A bookkeeper is a person in charge of handling the accounting and tax compliance of a business. You can find them in all industries imaginable. They are the ones that ensure businesses are thriving. For a growing business, it is important that you’re getting the right accountant if you’re to succeed. This could be an intimidating process if you’ve never gone through it before. That is why we advise that you’re doing due diligence before making a commitment to work with the accountant. Companies such as Palmetto Partners will help to find the right Small Business Accounting firm to work with you and your business. There are some key attributes that you should be looking for when searching for an accountant and we’re going to highlight some of them.
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Professional Competence
Bookkeeping is a profession that requires knowledge and technical competence. Even if a college degree is not needed, there will be a certain amount of knowledge and experience needed for bookkeeping. When interviewing potential candidates, make sure to ask questions related to accounting and taxation.
Honesty and Trustworthy
Bookkeepers will have access to confidential information. They will be aware of the financial situation of your business. You don’t want to be working with a bookkeeper that will trade-sensitive companies to the highest bidder. The bookkeeper should also be honest once they’ve assessed your financial situation. They will tell you if avoiding a penalty will be inevitable so that you can adequately be prepared. You’re able to know if there is a problem so that a solution is being found. There are some bookkeepers that will be afraid to tell you the truth because they’re afraid to lose business. If you’re looking for bookkeeping services London, make sure that the person you’re getting is trustworthy.
Easily Accessible
Your business doesn’t have come to a standstill just because you can’t get in touch with the bookkeeper. It doesn’t matter the number of clients that he or she will handle, the bookkeeper should make time for you since you’re also a paying client. A firm that is not easily accessible should be avoided at all costs because the effects will also be felt in your business. You can know if the bookkeeper is reliable when you first reach out to them. Were they prompt when you contacted them? How long did it take for the business to get back to you? Such early signs will be a clear indicator if you should be working with the bookkeeper in the first place.
Customer Service
Bookkeeping is a service and you don’t want to deal with a provider that doesn’t care about customer service. Mistakes can happen but what is important is how the firm addresses the problem. One of the ways to gauge the level of customer service is by looking at the reviews of the company. As much as some reviews can be faked, what you should be concentrating on is how the firm handles complaints. This will provide an insight into the kind of services you can expect should you decide to work with the bookkeeper.
Resourcefulness
There is no business that is perfect and there are some changes that will have to be made on the fly as you grow. A good bookkeeper is someone that will see light when you’re in the dark. There are supposed to guide through the murky waters. They should be ahead when it comes to the accounting process and taxation concerns. You know you’re having a bad bookkeeper who you have to constantly remind them to do their job. A bookkeeper should be honest to admit that they don’t know the answer to everything. This means that they can’t research to find a solution to the problem.
Active Professionally
Tax laws are changed almost on a yearly basis. That is why it is important that you’re getting a bookkeeper that is abreast of what is happening in the industry. They will keep an eye on the latest trends so that your business is not being left behind when it comes to implementation. A good accountant is one that is constantly learning and looking for ways to improve.
Accuracy
The bookkeeping field is based on accuracy. A small mistake could make your business go bankrupt. The bookkeeper will be in charge of managing the finances of the business. This means you’ll be relying on their advice to make important decisions. An experienced bookkeeper will ensure that the books are in order and that there is no room for error. Don’t rush the selection process. You want to make sure that the person you’re choosing can be trusted with the books of your business.
