bookkeeping services rather than hiring internally, which include:
Saving money! Hiring an external bookkeeper is cost-effective and can save you money compared to hiring a full time or even part time bookkeeper, internally. Not only will you be able to save on annual salaries, but things like superannuation, annual and sick leave, and any training or upskilling required.
Greater expertise and extensive industry knowledge. Outsourcing your bookkeeper allows you to tap into their extensive expertise and experience from servicing both similar businesses to yours as well as a range of other industries.
A third person’s perspective! Hiring an external bookkeeper provides an outsider’s perspective, neutral point of view and unbiased advice. They can breathe fresh life, ideas and insight and can even point out opportunities for change for strategic advantage.
More free time! External bookkeepers free up your time so you can focus on your business and day to day tasks.
Now, what should you look for? It’s important your bookkeeper has experience in:
Industry-relevant softwares like XERO, MYOB, Reckon and Kounta.
Making payroll payments and managing, lodging and paying payroll taxes online.
Tidying up mistakes from the past and analysing your books to fix errors.
Reconciling statements
Managing accounts payable and receivable
Ability to communicate well and be a part time detective! Your bookkeeper should feel confident and comfortable in asking the big questions for the overall success of your business, like where funds are and why they haven’t been signed off or allocated.
Problem solving! It’s one thing to understand how to do the work, but your bookkeeper should be analytical in their thinking and go one step further asking questions like why numbers didn’t reconcile, rather than just skipping over the issue.
Feel like you’re finally ready to hire a bookkeeper now? We’re here to help!
Contact Lee-Anne today at lee-anne@lkaccounting.com.au or you can contact us via our contact form here.