Selecting the right bookkeeper is a very important decision to make. Whether you want help setting up your new business, or you’re business has become so busy you feel like you’re sinking in a pile of paperwork faster than quicksand, we have a variety of bookkeepers just waiting to whip out their calculators and get cracking on your books!
So what makes a good Bookkeeper?
A professional bookkeeper must be extremely competent in the tasks you need them to do, charge a reasonable rate, use compatible accounting software package/s, and get along with you and your team by understanding your vision, goals and principles.
A great bookkeeper can make you feel like they have just lifted the weight of the world off your shoulders, especially if you are great at what you do, but the books are just not your thing. A bookkeeper can help you get back to focussing on what you love.
The importance of a consultation is your first step to finding a good bookkeeper—it's your chance to feel things out. A consultation is your chance to see if you feel the bookkeeper understands what you want and the needs of your business.
Some important things to consider:
- What are their qualifications?
- How many years of experience do they have?
- What industries do they specialise in?
- Will they give a fixed price per hour, or a set rate per month/quarter and what does that include? Ensure you receive a Scope of Works prior to agreeing to their services. This is vital!
- Are they a qualified BAS agent or do they have access to one?
- What software do they prefer?
- How many bookkeepers are in their firm? Just the one or many? If so, ensure they inform you in writing of just who will be accessing your personal data.
- Where will they store your data and what security measures do they have in place?
- What services do they offer? Payroll, human resources, budgeting, inventory/stock control, admin services, lodging of IAS and/or BAS? Some bookkeeping firms even offer to manage your business social media accounts.
- Do they work on site or remotely? With most online accounting software being cloud-based, it has the capability for multiple users to login at the same time and work from literally anywhere.
- What are their payment policies?
- What are their hours of operation? Will that fit in with your business?
- Do they provide training for you and your staff so that you can become more independent?
But do I really need a Bookkeeper?
Every business has to do bookkeeping!!! Hiring the services of a professional bookkeeper can put your mind at ease as you know your business is complying with the ATO and other relevant government agencies.
The information you receive from your bookkeeping data entry also helps you understand how your business is performing and what you might need to change.
In Summary
Bookkeeping is a non-negotiable for all business people. It is a legal requirement that simply must be be done. However, there is also the important ‘human’ side to bookkeeping; people want to hire someone whose personality will fit their business and their office; particularly if your bookkeeper will physically come to your office and help you with other administration tasks. We are here to help you find your bookkeeping soul mate!