What questions should I ask when hiring a bookkeeper?
Hiring a bookkeeper is partly about skills and partly about fit. The right questions help you figure out both.
Start with experience. Ask whether they’ve worked with businesses similar to yours in size, industry, or complexity. A bookkeeper who understands contractors won’t automatically understand art galleries. Industry experience means they know which accounts matter, what reports you’ll actually use, and where businesses like yours tend to run into trouble.
Ask about their process. How often will you receive financial statements? Monthly is standard. Quarterly isn’t enough if you’re trying to manage cash flow or make decisions mid-year. Find out what’s actually included in the fee. Transaction categorization and bank reconciliation are standard. Accounts receivable and payable tracking might be extra. Monthly bookkeeping services can vary widely in scope, so the price alone doesn’t tell the full story.
Communication matters more than most people realize. Ask how questions get handled. Some bookkeepers charge for every email. Others include unlimited questions because they’d rather you ask than guess wrong. Find out their typical response time and whether you’ll have a consistent point of contact or get shuffled between staff members.
Ask about quality control. Good bookkeepers have a review process before anything goes out the door. Find out whether someone checks the work before you see it. A bookkeeper with an auditor’s mindset catches problems that a quick reconciliation might miss. When evaluating small business bookkeepers in New Mexico, this is one area where experience and credentials really matter.
Software compatibility is practical but important. Ask what systems they use and whether they can work with what you already have. If they recommend switching, ask why. Sometimes there’s a good reason. Sometimes it’s just preference.
Ask how they coordinate with your tax preparer or CPA. Year-end shouldn’t be a scramble if the books have been maintained properly all year. Find out whether they’ll communicate directly with your accountant or if you’ll be playing middleman.
Finally, ask for references. Talk to other business owners they work with. Ask whether the bookkeeper is responsive, whether the books are accurate, and whether they’ve ever had to chase down missing information.
The questions you ask tell you whether this person will keep your records clean and current or whether you’ll be back where you started in a year.
Santa Fe's Small Business Bookkeeper
The Next Step:
A Quick Conversation
Tell us about your business and what you're dealing with. We'll listen, ask a few questions, and give you a straightforward quote.
More Questions
How do I determine the correct GRT location code?
The correct GRT location code is based on where your customer receives goods or services, not where your business is located. Use the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department's online lookup tool to find the code for each transaction's destination address.
Read answerWhat do I do if my books are a mess?
Stop adding to the pile, gather your bank and credit card statements, and assess how far back the problem goes. Whether you clean it up yourself or hire help depends on how many months you're behind and how tangled things are.
Read answerHow do I prepare for IFTA reporting?
IFTA preparation is mostly about what you track throughout the quarter, not what you do at filing time. Keep mileage logs by jurisdiction, organize fuel receipts by state, and file your quarterly return by the end of the month following each quarter.
Read answerHow do I reconcile Airbnb payouts in QuickBooks?
Airbnb deposits net amounts after deducting service fees, so your bank deposits won't match individual reservations. Download Airbnb's payout reports and decide whether to track gross revenue with fees or just net payouts.
Read answerWhat records do I need to keep for tax purposes?
Keep documentation for all income and expenses including bank statements, receipts, invoices, and credit card statements. Asset purchase records, payroll documents, and prior tax returns also need to be retained.
Read answerCan a bookkeeper fix years of disorganized records?
Yes, a skilled bookkeeper can reconstruct and organize financial records going back several years. Bank statements provide the foundation, and missing documentation can usually be worked around. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes.
Read answer
