Bookkeeping is an essential part of growing any business, but many owners admit that it can be tedious and demanding of their time. Business-savvy owners rely on credible and trusted bookkeepers to help them regain valuable time that they can spend on directly improving their business. These firms employ professionals who can expertly manage your books, resulting in more time and less stress on your plate. Before you hire a CPA or non-CPA accounting firm, make sure they can provide answers to these questions:

• What are your professional qualifications?

Bookkeepers play an important role in business development. They have to be well-trained and capable of taking on the tasks required of them. Ask about certifications, related training and other work to serve as clear evidence of his or her bookkeeping expertise.

• What do you need to get tasks done on time?

Different bookkeepers use specific programs to make the process more efficient. Depending on the chosen software, firms may require invoices, receipts and other reports in a certain format.

• Who will do data entry tasks and oversee rectification work if needed?

When hiring a bookkeeping firm to do your accounting, it’ll be helpful to learn which member of the team will take on the data entry tasks. Liability is also extremely important. Sometimes, small mistakes are inevitable. Find out the processes that your firm has in place should errors occur.

• How will you communicate with the accountant?

If you employ a separate tax preparer, open communication between him or her and your bookkeeper is vital. Since they have related but different roles, the frequency and tools used to communicate and manage tasks is important.

Some firms, such as Innovative Bookkeepers, offer both bookkeeping and tax preparation services, cutting down on extended waiting time and potential for errors that come with having to communicate with an external CPA.

• How much is the total cost of services?

Hiring a trusted bookkeeping and accounting firm is a sound investment. There are those that charge less and offer savings on initial investments, but is it worth the risk? Many businesses pay hefty fines because they chose amateurs to do their bookkeeping and accounting work. Don’t risk the accuracy of your financial records!  

At Innovative Bookkeepers, we offer customized client-focused bookkeeping, accounting and back-office solutions. We zero in on optimizing your daily operations while accurately and efficiently keeping a close eye on your finances. Click here to learn more about our professional bookkeeping and back-office services.