10 Questions to ask when interviewing a Bookkeeper
You don’t need to be a manager to hire the right professional. What you need is to know what you’re looking for. Once that’s determined the next step is knowing what questions to ask based on your defined parameters. In searching for the right Bookkeeper for your business, the answers given should be clear, precise, and these answers should reveal the truth of what they have to offer. Let’s take a closer look at the 10 of the most important questions to ask.
1. What services do you provide? Determine if the company can accommodate you by way of their list of services. If not, decide if you’re willing to compromise or barter.
2. What industries do you have experience in? Best practice is to hire a company that knows your industry. To do otherwise will cost you time and money.
3. What Software or applications are used? A good company will have experience using a menu of different software. And they can determine what best suits your needs.
4. Who will be working on my company files? Know who the primary contact person is. You should also know who will be working on your daily files. Generally they will not be the same person. Make sure you have their contact information and specified methods of communication.
5. What is your method of delivery and turnaround? Determine the best method to deliver your files. Examples are; by fax, by email, by courier, or ftp (online).
Verifying the amount of time it takes to complete certain tasks depends on the task itself. Have them give you a schedule of when work is to be completed.
6. How are services delivered? See if your Bookkeeper can perform the services at your office or remotely. The latter is more preferable these days because it saves on overhead expenses such as travel and workplace accommodations.
7. What is your review process? You need to know that the work your Bookkeeper performs is accurate. Check the level of experience of the staff person who will be handling your files. Also, verify that your work does go through a review process at the company before it is delivered to you.
8. Do you work closely with CPAs? Most Bookkeepers have a relationship with an accounting/CPA firm. Especially for tax purposes. Go over with them the process by which they report your information to your accountant or CPA.
9. Do you have any guarantees? In today’s market, to stay competitive, most companies will offer a money back guarantee or trial period. Take full advantage of these offers. If you’re not happy, make sure you regain ownership of your information.
10. What security systems do you have in place? Privacy of your company files builds trust. Make sure the Bookkeeper has systems in place to ensure that your information is secured and not released unless authorized to.
Your journey to finding the right Bookkeeper is not as difficult as it may seem. With good preparation and a little patience, you can be on your way to making the best choice for your needs.
Partnering for your success
Jacqueline E. Williams
Financial Strategist
Business Coaching: A Winning Resource
Today I just wanted to step back and smell the roses. With all that it takes to manage a business, there comes a time when reaching out for help is necessary. As good as we would like to think we are, everyone can use a little help to polish their professional profile or get the needed guidance to guarantee success for their business.
As a business owner who provides bookkeeping services to others, I continually find myself needing the very services that I offer, for myself. Strange huh? Not really. Particularly with small business, we tend to take the most cost effective method when it comes to managing our resources. Need I say, this can lead us down a road of destruction and fast. Having been in business for almost 7 years now, I realized that in order to operate at the level I so desired, I needed some help. So, I enlisted the services of a business coach, who by the way is phenomenal. With this new partnership my business has re-invented itself in a way that operates smarter, which keeps me from having to work as hard. I fee like she’s part of my team, which gives me ease of mind in knowing that I have a skilled professional looking out for the success of not only my business, but my life as well. What a partnership!
So the next time you pull out your “Jack of all trades” hat, think twice and get the help you and your business needs.
Partnering for your success!
Jacqueline Williams
Financial Strategist