5 Non-Negotiable Qualities of a Good Bookkeeper
What are the qualities of a good bookkeeper to consider before hiring one? This is a question on the minds of many business owners committed to making the best decisions for the future of their company.
5 Qualities of a Good Bookkeeper
Hiring a professional bookkeeper is the easiest, most profitable way to gauge how well your company operates while continuing to grow your business. But not all bookkeepers are the same.
The one you hire can be the difference between success and struggle. As you research your options, consider these five non-negotiable qualities of a good bookkeeper.
1. Trustworthy
Trustworthiness is one of the most vital qualities of a good bookkeeper.
So, trust is a crucial factor when hiring anyone for your company. But when you rely on that person to manage your business's financials, a whole new level of integrity is expected.
After all, your bookkeeper will be handling a lot of important information they must keep confidential—not only because it's beneficial to your company but because you have a legal obligation to your customers to keep all their records, including account balances, private.
By the way, here's some advice for updating the financial records of your business: From Shoebox to Success: How to Update Your Business Financial Records
Before signing a contract with a new bookkeeper, do your homework. Include a real-life scenario in your interview with prospects accompanied by "What would you do?" questions.
Of course, reputation also goes a long way too. Consider contacting your potential bookkeeper's professional references for additional testimony.
2. Knowledgeable
A well-qualified bookkeeper will be knowledgeable in everyday bookkeeping practices. But they will also understand how those practices apply to your specific industry. In addition, they should be able to track your company's financial progress, compare it to your competitors, and report noteworthy trends or differences.
Also, just like your business strategy is ever-evolving, so is technology. For example, the Cloud has changed how businesses run and keep financial records. This being said, your bookkeeper should be up to speed on these advancements so you can take advantage of them, saving you time and money.
Maybe you're unsure if outsourcing your bookkeeping is the right choice for your company.
But relying on in-house help for bookkeeping can do more harm than good in some cases. Here are five tell-tale signs it's time to outsource your bookkeeping services.
3. Organized
Accurate reporting is ultimately rooted in good organization. Therefore, your bookkeeper should have a well-oiled system for interpreting data, preparing reports, and storing files. This will increase their work's efficiency and your company's profitability.
A bookkeeper who works in the Cloud and keeps digital records of your finances will also help you reach your business goals more effectively.
With the time they're not spending flipping back and forth between piles of paperwork, they can research helpful financial tactics, analyze your account more thoroughly, and point out areas of growth or opportunity.
Today, we're focusing on the five qualities of a good bookkeeper. But we also cover the five fundamentals of a good financial business strategy here.
4. Detail-oriented
One misplaced comma, period, or mistaking a zero for an eight could influence a judgment call and seriously damage your company. With that in mind, your bookkeeper must be very detail-oriented.
They will deal with the numbers you use to make critical financial decisions. A bookkeeper familiar with how your company operates will be able to detect patterns in your financial records and prevent mistakes.
Be sure to discuss your accountant's review policy and ask what safety nets they have to catch numerical mistakes.
5. Client-centric
So, what separates a "good" bookkeeper from the "best" bookkeeper? Much of this comes down to their perspective on customer service and client relationships.
Being skilled in mathematics, knowledgeable, or organized is not enough.
Your bookkeeper should have a respectful attitude during your interactions. But they should also be willing to go above and beyond to help you implement a solid business financial strategy.
Unsure whether you need a bookkeeper or a CPA? Visit this post next to read about their key differences.
Bonus qualities of a good bookkeeper: Proactive vs. reactive bookkeeping
Finding a proactive (vs. reactive) bookkeeper is the key to running a successful business.
When your bookkeeper regularly interacts with you and quickly responds to your questions or concerns, you can meet your business's financial goals.
At Two Roads, we see our clients as partners, not customers. Our job and our primary goal is to help you flourish.
We firmly believe these five qualities of a good bookkeeper are crucial to running a successful and ethical business-both ours and yours.
Our talented bookkeepers are highly skilled and trained in every aspect of bookkeeping and stay updated on the latest technology. We always strive to provide valuable insights to help you save time and money while ensuring your financial statements are accurate and compliant with all regulations.
Outsource Your Bookkeeping with Two Roads
Two Roads' bookkeeping services include:
Setup and maintenance of QuickBooks Online (QBO)
Reconciliation of your bank and credit card accounts
Financial reporting
Payroll
Paying the bills
Schedule an appointment online or call 865-212-0063 and see how we can help you today! We look forward to hearing from you.
Still on the fence about whether or not to outsource your bookkeeping? Then we invite you to book a time to chat with us. During this call, we can answer any questions and discuss the benefits of outsourcing before deciding.
Did you enjoy this post about the qualities of a good bookkeeper?
Here are three more articles to check out next:
Why Investing In Bookkeeping Is Like Buying The Roadmap To Your Success
3 Things You Absolutely Need To Consider When Hiring A Bookkeeper
This article was updated in 2023.
