7 Questions You Should Ask a Bookkeeper Before You Hire
Written by Bindi Gethen
Finding a good bookkeeper isn’t just about who’s got the fanciest degree or the shiniest office. Nope. You have to dig deep, get down and dirty, and figure out who’s actually going to care about your business. You need someone who’s got your back, who’s going to roll up their sleeves and fight in your corner when you start operating in the red.
So what questions should I ask a bookkeeper?
1 – Tell me more about yourself
2 – What is your experience with businesses like mine?
3 – What can I expect from your services? What value are you adding to my business?
4 – How are your fees structured?
5 – What is the scope of the bookkeeping services you offer?
6 – How would working with you look like?
7 – Can you provide references from other businesses you’ve worked with?
What questions should I ask a bookkeeper?
1) Tell me more about yourself
You want to know their story – beyond the credentials and clichés. You want the juicy stuff! What makes them tick? Have they dealt with businesses with the messiest books? If so, what was their approach? Are they all about numbers or can they see the stories those numbers tell?
Pro tip
If they’ve dipped their toes in different industries, it means they’ve seen it all. They’re the Jack (or Jill) of all trades, ready to roll with the punches. And, of course, you want someone who’s an open book. No shady business, no half-truths.
2) What is your experience with businesses like mine?
Find out if they’ve had clients in the same league. This doesn’t have to be a non-negotiable, but it can be a good starting point for a client-bookkeeper relationship.
Learn about the strategies they’ve used, the pitfalls they avoided, and the victories they claimed. Given that every industry has its own specific regulations and financial regulations, it would be nice to have a bookkeeper who knows how to navigate these challenges. Look beyond the length of their professional experience but, rather, the depth and relevance to your business needs.
3) What can I expect from your services? What value are you adding to my business?
Cut through the fluff. Every bookkeeper will promise you the moon and the stars, but what are they really bringing to the table? This question helps clarify the deliverables and benefits of the bookkeeper’s services. It’s crucial to know what tangible and intangible value they will bring to your business, such as identifying cost-saving opportunities, ensuring compliance, or providing strategic financial advice.
4) How are your fees structured?
Money talks, and when it comes to fees, you want clarity, transparency, and a bit of flexibility. Understanding the fee structure is vital for budgeting and evaluating if the services are cost-effective. It’s important to know whether the fees are fixed, hourly, or based on the volume of transactions, and what specific services are included in the fee.
This question is all about value proposition. Are you getting your money’s worth or are you just fueling a money-grabbing machine? This isn’t just a financial transaction. It’s a value exchange between investment and return.
5) What is the scope of the bookkeeping services you offer?
Knowing the range of services offered helps you assess whether the bookkeeper can meet all your financial needs – both current and future. It reveals if they can handle payroll, tax filing, financial reporting, accounts payable/receivable, etc.
The scope of services offered can vary significantly among virtual bookkeepers. Some may solely focus on recording transactions and managing accounts, while others offer a broader range of services, including payroll, tax preparation, and financial reporting. Clarifying the services included will help you identify any additional resources you might need and assess whether the bookkeeper’s offerings align with your business requirements.
Related articles:
Is Bookkeeping Same as Accounting?
6) How would working with you look like?
This question gives you an idea of the bookkeeper’s working style, communication frequency, availability, and the tools and systems they use. It helps set expectations for the working relationship, and assess whether it aligns with your preferences and business operations.
You need to understand how they operate. Are they the kind that will drop you an email for every receipt you forgot, or are they more of the “let’s catch up over coffee” type? Communication is key. If they’re the strong, silent type, and you’re more of a chatterbox, things might get awkward.
How are they going to deliver their services? Are we talking cloud-based, real-time, 24/7 access to your financials, or is it more of a monthly report kind of deal? You need to know what your working relationship will look like, and more importantly, if it’s going to work for you.
Pro tip
If you don’t see eye to eye on the day-to-day stuff, this might become a nightmare working relationship.
7) Can you provide references from other businesses you’ve worked with?
Anyone can talk a big game, but what do other people say about them? Asking for references allows you to verify the bookkeeper’s reliability, professionalism, and quality of service. Speaking to previous clients can provide insights into the bookkeeper’s strengths and potential areas of improvement, as well as help you make an informed decision.
What you’re really looking for here is patterns. Did they consistently deliver on their promises, or were there frequent gaps between expectation and reality? Were they responsive and proactive, or was it like trying to get a response from a rock? Look for real feedback from real people.
Related articles:
Is Bookkeeping a Dying Profession?
How to Hire the Right Bookkeeper: 5 Important Questions to Ask
All your bookkeeping questions, we’ll answer!
This scenario is too familiar for many business owners: You’re juggling numbers, trying to make sense of the receipts and spreadsheets, and the tax season is looming. It’s stressful. This is where a bookkeeper, who’s there to answer your questions, becomes your go-to advisor. They’ll help you make sense of it all.
When you hire a bookkeeper, you need to build your working relationship on trust and support. There’s no better feeling than knowing there’s someone who’s got your back, who can answer your questions, big or small, and who helps you make the best decisions for your situation. When you partner with The Bookkeeping Studio, you’ll have a team who will always be there for you, whether you’re operating in the green or not.
Hey, my name’s Bindi Gethen! I’m the founder of The Bookkeeping Studio in Australia. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, I have a deep understanding of the challenges that small and medium-sized business owners face when it comes to managing their finances.
I am passionate about empowering my clients with the financial information they need to succeed. My team and I pride ourselves on our commitment to exceptional value, accuracy, and confidentiality. Our virtual bookkeeping services include payroll, budgets, and management reporting, among others.
Not to toot our own horn, but we can assure you that you won’t find a bookkeeping partner like us anywhere else in the Southern Highlands.
