How to Hire a Book Keeper | The North Central Florida Business ...

Those who describe themselves as ?bookkeepers? fall between two extremes?from secretaries with data-entry skills to professionals with degrees and years of experience. There is no regulatory body that oversees the bookkeeping profession, so anyone can say they are a bookkeeper. When hiring a bookkeeper, it?s important to know what skill level your company needs and then be able to determine if applicants possess those skills.

Before hiring a bookkeeper, determine which of the following you need:

Data-entry clerk

Clerical bookkeeper

Full-charge bookkeeper

Accountant

Data-entry clerks enter the data into the accounting system, but they generally do not understand how the data affects the company?s financial statements. Data entry clerks specialize in speed and accuracy.

Bookkeepers perform some or all of the eight steps of the accounting cycle. A full-charge bookkeeper knows how to perform all the steps, and a clerical bookkeeper usually specializes in one or more steps and can also specialize in one area of operations, such as accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR) or payroll.

accountants set up the bookkeeping system, then monitor it and interpret the results. The accountant knows how to design a system that benefits the business but also captures clear and accurate information in a way that is not burdensome to the bookkeeper.

Before meeting with job applicants, first talk to them on the telephone to get a read on personality and communication style. During the telephone interview, discuss a few qualifications (listed below) to see if you want to move forward. You can also ask your CPA to help with the interview process.

An AP or AR clerical bookkeeper should:

Be able to reconcile a vendor or customer statements with your accounting system?s records of the same and identify transactions that explain the differences.

Be able to discuss and explain the differences with your vendors or customers.

Be proficient in Excel and your accounting software as it pertains to AP or AR.

A payroll bookkeeper should:

Know the social security, Medicare and FUTA tax rates for employees and employers.

Know the earnings cut off for FUTA and SUTA

Know the names of the federal and state payroll tax r.eturns that need to be filed and when they are due.

Know when federal and state payroll taxes are due and by what payment method (check or electronic) is required.

Know what an I-9 and W-4 is.

Know the five types of withholding/taxes that make up a ?941? payroll tax payment or ?deposit.?

A full-charge bookkeeper should:

Know the difference between a balance sheet and a Profit & Loss Statement.

Know what a Chart of Accounts (COA) is.

Know which accounts in the COA belong on the balance sheet and which accounts belong on the Profit & Loss Statement.

Know the difference between the three income and expense recognition methods (cash, accrual and hybrid).

Know the balance sheet equation (Assets = Liabilities + Owners Equity).

Know if accounts in the COA are debited or credited upon an increase or decrease.

Know the rules of when and to whom your company should issue 1099s.

Be proficient in Excel and your company?s accounting software.

An accountant should:

Have a degree or several years of experience.

Know everything that bookkeepers should know.

Be able to talk knowledgeably about the accounting cycle and financial statements.

Have analytical skills and know what analyses are useful for your industry.

Be proficient in Excel and in the accounting software your business uses.

As with any job applicant, check references and perform a background check. Rarely does an applicant possess all the qualities you seek, and you have to determine the best fit as you consider salary requirements, personality and qualifications. If your employee choice is lacking some of the above knowledge, then use the list to help the employee to grow into the position with additional training.

Stephanie G. Travis is the owner of One Source Accounting, LLC, which provides outsourced bookkeeping, consulting and managerial accounting services. She holds a Master of Accounting degree from the University of Florida and is a 37-year resident of Gainesville.

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