Why Hire a Virtual Bookkeeper?
There’s lots of talk about why you should hire a virtual bookkeeper vs. the benefits of an in-house one. Taking a look at the benefits of going virtual should give you the insight you need to make the right decision. Here’s the scoop.
Why Hire a Bookkeeper?
Hiring the right staff is vital to your business, especially when it comes to dealing with sensitive and critical information, such as your finances. You need someone to handle everything from accounts receivable to accounts payable, invoicing and billing, budget tracking and spending, acquiring new equipment and inventory, and planning for future investments and business growth.
Training and expertise are essential when it comes to keeping your books and doing any accounting for your business. Having someone in-house take on that role might work out. But if they are not trained and experienced, you’re just wasting time and money trying to get them up to speed and keep them informed at the same time you’re trying to run your business.
What is a Virtual Bookkeeper?
While it sounds high-tech, a virtual bookkeeper is simply someone who does your books and finances remotely from another location. Working remotely is so common these days that it’s hardly ever an issue, especially when it comes to bookkeeping. The online applications and software make it possible for the bookkeeper to work from anywhere, whether it’s across town or across the country.
With virtual access to your financial software and information, they can take on the role without having to take up desk space in your office. You save on overhead and expenses. Plus you don’t have to worry about dropping the ball on your financial data.
Why Hire a Virtual Bookkeeper Instead of an In-House Bookkeeper?
Hiring a virtual bookkeeper allows you to find the right balance between your staffing and your workload. You only have to pay for what you need instead of paying for a full or even part-time staff person. Because they work remotely, you don’t have to pay for office space, computers, phone lines or any other technology they might need.
A virtual bookkeeper is also more efficient than one in-house. They don’t have to maneuver through your business culture or work to stay away from water cooler chatter. They can concentrate on what you need, when you need it, without distraction from being on-site.
And finally, there is less liability with a virtual contractor. The chance of theft or embezzlement is significantly reduced when compared to someone who works in-house with your business and your product or service.
What Next?
Finding the right fit when you hire anyone is important. But it’s especially important when it’s a bookkeeper who will be handling all your financial data. One thing to consider is hiring a team instead of an individual.
When you hire a virtual team to manage your bookkeeping and accounting, you are putting controls in place to protect yourself and your information. Having more than one set of eyes on your data will ensure accuracy. Having a team of experts available will help you get the best information when making significant decisions. And it will reduce your costs and make it possible to have access to a professional at any time. For instance, there will be no worries about what happens to your seamless bookkeeping when an employee needs to go on vacation or take sick days.
You should never make a hasty decision when it comes to running your company. Understanding the risks and benefits in your hiring decisions can help you carry out the right choices for your business. Knowing what to expect from an online accounting firm is a great place to start.
Call 888-743-3080 for a free consultation to learn how a virtual bookkeeper can help your business.
