How to Hire a Bookkeeper?

What to Look for in a Bookkeeper?

When hiring a bookkeeper it is important to make sure they are the right bookkeeper for your company. If the bookkeeper you hire will be in charge of your books (rather than just fulfilling a specific bookkeeping function such A/R or A/P), then it is important that they have a thorough understanding of your business and your specific needs.

We recommend the following before hiring a bookkeeper:

• Talk to potential bookkeepers about your business and your needs. An experienced bookkeeper should be able to relate to the specific issues you are facing and should have ideas as to how to address them.
• Ask your potential bookkeeper what types of companies they have worked with. It is helpful to find a bookkeeper who has experience with companies similar to yours.
• Ask for references. If the bookkeeper you are interviewing has worked well for others, then it is likely that they will for you as well.
• Inquire about their hours. Many bookkeepers work part-time or from home. This is not usually a problem, but it is important to make sure your bookkeeper will be available when you need bookkeeping services.
• Ask about their rates. Qualified bookkeepers generally charge from $30 - $60 per hour. It is often worth paying more if your bookkeeper will be in charge of your books. A competent, efficient bookkeeper will charge you for less hours and will save you money and time in other ways. On the other hand, if your bookkeeper will be doing pure data entry, then you shouldn't pay much more than $30 per hour.

Need a Bookkeeper? Search Samarak's Directory of Bookkeepers and/or list the position on Samarak's Bookkeeping Jobs page.