Bookkeepers – What They Do, How They Help and How to Find Them
People employed to perform most accounting functions are called bookkeepers. These trained professionals record financial transactions, and are an important part of any business. They may work on-staff or for outside accounting bookkeeping services.
Bookkeeping involves preparing source documents for all transactions, operations and other business events. These include purchases, sales, receipts and payments.
How Cincinnati bookkeeping companies operate
Bookkeepers use several standard methods of tracking the transfer of money, including the single-entry and double-entry systems.
They record sales, purchases, receipts and payments, and enter both cash and credit transactions into the appropriate daybook (petty cash, suppliers, customers, etc.) —along with the general ledger. These operations happen automatically at BookWerksTM, where we use cloud-based accounting software that links client bank accounts, credit cards and loan accounts to our system.
Additionally, professional bookkeeping firms like BookWerksTM create financial reports, such as income statements and balance sheets, from the information recorded. These reports help business owners and franchises make informed decisions, and simplify the paying of taxes.
How to find a good bookkeeper
If you live in a decent-sized town, it should be easy to find firms that offer outsourced bookkeeping. But just because a company name pops up when you search “bookkeepers near me” doesn’t mean the company will suit your needs. It pays to look closely at two or three options.
For example, if you own a franchise, you will want a firm that knows the special needs of franchise bookkeeping.
Questions to ask when searching for bookkeeping services in Cincinnati
- Have you worked with companies in my industry?
- Do you have clients whose businesses are similar in size to mine?
- Do you charge a flat monthly fee (BookWerks™ does) or by the hour (considered outdated)?
- How do you adapt as a client adds vendors, sites and customers?
- What software do you use? Why did you pick that platform?
- Have you helped both startups and growing business?
Other good practices include asking for references and comparing fees.
Even if a company has a great reputation, it makes sense to meet the people you will be dealing with (at least via teleconference) before you make a decision.
What can the pros at BookWerks™ do for you?
We provide affordable outsourced bookkeeping to a wide range of entrepreneurs and small businesses, using cloud-based SaaS technologies that allow us to:
- Electronically scan, digitally read and categorize invoices
- Link directly with your POS systems, payroll, credit card and bank accounts—eliminating the need to manually enter data
Each client is assigned an Accounting Manager who reconciles your accounts throughout the month, providing a robust income statement and balance sheet within days, and answers to any questions you have at any time.
With BookWerks™, you can feel confident your financial records are being kept correctly. This takes a worry off your plate and frees up time to focus on core business activities.