10 Essential Tips for Choosing the Right Bookkeeper (How to Review Your Books in QuickBooks)

As a business owner, choosing the right bookkeeper can save you time, reduce errors, and help you make more confident decisions. Below are key tips to guide your search—and practical ways to keep an eye on your finances in QuickBooks.

How to find the right Financial Partner

• Check Relevant Experience
  Look for a bookkeeper who understands businesses like yours, so you don’t have to explain your industry basics.

• Request References
  Ask for testimonials or connect with other business owners who’ve worked with the bookkeeper.

• Verify Certifications
  Credentials like "Certified Bookkeeper", or find a QuickBooks Proadvisor within the QuickBooks directory that can offer added assurance of professionalism.

• Prioritize Clear Communication
  Your questions should be welcomed and answered without jargon so you always understand what’s happening in your books.

• Assess Technology Skills
  Choose someone who is proficient with current accounting software, especially QuickBooks if that’s what you use.

• Ask About Processes
  Learn how your potential bookkeeper handles reconciliations, reporting, and communication so you know what to expect.

• Clarify Availability
  Understand how quickly issues will be addressed and who covers for them if they’re away.

• Inquire on Security
  Your financial data is sensitive. Ensure your bookkeeper uses secure, cloud-based technology and has privacy protocols in place.

• Seek Proactive Advice
  A great bookkeeper doesn’t just report numbers; they point out trends and help you make informed business decisions.

• Understand Fee Structure
  Make sure you know what is—and isn’t—included in the fee so there are no surprises.

---

Accessing, reviewing, and understanding your books shouldn’t be complicated. Here’s how many of our clients stay involved in their financial picture:

• Ask for Transparency
  Your bookkeeper should openly share reports, audit logs, and explanations, not keep you in the dark.

• Key Reports
  Examine your monthly income statement and balance sheet. Check for accuracy, consistency, and ask your bookkeeper to explain any unclear items.

• Request reconciliation reports:

  Verify that bank and credit card accounts are regularly reconciled with zero differences.

• Watch for red flags
  Negative account balances, unreconciled transactions, and unexplained discrepancies are signs to investigate further.

• Log in regularly

  Access your accounting software frequently (at least weekly) to review recent activity. Make sure transactions are posted timely and nothing important is left pending.

How We Help You Review Your Books in QuickBooks

We’re not just here to manage your books; we also teach you how to review your QuickBooks effectively. Using tools like the Audit Log to track changes, running key reports such as Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet, performing regular bank reconciliations, and setting alerts for unusual activity—we empower you to stay informed and confident with your business finances.

This approach helps business owners not only choose the right bookkeeper but also gain the knowledge to review and understand their own books clearly.