| Every office today has a computer, and every | | | | IRS notices, and the like. |
| office-supply store has accounting software you can | | | | 2. Do you feel like you need someone to bounce ideas |
| load onto your computer. Each year, these software | | | | off of? If so, an accountant or bookkeeper might |
| packages become more intuitive and easier for the | | | | make sense, as they'll have the knowledge (hopefully) |
| beginner to learn and understand. Why then, should | | | | to steer you in the right direction - at least as far as |
| any small business hire a bookkeeper or other | | | | financial decisions go. |
| accounting professional? And, even if they decide to | | | | 3. Do you need financial statement compiled and need |
| hire one - how much help do they actually need? | | | | something more than the basic ones your software |
| No matter how astute accounting software has | | | | will deliver? If so, you'll want to turn to an expert to |
| become, it still takes a real person sitting at the | | | | take care of this for you. |
| computer entering information. It's also important to | | | | 4. How well do you understand federal and state tax |
| realize that what you get out of your accounting | | | | laws? If you feel you have a firm grip on what your |
| software is only as good as what was put into it. | | | | business needs to do in order to not be in trouble |
| Some business owners are completely comfortable in | | | | tax-wise, than you can probably handle taxes on your |
| dealing with money. They have enough of an | | | | own. On the other hand, if you receive notice of an |
| understanding of finance and accounting, that they truly | | | | audit, you'll likely want an accounting professional on |
| have no reason to hire a bookkeeper. | | | | your side to handle it. |
| Others, however, feel quite differently. They worry | | | | 5. Are you comfortable dealing with payroll and payroll |
| they'll make a mistake and are far more comfortable | | | | taxes? What about accounts receivable and accounts |
| hiring someone else to handle those areas. The | | | | payable? Each of these areas is critical to your |
| question is - how much bookkeeping help do you | | | | business's bottom-line. If you operate a small business |
| need? The answer will very much depend on each | | | | with less than five employees, you can probably deal |
| business and each business owner. Here are a few | | | | with payroll on your own. |
| tips that will help you sort it out: | | | | The above questions are just guidelines to help you |
| | | | understand your own comfort with your business's |
| 1. If you keep your own books and are comfortable | | | | accounting and bookkeeping needs. You're the only |
| doing so, you'll probably only need accounting help | | | | one who can truly decide how much, or how little, |
| occasionally. For example - filing taxes, responding to | | | | bookkeeping help you require. |