Qualities to look for when finding a bookkeeper for your small business

441,000.
That’s the number of results a quick Google search for “Bookkeeper Melbourne” produces.
Local business owners certainly do have a lot of options when it comes to finding bookkeeping support for their businesses.

With so many options on the market, you might think choosing the right bookkeeper is set to be a long and arduous process.

Maximum Business Solutions understands the importance of finding the best bookkeeper for your business.  To ensure that you get the proper bookkeeping management you deserve, we’ve put together a list of qualities you should look for when searching for a bookkeeper for your small business.

Choose a small business bookkeeper with experience and knowledge

Obviously, the first thing you’ll be looking for in a bookkeeper is knowledge and experience – you’ll want your bookie to know what they’re doing, after all!

So it goes without saying that an appropriate level of qualifications and experience are essential.

You want to work with someone who has the perfect blend of both knowledge and experience, a proven track record of success, and who is a an expert in business bookkeeping.

You can go about finding this a number of ways:

• Check their qualifications: did they train at a reputable facility?
• Are they registered with an industry body?
• How many years have they been practicing?
• Are their current clients satisfied with their service

Can your bookkeeper provide efficient, modern bookkeeping services?

Bookkeeping is much more than plugging numbers into a spreadsheet nowadays. Advanced bookkeepers also provide advice and guidance for all your major business decisions – either directly or through their reports and figures.

When the future of your business is on the line, you’ll want someone who can come back to you with the important data and the right advice when you need it.

Not all business decisions can be predicted weeks in advance. In many cases, “when you need it” could mean NOW!

Can you imagine working with a bookkeeper who does not have a sense of urgency and is all over the place? Or worse, one that always comes back to you late?

If you want to make the right calls for your business, a punctual bookie that works efficiently with your business’ books and keeps to deadlines is a must-have.

When you first make contact with a bookkeeping provider, check how long it takes them to respond to their emails or voicemail to get an idea of how efficiently they work. Or better yet, talk to their previous clients!

Communication skills

Effective communication is one of the keys to success in business.

And while this is true of every aspect of your business, it is especially important for your relationship with your bookie.

The main problem of trying to do your books yourself? Not all of us are trained bookkeepers. Many of us might not even have a head for numbers!

But alas, you still need that information!

That’s where a good bookkeeper comes in. The best bookies are able to explain your business’ financial information in a manner that is understandable to the everyday person… that means using accessible language, making use of easy-to-understand visuals, to get a message across, and most importantly, show patience.

Understanding the information your bookie gives you is essential for a successful business. And that makes finding someone who is able to effectively explain what’s going on to you and your team essential.

Does your bookkeeper understand the latest bookkeeping software and innovation?

In this day and age, most industries have made the switch from traditional bookkeeping to more modern methods.

While traditional bookkeeping practices are still in place, bookkeepers now must be able to maximise the technology available, like cloud-based bookkeeping.

And with the benefits modern bookkeeping technology has a range of benefits over pen and paper, it’s no wonder it’s become so big! Modern bookkeeping software can be:

• Scaleable to match the scope of your business
• Accessible on all your devices
• Safely backed up
• Quick and easy to update
• Much more efficient than pen & paper thanks to automated data-entry

Take Maximum Business Solutions for example.  We work with the latest in cloud-based accounting software- we are a proud Xero partner, as well as a MYOD professional partner.

Being able to be at the forefront of the industry using the latest technology can give you an edge over the competition… moreover, it also creates a seamless, efficient and accurate bookkeeping experience!

Call Maximum Business Solutions for small-business bookkeeping that makes a big difference!

A lot of your business’ success rides on the quality of your bookkeeper – so it goes without saying that knowing how to spot the perfect bookie is essential if you want your business to prosper.

Are you a small business in Melbourne’s Bayside area in need of accurate bookkeeping services?

For a bookie that ticks all these boxes (and more), get in touch with Maximum Business Solutions!

Located right here in Beaumaris, our bookkeeping experts are dedicated to helping you move towards smarter bookkeeping. We make sure that we know what your goals are and how we can work with you to reach them.