The relationship that you have with your bookkeeper is worth working on, if only to ensure that your business can continue to function smoothly. However, there are many more reasons why it pays to try and eliminate any problems that you might be facing with your bookkeeper, and why you should do your best to communicate with them effectively. This isn’t always easy though, and misunderstandings can easily occur.
Here are a few tips for establishing and maintaining a good relationship with your bookkeeper:
Set time aside to request information from your bookkeeper:
Take the time to think about your request for information and what other details your bookkeeper might need from you, in order to fulfil it to your satisfaction.
If you request information from your bookkeeper without giving them any context, then the chances are that you might not get exactly what you want from them. The bigger picture isn’t always easy for them to see, and with no context or explanation, the information may be relayed back to you in a manner that isn’t particularly helpful, and in a way in which it can’t be used intelligently. If this happens often, then it may start to affect your working relationship.
Meticulously document all exchanges and requests:
If you have a record of every exchange between you and your bookkeeper, then there can be little room for false allegations or mistakes, and with a policy of transparency, information can flow successfully from party to party. Whether you choose to document everything via email, through a series of notes, or both, make sure that everything is recorded and shared with whomever is appropriate.
Give feedback that is regular, constructive and honest:
As the employer of your bookkeeper, giving them a performance review is no different to giving one to any of your other employees, and provided they are conducted professionally and fairly, they can be immensely beneficial to both parties. Your bookkeeper should of course be given the opportunity to supply relevant feedback to you, too, and if they have been experiencing any issues within the working relationship, they should be able to tell you this before it becomes a problem.
Communicating effectively with your bookkeeper is the only way to ensure that the two of you can establish and maintain a good working relationship, and once you’ve found a bookkeeper that meets your needs, they can help your business move forward in the right direction.