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Want to hire the best bookkeepers? Here’s a list of the top 20 bookkeepers, the skills you must look for, and how to hire them!

Why hire a bookkeeper? A simple answer to this question is efficiently maintain your financial records. Hiring bookkeepers will eventually enable you to save you time and effort in recording transactions, posting them to the book of accounts, and reconciling the ledger balance.

A Bookkeeper is heavily in demand since maintain the financials are one of the vital functions of a company. All the more there are strict statutory regulations, accounting standards, and stakeholder reports that need to be fulfilled.

Hence freelance bookkeeping jobs are on the rise and will continue to do so. In this article we will focus on how to hire a bookkeeper and how to find a good bookkeeper for your organizations.

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Market for bookkeepers

Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and automation are creeping slowly into the job market of book keepers resulting in reduction in demand for professional book keeping. The studies and researches done at the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show almost a 6% decline in freelance bookkeeper jobs within the year range of 2019 till 2029.

The reason being attributed to technologies replacing human interventions. Yet still many companies rely on the human brains and intelligence to ensure accurate financial records. For them the demands for a professional bookkeeper has still not declined.

Book keeping services are not tough to deliver. With the requisite degree, and on the job training, you will be able to execute the activities of an accounts bookkeeper. In US, the states of California, New York, Florida and Texas are recorded to house the highest percentage of freelance and personal bookkeepers.

A total of 1.8M free lance bookkeeper professionals are said to be present currently in the US. Professionals working as a freelance or independent bookkeeper clerk are expected to witness a decline in the jobs compared to those playing the role of an auditor or an accountant.

It is recommended to acquire the desired level of education and certifications to uplift your skill as online bookkeepers so as to sustain in the job market.

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Things to note while hiring bookkeepers

Hiring bookkeepers demand awareness of certain vital things for better maintenance of the financial records and the books. Enlisted below are the 10 things to note while looking for a bookkeeper,

1. Problem solving skills

Even after deploying best of formulas, algorithms and verifying mechanism, books tend to be unreconciled or unmatched. While hiring a bookkeeper, verifying the analytical and debugging skills are hence mandatory

2. Proficient in using Accounting tools and software

Many companies leverage accounting software for executing their financial operations like QuickBooks, Tally, Oracle, etc. Ensure the freelance bookkeeper is conversant in using them in their daily activities

3. Awareness of country level and state level statutory regulations

Every company needs to abide by the government enforced statutory and tax rules and regulations. While hiring bookkeepers, it is vital to check the knowledge on such compliances.

4. Knowledge of the accounting standards

A company’s financial records must strictly adhere to the US GAAP or the IFRS accounting standards. Hence when you are looking for bookkeeper, keep this aspect in mind for verification

5. Continual Learning

The accounting standards, taxation policies, statutory regulations and accounting software are continuously undergoing changes. It is vital to check the learning spree of the bookkeeping freelance professional for competency upgrade.

6. Industrial know-how

A bookkeeping consultant with a knowledge on the industrial domain will be of greater value and effective than one with limited knowledge. It is recommended to consider this aspect while hiring an online bookkeeper.

7. Report on daily or weekly progress

After hiring bookkeepers, it is essential to track the daily or weekly progress. Verify this expectation before you finalize and hire a bookkeeper.

8. Innovative mindset

Cost saving, and efficient system are desired by all companies, applicable in the field of bookkeeping and accounting as well. The job of bookkeeping for freelancers demands introducing innovations and best practices for improvement.

9. Ability to work independently

Companies nowadays prefer to recruit or hire bookkeeper who can work remotely or in a freelance mode. Hence it is vital to check out whether the bookeeper is capable to handle activities independently

10. Communication Abilities

Both verbal and written communication skills are essential characteristics to be verified while hiring a freelance or personal bookkeeper.

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Qualities of best bookkeepers

In conjunction with the things to note when you need a bookkeeper, validating and verifying the qualities and skills of bookkeepers for hire are also essential activities of a recruiting company. Here are the top 10 qualities to be checked while hiring a bookkeeper,

1. Proficient in Statutory regulations and accounting standards – The most important quality to check while interviewing a bookkeeper for hire. The financial records of a company strictly need to adhere to the mandates and a bookkeeper is entrusted to execute the same.

2. Awareness of the latest technologies and their usage – More and more companies are bending to leverage the latest accounting software and tools. So when you want to find a bookkeeper, as hiring managers you must verify the candidate’s awareness on such tools

3. Good and interactive team player – Check on the candidate’s past experience and roles played in a team when you hire bookkeeper experts. Working in a team ensures faster coordination, collaboration and execution.

4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills – Without efficient verbal and written communication skills, a bookkeper cannot impart the financial issues encountered and their potential solutions to the company’s leadership.

5. Past duties and responsibilities – Focus on the past experience of the bookkeeper online professionals, the duties and roles performed by them especially in reconciling accounts, reporting and debugging errors.

6. Learning Courses and Certifications – Checking the learning courses attended and certifications obtained by the candidate is vital while opting for freelance or personal bookkeeping services. This will highlight the continual learning interests of the candidate.

7. Social Media Impact – You can check the social media accounts of the candidate and check their contributions in various finance forums. This assists in understanding the credentials of the candidate when you hire a bookkeeper.

8. Analytical Abilities – Deep dive analysis of reconciliation errors identify the erroneous transactions and suggest ways to rectify the financial records are essential qualities to be verified of a bookkeeper for hire.

10. Critical Thinking Capabilities – Adhering to newly introduced regulations and policies and even changes in the accounting standards demands critical thinking for suggesting the appropriate decisions to the management. Hence it is crucial to judge the quality while you want to find bookkeeper professionals.
11. Research Mindset – Reducing the cost and introducing efficiency in the overall bookkeeping activities demand research and introduction of the best practices. While hiring bookkeepers in senior roles, verification of this quality is a must.

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Bookkeepers rate per hour

Fixing the freelance bookkeeping rates, as per the average salary of the region, is one of the crucial steps while hiring bookkeepers. The rates charged by a bookkepper varies with region, years of experience, credibility and educational qualifications.

Besides obtaining certifications also contribute a lot in determining the hourly rates while hiring bookkeepers. In the United States, the hourly freelance bookkeeper rates vary between USD 19 and USD 24. The latest data as of Nov 2020 shows the average freelance bookkeeper salary as USD 21 per hour.

The freelance or independent bookkeeper rates are higher for those who are employed to work with an accountant. The states of California, New York, Texas, Florida and Illinois are recorded to charge higher hourly rates as compared to the other states of the US.

In UK and other European countries, the hourly freelance and self-employed bookkeeper hourly average rate is almost similar to that of the US. It’s USD 21 per hour, whereas some QuickBooks bookkeeper hourly rate may rise as high as USD 41.

In India, the salary of local bookkeepers is fairly low near to USD 10 per hour. The market has the potential to provide outsourcing opportunities in bookkeeping at a remarkably lower rates without compromising on quality.

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Places to find best bookkeepers

In the above sections, we have elaborately highlighted how to hire a bookkeeper. The next big question is how to find a bookkeeper? And more specifically how to search for bookkeepers in my area? You can check the job boards mentioned below to search for either a local bookkeeper or bookkeepers worldwide.

1. Upwork – One of the largest job boards for hiring bookkeepers. Besides if you have a question on, “How to search for bookkeepers near me?” – Upwork is the best option for you.

2. unremot.com – Enables you to gain access into a global workforce to hire a bookkeeper small business, medium or large business enterprises.

3. Indeed – The popular job website containing profiles of a massive pool of freelancers to hire or rent a bookkeeper. You can ask questions such as, “Find the bookkeeping services near me” or “Find the best bookkeeper near me”.

4. LinkedIn – One of the biggest professional networking websites connecting companies and interested candidates, ideal for searching and hiring bookkeepers.

5. Freelancer – Searching for, “freelance or personal bookkeeper near me?” Freelancer offers you the best opportunities to hire bookkeepers by posting job opportunities or scanning through the registered profiles.

6. Flex Jobs – Flex jobs is one of the popular websites to search for bookkeepers available to work full time, part time, remote, flexible, contract basis, freelance employment modes. So if your question is, “I need a bookkeeper”, Flex Jobs is your solution.

7. Peopleperhour – You can post multiple job posts in the website with the appropriate job description, salary offered and the preferred mode of employment.

8. Remote – One of the best job boards to ask a question, “Find a book keeper near me” and scanning through a list of potential candidates.

9. Thebalancecareers – You can get yourself listed in the website, allowing potential candidates to apply for the bookkeeping job roles in your company

10. RemoteBooksOnline – A bookkeeping services company with affordable rates. Check for remote books online reviews in google and you will be amazed to know about their excellent services.

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Steps involved in hiring best bookkeepers

Certain basic steps must be followed while hiring bookkeepers well suited for your organization. In this section, we will discuss elaborately on the key steps involved hire freelance bookkeepers.

1. First and foremost finalize the expectations from the bookkeeping professional. It will help you to list out the roles required, related job descriptions, and the salary.
2. List out the Interview Questions to ask the candidate for verifying the technical and soft skills in bookkeeping jobs. You can design a bookkeeper test for hiring focusing on a use case demonstration. It’s a proven way to validate the hands-on experience of the individual.
3. Post job opportunities in prominent job boards and social media platforms. The job profiles posted must be lucrative enough to lure potential candidates and apply for the jobs. The duties and responsibilities must be clearly stated with no ambiguities. Though some job boards and the social media platforms allow collaborations, yet attempt must be to state the facts with clarity.
4. Shortlist the potential candidates after scrutinizing the experience level, skills and qualities. Do not be biased on their skill set as you need to independently verify the credibility of the candidates.
5. Arrange an interview session with the shortlisted candidates. It is suggested to arrange for a video conference call to ensure there is no foul play in the selection process. For the local candidates, you can arrange for an in person interview.
6. Depending on the outcome of the interview sessions, finalize the candidates to be recruited in the company. Once the salary or hourly rate negotiations are agreed upon, float the offer letters or the contract agreements.

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Top 10 interview questions for bookkeepers

Interview questions are the vital tools for judging the expertise and experience of bookkeepers both junior and senior level candidates. Enlisted below the are the top 10 interview questions and the answers to expect from the candidates,

1. Why do you want to be a bookkeeper?

Rationale: The question will help to understand whether the candidate is passionate about his or her profession.

Expected Answer: Ensure the candidate speaks about the life of a bookkeeper, the duties performed, the challenges faced and how to overcome them easily and smartly.

2. What are the key duties of a bookkeeper?

Rationale: A mandatory question to ask for verifying the knowledge level and prior experience of the candidate related to bookkeeping.

Expected Answer: Recording financial transactions, posting journals to books, reconciliation, and preparing the financial statements and reports. You must check the candidate’s response comprises of the mentioned points

3. Elaborate on the bookkeeping methods you are aware of

Rationale: This question is to ensure the experience level of the candidate to handle the different bookkeeping methods in the prior engagements.

Expected Answer: If the candidate mentions both single entry and double entry method of bookkeeping, then rest assured you have the right candidate in front of you.

4. What steps do you follow to resolve reconciliation errors?

Rationale: The question judges the problem solving skills, and analytical capabilities of the candidate to resolve the most important issue during the closing of books.

Expected Answer: Ensure the candidate mentions about utilizing the drill down features to verify the journals, the financial transactions and even run adhoc reports to debug the issue.

5. Which accounting software or tools have you used for bookkeeping?

Rationale: This question is to ensure the candidate can leverage the tools used in your company for bookkeeping and accounting.

Expected Answer: If the candidate mentions about the tools used in your company then you are risk free. Else if he or she mentions about QuickBooks, zohobooks or quicken etc., it is acceptable.

6. What are the two key accounting methods?

Rationale: A vital interview question to check whether the candidate is conversant on the accounting methods and their effect on the financial transactions.

Expected Answer: You must check whether the candidate is able to highlight the differences between the accrual and cash basis of accounting methods with examples.

7. Elaborate on the balance sheet equation?

Rationale: A very basic question to ask for verifying the fundamental concepts of accounting and balance sheets.

Expected Answer: The answer from the candidate must be equating Assets with the summation of Liabilities and Equity.

8. Describe the accounting entries while recording invoice and processing the invoice payments?

Rationale: A good question to check the candidate’s fluency in accounting principles.

Expected Answer: The candidate must mention about expense being debited and liability being credited in the accrual basis of accounting. After payments, they must mention that the cash is credited, and liability is debited. On receiving this response, you can tick mark the candidate for selection.

9. Define Depreciation Expense

Rationale: A common concept in financial transactions used for calculating the fixed asset costs of a company. Bookkeepers must be aware of the concept thoroughly.

Expected Answer: If the candidate is able to specify the definition of depreciation expense with examples and how it is recorded in the income statement, then you can confirm the candidate.

10. What roles and duties have you performed in your past engagements?

Rationale: To check the experience and knowledge level of the candidate and whether it is sync with the current job roles of your company

Expected Answer: Ensure the candidate’s answer matches with the resume details. Ask the person to elaborate on some duties performed in each of the prior engagements with examples.

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Top 10 tools to use while hiring bookkeepers

While hiring bookkeepers, you must check whether you possess the right recruitment tools or methodologies. To aid your task, we have illustrated below top 10 tools for recruiting the candidates.

1. Job Boards – Internet has a plethora of job websites assisting you to hire a bookkeeper like Indeed.com, unremot.com, Upwork etc.

2. Assessment tools – Conducting Aptitude tests in written or online mode to judge the candidate’s basic IQ level, personality and behavioral characteristics, is the vital part of any hiring process. Tools used are mainly Pymetrics, HackerRank etc.

3. Artificial Intelligence and Chatbots – Trending digital tools to shortlist candidates, analyse the information submitted and also enable virtual chat or messaging for collaboration. Typical tools used are Zoom.ai, Textio, Ideal etc.

4. Social Media Platforms – LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit etc. are powerful social media platforms for finding freelance bookkeepers. You can post your requirements as well as search for potential profiles.

5. Tracking system for applications – A portal or tracking tool is essential to track the applications received from candidates, conduct the end to end hire process and even screen out candidates.

6. Recruitment Portal or Tools – Constant communication and collaboration between the candidate and the HR department is essential for uploading documents or salary negotiations. Recruitment tools or a portal is useful for such activities example Yello, SmashFly, Avature etc.

7. Audio and Video Conferencing Tools – In the world of remote and freelance working, possessing audio and video conferencing tools and software is mandatory to conduct interviews with the candidates. Examples can be Zoom, GoogleMeet, Microsoft Teams etc.

8. Tools to aid advertisements – Mentioning the right content and phrases for advertising your company’s job roles in different job boards and social media platforms is vital. Else candidates may not apply for the roles. An example of a tools that can aid your work is Textio.

9. Onboarding tools – After hiring bookkeepers, initial training, employee id generation, payroll initiation, triggering of employee benefits, finalization of the mobile application projects and supervisor need to be tracked to closure. Tools used are Click Boarding, Applicantstack, BambooHr etc.

10. Background Check Tools – The tools are super-efficient in verifying the profile by checking criminal records, past experience, educational qualifications etc. For example GoodHire, Intelifi, Sterling etc.

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Dos and donts while hiring bookkeepers

Let us now focus on the important Dos and Donts while hiring bookkeepers.

The Dos,

1. Validate the technical skills by focusing your questions on reconciliation techniques, error resolution, recording financial transactions and reports etc.
2. Check on the soft skills like interpersonal qualities, team coordination capabilities etc., since they need to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders
3. State properly the expectations from the candidates, without any ambiguity
4. Hire a person with excellent verbal and written communication skills
5. Check whether the candidates are backed by good references and strong credibility
6. State the vision and objective of your company to the candidates, especially focusing on the expectations from the candidate
7. Verify the prior roles and experience of the candidate by asking appropriate questions
8. Conduct a background check of the candidate
9. Video or in person interview must be the norm for hiring bookkeepers
10. The information provided in the resume must be validated by asking the appropriate questions related to experience and skill set

The Donts,

1. Focus on quality rather than the hourly rates demanded by the candidate
2. Do not recruit a candidate who fails to provide the supporting documents related to educational qualifications or prior experience
3. Never recruit a person without a prior work experience and credibility.
4. Avoid hiring bookkeepers with limited knowledge of the accounting terminologies.
5. Do not hire a bookkeeper with minimal ideas on the statutory rules, tax policies and accounting standards
6. Do not be biased by regional or cultural backgrounds of the candidate. Be rational in the selection process.
7. You must not wrongly state the job role and description to the candidate as it may lead to dissatisfaction in future
8. Health and insurance benefits must never be stated incorrectly
9. Salary negotiation must not be avoided as you may lose out on talents
10. Never be rude or unprofessional while interviewing candidates.

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How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper?

The hourly rates of a bookkeeper starts from USD 19 and can rise as high up to USD 40. In the US, UK and European countries, the cost for hiring bookkeepers is comparatively high than that in India and the Asian countries. The average hourly rate is approximately USD 24 for bookkeepers.

How do I hire a good bookkeeper?

If you want to hire a bookkeeper, post your job listings in the prominent websites. Search for registered profiles in the job boards as well as in social media platforms. Frame your questions to focus on your requirements and the credentials of the candidate. Background checks and reference checks are essential for verifying the candidate’s expertise and experience.