Open-ended questions and icebreakers are great ways to start a conversation with an applicant. But you have to determine the applicant’s skill level and proficiency with bookkeeping tasks. Evaluate the candidate’s proficiency in accounting software, such as QuickBooks, Xero, or other relevant platforms. Check their knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other software tools commonly used in bookkeeping. The annual salary of a full-time bookkeeper, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), averaged about $45,000 in 2022. According to BLS data, bookkeeper salaries range from as low as about $30,000 to over $65,000.

• Robert Half can help the people we place securely access necessary data and applications, including virtual desktops.
• Also, some remote bookkeeping services are able to automatically import your financial information—transactions from bank and credit accounts, for instance.
• If you’re hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for bookkeepers in the US typically range between $14 and $25 an hour.
• Hiring a bookkeeper will allow you to become more organized with your cash flow statements to get a better view of your financial situation.
• Taking advantage of virtual bookkeeping services can make the process more streamlined and easier to access paperwork and other statements online, rather than having to meet in person.

A professional bookkeeper ensures accurate financial records, timely tax filing, and allows you to focus on core activities. Consider hiring one as your business grows or when handling finances becomes overwhelming. To hire a bookkeeper, start by outlining your business needs and preferred qualifications. Post the job on reputable platforms like Indeed or LinkedIn, emphasizing skills in accounting software and attention to detail. Conduct thorough interviews to assess their experience and compatibility with your company. Consider candidates with certifications like CPA or relevant degrees.

How To Hire a Bookkeeper

Although these are fairly wide ranges, they can be narrowed down based on your industry, the experience of the bookkeeper, the nuances of your business, and your company location. For example, if you run a restaurant where employees routinely have tips, minimum wage is frequently an issue. You’ll likely want a bookkeeper that’s worked in the same industry. So, make sure your job description is clear about the job history and experience you need. While bookkeepers have no licensing requirements like a CPA, voluntary organizations can certify applicants.

• Another alternative to hiring a bookkeeper is to work with a property management company.
• Efficient time management contributes to the overall effectiveness of virtual bookkeeping services.
• Learn how accounting reports drive your business’s success, from setting up your monthly accounting cycle to annual reviews.
• Don’t sacrifice quality, be diligent in your vetting, and find the right bookkeeper for your company so you can keep growing your business.

A good firm will have many qualified employees, ensuring someone is available to help whenever needed. However, if your organization has complex bookkeeping needs, a freelance bookkeeper may not always be available when you need them, so hiring a firm might be a better choice. Though they should be analytically minded, a good bookkeeper also has the soft skills to communicate effectively with other employees, vendors, and clients. This guide explores how hiring a bookkeeper can benefit your business and the steps you can take to ensure you hire the right person. The background check performed on an employee must be related to the duties of the job. For a receptionist, for example, you could run a simple seven-year criminal background check.

signs it’s time to hire a bookkeeper

Hiring an accountant will provide business insights based on bookkeeping information. A good bookkeeper keeps your books clean and makes it easy for you to review and query the entries. Do your due diligence and ask for reference checks from accountants who have worked with your bookkeeping candidates. The first thing to decide is whether you need to hire a bookkeeper full time or engage someone on a temporary or temporary-to-hire basis.

Is a bookkeeper cheaper than an accountant?

If you’re hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for bookkeepers in the US typically range between $14 and $25 an hour. Trusting the financial details of your business with anyone is a big step. Whoever you hire needs to be trusted with the everyday details of your business finances. It’s often the case that your bookkeeper will be the constant accounting contact for your business. They’ll be best placed to answer questions about where the money is coming from, and where it’s going. They can take away the day-to-day recording of receipts, invoices and other transactions.

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You can also consider working with staffing agencies specializing in accounting and finance roles. From managing payroll to reconciling bank statements and handling accounts payable and receivable, a skilled bookkeeper ensures your financial records are in good shape. During the interview, feel free to put candidates’ skills to the test. Assess their technical abilities, problem-solving skills, and compatibility with your team and company values. You should also include questions to verify their familiarity with bookkeeping principles and regulations and their experience with relevant software.

You’ll likely have different questions for a bookkeeping firm than you’d ask a freelancer, with hiring a full-time employee requiring the most careful interview process. Juvy is a highly experienced HR and payroll software writer with over 12 years of dedicated expertise. She has a deep passion for technology and a keen understanding of the HR and payroll industry. Throughout her career, she has diligently stayed up-to-date with the latest advancements in HR and payroll software, constantly exploring new features, trends, and emerging technologies.

The number of accounts you’ll be tracking—and the frequency of transactions—may affect this. If you’re racing to get your books prepared for tax season and you feel generally behind on your finding out how much you owe the irs for unpaid taxes taxes, you may want to hire a bookkeeper to handle that for you. If you don’t have your books clean and your financial records organized, you’ll have a harder time filing your taxes.

Firm of the Future

They can share that information using cloud-based accounting software. That means they can access your financials securely online, from anywhere. It lets them share reports about the financial status of your business. Of course, depending on what kind of bookkeeper you’re looking to hire, interviews will look different.

In fact a good bookkeeper is your partner in keeping things running smoothly within your business. As you review applications, focus on the candidates’ experience, certifications, and education in accounting or bookkeeping. Again, though certification is not required to work as a bookkeeper, you may want to include a preference for certified candidates in the job description. Depending on your business’s bookkeeping needs, you may not need to hire a bookkeeper full-time. Smaller companies generally won’t have enough work to employ a bookkeeper full-time, so consider other hiring options.