Are you going to hire a bookkeeper for the first time, or you’re willing to replace the existing one properly this time? You need to follow a series of steps in either situation before and during the hiring process. And if you’re looking for some cost-efficiency too, the best option for you is to hire a remote bookkeeper.

Now, to ensure that you don’t regret your decision in the future, there are certain things you need to verify. Usually, any product or service that we purchase is according to our requirements, product/service quality, and budget. When you hire a remote bookkeeper, you follow the same procedure and understand the business needs you’re willing to engage with.

So, let’s understand the ideal process to go about hiring a remote bookkeeper:

1. Your Business Requirements

Before you start the process, define the job description you will provide. Usually, bookkeeping services include the following:

• Maintaining charts of accounts and ledgers
• Bank reconciliation
• Cash flow management
• Financial analysis
• Reporting

It is better to note down what you require from your bookkeeper. Also, it would help if you decided on the working hours and duration of the job.

2. Educational Qualifications

To be a bookkeeper, the primary educational qualifications of any individual have to be that they are a graduate in the field of commerce. Bookkeeping is the most basic accounting job with bare minimum academic qualifications, so finding this in an individual is usually not a problem.

3. Experience as a Bookkeeper

We all prefer to hire someone with some experience and knowledge in the accounting subject. When you hire an accountant or a bookkeeper from a certified accounting company, it is much easier to get plenty of experience with good expertise in this area.

4. Technical Skills & Experience

We all use some or the other technical support in order to complete our work timely and efficiently. Your hired staff must have the technical knowledge of using a bookkeeping software. In case, if you need to change your software, your bookkeeper should be able to adapt to that change. Hiring a company here can be incredibly beneficial, as they can work on any software.

5. Communication Skills

Are you wondering why do you need to look for communication skills to hire a virtual bookkeeper? You don’t see the skills you look for in a salesperson here. It is best if they can do the following:

• Work with the rest of your team
• Build healthy professional relations with you and your company
• Present their work in a way one can understand easily
• Ask you relevant questions about your business to understand what he needs to do

6. Attitude

To hire any service provider, you need to understand their attitude. Whether you interview them in person or virtually, try to understand their background, requirements, ambitions, and dedication.

Do you think he’s interested in getting the money for lesser work or is passionate about working? It creates a significant impact on the quality of work you get from that individual.

7. Efficiency

The efficiency of bookkeepers lies in their organizational skills to a great extent. He should be able to define how he’ll proceed with the work based on his weekly, monthly, and yearly targets. In the end, quality doesn’t only lie in hard work; it lies in smart work also.

8. Flexibility

When you hire a remote bookkeeper, you need to also look for flexibility in their working hours, way of communication, and even working.

It’s wiser to hire a bookkeeper who is willing to communicate on call, text or email – whatever is feasible to you, at least during reasonable working hours. In addition, he should be able to adapt to an increase in pressure and changes in the work environment.

9. Trustworthiness

This factor is of utmost importance, and it’s not just because you’re paying for it. It is because you are handing over confidential data to that individual. It’s all of your financial data, which includes your:

• Costs
• Revenues
• Profits and losses
• Assets and liabilities
• Inventories
• Channels of income
• Capital

In such a situation, hiring a company is always easier. Since they are established, you can cross-check their goodwill in the market, learn their policies, and proceed legally.

10. Your Budget

Once you know what qualities you’re looking for, it’s time to come to money. When you set your budget to pay the individual or company, you need to consider the following:

• Your current financial position
• Experience, qualifications, and skills you require
• The job description you provide
• The scale of work your business has
• Current market rates based on education and experience

For obvious reasons, market rates will be separate for individuals and companies providing remote bookkeeping services. If you’re a growing business, your scale of work is bound to increase with time. In such a situation, it is wise to look for a company that can give you an entire team if you want. It can be easy to find them as per your budget.

In the end, you’ll be paying the amount you’re able to afford. However, it is more important to know that your money for any service is worth it.

Your Final Decision

If you genuinely want the best for yourself, it is essential to keep an open mind when looking for vital services for your business. Hiring a company also ensures a more permanent bond. You won’t have to take the pain to hire a bookkeeper again if you hire a well-established company for it.

So, if you are looking for a recognized and experienced accounting firm to hire a remote bookkeeper for your work, choose CapActix.  We can help you understand and implement effective solutions for your growing business.