A bookkeeper can be a vital asset to a business, but without both parties putting in a certain degree of commitment and effort, the relationship can become strained, and the business may not get the full value from their bookkeeper.
Whether you hire an in-house bookkeeper, or outsource to a third party provider, the rules of engagement are the same, and if you follow them, there’s no reason why your bookkeeper can’t be of benefit to your business.
With this in mind, here are some things you can do to ensure that you get the most value from the bookkeeping services you pay for:
- Determine what you need help with before hiring them
Do you need full-function bookkeeping, or help with payroll and reporting, for example. During the initial consultation with your chosen bookkeeper, be sure to ask plenty of questions to determine whether they will be the right fit for you and your business needs. if you have any doubts at this early stage, it’s best to err on the side of caution, and begin your search again.
- Establish roles and expectations early on
It’s imperative that right from the get-go, you establish with your chosen bookkeeping service, what their role is to be, and what you expect from them. They must also be given the opportunity to express any concerns or issues that they may have regarding their role and responsibilities. A letter of engagement is generally considered to be best practice, and this must be signed by both parties. If you’re not given one by your bookkeeper, don’t be afraid to ask them for one.
- Raise concerns or issues in a timely manner
Should you have any cause for concern related to your bookkeeper and the work you’ve hired them to do for you, it’s important to raise this with them as soon as possible. Doing so helps prevent certain problems from becoming the norm, or developing into much bigger problems that are difficult to tackle after weeks or months have passed.
The lines of communication between you and your bookkeeper should be as open as possible, at all times; after all, if they’re responsible for causing a problem, it will never get solved if they’re not made aware of it early on.
- Follow procedures as directed by your bookkeeper
Such things as managing paperwork and giving it to the bookkeeper by a certain date, is just one of several processes you may be asked to comply with, and it’s vital that you follow these to the letter. If you don’t, your bookkeeper won’t be able to complete their work, and your business will suffer. It’s also important that you respond promptly to your bookkeeper if they ask for further information from you, since any delay in this will also impede their work, and ultimately, your business.
Many companies choose payroll services in Surrey to help them keep on top of their bookkeeping workload, and provided they take steps to work with their bookkeeper, and not against them, the relationship is usually a fruitful and highly valuable one.