| As a small business owner, using correct financial | | | | certified in the financial software used? Do they |
| data is vital to your growth. All good decisions | | | | back up client files to an off-site service? Does |
| should be measured by analyzing the financial | | | | their office keep abreast of the latest details in |
| pieces of the puzzle along with projections of | | | | their chosen field and the current business tools |
| future revenue. | | | | available? |
| Have you come to one of these two | | | | 4. Being detail oriented, and organized is a must. If |
| circumstances below? | | | | they show up at the first consultation with color |
| 1. You work hard on your business and it is | | | | coordinated folder, business cards, letterhead, etc. |
| starting to prosper, but you realize you are | | | | you know you have hit the jackpot! Great |
| spending too much time in administration areas. | | | | bookkeepers love the challenge of taking a mess |
| You want to use leverage to buy back your time | | | | and cleaning up all the pieces to make a perfect |
| so you can work on high level projects. | | | | financial file. |
| 2. You realize you are really good at what you do, | | | | 5. Communication skills must be at their highest |
| love doing it, but it seems that running a business | | | | level. Can they speak well, and formulate precise |
| is a combination of lots of jobs, and you don't | | | | answers on the fly? Would they be a good |
| fully understand the financial aspects, or like that | | | | representative of your business to a client? Will |
| part of doing business. | | | | they be able to articulate financial information |
| It's time to hire a bookkeeper! | | | | clearly? Do they listen attentively? |
| Here are the ten most important areas in picking | | | | 6. Testimonials and referrals are very important. |
| the correct bookkeeper. This is not just someone | | | | Ask to see both. Can they supply you with a list |
| who will 'do the books". It is also someone you | | | | of current clients they work with in a similar |
| can trust with your full financial history and who | | | | capacity? |
| you must create a working relationship with. A | | | | 7. What professional associations are they a |
| good bookkeeper can save you much more than | | | | member of? Do they have listed profiles that you |
| you spend on their services. | | | | can read on the association website? What do |
| 1. A bookkeeper should have a minimum of a two | | | | their peers say about them? What is in their social |
| year degree in Management, Finance, Accounting | | | | networking profiles? |
| or Business Administration. Their choice to get this | | | | 8. Will they have the type of availability you feel is |
| degree tells you they are serious about their | | | | necessary to do the job completely? How is their |
| future and they know education is key to | | | | work week structured? What would happen if |
| personal growth. Further certifications show they | | | | you need to reach them on a weekend to |
| have made a decision to offer their clients the | | | | answer a question? |
| very best opportunity for success. | | | | 9. Do they appear professional and polished? Do |
| 2. A bookkeeper with well rounded experience is | | | | they dress appropriately? Does their outreach |
| a must. You are not looking for just a 'payroll | | | | areas such as website or blog look well thought |
| clerk' or 'accounts payable' activity. Background in | | | | out and distinct? Will you be proud to say they |
| various corporate finance departments and | | | | are your outsourced partner? |
| private business helps refine their decision making | | | | 10. Finally, confidentiality is extremely important. |
| process and gives them an edge you will find | | | | Soon you must divulge the most secret details of |
| helpful later. | | | | your business. This person will know everything |
| 3. What computer skills do they have? Are they | | | | there is to know! This is difficult at first, but in the |
| current and skillful in the areas necessary to offer | | | | long run, can you work with them on that level? |
| a full range of services areas like Excel sheets, or | | | | Do they understand the importance of this area |
| a financial Power Point slide? What level of | | | | by bringing this subject up at least once in their |
| technology does their office use? Are they | | | | first consultation? |