5 Questions to Ask before hiring a Virtual Accountant / Bookkeeper

Today, business owners have to multitask. They love to offload a few of their non-core tasks to 3rd-party firms like accounting services. They do it because they know it is in their company's financial interest. Hiring a virtual accountant/ bookkeeper saves owners' time they can use to grow their businesses.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Virtual Accountant

Choosing the right accountant/bookkeeper is critical for any business. These professionals assist you in managing your business' finance. Here are a few questions for hiring a virtual accountant/ bookkeeper.

1. Is the accountant certified?

You need to select an accounting services firm that employs experienced and certified virtual accountants. You need to ask the firm whether they are going to hand over your work to a diploma-holder, graduate or certified accountant.

2. How much accounting fees are they going to charge you?

One of the main questions to ask before hiring a virtual accountant is the charges you will need to pay for their services. Make sure that there are no hidden charges that make outsourcing unaffordable.

Ask them about their basic virtual accounting package and the charges. Ask them about the additional costs for the specialised accounting services that you need.

3. What do they do with your old records?

The businesses must maintain their accounting records going back to a specific number of years. It is why you must ask the right questions to the accounting services provider:

• What happens to your old files?
• How long do they maintain your records?
• Do they maintain them all the time or for a certain period, or do they trash them after providing copies to their clients?

You also need to ask them about the transfer of files to you after you have decided to move on to another provider. Do they send you these records on a CD or File Transfer Protocole? Make sure all this info is included in the contract.

4. What happens if there is a data breach?

Your accounting services firm must protect your sensitive financial info from hackers and data breaches. Still, ask them how they will deal with any data breach or hacking of servers and your files are taken. What strategy do they have to restrict damage, retrieve data, or pay the injured party?

5. How secure is their network?

You need to know how serious they are about their network security. Start with their web hosting provider, the software they use to secure their network, servers, computers and routers, data transfer policies, use of digital devices in their premises, etc.

You can expect a certain standard of service when you hire a professional virtual accounting services firm. Once you zero in on such a firm, do not forget these questions to ask before hiring a virtual accountant for your business.