How to Hire the Right Bookkeeper for your Business

How to Hire the Right Bookkeeper for your Business

hiring a bookkeeper

Have you gone into business only to find you’ve become a bookkeeper? “Outsource your weaknesses.” So says start-up guru, Sujan Patel, when advising small business owners to get outside help for tasks like payroll and bookkeeping. And when you consider that 70% of businesses fail due to poor in-house financial management, Patel’s advice seems spot on.

Unfortunately, many small business owners try to keep costs low by doing everything themselves— unwittingly sabotaging the financial stability of their own business. If numbers aren’t your strength and you would rather focus on building your business, it’s time to engage a bookkeeper. Here are four ways to hire the right bookkeeper and ensure they’re a good fit.

Choose a bookkeeper with insights in your industry

The nuances of bookkeeping vary from one corner of the market to another. When you’re making the decision to hire the right bookkeeper, it’s important to look not only at total years of experience, but also at the relevance of that experience.  For example, if your business is fashion, a bookkeeper who has primarily worked in the auto industry may not have the insights into your industry that can really add value to your work together. 

Look for membership in a professional association

In addition to a degree or diploma from a recognised institution, your bookkeeper should belong to a professional bookkeepers association. Most associations test applicants to verify their technical skills and theoretical knowledge, with the goal of protecting and furthering industry standards.

Many associations require members to earn a credential, prove a high standard of proficiency, and continue to improve their skills through ongoing professional development.

Look for a registered BAS Agent

The bookkeeping profession is now recognised through the Tax Practitioners Board and we must be a registered BAS Agent to advise on any BAS matters. This includes coding your accounts, and processing payroll. Ensure your new bookkeeper is a registered BAS Agent which also means following a Code of Professional Conduct, continued professional development, and professional indemnity insurance.

Put a high premium on communication skills

It’s imperative for small business owners to have open, effective communication with their bookkeeper. An effective bookkeeper should be adept at explaining and breaking down complex accounting concepts in accessible ways, so you always have a clear understanding of your financial position.

Evaluate honesty and reliability

When you engage someone to look after your books, you place a considerable amount of trust in their personal integrity and trustworthiness. But how does one evaluate these character traits?

The best approach is to ask open-ended questions that get the bookkeeper talking about ethical challenges they’ve faced in the workplace, such as:

  • Tell me about a time when you committed an error. How did you handle the situation and what did you learn from it?
  • What would you do if someone else took credit for your work?
  • How would you respond to uncovering an unethical or fraudulent accounting practice in the workplace?

Learn more: Business systems help you focus on what you’re good at

Final thoughts

The bottom line is that preparing to hire the right bookkeeper is about much more than finding an able number-cruncher, or the person that will do it the cheapest. The bookkeeper you choose will be an integral part of your business success. Look holistically at technical skills, experience and character to find your ideal match, and you’ll gain a valuable professional ally for years to come.

 

Book your complimentary discovery call with Sarah

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