Top 5 Tips on Choosing a Bookkeeping Service in Atlanta

Great business owners aren’t necessarily great at everything having to do with their business, including keeping track of financial information. Your Atlanta business is in one of the most vibrant areas in the country, and you can’t afford to take chances with your profits by trying to do the bookkeeping yourself. Unless you’ve got professional training in the subject, it’s smart to use bookkeeping services Atlanta for payroll, accounts receivables and payables, and tax accounting. Once you’ve made the decision to hire a bookkeeping service, how do you know which ones are the best for you? Some basic questions will identify the right service for you and your business.

Are They Qualified?

Anyone with a computer and QuickBooks can announce themselves as a bookkeeper, but those who will provide professional services have education and years of experience in bookkeeping and accounting to backup their name. How long has the Atlanta bookkeeper you are considering been doing bookkeeping? Do they have any accreditations or certifications in bookkeeping? Do they take continuing education classes to keep themselves abreast of the latest innovations and developments in bookkeeping and technology? The right bookkeeper for your business knows about professional record keeping and the laws pertaining to business finance, and makes a point of keeping up to date in these subjects. Unless the Atlanta bookkeeper you are consider can prove these qualifications, they may not be right for your business.

Do They Have Experience?

There’s nothing wrong with allowing young people to work with your books, as long as they have an experienced supervisor to oversee their work. When you choose a firm to work with your company, look at the combined experience of all the partners. If it’s a single person, check out their years of experience. Have they been doing business bookkeeping for many years or are they primarily a tax accountant? Find someone who has performed the services you need for a number of years.

Are They Reliable?

Look for businesses that are solid and secure. The bookkeeper who works out of his/her trunk and comes into your office once a week may be a bargain, but there’s nothing to keep him/her from taking off when better horizons beckon, leaving you with tax and payroll problems to deal with. There are no guarantees in any business, but you’re more likely to find security with a business that’s been in the same building for a number of years, and that has a good name in the community.

Do They Have Backup?

All bookkeeping teams have second string teams during the month of April, but does yours keep a backup system throughout the year? Are your records kept in the cloud and offsite as well as in their main computers? Are there freelancers who can step in in case of a flu epidemic or other personnel emergency? Make sure they’ll be there working for you, no matter what.

Are They Trustworthy?

Of course you have to trust the person dealing with your business’s finances, because you can’t follow them around every day to make sure they’re doing the right thing. The best way to make sure your potential bookkeeper is trustworthy is to speak with his other clients, past and present. Any legitimate business should be proud to share the names of some customers who will vouch for them, people who can tell you about their experiences with the bookkeeping company. If they have no one in your community who is willing to go on record as saying good things about this company, or if you find previous clients who give them a poor rating, look elsewhere for your business. No matter the price, you can’t afford to allow untrustworthy strangers into your business books and payroll accounts.

Post Excerpt

Great business owners aren’t necessarily great at everything having to do with their business, including keeping track of financial information. Unless you’ve got professional training in the subject, it’s smart to use bookkeeping services Atlanta for payroll, accounts receivables and payables, and tax accounting.