What to look for in a Bookkeeper

Maybe you have been doing your own books, or perhaps you have a bookkeeper and it is time for a change. Regardless of your situation, a great bookkeeper should be an invaluable asset for your business, so it pays to take your time and choose wisely. There are a few key things to consider when deciding on someone so important to your business. Here are some key qualities to look for:

A great reputation

Does this bookkeeper have a great reputation? Word of mouth recommendations are fantastic. You can also check on their Google or Facebook Business Page if they have one to see what people have said about their services. Having said that, if the bookkeeper looks great but has just a few bad reviews, investigate a bit more and even ask the bookkeeper for their side of the story.

Responsive

In the modern world with the cloud and emails, there is no reason for a bookkeeper to not be reasonably responsive. Whilst you can’t always receive things instantly, you need to determine the expectations of the business relationship. Ask questions like “what are your turnaround times for queries?”, “can I call if emergency?” etc.

Proficient

Your bookkeeper needs to be proficient in whatever accounting software you currently use, or you need to be happy to move across to their preferred platform. You will find most bookkeepers are multiskilled. A professional will use all the main software programs. These would include Xero, MYOB, Quickbooks etc.  It doesn’t hurt to check they are an expert in your chosen software. Ideally, you want a bookkeeper highly skilled in cloud accounting, and most now are.

Ethical & Trustworthy

Over time, a strong relationship will build between you and your bookkeeper. A professional would be heavily involved in the backend of your business. They should genuinely want you to succeed. Your bookkeeper needs to be someone you can trust and someone who is compliant and conducts business ethically.

Registered BAS Agent

By choosing someone who is a registered BAS agent, you can rest assured your business is protected. Registered BAS agents are licenced and carry mandatory insurances and have the required experience and formal training.

At Sum and Substance we know the importance and need for the right person for your business. Please contact us if you would like more information on our bookkeeping service. We would love to have a no obligation chat. We can be reached at (03) 9424 9447 or info@sumsubstance.com.au. You can also directly book in a time to chat by clicking here.

Our bookkeeping services can be viewed here.