Do you constantly worry about numbers adding up correctly? In today’s fast-paced world, entrepreneurs want to stay on top of all money-related matters. They want to ensure the business has sufficient cash, capital, and profits available to remain afloat in the longer run.
However, as the business grows, you hire more employees and acquire more customers, keeping track of finances and employee monitoring becomes challenging. Before you start falling behind and losing track of receipts, hire a bookkeeper.
Bookkeepers can take over the responsibility of maintaining records for all financial transactions. They develop a system that organizes your sales, payments, expenses, costs, and debt, helping you make sense out of numbers. Precisely, you will get a complete set of accounting records, giving an overview of the company’s financial health. In turn, you can make more informed decisions based on financial data.
If you are still thinking about whether hiring a bookkeeper is worth the cost, have a look below. Here we are unfolding seven benefits of hiring a professional bookkeeper.
1. Analyzes company’s standing:
Are the business revenues spiking? Is rental expense consuming a massive chunk of profits? With a bookkeeper on board, you can find answers to all these questions. They keep a close eye on numbers to find out where your company stands financially. They simplify complex information by categorizing data to promote understandability.
Moreover, you can also ask bookkeepers to prepare financial statements to understand the company’s financials better. In case they lag accounting proficiency and decision-making skills, encourage them to pursue higher education. Perhaps, they could look for a master of accountancy if they only have a bachelor’s degree. Alongside finances, they will be better able to analyze financial metrics. Hence, helping you figure out where you should invest money and cut costs.
2. Prevents errors:
Undeniably, mistakes can be super costly. In addition to incorrect recording information, misreporting any income or expense can lead to hefty fines from the regulatory bodies. Likewise, mixing up different types of expenses and data entry errors can result in inaccurate financial records.
Professional bookkeepers with a keen understanding of finances and numbers are less likely to make mistakes. They look into all the bills, receipts, invoices and record them into accounting software. At the same time, they organize all the data promptly, ensuring your books are up to date.
3. Identifies issues in cash flows:
Sometimes, businesses are earning substantial profits, yet they don’t have sufficient cash available. As bookkeepers handle day-to-day recording of invoices and receipts, they have a good handle on your income and spending habits. They closely monitor how much money is going out of the business (outflows) and coming in (inflows). The minute outflows exceed the inflows; bookkeepers will alert the upper management about cashflow problems.
Additionally, they can identify problems within the cash flow. For instance, if inventory holds a lot of cash, bookkeepers will suggest managers sell it to recover the cost. Likewise, if debtors delay payments, they will suggest the accountant negotiate credit terms with creditors.
4. Accounts for tax deductibles:
Amongst all business tasks, paying taxes is every entrepreneur’s least favorite. After all, no one likes giving away a chunk of profit to the government. Surprisingly, a bookkeeper can help in reducing the overall taxable income. They work together with tax specialists and account for tax deductibles to ensure you don’t overpay taxes. From depreciation, travel to revaluation expense – they account for every cost to scale down the taxable income.
Similarly, they provide interim and year-end financial statements to determine the company’s annual tax obligation. Hence, you can make decisions beforehand that can modify or lower the tax bill. For instance, if the tax policies are more flexible for C corporations, you can switch from limited liability to a C corp. Besides this, having proper records can help with the tax return filing procedure too.
5. Fosters business growth:
Bookkeepers can facilitate business decisions about day-to-day business operations. They can forecast seasonal ups and downs, ensuring you have sufficient capital available when revenues are low. Similarly, they encourage managers to set some funds aside when profits are spiking.
Greater awareness of spending patterns and sales trends can help entrepreneurs lower operating expenses. Hence, they can save money in the long run and invest it in business growth. Additionally, not having to worry about finances gives business owners enough time to focus on other core business operations.
6. Prepares business for an audit:
Until you demonstrate non-compliance with tax obligations, your business won’t go through an IRS audit. However, you have to perform an internal and external audit to assure stakeholders that your company complies with accounting standards. Luckily, having accurate records prepared by a professional bookkeeper will ensure a smooth audit process. They would have correct records to support the income tax returns.
At the same time, bookkeepers organize all receipts and invoices. Thus, the auditors can see all business expenses are legitimate. It will ensure you haven’t over or understated the profits or income, regaining investors’ trust in the company.
7. Helps in securing funding:
Today, lenders need accurate records and financial information before giving out a loan. After all, they have to evaluate your repayment capability to ensure you will repay the loan timely. Bookkeepers maintain complete records, showing lenders that you know the company inside out.
Similarly, they outline past performance to show banks and financial institutes that you have a solid financial history. In addition to gaining the lender’s trust, you might be able to secure a loan at a lower interest rate with flexible repayments.
Conclusion:
In a dynamic business landscape, bookkeepers can help you through all stages of starting and growing the company. They maintain records, organize data, and keep a vigilant eye on finances. They also preserve receivable accounts and prepare payrolls. Simultaneously, bookkeepers help companies lower taxable income by accounting for tax deductibles. Having a bookkeeper on board will provide more benefits and less stress while ensuring effective financial management.
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