The terms Bookkeeper and Accountant are used interchangeably. When in fact they are quite different parts of your business. Some businesses choose to have 1 or both to support their business financial needs. Bookkeepers and Accountants often work side by side to ensure that you are getting the financial support that you need form all perspectives. What are important traits you should look for in either position?
What is a Bookkeeper?
A Bookkeeper will play many roles in the financial side of your business.
Bookkeepers assure that your financial transactions are being categorized and recorded accurately. They are responsible for recording journal entries and handling all bank reconciliations. Bookkeepers take all the small details of your business from payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, statements, loans , recording inventory transactions, and any other transactions that you have and categorize them. These categorized transactions are then used to create reports that will be referred to in the section about the roles of Accountants.
The daily duties of a bookkeeper include:
- Updating the general ledger
- Preparing and recording all payments and income, including bank deposits
- Verifying that financial records meet federal documentation requirements
- Managing payroll accounts and processing paychecks
- Organizing receipts, invoices and reimbursement requests
- Producing regular budget reports
- Calculating basic tax deductions
What traits should I look for in a Bookkeeper?
- Attention to detail is essential. Bookkeepers are trained to find the smallest discrepancies.
- HONESTY! You want to assure that anyone who has access to your business financial information is honest and transparent with your business financials.
- Excellent Organizational practices. Bookkeepers staying organized is paramount keeping your business running smoothly.
- Great Communication. Assuring that your bookkeeper practices good communication and that you reciprocate that communication ensures that you are working as a team.
- Commitment. Managing the books for a company is a huge commitment. you want to make sure that your bookkeeper is committed to providing you with correct and up to date information.
- Time Management. Bookkeeping is a juggling act; you want to make sure that your bookkeeper is able to juggle your needs sufficiently. Sometimes doing more than one task at a time but keeping them aligned accurately.
What is an Accountant?
Accountants are often thought of at tax time only. An Accountant can play an essential role in the financial health of your business.
Accountants take the data and reports organized and categorized by bookkeepers to analyze and advise on business needs and the overall financial situation of your organization. Accountants provide advice on taxes, profit margins, financial gains and losses and help you form strategies based on patterns that your business has. Accountants can help guide you Accountants have the ability to certify your company’s financial status.
Functions of an Accountant are:
- Creating and examining financial statements for accuracy and compliance with generally accepted accounting principles
- Preparing written reports and meeting with the management and clients to explain findings
- Ensuring company financial statements comply with laws and regulations
- Analyzing expenses and suggesting ways to save money and increase profits
- Filing tax returns
- Assessing financial operations, identifying risks and challenges and making recommendations for best practices
- Forecasting the outcome of different financial decisions
- Consulting for various business operations
- Providing financial management advice
What traits should I look for in an accountant?
- Up to date with the latest technology and able to keep on trend with your business
- Trustworthy- your accountant may give you extremely important financial advice, you want to be sure that you can truth this professional.
- Creative-Often times financial wins come from “out of the box” thinking, you want your accountant to see other solutions that may benefit your business more than the traditional answers.
- Detail oriented- your accountant will be providing in depth reports, they should be able to spot small things that would not stand out to the average eye.
- Team Player- having an accountant that wants to work as a team is very beneficial to your business.
Be sure to form a Team!
When choosing whether you should have a Bookkeeper, an Accountant or both, be sure that you choose a team of professionals that are committed to you and your business or company growth. These professionals should be able to function as an extension of yourself. When choosing your financial professionals, be very clear and precise about your goals and needs. Doing so will help them to know which areas to dive in and help with. Remember that communication between you and them is imperative. If choosing to have both, be sure that they can BOTH communicate effectively with each other, as well as with you.