tips for choosing the right bookkeeper
Organised, process driven and efficient
A good bookkeeper must understand your industry, your business processes and your requirements so they can hit the road running.
Ethics and trust
This is paramount. Both parties need to feel comfortable with one another in order to build a relationship based on trust. It is important to provide all the correct information to your bookkeeper so they can keep accurate up to date records for you. It would make good business sense to protect yourself by having a confidentiality agreement in place.
Up-to-date technical knowledge
Up-to-date software knowledge is a must. Bookkeepers who are familiar in using online accounting software can automate many processes and reduce the amount of time spent on data entry.
Communication skills
This is essential to keep the lines of communication. Your bookkeeper must be aware of the business operations, goals and issues to do their job correctly. The ideal must have the ability to enhance relationships with managers, customers, suppliers and staff alike.
Ask questions
A great bookkeeper asks relevant questions. He or she will also share ideas with the business owner regarding financial-planning strategies, ways of increasing revenue, cash flow, budgeting and many other cost-saving strategies they can come up with to increase business performance and growth. With a good understanding of the business and financial position they can help grow the business while keeping costs to a minimum.
Tips to choose the Best Bookkeeping Services for Small Businesses
- Online or offline: You can choose a cloud-based software or an offline software depending upon your business requirements.
- Data Security: This aspect is important if you choose virtual bookkeeping services for your small business.
- Features provided by the software: You must check for the features that are relevant to you and your business.
- User interface and complexity: You must choose a bookkeeping service that has a friendly user interface and is not too complex to use. Even if you have an accountant for the job, you should be able to browse and check things sometimes.
- Scalability: The chosen small business bookkeeping company should be able to grow as your business grows. It would be very difficult to migrate from one accounting software to another.
Tips for Selecting Business Accounting Software
Make the decision with the help of your accountant
Your accountant may prefer that you choose an application that is compatible with the ones she uses. Every business is different; your accountant is in the best position to offer an educated opinion about which one is best choice for your particular enterprise. Your accountant may even be able to help you set up the software you choose.
Pay attention to add-on features
Add-ons bring extra functionality to a business accounting application. For example, they may allow you to access the software remotely, accept payments online, and integrate the accounting software with your ecommerce software. There are also add-ons that make accounting software compatible with tax software.
Keep your budget in mind
There is business accounting software available to suit all budgets. General applications for a broader user base may be downloaded free or bought off the shelf at a lower price.
Look at cloud applications
With cloud computing becoming a more prominent influence in modern business, it is important not to dismiss the many online accounting applications available.
Consider both your needs and your accounting skills
Your best bet for finding the right accounting software is to look at how your business operates, and then take careful stock of the different types of software on the market. If your business makes several million dollars a year, it will have very different accounting needs than one that makes less than $50,000. You have a variety of options when it comes accounting software products, including those designed specifically for small- and medium-sized businesses.
How to Choose the Right Bookkeeping Software for Your Startup
Consider your business requirements, and accounting skills
The business processes and how it operates, influence your choice of bookkeeping software. You must choose the software with features which complements the cash flow and business process of your company best. Your accounting skills is another factor that must be taken into consideration when you are choosing a software. Without the minimum layout of accounts, understanding the operation of the software and overseeing the reports can be difficult.
Know about the types of products available
There are different types of software for bookkeeping business available for small and medium-scale businesses. While some are free, others are paid packages available for small business accounting and payroll management, full-service business management, and online web-hosted software.
Consider your budget
As a small business owner, this is a primary concern for many who are looking for virtual bookkeeping services that are cost-effective. The price varies depending on several factors.
Consult your bookkeepers and accountants
Since the bookkeepers and the accountants will be using the software, consulting them beforehand is necessary to ensure it is compatible with their requirements. They have the necessary education for understanding the intricacies of the software and hence can help you regarding choosing the packages, customization, and add-ons that cover the financial requirements related to your business.
Compare and finalize your choices
Now that you have all the information you need regarding the top accounting and bookkeeping software, compare the pros and cons of each to shortlist which are the most suitable option for your business. You can even opt for the trial versions of different software.
Tips for Selecting A Qualified Bookkeeping Service
Look for someone with relevant experience
As a business owner, whether you have one employee or one hundred, you’re going to need someone with experience in the following areas.
Talk to government and local business associations
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, both the state and federal government encourage their growth. Use government and local business associations like the Chamber of Commerce to help you find and decide on the right bookkeeping service for your business.
Tap into your network
When searching for an accounting pro who knows how to balance the books, the ideal solution might be closer than you think. Start by asking any friends & family members who own small businesses if they would recommend the bookkeeping services they use.
Reach out on social media
LinkedIn is a great place to start, it is widely considered the number one social media site for professional networking. You most likely have a profile on LinkedIn already, reach out to your connections and search for bookkeeping professionals that are recommended by your network.
Find a bookkeeper who is all about saving you money
Some bookkeeping services offer little more than simply reconciling your accounts and maintaining your payroll. But your business deserves better than that.