Finding the Perfect Bookkeeping Service for Your Small Business
Thinking of hiring a bookkeeping service for your company? That’s a smart idea! You’ll save time and money vs. doing the books in-house if you choose one of the more affordable bookkeeping companies in Cincinnati like BookWerksTM.
How?
- Independent bookkeeping firms like BookWerksTM are more efficient and accurate than most internal bookkeepers, who often have to wear many hats, or aren’t fully trained in bookkeeping.
- We are more likely to find errors—sooner—so you don’t find yourself facing an audit or another unpleasant financial disruption.
- You will get your reports on time to help you make informed decisions about your business.
- You’ll be freed from worrying about financial recordkeeping, which will give you more time to take care of customers, and yourself!
- We’ll reduce tax-time stress with reports ready to hand over to your tax professional in plenty of time every year.
In addition to having your recordkeeping handled, you’ll have a partner you can rely on for any financial concerns. When you grow, we grow, so it is in our best interest to help you however we can.
How to evaluate local bookkeeping companies
When comparing Cincinnati virtual bookkeeping services, consider these factors:
- Experience and Expertise:
- Ensure the bookkeeping service has experience working with businesses in your industry, preferably with companies the size of yours. We have offered bookkeeping at BookWerksTM since 2014.
- Range of Services:
- Confirm that the service offers the specific bookkeeping tasks you need, such as tracking expenses, handling accounts payable and receivable, financial reporting and bank reconciliations.
- Determine if they can scale up or down as your business needs change.
- Technology and Software:
- Check if they use up-to-date and widely-recognized accounting software compatible with your systems (e.g. Xero or QuickBooks).
- Ensure they can provide digital and cloud-based services for easy access and collaboration 24/7.
- Cost and Pricing Structure:
- Understand their pricing model (hourly rates, flat fees, monthly packages) and ensure it fits within your budget. At BookWerksTM, we use a flat fee based on the complexity of your business; that way, there are never any surprises at the end of the month.
- Compare costs to confirm you’re getting competitive rates.
- Reputation and References:
- Read reviews, testimonials and case studies from the company’s other small business clients.
- Ask for references and speak to current or former clients to gauge their level of satisfaction.
- Communication and Responsiveness:
- Ask if they offer clear, regular communication and are responsive to questions during business hours.
- Verify their availability and preferred communication methods. If you are in the Greater Cincinnati area, we are available 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday (Eastern Time).
- Customization and Personalization:
- Ask if they can tailor their services to meet unique business needs and processes, for example, for franchises if you own a franchise.
- Look for a provider willing to understand your operations and provide personalized support.
Of course, you also want people with whom you will “gel.” Most of all, before you choose amongst the best bookkeeping companies in Cincinnati, it’s a good idea to connect with a few different agencies (before you make a commitment) to ensure you feel comfortable with them.