I got a call the other day from a business owner. He jumped right in and said, “I think I need to fire my bookkeeper.”
I told him, “Hold on—let’s slow down a minute.”
He started explaining that she charges one amount sometimes and then another amount other times. I asked him to tell me more about his business. As we talked, I realized his industry and ours just weren’t a good fit. So I said, “I don’t think we’re the best option for you. I want to make sure you get the right help—and we’re probably not it.”
He paused and said, “Wow, I really appreciate your honesty.”
Then I asked him a few simple questions:
- Is your bookkeeper on time?
- Do they respond to your questions?
- Are they doing the actual work?
He said, “Those are really good questions.”
I told him, “If your bookkeeper is doing the work, they’re responsive, and they’re showing up when they say they will—you probably shouldn’t fire them. That’s a good bookkeeper.”
But… when should you consider finding someone else?
Sometimes the problem isn’t just about the bill. Here are a few things to think about before letting your bookkeeper or accountant go:
- Are you growing faster than they are?
If your business is growing and your bookkeeper isn’t keeping up, it might be time to level up. You need someone who can match your growth, understand your industry, and help you plan for the next step. Some bookkeepers are amazing with startups but may not be built to support a $5 million company.
- Are you getting more than just data entry?
Bookkeeping shouldn’t stop at plugging in numbers. You should be getting real insights. Are they helping you read your reports? Do you understand your cash flow, your profit margins, and your overhead? Are they offering advisory help or CFO-level support if you need it?
- Do their numbers actually make sense?
You should feel confident that what’s in your reports is accurate. If your balance sheet looks off, and your profit and loss does not match your bank account, or you’re seeing surprise expenses pop up without explanation—it might be time to ask some tough questions.
- Is everything too vague?
If all your income is lumped into one category, or all your expenses are buried under “miscellaneous,” you’re missing a clear picture of what’s really happening in your business. A good bookkeeper should give you details—so you can make decisions with your numbers, not just guess.
- Do they communicate well?
You shouldn’t feel like you’re bothering someone when you ask a question. The bookkeeper should have clear expectations that are helpful to you because you deserve quick replies, clear explanations, and someone who wants to serve you well with your business.
Final Thoughts:
Don’t fire your bookkeeper just because you’re frustrated. Ask the right questions. Having clarity of what you should be getting is sometimes a difficult concept to understand. But if they can’t keep up, don’t give clear answers, or leave your books a mess—it’s okay to move on.
You deserve clean books, clear reports, and confidence in your numbers.
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