ABOUT ME
WHO AM I?
I like bookkeeping. I prefer it to preparing accounts and because I know how to prepare accounts, I understand how your books need to be prepared for your accountant – this cuts errors, makes auditing easy and should cut your accountant’s bill considerably. In my experience few bookkeepers understand what they are trying to achieve beyond recording your financial transactions. This gives me a unique perspective amongst bookkeepers because I understand what your accountant needs. I make your books make sense.
PRICE
£12 PER HOUR
HELPFUL WRITING
The 5 signs of a great bookkeeper
1. Great bookkeepers understand your process
He or she will take the time to really understand your business and how you operate so they can make sure that the processes are as simple and efficient as possible, and nothing is missed or duplicated. They will be able to see areas that can be streamlined in your small business.
2. Great bookkeepers ask questions
Many business owners find questions annoying. However, in order to ensure transactions are correctly allocated, it is better that your bookkeeper ask questions rather than guess. One of my IT clients had a bookkeeper who allocated computer purchases to ‘Computer Equipment’ in the balance sheet rather than hardware purchases in ‘Cost of Goods Sold’. For months they thought their profit figures were really great until their accountant did their tax return and asked about all their asset purchases (which weren’t), to claim for tax deductions. If only she had asked.
3. Great bookkeepers do their homework
A sign of a really great bookkeeper is one who is up to date on what is happening in the bookkeeping, accounting and technology spaces. The bookkeeping and accounting industries have evolved considerably over the past few years due to changing technologies. Your bookkeeper should be explaining to you and encouraging you to use technology to save time and money by automating processes with cloud accounting packages such as MYOB Essentials or MYOB AccountRight. A recent survey shows that small business owners save an average of 10 hours a month just by using bank feeds, a service that links your bank account to your accounting software. After using bank feeds, I think that figure is on the low side and could easily be doubled.
4. Great bookkeepers are people you can trust
Finally, the relationship between a client and a bookkeeper is sacred. Most people won’t share their financial details with friends or even family, yet this person is privy to everything – especially if you are using one account for business and personal but that’s another article altogether. Make sure you like your bookkeeper, that you trust them and feel comfortable being completely honest with them. Your bookkeeper cannot help you get the most out of your accounts if you are not being completely transparent with them.
5. Great bookkeepers know what they don’t know
Not only do they know what is legally within their scope. For example, BAS agents are not permitted to give any income tax or fringe benefits tax (FBT) advice. But they are also not afraid to say “I don’t know” rather than worry about looking silly and will contact your accountant for advice.
CONTACT ADDRESS
24 Station Road, BN41 1GB, Brighton
aynurdondas@gmail.com
+44 7448295799