Choosing to outsource your bookkeeping is a great choice, but you need to pick the right service to get maximum benefits. How do you make that happen? Let’s explore below.
Key Takeaways
- Find the right set of features and services
- Use a provider that utilizes great technology
- Have access to regular financial reports
- Consider whether or not you need tax services
There is little doubt that using remote bookkeeping services is the best choice for most small business owners. With so many benefits and no notable drawbacks to consider, these kinds of accounting services will set your business up for long-term success and scalability. Everything from basic bookkeeping services to tax preparation and much more can be handled by a capable contractor.
Speaking of contractors, how do you pick the right one for your needs? There are plenty of online bookkeeping services ready and willing to take your business, but only one is going to be the right choice. Let’s use this post to explore what some of your options look like. And, if you are ready to get started with an online bookkeeping service that can do it all, Swiftbooks is here to help.
A Required Feature for All Good Bookkeeping Services
At Swiftbooks, we place a great emphasis on the customization of our bookkeeping services, and we think that should be a non-negotiable feature when you look around for accounting firms that can serve your needs. Certain accounting services aren’t willing to adapt to your needs and put together a custom package that is dialed into what you require, just move on to another option.
Bookkeeping services simply aren’t useful if they don’t perfectly align with your demands. Perhaps you have a steady flow of accounts receivable that needs to be managed promptly to keep your books as up-to-date as possible. Or, maybe you only have a few large receivables a month that make up the bulk of your revenue, but you have a lot of small accounts payable transactions to track. Whatever the case, it’s critical that your chosen online bookkeeping service is up to the job and won’t stick you with a predesigned package of services that don’t really align with your requirements.
Finding the Right Accounting Software Technology
There are many excellent pieces of accounting software available today. Are they all right for your business? Certainly not. These accounting software tools come with both a range of capabilities and a range of prices. Also, some are more user-friendly than others, so certain pieces of software will only be suitable for a more experienced accountant.
One thing the top bookkeeping services can do for you is to recommend the right accounting software to put in place as the core of your financial reporting. At Swiftbooks, for example, we will advise you from the beginning on which accounting software makes the most sense given your situation, budget, and goals for the future. Picking the correct accounting software from the start is going to save you the frustration and hassle that comes with trying to make a switch later on. Some bookkeeping services are locked in with a single accounting software and will point all of their clients in that direction, but we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We want to make sure that the clients of our online bookkeeping service get everything customized to line up with their unique needs, and accounting software is near the top of that list.
Delivering Frequent Financial Reporting
Are annual financial reports enough for you to make good decisions and keep your business on track? We certainly don’t think so. Monthly financial reports are an extremely valuable tool for every business, and they shouldn’t only be available to large corporations. By switching to the use of online bookkeeping services, small business owners can enjoy this same luxury and the powerful information that it provides.
It’s true that the top bookkeeping services are going to include such reporting as a default service, but it won’t be available to everyone. And, if it is available, it might come at a premium – so be sure to ask specifically about monthly financial reports if that is an important feature for your business needs. With the combination of using the right accounting software for your business and the ongoing financial reporting that is delivered reliably each month, your bookkeeping services will stand poised to take your company to a higher level in the near future.
Adding Tax Services to the Menu
Tax services are yet another feature that is commonly made available by the leaders in the bookkeeping services market. Do you have to rely on tax preparation from the online bookkeeping services that you choose? No – but it certainly is a nice convenience to get everything in one place. Rather than having to deal with multiple contractors to pull together the financial side of your business, you can do everything in one place with one of the top online bookkeeping services available today.
Tax preparation is a big advantage because it will take this work off of your plate or prevent you from having to hire a CPA to do the job. At the same time, in addition to things like convenience and cost savings, you will be able to know that the tax filing services are accurate and you aren’t paying any more to the government than what is appropriate in your situation. Faulty tax preparation has the potential to cost you a lot of money in excess taxes paid, so don’t let that happen.
Leading Accounting Firms Will Talk to You
Communication is key in any relationship, and working with accounting firms is no different. Be wary about getting into any working relationship with virtual bookkeeping services that won’t at least get on a call to go over your needs and provide advisory services. Yes, part of the point of online bookkeeping is to cut down on how much time you spend on this part of your business, but the best online bookkeeping services will still deliver some personal touch to make sure you are taken care of properly.
As you are making your selection, ask about things like advisory services and tax preparation services to go along with basic outsourced bookkeeping. If you are having trouble getting the information you need, you probably aren’t talking to one of the best outsourced accounting bookkeeping services, and you should move on.
The Easy Choice for Bookkeeping Services
While there are plenty of contenders for your business in the accounting services niche, none will match the combination of expertise, experience, and value that you find with Swiftbooks. Our online bookkeeping services are reliable and easy to use, and you can get started today by getting in touch with our team. We hope to hear from you soon!
