How to Work with an Independent Bookkeeper
New to the world of outsourcing? You’re going to love it! Here are five ways to keep the relationship running smoothly.
- Implement smart procedures
We work by the hour, and we’re not looking to waste your time. Implementing procedures that eliminate us having to wonder or ask about transactions is a great way to maintain efficiency. For example, if deposits need to be split into different classifications, label the deposit slip as such.
- Do your homework
No one knows your business as well as you, so it’s inevitable we will have questions or need documentation at some point. If you are responsive in a timely manner, we can keep the work current. If you are slow to respond to our inquiries, your financial reporting may suffer.
- Make appointments
We live by schedules – meeting schedules, work schedules, tax schedules…. This is not because we are too busy, but rather because the nature of our business is servicing a group of clients that are all on rotating… you guessed it… schedules!
If you’d like to review financial specifics, it’s best if we schedule a meeting (or call) in advance. This gives us the opportunity to prepare data and to block out time on our calendar to focus solely on you.
- Embrace email
Ever felt like there weren’t enough hours in the day? As a business owner and mom of a preschooler, I can relate! Sometimes, it may be hard to connect with a client on the phone throughout the day, but what business owner isn’t guilty of sending/receiving emails in the evening?
That’s one reason I’m a huge fan of email. The other is for the documentation. It’s much easier to look back on emails for prior communications than to remember what was said, or review hand-written notes
- Be reasonable with timing requests
This one is more subjective because what defines reasonable? It really just means being up-front about your deadlines and expectations, and also being mindful of the time of year. January is a huge log jam of clients, whereas November & December are pretty casual… Basically, just don’t come to our office (or any good bookkeeper) mid-January expecting an entire year of bookkeeping turned around in three days, and you’ll be good.
