Where to Find Bookkeeping Services for Your Small Business

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When it’s time to outsource your bookkeeping, how do you find the right company for the job? As with searching for any other professional, there are no shortcuts:

Network

Your network is a great place to start. Ask people you trust who does their bookkeeping.

If you already have relationships with CPAs, business lawyers or tax advisors, ask them to recommend bookkeepers.

Most likely, someone in your circle will have suggestions, at least for who to call to begin honing in on what you want.

Look Online

Do an online search for bookkeeping and accounting services for small businesses and see if any nearby companies come up.

Thanks to technology, the bookkeeping company you ultimately choose does not HAVE to be local. In fact, you may find better pricing from an accounting company outside your area. However, if you do feel it’s important to have a partner in your backyard, search online to see what bookkeeping companies are based in your city or town.

Most importantly, check to make sure they are legitimate:

  1. Check their credentials and if they list any clients you know.
  2. See if you can find reviews for their services.
  3. Look them up on your accounting software’s directory of bookkeepers certified in the software.
  4. Consult professional bookkeeping trade groups, accounting blogs or industry forums to see if they are listed.

Make Connections

When you find one or two bookkeeping services you want to explore, call and talk to them. Discuss their bookkeeping philosophy, whether they offer the services you need, and whether their rates are reasonable. Companies like BookWerksTM offer a flat-fee monthly subscription so there are no surprises at the end of the month.

During your conversation, you will be able to tell whether they understand the needs of a company like yours, can put financial information into plain English, and will be good partners for your business.

Ask Questions

You might want to know:

  • Are they a “virtual” firm with low overhead, or in a downtown office tower with marble floors and paneled walls that you’d be paying for?
  • How their pricing works—look for companies like BookWerksTMthat offer friendly Midwest monthly subscription pricing
  • How pricing changes with client growth
  • What kind of support they provide
  • How quickly, as a matter of policy, they return calls or emails from clients
  • The services that might be included in your package
  • The length of commitment you will be making

We can help you understand more about what an outside bookkeeper does. Contact us any time to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.