Just look for a bookkeeper with high reviews from other customers like you. In both cases, if you use dedicated bookkeeping software, you should ensure that your bookkeeper uses the same brand. They may be able to import expenses remotely, cutting out email threads or trips to the office. Accountants are usually more skilled and in a more advanced position than bookkeepers.
Freelance Bookkeeper
Hiring a bookkeeper can reduce the chances of errors in your books and give you more peace of mind. When first starting out, market yourself as a professional who is well-versed in managing accounts, reconciling transactions, providing financial overviews and balancing budgets. Ask for testimonials from people who have utilized your services in the past and spread the word about your offerings through a website or social media. They save you time by handling all the daily financial work for you and allow you to concentrate on the running of your business. The real-time information they collect can help them offer you new insight into your business.
Bookkeeping is a great place to start if you’re hoping for a way to break into the finance industry. There are many bookkeeping job opportunities and generally fewer education requirements than in other finance and accounting positions. Whoever you hire needs to be trusted with the everyday details of your business finances. With fewer geographic constraints, we have a larger talent pool than ever to draw from. We can find remote bookkeepers who are the right match for your specific needs. And we can help you with the hiring process from beginning to end.
Process
- Overpay them, and you’re effectively giving the IRS an interest-free loan.
- There’s always a demand for experienced, efficient bookkeepers in nearly every industry.
- In both cases, if you use dedicated bookkeeping software, you should ensure that your bookkeeper uses the same brand.
- Consider administering a practical bookkeeping test or assessment to evaluate their technical skills and problem-solving abilities.
To find a bookkeeper, you need to go where candidates are—job boards. I recommend posting to at least three different job boards so you get a good mix of applicants. To specifically seek freelance bookkeepers, check out our top picks for online bookkeeping services. You can also use a website that’s specifically for hiring freelancers. Expand your search to additional job board sites if you want to hire an employee for the role. You want to make sure you get your job posting in front of as many qualified applicants as possible.
That’s why it’s important to find a bookkeeper who knows what they’re doing. However, expertise is not only measured by years of operation, or by third-party certifications. The books of an ecommerce startup are different from the books of a dentist; try to find a bookkeeper accounting income vs cash flow who has worked with businesses like your own before, and has experience in your niche.
Paying estimated taxes is a pain in the a**
If you’d prefer to take some of the stress out of the hiring process, consider partnering with Bench. They ensure their team is fully trained and has the skills necessary to be your in-house virtual bookkeeper. So whatever you do, don’t rush the recruiting and hiring process. Having a bookkeeper that matches your needs will eliminate the stress and anxiety of doing this work yourself or having someone else do it who may not have the skills necessary.
Robert Half has years of experience placing bookkeepers with clients on both a temporary and full-time basis. And our recruiters are well-versed in helping companies hire remote workers. Take time to research compensation trends for bookkeepers before you launch a job candidate search. Our Salary Calculator provides real-world salaries by location and can help you determine what level of compensation bookkeepers in your city or state might expect to earn. A good bookkeeper keeps your books clean and makes it easy for you to review and query the entries. Do your due diligence and ask for reference checks from accountants who have worked with your bookkeeping candidates.
If you started your own business, it’s likely that you’re passionate about running it and concentrating on the tasks you love doing. But if you’re like most business owners, you’re not so interested in recording all the details of every financial transaction. Ultimately, an accountant with experience in your industry is most qualified to give you comprehensive guidance regarding tax write-offs. But many business owners only talk to their accountants during tax season.