Outsource With Confidence: Finding the Right Bookkeeping Partner

Bookkeeping is the backbone of any business, making it an essential aspect that needs your attention. However, ensuring every transaction is properly recorded, and every penny accounted for is time-consuming. So, how do you maintain accurate, up-to-date books without sacrificing your business's day-to-day operations? By outsourcing your bookkeeping needs!

Here, we offer guidance on outsourcing your bookkeeping needs so you can confidently find the right partner.

Step 1: Know Your Needs

Are you looking for a bookkeeping partner to help you with daily transaction recording? Tax preparation? Payroll processing? All of the above and more? Before you can find affordable bookkeeping solutions, you must have a firm grasp of your needs.

Determining the scope of the bookkeeping services your business requires will help you quickly narrow down your search once you get started.

Step 2: Research

Now that you know the bookkeeping services you require, you can start looking for reputable companies to partner with. In addition to ensuring potential candidates offer the breadth of services you need, sift through their reviews to ensure they have a proven track record of professionalism, accuracy, and reliability.

Step 3: Evaluate Their Process

Have a list of bookkeeper options? It's time to take a closer look at how they operate. Do they allow you to book a discovery call to discuss your needs? Can they put together a detailed quote for you? If you decide to work with them, are your books readily accessible anytime? These are all critical questions to answer before selecting the right bookkeeping partner for your business needs.

Step 4: Select Your Partner & Communicate Expectations

Once you've selected the partner who is the best fit for your needs, business, and industry, the first thing you should do is communicate your expectations. Make sure you're on the same page about:

• Services
• Timelines
• Reporting formats
• Extra costs
• Preferred method of contact

And any other area that will help ensure a smooth collaborative process. Establishing these open lines of communication early on will help build trust and transparency.

Step 5: Re-evaluate & Monitor

Remember that your bookkeeper is working for you. If they aren't meeting your expectations or delivering the services they said they would, it's time to find another.

All too often, small businesses hand over their books and don't think about them again. While you typically aren't needed to be heavily involved in the day-to-day, you should have an understanding of all that your bookkeeper is working on. Don't be left in the dark! Regularly review financial reports and address any discrepancies as soon as they arise.

If you're finding that the working relationship isn't panning out, it's time to restart the search.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Your Bookkeeping

By hiring a freelance bookkeeper or teaming up with an accounting firm that specializes in business bookkeeping, you:

• Help ensure tax compliance
• Have a solution that can scale as your business grows
• Streamline bookkeeping processes while reducing the risk of error
• Save money in the long run, as you don't pay for expensive accounting software or an in-house salary

And you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're working with a bookkeeping expert.

Outsource Your Bookkeeping Needs to STG Accounting

STG Accounting has you covered from straightforward bookkeeping to tax prep and planning or even 1099 assistance. Our full suite of financial services for small businesses helps you stay compliant when it comes time to file your taxes. Plus, it'll free up your time so you can focus more on the business and less on the books. Request a quote to get started today!