How to find an excellent bookkeeper.
Finding a good bookkeeper can make a huge difference for your business or personal finances. Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you find the right one:
1. Know What You Need
Figure out what kind of bookkeeping help you’re looking for:
Just data entry? Or also help with invoicing, payroll, taxes?
Do you need bookkeeping weekly, monthly, or just quarterly?
Are you using QuickBooks, Xero, or another platform?
2. Where to Look
Here are some solid places to start looking for your bookkeeper:
Referrals: Ask other business owners, your accountant, or even your network.
Online platforms:
3. Check bookkeeping Credentials and Experience
Look for:
Certifications: Certified Bookkeeper (CB), QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Xero Certification, etc.
Experience in your industry (e.g., e-commerce, construction, freelancers).
Comfort with your preferred bookkeeping software.
4. Interview Them
Ask about:
How they organize bookkeeping related records
How they handle late payments or financial discrepancies
Their bookkeeping experience with your type of business or taxes
How they communicate and share documents related to bookkeeping.
5. Security and Trust
They’ll handle sensitive data, so make sure they:
Have strong bookkeeping data protection policies
Use secure file sharing (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)
Are willing to sign NDAs if needed
6. Pricing
Get clarity on:
Hourly vs flat-rate pricing
What’s included in the rate
How/when they bill for their bookkeeping
Bonus Tips
Start with a small trial period.
Keep communication regular and expectations clear.
Use tools like Slack, Google Sheets, or Notion for smoother collaboration.