Hiring a Bookkeeper

Recipe
Written By Meredith Cole

IThe following questions are important details when hiring a bookkeeper:

  • What is your experience?

  • How many clients have you managed at one time?

  • What softwares are you proficient in?

  • What reports or other information do you provide and at what intervals?

  • Who owns my data?

  • Have they worked directly with a CPA before?

  • What financial principals are you familiar with?

Ideally, a bookkeeper would have either, a lot of pratical small business experience, a degree, or a good deal of experience with extensive training (I.E. QBO Certification and GAAP knowledge). You are looking for a FULL CHARGE bookkeeper, not a data entry person. The difference is that data entry gets you together, full charge will help you make informed decisions and pull together reports.

In addition, they would have managed several clients at once, be proficient in the software you are using, be reconciling monthly (quarterly for brand new low volume businesses) and producing a P&L, Cashflow Statement, and Balance Sheet monthly. You should own all of your data, and they should have some experience woking with a CPA or a management accountant.

Finally, a great bookkeeper needs experience with GAAP at the least, but additional knowledge in profit first or IFRS are incredibly helpful.

Meredith Cole