How to Hire a Bookkeeper to Save Time and Boost Your Small Business Growth

Key Highlights

Outsourcing bookkeeping services can help small business owners save time. This gives you the chance to spend more time on business growth.
An experienced bookkeeper will use the latest accounting software. This means the bookkeeping tasks you need will be done the right way.
A professional bookkeeper helps lower mistakes and makes your financial statements better. This also helps you keep up with your cash flow.
It is very important for a small business to know when to stop doing your own books and hire a pro.
There are many ways to hire a bookkeeper. You can find a freelancer, talk to a bookkeeping firm, or pick someone to work in your business. Choose the way that works best for what you need.
A good bookkeeper keeps your records in order, makes tax preparation easy, and helps you feel good about the choices you make for your small business.

Introduction

Running a small business is often busy, and as a business owner, you take on a lot every day including bookkeeping tasks. It can feel overwhelming to manage everything at once. You need to keep your finances in order, but that takes time and effort. If you try to handle it all yourself, you may slow down progress and risk costly bookkeeping errors.

When you Hire A Bookkeeper, you save valuable time and can focus on growing your small business. This guide will help you understand what to look for when you Hire A Bookkeeper, ensuring your finances are accurate, organized, and supporting your business success.

Understanding Bookkeeping and Its Importance for Small Businesses

Bookkeeping services give small business owners a simple way to manage money. A bookkeeper puts all your transactions in order. So, you always know what comes in and what goes out. The financial statements you get from bookkeeping show you where your small business stands. With good bookkeeping, you can make smart choices and not just follow rules. It makes cash flow easier to control, and paves the way for business growth. You always have clear, reliable numbers when you need them.

As your business gets bigger, you get more things to do, and your deals may be harder to handle. A good bookkeeper can help stop mistakes before they start. They also help keep your records up to date. This gives you a strong place to begin when you want to grow more and do well for many years.

What Does a Bookkeeper Do?

Bookkeepers handle many bookkeeping tasks for your small business. They keep a note of every dollar that comes in and goes out. They make sure your bank accounts match your accounting software. They also do the daily work, so your own books are always up to date. If you are a business owner and do your own books, these jobs can pile up and feel stressful.

A bookkeeper will get your financial statements ready. These include balance sheets and income statements. This lets you know where your business stands. When you want business growth or need to make big choices, having these numbers is important.

When you need to hire a bookkeeper, find someone who matches what your business wants. Look for people who have done work in your field before. Make sure they know how to use accounting software. Omar Visram, a well-known expert, says, "A bookkeeper who watches every detail and gets technology can help you stop big mistakes and feel calm." The right bookkeeper will keep track of your money and help your business grow the right way.

Key Differences Between Bookkeepers and Accountants

Bookkeeping services and accounting services are two different things, but people may get them mixed up. Bookkeeping services be about keeping track of your money every day. They help you always have up-to-date money info in your records. Accounting services use this information to help with things such as tax preparation. They can also look at your money in a deeper way and give tips for your business plans.

Here’s a summary of the differences:

Role	Bookkeeper	Accountant
Main focus	Day-to-day bookkeeping tasks, transaction entry	Tax preparation, financial analysis, compliance
Output	Financial statements, balance sheets	Tax filings, budgets, forecasts, business advice
Software knowledge	Accounting software (QuickBooks, Xero, etc.)	Advanced accounting and tax software
Cost	Lower hourly/monthly rate	Higher due to specialized expertise

Should you hire both? Many small businesses get bookkeeping services to take care of daily work. They also work with accountants when they want help with plans for the future.

Why Accurate Bookkeeping Matters for Growth

Accurate bookkeeping helps your small business grow. When you keep your financial reports up to date, you can see what is happening with your cash flow and the way your small business is doing. This helps small business owners find problems early, plan for what is coming next, and stop cash flow issues before they begin.

When the records that you have are wrong or not updated, you might make choices that are not good for you. This can also bring up problems when you do your taxes or try to get a loan. Bookkeeping services help to make sure all your numbers are right. This helps your business grow in the right way.

How can you tell if it is time to hire a bookkeeper or if you should do this work yourself? If keeping up with the books takes a lot of your time, gets too confusing, or puts your business in danger of getting fines, then it is a good idea to find someone with experience to help you.

Signs Your Small Business Needs a Bookkeeper

Many small business owners like to do their own books when they start out. Over time, bookkeeping tasks can feel too much as the business gets bigger. If you spend a lot of time working with bank accounts or forget important dates, it may be good to get an experienced bookkeeper. A skilled bookkeeper can make things easier for you and your small business.

Knowing when to get bookkeeping services can help you not make big money mistakes. It also lets you use more time for your own business. The next parts will show some signs that say it's time to bring in someone who knows how to do bookkeeping for you.

Bookkeeping Tasks Consuming Too Much Time

You may feel that the bookkeeping tasks use up a lot of the time in your day. When you work with accounting software, but still spend hours dealing with matching bank accounts, managing invoices, or checking numbers, it may be the time to see how you use the time. You could put the time into things that make your day feel better for you.

Common signs include:

Spend a lot of time trying to sort out the income and the expenses.
Have a hard time when you need to handle and track different bank accounts.
Feel upset when you try to use or fix your accounting software.

As a business owner, your time is valuable. When you use more and more time on bookkeeping, it can stop you from working on sales, marketing, or helping your customers. A bookkeeper can help you get your time back. This way, you can focus on what matters most for your business.

Difficulty Staying Organized and Meeting Deadlines

Another sign that you may need help is when you can't keep things organized or finish on time. If it's hard for you to get your financial statements or you do your bookkeeping tasks at the last minute, then your business may be at risk.

You and other small business owners can sometimes forget about key dates, such as payroll, tax filing, or when to pay vendors. If things are not in order, you might have to pay late fees or lose some good chances. This can also make your small business feel out of control and messy.

It is important for business owners to have easy access to current records. If you do not have what you need, or your books are not up-to-date, an experienced bookkeeper can help you. The bookkeeper will make things clear and give you peace of mind.

Limited Financial Visibility and Cash Flow Challenges

Are you finding it hard to see where the cash flow in your small business goes or keeping up with money? A lot of small business owners feel this. When your small business starts to grow, it be tough to watch money coming in and going out. If you do not get new balance sheets or financial reports on time, you might not know whats wrong until the small business runs into problems.

If you do not see where your money is or how you spend it, cash flow problems can come up. You may miss out on some good chances or even risk your business. An experienced bookkeeper will give you reports when you need them and help you keep track of cash flow. This helps you know what is going on with your business at all times.

Professional bookkeeping services do more than help you stick to the rules. They help you see trends in the business and show you where you can grow. You get the right tools to make smart choices, too. This will make it easy for your business to get better in a good way.

Hire A Bookkeeper from Globus Finanza and watch your financial stress melt away. Our experts deliver precise, compliant, and stress-free financial management, keeping your books flawless, your mind clear, and your business poised for growth.

DIY Bookkeeping vs Hiring a Professional

Taking care of your own books might look like it saves money at first. But when the small business grows, it can become hard. A lot of small business owners use accounting software to check money coming in and going out. Bookkeeping services can help by giving you the right knowledge. They help keep everything correct. They also make sure your small business is sticking to the rules.

Hiring a bookkeeper can help you feel calm. You do not have to do the same money tasks over and over. This gives you more time to work on business growth. Next, we will talk about what is good and what is bad about doing your own books versus getting help from someone with skill in bookkeeping.

Pros and Cons of Managing Books Yourself

Keeping your own books may seem like a good idea, especially when you are just starting out. Using accounting software can help you track your money coming in and out. This helps you know your numbers better and see where you stand.

Advantages include:

You will spend less money at the start because you do not have to pay for bookkeeping services.
You can choose how to keep your records and what to name them.

However, doing your own bookkeeping can lead to:

Mistakes can happen if there is not enough practice. They also happen when you do not have enough time.
Sometimes, people might miss some tax deductions. Filing dates can also get missed.
There is less time to think about business growth or to make plans for it.

For small business owners, saving money is a good idea. But sometimes, it brings mistakes or you miss out on things. If you are not sure what steps to take, first look at how much time you put into bookkeeping. Think if doing your bookkeeping stops you from working on other big parts of your small business.

Benefits of Professional Bookkeeping Support

Bringing in bookkeeping services can help your business in many ways. A good bookkeeper keeps your money records simple. They also make sure that all numbers be right and up to date.

Key benefits include:

Reliable financial statements can help you make better choices for your business. They are useful when you need to plan for taxes.
You get reports made just for you. These can show new ways for your business to grow.
There is less risk that you will make big mistakes. You are also less likely to face problems with rules that could cost you.

A professional bookkeeper can give good advice to your small business. They will help you find ways to make your cash flow better. Tracy Knepple, who covers small business topics, says the right bookkeeper can help you feel less stress. Your work will be easier to handle ,and you will get more time to grow your small business.

By outsourcing, you get help from people who know how to do the job. This means you have more time and energy to run your small business. You do not have to do the things you are not good at. You can work on what you know best, and let other people take care of the rest.

When DIY Becomes Risky for Small Businesses

Doing your own bookkeeping might feel okay when the business is small. But as your business gets bigger, it can start to be risky if you still do it all yourself. There will be more deals, new ways to get money, and more rules you have to follow. All of this can make it easy to make mistakes or forget entries.

Small businesses that use their own system to keep records may get:

Financial reports that are not right can make people choose the wrong thing.
If you send in financial reports late or with wrong facts, you can get fined or face charges.
When the financial data that you give is not new or is missing things, people can miss something that is important.

When you want to make sure your numbers are right and the reports are on time, it is good to get help from a professional. A bookkeeper can keep all your records in order and help you avoid any penalties. He will also show you your money details in a clear way, so you always know what is going on.

Types of Bookkeeping Solutions Available

There are several ways for a small business to get bookkeeping services. You can hire freelance bookkeepers. You can also work with bookkeeping firms. Another way is to bring on a full-time bookkeeper who comes to your office every day. Each choice gives you a different kind of help, set of skills, and costs.

The way you pick should be based on the size of your business. It also matters how hard your deals are and what you want as your business grows later. Up next, you will read what each choice can give you. You will see what is good about each, and what could be bad about each one. This will help you get the best one for your business.

Freelance Bookkeepers

Freelance bookkeepers are people who work for themselves. They give bookkeeping services. Many do their work in the way that fits them best, and they can be anywhere when they work. These bookkeepers fit small business needs. Small business owners will find them good for saving money. It is also easy for them to grow with a small business, so they help when things change.

Freelancers set hourly rates, and can work for more than one client at a time. You can change the number of hours they work if your business needs something different. An experienced bookkeeper will do your daily bookkeeping tasks. The bookkeeper uses accounting software and keeps all your records neat.

If your freelancer helps many clients at the same time, you might find it slow to get answers or updates from them. Talk about what you want for deadlines and when you should get replies before you begin working together. A freelance bookkeeper can be a good option for a small business with basic money needs. It can save you money and help you get work done.

Bookkeeping Firms and Agencies

Bookkeeping firms are here to help your small business. They use a team to provide bookkeeping services for you. The people on their team handle your daily numbers. They will also take care of your financial statements and can help you with some accounting services. A bookkeeping firm can do a lot for your small business. This way, you get more support and many skills from their team.

With a firm, you get help because they have clear ways to work. The firm has several people that will look at your books. If one bookkeeper leaves, another person will step in and keep things going. The firm also uses good accounting software to take care of your books, even when they are not at your place.

The main downsides are there be no face-to-face time. There could be delays if your firm has a lot of clients at once. It be important to have good ways for people to talk and share updates, especially when you start. This helps your business get help that it needs. Bookkeeping firms be a good choice for businesses that are growing. They give support that can grow with the business. They also offer steady service from experts.

Full-Time In-House Bookkeepers

Hiring a full-time bookkeeper to work in-house means you get someone in your team who does all the bookkeeping tasks for your business. This works well for bigger small businesses. It is good for those that have a lot of daily transactions or when the work is more complex.

In-house bookkeepers help you by being at your place of work. You have easy access to your numbers and records at any time. They get to know your business well because they are around all day. If you need something fast or if there is a problem, they can handle it right away. They also work closely with your team, so things get done well and on time.

But, this way will cost more because you have to pay a full salary. You also need to give benefits and pay for onboarding costs. If the business grows too big for a part-time or freelance setup, or you want someone to always handle your money, then hiring a full-time bookkeeper can work well. You should check if your business needs and size are enough to make this feel like the right step before you decide to hire.

Beginner’s Guide: How to Hire a Bookkeeper Step-by-Step

Hiring the right bookkeeper can help your small business run smoother and grow over time. If you are a business owner who just started, you need a simple way to pick someone. This makes it easy to find an experienced bookkeeper who fits your needs and will also help your business grow.

This guide walks you through every step you need to take. You will find out how to get your records in order, pick what kind of professional to hire, do interviews, and welcome your new team member. Let’s start with what you need to get ready.

What You Need to Get Started (Business Records, Budget, Job Description)

Starting with a clear look at your business records can make bookkeeping services much easier. You should bring together things like your financial statements, lists of transactions, and details from all your bank accounts. This will help you and the bookkeeper get a good view of your business. Be sure to set a budget for an experienced bookkeeper before you start. Think about which accounting services will help you reach business growth. It is important to write a strong job description that lists all the bookkeeping tasks. You can add tax preparation and keeping track of cash flow to find someone who can really help you look after your own books.

Step-by-Step Guide/Process

Finding a good bookkeeper starts when you have a clear idea of what you need. Look at your business first and know what things have to be done. Think about which bookkeeping services could help best. Next, do some homework to find out who the right bookkeeper is for you. You can go with a freelance bookkeeper, a bookkeeping firm, or get someone to work in the office.

Speak with the candidates and talk to them about their work. Ask how they can help your business growth. Use clear questions to find out what they have done before. Also, ask them to give you names of people you can call to check their skills. When you choose your bookkeeper, make sure to discuss all the details together. Plan a helpful onboarding process, so everything goes well.

Every step you take, like choosing the job role and showing the new person how things work, helps you get the right person for your team. A good hire will help your money and help your small business get bigger.

Step 1: Assess Your Bookkeeping Needs

The first thing you need to do is work out what you want from bookkeeping services. Make a list of all the bookkeeping tasks you do now. These tasks can be things like handling your bank accounts, making sure every transaction is written down, and putting together financial reports.

Key considerations:

How many times do you have transactions every month?
Do you need support every day, every week, or just one time each month?
Are you looking to get help with payroll, tax planning, or any other special services?

Small business owners have to know what they want. This helps you tell candidates about your needs. It also means you do not pay for things that you do not need. When you get and understand your needs, hiring gets easier for a small business.

Step 2: Decide on the Type of Bookkeeper to Hire

When you know what you need, pick the bookkeeping help that is right for you. You can use a freelance bookkeeper. You can also work with bookkeeping firms. Or, you can hire someone to be part of your team.

Freelancers can offer you more flexibility. They are a good choice if the bookkeeping tasks are simple. A bookkeeping firm has many experts and can offer extra services. This is good for your business when it starts to grow. If your business needs help every day, it is best to have a bookkeeper who works in your company.

Think about how much money you will spend. Look at how complex your small business is. Think if you need help online or if you want someone to be there at your place. When you match these things to what your small business needs, you will make a good choice.

Step 3: Identify Required Qualifications and Skills

When you look to get the right bookkeeper, you need to check the skills and background of that person. Try to find someone who is a Certified Bookkeeper (CB) or has a QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification. It is also good if they have worked in your type of business before. This helps you feel sure they can do the job for your business.

Important qualifications include:

You need to have proven experience using the accounting software.
You must be good at paying attention to detail and have strong organizational skills.
You should be able to say financial information in a clear way.

Ask to see some examples of their past work or speak with client references. This is the best way for you to know if the bookkeeper is experienced. An experienced bookkeeper will take good care of your money. They can also spot problems early. Over time, they will help your business grow and do well.

Step 4: Prepare Interview Questions and Vetting Criteria

It is very important to know what to ask and what to look for when you want to hire a bookkeeper. You should think about the needs of your own business. Then, make sure you ask questions that fit what you need. This will help you get the right person for the job.

Effective interviewing tips:

Ask the person about the bookkeeping tasks they have done before, especially those that are important for your business.
Find out what credentials or certificates they have.
Ask how they handle deadlines when time is tight or how they fix problems with the numbers.

Be sure to ask the person for references. You should also ask them to show the work they did before. When you choose someone for bookkeeping, look at how reliable they be. Check if the work is right and if this person fits well in with your company. A good interview can help you get someone who will handle the money in the company and help with your business goals.

Step 5: Conduct Interviews and Test Skills

Interviewing candidates lets you see what they know. You get to hear how they talk to people. This helps you learn if they fit in with your company. Be sure to write down some questions. Ask about their job skills and how they get along with others.

During the interview:

Talk to them about the bookkeeping tasks the job needs. Ask how they will get this work done.
Ask for a fast demo or have them do a small test, so you can see their skills in action.
Check if they can make bookkeeping and money things easy for you to understand in clear and simple words.

As a business owner, you need to work with someone you trust. It is good to feel comfortable with the person you hire. A good bookkeeper should have the right skills for the job. The work must match what you want for your business. Testing real-world skills helps check if your new bookkeeper can do the job well for you and your business.

Step 6: Check References and Credentials

Before you pick the person for the job, the best thing to do is check their references and see if their credentials are true. You should talk to the person’s old employers or clients. This helps you know if the candidate is good at their work, if they can be trusted, and if they act in a professional way.

Key verification steps:

Make sure the bookkeeper has the right certificates. Check if they are a member of all needed groups.
Talk to their references. This will help you know how the bookkeeper pays attention to details and how they talk to people.
Check if the bookkeeper has worked straight through, with no breaks or strange gaps in their job history.

A good bookkeeper should have a strong work record. They must be able to show papers that prove what they can do. If you take time to check these things, it will help keep your business safe. It helps you choose someone you can trust and who can do the job well.

Step 7: Negotiate Terms and Onboard Your Bookkeeper

Finalizing who to hire means that you and the new worker talk about the job rules. This means you can talk about how much you, or they, get paid. There may also be talk about the hours they, or you, work and what information should be kept secret. If you give accounting software to your staff, make sure to say what you want when they use it. Everyone should know what is expected of them from the start.

Onboarding tips:

Make sure you have good records of your business work and how you get things done.
Let people know what you expect for how you talk to each other, when the work has to be finished, and how often you want reports.
Plan times to check in often so you can help with their questions and see how things are going.

A good onboarding process helps build a strong working relationship between you and your new bookkeeper. When you make duties and expectations clear from the start, it helps your bookkeeper take care of the money side of things. This gives you more time to grow your business.

Conclusion

In the end, getting a bookkeeper is a good step to help your small business run well and get bigger. When you know about the different bookkeeping choices and what your business needs, you can choose the one that fits right with your team. Good bookkeeping saves you time and lets you keep track of your money better. It helps you make smart choices for your small business growth. Check that who you want for the job has the right skills and practice. If you take the time for this, the business will do well, and you can focus on making your venture grow. If you want to use your money in a better way and help your small business grow, reach out to our team now!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it typically cost to hire a bookkeeper in the United States?

The price for bookkeeping services for a small business in the United States can be different based on who you hire and what you need done. A freelance bookkeeper may charge from $20 to $50 for one hour of work. Most bookkeeping firms give monthly packages, and these can range from $500 to $2,000. If you hire a full-time bookkeeper to work in your company, you will pay them $35,000 to $77,000 in a year, plus some extra benefits.

What qualifications and certifications should I look for when hiring a bookkeeper?

Look for credentials like Certified Bookkeeper (CB), QuickBooks ProAdvisor, or a degree in accounting or finance. A good and experienced bookkeeper will know how to use accounting software and be able to work with small business accounts. They need to have a good record for being accurate and dependable. This way, you can feel safe trusting them with your bookkeeping.

Should I hire a freelance bookkeeper, bookkeeping firm, or a full-time employee?

Pick a freelance bookkeeper if you want more flexibility. You can also save money this way. A bookkeeping firm has more expertise. The team there can help as your business gets bigger. If you need someone to be at your location all day, choose an in-house bookkeeper.

The bookkeeping services you pick should fit what you need for your small business. You have to think about the size of the business, how tough the work will be, and how much you want to spend.

What questions should I ask during the interview to ensure the right fit?

Ask them about their past work with bookkeeping services for small businesses. See if they know how to use accounting software well. Find out what they do if there is a mistake or something does not match up in the accounts. Ask how they make sure they do all their work on time.

You should ask the client for references. Check with them about how they keep your information safe. Ask how they discuss your needs with you. This helps you know if they are right for you.