Every business, no matter what its size, needs a bookkeeper. Why? Because you need to track all your transactions. This includes the money you earn, your expenses, and every cent that comes into and out of your business.

Having a bookkeeper helps you:

• Save time.
• Discover money errors.
• Catch more tax deductions.
• Manage your cash flow.

While you can balance your books yourself, it’s usually better to outsource it.

Finding the right person to do the job isn’t always that easy though. There are a few things you need to take into account.

Skills

Clearly, you need to get someone who can do the job. Among various bookkeeping tasks, they should at least know how to:

• Record customer billings and payments.
• Balance your checkbook.
• Reconcile bank statements.
• Be proficient in the accounting software you use.
• Fill out your tax forms.

Attitude

Simon Sinek – best known for popularising the concept of why – had this to say about hiring for attitude:

You don’t hire for skills, you hire for attitude. You can always teach skills.

But this shouldn’t mean you don’t consider skill at all. You can’t hire an electrician to fly a plane, even if they’re really eager to do so.

It means that when choosing among equally qualified candidates, you can break the tie by considering their attitude. When it comes to bookkeepers, look for the following:

• Client-focused – They should have a strong orientation towards meeting their clients’ needs.
• Highly ethical – Since bookkeepers handle private data, their ethics must be unimpeachable.
• Attention to detail – Your bookkeeper will be analysing a great deal of information so they must have an eye for detail.

The best way to determine these traits is by conducting behavioural interviews. By considering attitude, you’ll be able to find a qualified bookkeeper who:

• Fits your company’s culture.
• Can meet your business’ needs.

Your company’s size

You generally have four options in hiring a bookkeeper. Depending on your company’s size, you can go for:

• A freelancer – Best for simple finances (e.g. small businesses).
• A bookkeeping firm – For businesses that need a bookkeeper they can count on every day.
• An in-house, full-time bookkeeper – If you earn over $1 million per year, go for this option.
• A remote bookkeeper – A suitable option for companies that don’t have cash-heavy transactions.

Price

Your choice of bookkeeping service would also depend on how much you’re willing to spend. Here are some things you need to know:

• Freelance bookkeepers are usually the most affordable option. They’ll either ask for an hourly rate or flat fee.
• Because of their overhead, bookkeeping firms are more expensive than freelancers. Firms may charge an hourly or monthly rate, but your cost will depend on how long it takes to balance your books.
• Paying a full-time bookkeeper would depend on factors like location, experience, and education.
• Remote bookkeeping services usually charge a flat monthly fee, based on how long it takes to balance your books. They’re more affordable than domestic freelancers or bookkeeping firms.

Schedule

Every bookkeeping option comes with schedule differences that you need to manage. Here’s what you may have to deal with each:

• Freelancers work on their own time, which may be an issue during your peak season. They might not be able to give you ample attention when you need your books ready for tax season.
• If you go for a bookkeeping firm, you’ll always have someone who can help you.
• The availability of full-time employees shouldn’t be a problem, even during peak seasons.
• Like bookkeeping firms, remote services usually have several employees. This means you can count on them even when your usual bookkeeper is away.

Experience in your niche

Every business has its own unique needs. So it’s not enough to find a bookkeeper with the right skills and attitude. You’d want someone who has previously worked with companies like your own.

For example, the books and records of a dental clinic are different from that of a manufacturer’s. Key dates like tax return deadlines or payroll days vary as well from business to business.

Individual freelancers might not always have the industry experience you’re looking for, but a firm with many bookkeepers likely will.

Process

How your company functions will affect your search for a bookkeeper. For instance, if your records are paper-based, then hiring a remote service isn’t an option. But you can hire a local freelancer who can visit your office to round up your paperwork.

If you have a paperless office, working with a remote service shouldn’t be a problem. However, you may want to work with a bookkeeper who uses the same accounting software. Here’s why:

• This makes it easier to import financial information.
• You won’t have to deal with the inconvenience of learning another software.

Certifications or memberships

Bookkeepers aren’t required by law to have a license. But if you’re looking to hire one, go for a certified professional. It shows that the bookkeeper is a specialist with up-to-date knowledge of their trade.

Being a member of a professional group could also mean a bookkeeper has indemnity insurance. This means you’re protected in case of errors and omissions.

We can help you find the right person

For your convenience and peace of mind, you can partner with Remote Workmate. We’ll help you hire the right bookkeeper for your business.

Because unlike job boards and freelancing sites where you do everything yourself, we handle all the heavy lifting for you, including recruitment, onboarding, and even payroll.

You can actually choose from our pool of top candidates right away. Simply click the button below to browse a wide range of profiles on our Hotlist page.