3 questions to ask to hire the right bookkeeper so your business doesn’t implode when they leave

I’ve operated an accounting firm for over a decade, and during that time, business owners come to us with the same story: “My bookkeeper just quit, and I have two weeks to find a new bookkeeper.” What's even worse is there has to be a knowledge transfer between the bookkeepers within those two weeks!

When hiring a bookkeeper, ask these 3 interview questions to minimize the risk of this happening to you.

Question #1: “Is this your side hustle?”

You want a bookkeeper whose bookkeeping work is their bread and butter.

I have nothing against side hustles, but wouldn’t want to entrust a critical business function to someone dabbling in bookkeeping. Having your books up-to-date and orderly is crucial for making good business decisions. You can’t leave this to chance if bookkeeping doesn’t work out for your bookkeeper.

Hire someone who does bookkeeping for a living full-time. They have skin in the game. If they quit the business, they’ll likely sell their clients, which benefits you because you get a new bookkeeper without starting over.

Question #2: “Do you have the capacity to take me on as a client?”

What's worse than having no bookkeeper?

Having a bookkeeper who doesn’t have time for you and can’t close your books timely. Getting financial statements months late makes them less relevant for making business decisions. It’s like having no bookkeeper at all!

If the bookkeeper has the capacity, get them to commit to a date when they close your books each month. For example, by the 15th day after the end of the month.

Question #3: “Are you the only bookkeeper in your firm?”

A lot of bookkeepers are solopreneurs.

If they get sick or take a vacation, your bookkeeping isn’t done timely. Firms with multiple bookkeepers can substitute for a temporary bookkeeper if your assigned one is unavailable. Not all firms are set up to do this, so ask.

Takeaways

Your books are critical to your business. Hiring someone committed to being a bookkeeper (not just a side hustle) who can do the work and has a plan to get the work done if they’re sick or on vacation will reduce your risk of being left without books for your business.