Outsourcing Bookkeeping
Let’s face it: finding a decent bookkeeper might be challenging. How do you discover someone you can trust who will perform an excellent job and has industry experience? Outsource bookkeeping is our solution. But how does outsourced bookkeeping operate in practice? Here’s how to do it.
Table of Contents
Give your financial information to someone who can only read it.
To begin, outsourcing bookkeeping requires giving professionals access to your financial records. This may appear frightening at first, but it is the only way a bookkeeper can work on your finances. Furthermore, most accounting platforms and apps simplify granting extra users access without granting them complete capabilities. This is a crucial step since it allows the bookkeeper to conduct their work without contacting you when they require something from your bank.
Go Digital
Your remote bookkeeper will push you to digitize any operations that aren’t already digital, such as paper invoicing, receipts, and expenditure tracking. Many of the efficiencies realized from hiring a high-quality outsourced bookkeeper come from digitizing anything that can be converted to digital. You also have the extra benefit of having a digital paper trail for everything that happens in your company.
Establish shared goals.
The following step is straightforward. Every business is unique and necessitates an unusual amount of attention. Do you want the bookkeeper to come in every day? Will you require cash flow information on a weekly or monthly basis? How frequently do you want to speak with your bookkeeper? When should they contact you if they have a question? What does that procedure entail? Is there a period of the year when your company grows and your communication demands grow with it? Having a kick-off call with the outsourcing bookkeeping professional to align on these issues is a terrific idea.
Specify the procedure
Especially when they are just getting started, the bookkeeper will have inquiries regarding which expenses go into which accounts. As a result, establish a procedure for communication. Even if they’re remote, the bookkeeper will rely on you to answer questions about the firm that only you will know, so you’ll still have oversight.
Communication is the key.
Communication is essential to every effective bookkeeper/client relationship, whether the bookkeeper is next door or six states away. There are several ways to communicate, so find what works best for you: Email, calls every week, video conferences, text messages. It’s especially vital when a new employee is getting up to speed to complete their tasks swiftly and efficiently (and not be waiting on you for answers). Also, resolve difficulties as soon as possible, and revisit expectations every few months to ensure that both parties meet them.
Conclusion
Outsourcing bookkeeping may appear to be impossible, but as you can see, it is extremely simple. You also get top-notch bookkeepers with industry expertise, pay fair hourly rates, and are only paid when you use.