It’s Global Bookkeeping Week so we are taking this opportunity to shout about how proud we are of our members and employees. There are far more than 5 reasons why we’re proud of our bookkeepers! But we couldn’t very well name them all on here, it would be a long read indeed.
1. They have oodles of patience
Bookkeeping can involve everything from puzzle-solving to chasing payments. Many of the tasks they are faced with involve a keen eye for the details and this requires perfect levels of patience.
Chasing payments can be repetitive and requires persistence but if that helps our clients get back what they are owed then that’s what we shall do. We don’t like aged debtors!
Bookkeepers love perfection and having everything in the right box at the right time, this can take time.
2. They never stop adapting
A system that works for one business is not necessarily right for another business. For instance, a property company isn’t going to have the same processes as a food factory. We must learn how a business works and what their processes are. From there we could end up recommending a new software, training their staff, and even changing their procedures to be more efficient.
We have Bookkeepers that can use Xero, Sage 50, Sage Business Cloud Accounting, Workflow Max, Receipt Bank, Quickbooks and even more! They never stop learning.
3. Organised, Organised, Organised
Yes, we have said it 3 times because it’s that important. For instance, it is essential that payrolls are strictly organised. We must know when people need to be paid; what hours need to be programmed into the system; if there are new employees; what to send to the pension company etc. etc. And then there’s Year Ends, Month Ends and other deadlines.
Without strict workflows, efficient systems, and dedicated workers it just wouldn’t happen.
4. They solve impossible puzzles
There isn’t always an easy way to solve a problem. It takes good old-fashioned logical thinking, pattern spotting, and patience (as mentioned further up!).
Like a team of Miss Marple’s, they will search for missing information; match things together; post things to the right places; and create reports that aid in financial decisions for our clients. Sometimes the information we receive could have things missing or be years old with lots of backlog to go through. But we like a challenge!
5. They must be legislation experts
It’s easy to underestimate the number of rules and regulations you have to know as a Bookkeeper. There’s the vast chasm that is anti-money laundering laws, then there’s the cave of foreboding that is payroll and pensions. Then there’s HMRC’s array of fines and deadlines. Plus many other bundles of legislation we are expected to know about and advise upon. We have described them in this way because it can often be intimidating, particularly to those starting out and it’s a lot to remember. However, we are always there for our staff and sub-contractors to ask questions of.
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