It is not easy to run a successful business without an expert who takes care of your financials and keeps your books in perfect order. However, the payoff is worth all your efforts.
This guidance can help you choose the right bookkeeper, the one who should possess the following qualities:1. ExperiencedIt is quite obvious that choosing an experienced bookkeeper is more effective than someone immature and unskilled. A skillful expert will take a burden of financial concerns off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on other essential tasks.
2. Professionally trainedAn accurate bookkeeper should be appropriately educated. He must understand what is going on and what accounts and when to have to be done. Look for someone whose professional knowledge and advice will be particularly helpful for your business.3. Technologically competentThe constant competition requires companies to use computer systems, spreadsheets, and other digital tools. It is impossible to run a firm successfully without any accounting software, and a good professional bookkeeper should be experienced with accounting programs.4. Honest and trustworthyIt is great to have a bookkeeping wiz, but much more critical for him to be a reliable and trustworthy person. Proficiency is always good, but it should be honestly applied: what is the use of the “expert” who may make havoc of your books and slyly lay hands on your money? 5. A problem solverA good bookkeeper is confident in his abilities, can manage any situation, and can spot oversights in financial data. Ask your candidate to give you examples of how he or she worked through different issues in the past. 6. СcommunicativeSome bookkeepers are better with digits than with people, but the right one must be good with both. He has to be a good listener and able to interpret financial data in simple terms, which helps you to make the right decisions. 7. Competent in tax Choose a bookkeeper who is competent in taxation. Great knowledge of all tax matters has to be one of his or her strongest skills. Being meticulously adhered to all quarterly and yearly tax responsibilities has a positive impact on a firm’s financial position.8. Provides referralsYour applicant’s answers to interview questions should be supported by relevant references. Ask for multiple referrals from trusted informants who can give their unbiased and honest opinions about the personal and professional values of your candidate. 9. OrganizedTime management is crucial for effective performance and underlies your bookkeeper’s ability to provide timely results. Getting all financial statements or payroll done in time is vital for any business, and your bookkeeper should be able easily to handle a high workload.10. LocalTry to find a local person for making frustrating long journeys to work is no good for anybody. It will pay off when you go local and save you time, efforts, and money, especially in times of urgent need to process something or fix a sudden problem.11. Attentive to detailsThe very nature of working with numbers requires being highly attentive to all details. Being accurate is the greatest advantage; it ensures the correct processing of financial data and protects him or her from potential mistakes. 12. Same industry experienceIt makes things better if you choose a bookkeeper who has worked in the same industry and is familiar with specifics of its finances. The lifecycle in any industry at different stages of the business gives rise to understanding that each step requires a different accounting approach.13. Contractor bookkeeperConsider a smart and cost-effective option of hiring someone who works under a contract. These days there is an excellent choice of efficient remote experts willing and able to provide a top-quality bookkeeping service, which is much more saving than a full-time worker.14. Good questions askerOne of the ways to spot the right person from the crowd is finding someone who asks smart and relevant issues. This shows that a potential bookkeeper is interested in your firm and its financials, and also creates a quick rapport and trust.15. Bookkeeping service Think of hiring a bookkeeping service, which is a great way to receive professional help that will take care of all your financials. This is a real one-stop-shop that usually works virtually and lets you have access to your financial reports from any corner of the world.