Running your own business in Atlanta may very well be a dream come true. As a result, you may be brimming with ideas of how to make the most of the experience, both in terms of profits and personal satisfaction. But whether you are just starting out, or have already found your stride, the budget will always be one of your top concerns. As a small business owner, budgeting might not always be your strong suit — even if you are good in math. While hiring a bookkeeper might seem like an extra expense, in the long run it is an investment worth pursuing in order to keep your business on track, avoid excessive debt, and keep the money for different areas of your business, such as hiring new employees, setting aside money to pay taxes, and planning new growth allocated in the appropriate proportions. But it’s not enough to have a bookkeeper on your staff. You need to hire the right one. Here are a few things that you should keep at the top of your priority list
1. Don’t Underestimate Experience and Credentials
When looking for an Atlanta accountant to help with your business’ accounting, it is natural to first search based on price…and let’s be honest, the least expensive option. While networking and creating these connections are fine, they should stop right there, and remain business connections.
It is important to choose an accounting firm in Atlanta with experience, credentials and business maturity. SoundBusiness Services, Inc. started in 2006 as a small business run out of the owner’s home with a mission to help small businesses and other organizations to get in and stay in control of their finances. SBS offered the convenience of being able to offer their services remotely, and still does. The business grew and SBS started to bring on more professional bookkeepers, and moved into an office in Vinings, GA.
SBS has become highly respected among Atlanta Accounting Firms, and has received high praise from clients and other industry professionals as well. Getting bookkeeping under control is the first step toward getting a proper financial grip on your small business, and since small businesses, especially start ups can be very vulnerable it is important to go beyond working with someone who is “good at math” and work with Certified Public Bookkeepers who are known for their integrity and professionalism.
2. Finding a Flexible CPA in Atlanta
One of the exciting things about running a small business is that anything can happen. Although you are sure to find an excellent Atlanta Accountant at SBS, it doesn’t mean that your own company needs to be located in Atlanta, or even in Georgia. Sound Business Services primarily uses QuickBooks in order to manage the finances of its clients, but can also work with other software systems as well when necessary. They handle most of their business via phone, email, and internet, so they can take on clients from all over, and they go out of their way to work with you to make your accounting experience easy as pie.
For those who are located in Atlanta there is the option to meet their trained staff in person in order to get the best possible understanding of your bookkeeping needs.
3. The Ability to Start From Anywhere
Since small business make the decision to look for accounting firms in Atlanta at varying stages of their business, it is important that they examine accounting firms in Atlanta that can jump in at whatever stage the business happens to be in. Sound Business Services has the ability to come in and help a business build a strong financial foundation as they first start out. They can also jump in on a challenge where there may have been bookkeeping mistakes in the past, and do “damage control” in order to get the business up to financial speed by examining bank statements and other documents. Lastly, they can take over an established set of books and keep them well-maintained while looking for ways to enhanced existing systems.
4. Honest, Clear, and Fair Pricing
When you’re trying to figure out the best way to budget for your business, you need to have a clear idea of what your expenses are, including the charges you get from Atlanta accounting firms. SBS keeps their rates affordable and has a comprehensive listing of their most popular plans and pricing based on the number of accounts and transactions your business has, your invoicing needs, and bill pay and tracking. When multiple services are needed, they can come up with packaged pricing and give you a quote based on your specific needs.