Getting abandoned by your old bookkeeper can leave you feeling frantic and distressed. It’s not like you can put your business on hold while you look for a solution – and as you look, you want to make sure your next bookkeeper is going to be the right fit. When you engage any kind of professional service, it’s important to be ready with a back-up plan in case something goes awry. Whether your bookkeeper quit abruptly, or if you were the one who cut ties because your standards weren’t met, there are steps you can take to ensure that your business doesn’t freefall from its upward trajectory.
When one door closes, an opportunity opens up. Here are some tips to handle the relationship postmortem:
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Don’t panic
It’s easy to get lost in the frenzy of never-ending bookkeeping tasks. And now that your bookkeeper is gone, you might be feeling more lost than ever. Don’t worry – with the right approach, you can get back into the groove of things faster than you think. Look at this as an opportunity for you to overhaul how your business financials are being managed, and assess what other aspects of your business can use some fine-tuning. -
Get your things back from your ex
Regardless of how the relationship with your bookkeeper ended, you have the right to your own financial data. Ensure a smooth transition and get all of your latest financial reports and files from your old bookkeeper. They may send you a QuickBooks file, or data from other kinds of bookkeeping software. Be sure that your new bookkeeper is up-to-date with the latest technologies so they know how to extract the appropriate data from old files and sort things accordingly. -
Scope out the scene
As you get ready to start fresh, consider what your options are. Although it will work to your advantage to act quickly, it’s also important that you’re setting yourself up for success long-term by taking necessary steps to vet talent. When you’re considering who your next bookkeeper will be, ask yourself the following: Do they know what my needs are? Can they help with other business processes like payroll and bill payments? Are they familiar with my industry? How else will they be adding value? -
Finding the perfect match
Anyone would proceed with caution after a sudden ending to a relationship, let alone a business partnership. When you’re finding the right bookkeeper for your business, don’t be afraid to ask hard-hitting questions. Look for someone who will nurture the business relationship, who specializes in your particular industry, has a positive track record with their other clients, and someone who’ll go the extra mile.
If you’re wondering what to do after your bookkeeper quits, take action quickly but don’t be too hasty, or your short-term disruption can turn into a long-term setback.
We’re happy to help you get back on your feet .
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