Top Five Things To Look For When Hiring A Bookkeeper

Bookkeeping is a significant occupation because it is a requirement for everyone to have their books in order so they can thoroughly account for the tax amounts they have to pay. Depending on the amount that came in the account and the scale of the work done, businesses and individuals have to make sure they have bookkeepers to prepare for tax season.

There are various bookkeepers with their unique styles of getting through your books. It is your job to find someone who you understand and appeals to you, so they can train you on the best practices when keeping your books in order. If you make it a point to have everything in order, you will be better equipped during tax season. 

There are many factors to look for in a team when finding someone to assist with your books. Some companies assist with a lot more than bookkeeping and would be in a position to get taxes done. However, there are specific traits to keep in mind when finding the right bookkeeping firm to make sure you get a team equipped enough to assist in getting through the process.

1. Professionalism
There is a certain amount of professionalism that you should get from the team that you are working with. No one wants to work with a very strict team all the time, and the occasional joke and change to a regular demeanor are always appreciated. However, bookkeepers should be approaching topics about payments, spendings, balancing statements, and even answering questions that might seem quite simple in a very professional manner. They should also be in a position to assist with other information because the bookkeeper is the ideal person to assist with how certain spendings can be labeled as tax-deductible.

2. Education
While most might not think qualifications are a requirement, they assist in making sure the person you are working with is equipped enough to assist with getting through the process. Other than the degree, education can also involve learning about new trends and staying on top of the changes made by the authorities so your clients can adapt to them well. Having the ability to stay informed and pass that information to your clients is very important.

3. Knowledge
For someone working in bookkeeping, you should know about the various aspects that come under it. If you are talking to a professional when dealing with your bookkeeping needs, you do not want to hear that they would gather their thoughts and get back. The last thing someone wants is to be talking to someone who needs to keep looking up more information about the process. Pick a team that is always ahead in the game for the best results.

4. Length of time in the industry
The longer a company has been in the industry, the likelier they are to have learned a thing or two that would allow them to get through a process. The more experience they have, they would have dealt with clients that went through every issue and would have a way to solve it. They would be able to go back to past experiences to assist their client. Mixed with the other skills, they would likely be at the top of their game. They would even be able to recommend their clients to other accountants to assist with the second step, which is the tax payment.

5. Communication
At the end of the day, everyone wants good communication. If there are issues with the way your team is talking to you, you likely need a new team. Very often, bookkeepers either only work post regular follow-up meetings, or have everything worked on and wait it out. Neither of the two is acceptable. You want to be working with a team who is constantly telling you to up your game, asking you for the next bit of information or documentation, and getting things done. If there are questions about the process, you should be in the position to be able to talk to your bookkeeper and ask them how to solve the issue.

At ALL-PRO Business & Bookkeeping Corp., we are a bookkeeping team in Calgary, Alberta, and have been working within the industry for over twenty years. Although we established the company in 2006, we have more than two and a half decades of experience in bookkeeping, working with entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized business owners from various fields. We understand the requirements of our clients and find solutions to their issues. We also customize our services to give them what they want and need, whether a weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly, or annual bookkeeping service. If you are looking for a better understanding of the services we provide, please click here. If you want to get in touch with us, please click here.