Having your own business can be freeing, energizing and tiring. Finding a virtual bookkeeping assistant can be all these things and more. Finding the right one for your business can be tricky, but with the right questions you can have the right person working for you in no time. Here are some basic questions to ask the potential employee before hiring.
Experience
You probably already know you don't want to hire someone with no experience or very little education. What you want to focus on is someone with a specific background in your industry and the certifications and resume combination to prove it. For example, if you own a furniture rent-to-own store, then you want someone with experience in furniture retail as well as collections of that furniture. You will need someone who can handle weekly and monthly rates and multiple accounts at once with different payment plans and different interest rates. Someone with a general experience could handle it, but someone with specific experience can focus on accounts and help maintain them on a larger scale.
Software Available
You may be able to find an accountant or bookkeeper with experience, but that doesn't mean they are using the right software or updated software. You already know what type of software you need and want to use so ask if they use that. If they say no, ask what type of software they are using. This will help you identify if they are capable of handling the accounts you currently have and if they have a fully functioning office to assist you virtually. Some may ask that you provide this software. Keep in mind this may require special licensing or access codes from the accounting software provider in order to have someone out of the office access your databases.
Work Limitations
One question you may overlook when hiring a virtual bookkeeper assistant are their work limitations. Some virtual professionals have issues with working certain hours a day or a week. Other workers may not be able to call clients about accounts or account payment issues due to noise in the home. You need to know these things in order to ensure the person you choose will be able to do all the tasks you need from a bookkeeper during the hours you need them. Though this may exclude many applicants, you will still need to keep the limitations in mind for your own knowledge.
Doing an interview with a potential employee can be a daunting proposition, but finding the right person to work for you in the capacity of a virtual bookkeeper assistant or accountants is of utmost importance because they will be handling your accounts, payable and receivable. The right questions asked to the applicants will have you choosing the right person to work for you in no time. The relief of hiring the right person for the job is a joy itself.
Share25 January 2016
Hi, everyone. Nancy here. I am currently studying for my degree in mathematics. As part of the “maths in the workplace” component of my degree, I am doing an internship with an auditing firm. Of course, getting to apply maths in a practical setting has been an absolute joy, but there have been a number of frustrations too. It has been a real eye-opener to see how many businesses have a haphazard approach to accounting and book-keeping. One of the jobs the auditing firm undertakes is to recommend improved accounting practices. A number of businesses which have hired professional accountants since the last audit have definitely thrived! I hope this blog captures the beauty of applying mathematical principles to business and using tried and true accounting methods. I trust my entries add up properly to give you an equal share of information and inspiration. Thank you.