Turning the Page to Business Success: Bookkeeping Resources

Using a bookkeeper is a smart step for your business – not only does it take a massive amount of stress out of your financial future, it also ensures you’re always in compliance in case of a surprise audit. With a bookkeeper on your corporate “team,” you’ll be able to make financially sound decisions when it comes to investments, sales, stock, and even ongoing costs like real estate for storefronts.

So what do you need to have on hand to start working with a bookkeeper? Believe it or not, the most important resources are actually intangible ones.

Honesty – Your bookkeeper can’t give you trustworthy reports and numbers if you give them undervalued or overstated data on your business dealings. Be ready and willing to provide your new bookkeeper with true and accurate financial statements, product costs, and unforeseen expenses and avoid the “garbage in, garbage out” conundrum so common in business spending plans.

Time – Can certain skilled bookkeepers work well under pressure and facing a tight deadline? Of course, but that doesn’t mean that should be put to the test. Balancing books is a lot like getting surgery or getting a tattoo – it’s wise to find a professional and set aside both adequate funds and time to achieve the best results. Even the most talented bookkeepers need time and space to work their numerical magic, after all.

Consistency – Simply put, the business owner that hands over a complete folder of receipts and expenses is going to get faster and more thorough reports than a peer that turns over a box of crumpled receipts. Deliver information, statements, receipts, and other pertinent financial information in a consistent, easily-readable format. Better yet, make sure everything is scanned and make digital backups that can be stored and referenced as needed.

Trust – Your bookkeeper knows the financial ins and outs of your industry, even if he or she is new to dealing with it. Listen to their advice in the form of reports and balance sheets – if it doesn’t look like you have enough stable income to expand or upgrade a portion of your business, don’t do it! Remember, your bookkeeper will instantly be able to tell from your receipts if you’ve made a bad business move, and if you’ve made decisions against their express caution.

If they don’t feel like you’re paying attention to their findings or treating them as a stopgap measure to just barely meet regulatory restrictions, you’re less likely to get inspired or actionable insights beyond the strict numbers on the page.

If you want to take your business to the next level, here are some powerful partners that are ready to make it happen. When you team up with these companies and work with a professional bookkeeper, the sky’s the limit for success and profit!