Do I Need a Bookkeeper for my Small Business?

As a small business owner, you wear many hats. You're responsible for sales, marketing, product development, customer service, and more. So it's no surprise that bookkeeping can often fall by the wayside. But keeping accurate financial records is crucial to the success of your business. This is where a bookkeeper comes in.

This guide will explain what a bookkeeper does for small businesses and the importance of hiring one. We'll also provide tips on how to find the best bookkeeper for your business!

What is a Bookkeeper?

A bookkeeper is responsible for maintaining financial records and ensuring that all transactions are properly documented. This includes tracking income and expenses, preparing invoices, issuing payments, and reconciling bank statements. A bookkeeper can also help you develop a budget and track your progress against it. While you may be able to keep your own books, there are several benefits to hiring a bookkeeper.

What are the Benefits of Hiring a Bookkeeper?

Many business owners handle their own bookkeeping, but there are several benefits to hiring a professional bookkeeper. Let's dive into the top benefits of hiring a bookkeeper for your small business: 

Save Time to Focus on Running Your Business

First of all, a bookkeeper can save you time by keeping track of your finances for you. This frees up your time to focus on other aspects of your business growth. In addition, they can help you to stay organized and avoid missing important deadlines, especially around tax season. 

Get Expert Advice on Your Business Financials 

Bookkeepers can provide valuable insights into your financial status and help you to make more informed decisions about your business. They can provide you with the advice and guidance you need to stay on top of your finances by helping you set up a system for tracking income and expenses. Bookkeepers can also offer advice on financial planning and budgeting, which can provide valuable insights into your financial data, allowing you to make better-informed decisions about your business.

They Take the Stress out of Tax Preparation

As a small business owner, you know that tax season can be a stressful time. From ensuring that all your paperwork is in order to calculating the taxes you might owe, there's a lot to keep track of. Having accurate financial records is essential for tax preparation and compliance. This is where a small business bookkeeper can help.

They will work with you to maintain accurate financial records throughout the year. This will include keeping track of your income and expenses and any other transactions that could impact your taxes. Come tax season, your bookkeeper will be able to provide you with the information you or your accountant needs to file your return accurately and on time. As a result, you'll be able to relax and focus on running your business, knowing that your taxes are in good hands.

Help You Obtain Business Financing

A small business bookkeeper can be a valuable asset when it comes to obtaining financing for your business. Bookkeepers can help you create financial statements, such as profit and loss statements and balance sheets, which will give lenders a clear picture of your business's financial health. In addition, bookkeepers can offer advice on improving your financial management to make your business more attractive to potential lenders. They can also help you manage your finances so that you stay within your budget and avoid defaulting on your loan. If you are a small business owner seeking financing, it is worth considering hiring a small business bookkeeper.

Does my Small Business Need a Bookkeeper?

Most small business owners do not have the time or resources to handle all of their accounting tasks on their own, which is why hiring a bookkeeper can be such a valuable investment.

Here are some signs that it might be time for your business to hire a bookkeeper:

• You're consistently behind on invoicing and tracking payments.
• You don't have a good handle on your business's financial situation.
• You're spending more time on bookkeeping than you'd like, and it's impacting other areas of your business.
• You're unsure how to file taxes or organize your financial records.

If any of these sound familiar, then it might be time to consider hiring a bookkeeper for your small business. They can save you time and headaches by taking care of all the financial details of your business, so you can focus on growing your business.

Tips for Hiring a Small Business Bookkeeper

When it comes to hiring a small business bookkeeper, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are six tips to help you find the right person or company for the job:

1. Make sure they have experience with small businesses. Bookkeeping for a small business is different than bookkeeping for a large corporation. You need someone who understands the unique needs of small businesses.
2. Ask for recommendations. If you know anyone who has hired a small business bookkeeper before, ask for their recommendations. They can provide insights into the quality of work and customer service they received. And they may even have a few names of bookkeepers they would recommend you avoid.
3. Determine what services you need. Before you begin your search, take some time to consider what services you need from a bookkeeper. Do you need someone to handle your finances on a daily basis or just prepare your taxes each year? Do you need someone with experience in small businesses like yours? Knowing what services you need will help you narrow down your options and find the right fit for your business.
4. Find out what accounting software they are familiar with. Most small businesses use accounting software like QuickBooks or Freshbooks. Make sure the bookkeeper you hire is familiar with the software you use.
5. Get a written estimate. A good bookkeeper will be able to provide you with a written estimate of their fees before starting work. This will help you budget for their services.
6. Ask about their availability. Some bookkeepers only work during business hours, while others may be available for after-hours or weekend emergencies. Find out what their availability is so you can plan accordingly.

Following these tips will help improve your chances of finding a qualified small business bookkeeper who can provide the services you need at a price you're comfortable with.

Ready to Find a Bookkeeper for Your Small Business?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and like you can’t keep up with the growth of your business, it might be time to hire a bookkeeper. This doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment; you could just hire them to help you get caught up on your books. Bench and xendoo can connect you with their great team of bookkeepers, who will be able to take care of everything for you so that you can focus on what you do best – running your business!