| Have you resolved to improve the management | | | | Ability to prioritise |
| of your business this year? Perhaps you've | | | | These traits ensure that: |
| realised that you cannot be responsible for | | | | statements are checked |
| everything? Bookkeeping is often one of the first | | | | stray invoices are investigated |
| tasks that business owners outsource. Unless | | | | files are kept in an orderly manner |
| you're a bookkeeper, it's most probably | | | | payments are chased up |
| something that nags at the back of your head all | | | | items are allocated to the correct accounts |
| the time, stopping you from focusing on what | | | | unusual items are queried |
| you do best. However, outsourcing your | | | | paper is organised regularly |
| bookkeeping can be a scary idea. Handing over | | | | your bookwork is treated as if it was their |
| your finances to someone else requires trust: | | | | own |
| trust in the individual and their processes. | | | | when cashflow management is required they |
| Ultimately a bookkeeper should be part of your | | | | can manage this for you |
| team, someone who can do your bookwork but | | | | Why is this important? It can save you both time |
| also understand your business enough so that | | | | and money. If your bookkeeper can maintain your |
| what they do has an impact on the growth of | | | | bookwork to the standards above, not only will |
| the business as a whole. Obviously bookkeepers | | | | you save time on chasing up queries but also |
| require certain qualifications and skills, but what | | | | money on your accounting fees. If your |
| are the personality traits that you should look for | | | | bookkeeper can manage your bookwork |
| when hiring a bookkeeper? For me this is the | | | | efficiently and methodically, your accountant will |
| most important question. Anyone can do most of | | | | have a clearer picture of your business when |
| the work at a basic level, after all you completed | | | | completing your tax. And you're not paying your |
| it yourself at some stage, but who can do it really | | | | accountant high hourly rates to do bookwork that |
| well? Sure, the skill set is a must but what | | | | your bookkeeper can manage. |
| differentiates a basic bookkeeper from a | | | | So when choosing your bookkeeper, rather than |
| bookkeeper that is an integral member of your | | | | just relying on skill set, determine whether you |
| team? | | | | would prefer to have a team member that is an |
| Ideal traits of a brilliant bookkeeper | | | | integral part of your business. Make sure to find |
| Perfectionism | | | | out if they have the above personality traits. You |
| Attention to detail | | | | could even talk to existing and past clients of |
| Tidiness | | | | theirs and get a feel for whether they would be |
| Willingness to follow up | | | | the right fit for you. Once you've found a great |
| Caring nature | | | | bookkeeper, you'll never look back! |