Keeping your business running efficiently and effectively begins with the right team of trusted advisors. Depending on the size and scope of your company, this may include an external bookkeeper.
Your bookkeeper should act as a partner and advocate for your business. But what do you do if that’s not the case? How can you tell if your current bookkeeper is no longer the best fit for your business?
That’s what this guide will help you determine. If things just don’t feel right, there’s probably a good reason why. Here are 5 signs that it’s time to switch bookkeepers.
Importance of Having the Right Bookkeeper
If you’re like most small business owners, you wear a lot of hats. You’re the salesperson, the customer service representative, the marketing department, and more. It’s a lot to handle, and it can be tough to stay focused on your core business goals.
One of the best ways to ensure that your small business stays on track is to hire a bookkeeper. The right bookkeeper will help you keep tabs on your finances, ensuring that you’re making progress towards your goals.
They can also provide valuable insights into where your business is spending its money and where improvements can be made.
The right bookkeepers can be valuable assets in helping small businesses focus on growth and expansion.
5 Signs It’s Time to Switch Bookkeepers
You want a bookkeeper who provides exemplary bookkeeping services in a timely manner. This means accurate reporting, effortless transactions, and reliable services.
If you aren’t happy with your current accountant—or you recently ended your business relationship with your previous accountant—and you’re seeking new bookkeeping services, there is probably a clear reason why.
If you can’t quite put your finger on it, here are 5 warning signs that will help provide the answer.
1. There Are Too Many Bookkeeping Mistakes
If you’re finding that there are too many bookkeeping mistakes being made, it might be time to switch bookkeeper services. Whether it’s the same mistakes happening, errors in invoicing, or discrepancies in your accounts, too many mistakes can lead to big problems down the line.
For example, if invoices are being sent out with the wrong information, it can lead to late payments or non-payments. This can end up costing you money in the long run.
2. You Have a Reactive Bookkeeper
A reactive bookkeeper is someone who only does what you ask them to do. They don’t take initiative and they’re not proactive. You want someone who is proactive and takes initiative to save you time and money.
This is important for a couple of reasons. First, it shows that they’re paying attention to your business and are always looking for ways to improve things. Second, it saves you time because you don’t have to micromanage everything.
3. A Lack of General Professionalism
If you’re finding that your bookkeeper is lacking in general professionalism, it’s probably a good sign that it’s time to switch. This can manifest itself in a number of ways, such as not returning phone calls or emails in a timely manner or being generally unresponsive.
It can also include things like not dressing professionally or showing up late to meetings. As a business owner, you expect a certain level of professionalism. So if it’s no longer present in your accounting department, it might be time to look for someone else.
4. Your Bookkeeper Keeps Poor Financial Records
If your bookkeeper is keeping poor financial records, it might be time to switch. This can include things like not keeping accurate records of expenses or not tracking income properly.
Accurate financial records are essential for any business, so if your bookkeeper is not keeping good records, it’s time to find someone else who will.
5. You’re Not Getting the Information You Need
As a small business owner, you need relevant information from your bookkeeper. Perhaps you’re not getting timely financial reports or maybe you’re not getting reports at all.
This can cause inaccuracies in how they manage payroll, file your tax return, and more. In addition, this can affect how you provide services to your current clients. In short, the wrong information can cause critical problems and impact your overall business success.
How to Find a New Bookkeeper?
So, now that you’ve narrowed down the primary problem with your current accountant/bookkeeper, where do you start in finding a new one? Here are a few tips to help you find the right person for the job:
Ask Around
Start by asking your friends, family, and colleagues if they know anyone who might be interested in the position. This is a great way to get recommendations from people you trust.
Set up Interviews
Once you have a few names, reach out to each person and set up an informational interview. This will give you a chance to learn more about their experience and expertise, and see if they would be a good fit for your business.
Take Your Time
Finally, take your time making a decision. The new accountant you hire will be responsible for keeping track of your finances, so it’s important to find someone you can trust and who has the experience to do the job well.
Or There’s Another Answer
With these tips in mind, you should be able to get a few leads for consideration. But let’s be honest—if you’re like most small business owners, you know that finding a new bookkeeper can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Not only have you already had at least one bad experience with the last bookkeeping professional you hired, but now you have to worry about starting over and taking a chance on another potential bad experience.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could bypass all of the time and effort needed to vet bookkeepers and work with a bookkeeping service that perfectly understands your business needs?
With LedgersOnline, you can! What’s more, we ensure a smooth transition so that you can save time and get right back where you need to be. How is this possible? At LedgersOnline, we work with multiple software packages to afford you a streamlined bookkeeping experience.
This allows us to provide tailored support for your business’s unique needs. And since our staff is comprised of experienced bookkeepers with extensive industry knowledge, we’re equipped to handle the needs of both large and small businesses.
Our virtual bookkeeping services ensure that you get the most suitable solution. You’ll work with an account manager who is matched to meet your needs and your needs alone.
We also offer different plans according to how many employees you have, what industry you’re in, your annual cash flow, and more. At LedgersOnline, we make hiring your new bookkeeper an effortless endeavor. We invite you to contact us today to get started.
