How to Choose a Bookkeeper for Your Small Business
Use these questions to choose a bookkeeper who reconciles monthly, reviews reports, understands QuickBooks Online, and explains the numbers clearly.
Short answer
Choose a bookkeeper who reconciles every month, reviews the balance sheet, provides reports, handles cleanup when needed, understands QuickBooks Online, and explains what the numbers mean.
Checklist
- Ask whether bank and credit card accounts are reconciled monthly.
- Ask whether the balance sheet is reviewed, not just the P&L.
- Ask what reports are delivered and when.
- Ask how cleanup work is scoped.
- Ask how they communicate questions and missing information.
- Ask whether they work with service businesses like yours.
Common mistakes
- Hiring someone who only categorizes transactions.
- Ignoring whether reconciliations are completed.
- Not asking how cleanup and catch-up projects are priced.
- Choosing a bookkeeper who cannot explain reports in plain language.
Examples for service businesses
- A contractor needs someone who understands job deposits, subcontractors, and materials.
- A landscaping company needs payroll, sales tax, and job cost awareness.
- A growing service business may need reporting support beyond basic categorization.
The best bookkeeper protects the reports
Clean bookkeeping is not just data entry. It is a monthly process that reconciles accounts, catches odd balances, and gives the owner reports they can trust.
Request a Bookkeeping Review
Looking for a bookkeeper who explains the numbers instead of just categorizing transactions? Request a review with Sabillon Advisory.
Request a Bookkeeping ReviewRelated resources
Related support from Sabillon Advisory
If this guide describes the bookkeeping problem you are dealing with, these services are the most relevant next step.