What should I look for when hiring a bookkeeper?
Industry experience matters more than generic bookkeeping credentials. A bookkeeper who has worked with restaurants understands tip reporting and food costs. Someone experienced with contractors knows job costing. A bookkeeper familiar with law firms can handle trust accounting. Someone who has never worked with your industry will set up your chart of accounts wrong and produce reports that don’t track what you actually need to know.
Technical competence is table stakes. They should be proficient in QuickBooks or whatever software you use. Ask if they’re certified. Ask how they handle bank reconciliations and how often. Ask what reports they provide each month and what those reports tell you about your business. If they can’t explain the basics clearly, that’s a problem.
Communication style determines whether the relationship actually works. Some bookkeepers send numbers and expect you to figure them out. Others walk you through your financial statements and flag anything unusual. You want someone who explains things without making you feel stupid and who responds to questions within a reasonable timeframe. If it takes a week to get a reply during the vetting process, expect the same when you’re a client.
Pay attention to whether they ask questions about your business. A good bookkeeper wants to understand how you operate, what your revenue streams look like, where your challenges are. Small business bookkeeping in Los Angeles isn’t one-size-fits-all. Someone who just quotes a price without learning about your situation is selling a commodity, not a service.
Ask for references and actually call them. Find out how long clients have worked with the bookkeeper, whether they’ve had issues, and how problems got resolved. Long-term client relationships usually indicate someone who does good work and treats people well.
Watch for red flags. A price significantly lower than everyone else usually means corners are getting cut. A bookkeeper who can’t explain their process or what you’ll receive each month is a risk. Someone who doesn’t ask about your business before quoting probably won’t deliver what you need.
Consider what happens beyond basic monthly bookkeeping. Will they grow with you? Can they handle payroll if you hire employees? Do they understand California tax requirements? If your needs change in two years, will they be able to adapt or will you have to start over with someone new?
The cheapest option is rarely the best value. Fixing books that were done wrong costs more than doing them right the first time. More importantly, inaccurate financials lead to bad decisions. You can’t manage a business when the numbers you’re looking at don’t reflect reality.
Find someone who treats your business like it matters. That usually means a bookkeeper who works with small businesses because they actually want to, not because they’re building a stepping stone to something else.
LA's Small Business Bookkeeper
The Next Step:
A Short Conversation
Tell us about your business and what you're dealing with. We'll listen, ask a few questions, and give you a clear price for the work.
More Questions
What accounting software is best for restaurant businesses?
QuickBooks Online works best for most restaurants because it integrates with common POS systems and accountants know how to use it. But the software matters less than how it's configured for restaurant-specific needs.
Read answerWhat is the best way to manage accounts receivable for a law firm?
Bill promptly, make payments easy, and follow up consistently. The key for law firms is integrating your practice management software with accounting so nothing falls through the cracks.
Read answerWhat is accounts payable and how do I manage it?
Accounts payable is money you owe vendors and suppliers for goods or services you've received but haven't paid for yet. Managing it well means tracking every bill, running aging reports weekly, and scheduling payments to protect cash flow.
Read answerCan I deduct my home office as a real estate agent?
Yes, most real estate agents can deduct their home office. Even though you meet clients at properties rather than your home, you qualify through the administrative activities exception if you use a dedicated space for paperwork, marketing, and transaction management.
Read answerWhat financial documents do buyers want to see when purchasing a business?
Buyers typically request three years of profit and loss statements, tax returns, balance sheets, bank statements, and aging reports. They're verifying the seller's claims and looking for consistency, trends, and red flags.
Read answerWhat bookkeeping records do I need to keep as a real estate agent?
Keep commission statements, mileage logs, marketing receipts, professional dues documentation, and all business expense receipts. Vehicle mileage is especially important since agents drive constantly for showings and client meetings.
Read answer