Why hire a Bookkeeper?

But seriously, why? When I was in my 20’s, and would tell my new college friends I was a “bookkeeper” their immediate thoughts would conclude that I was a librarian. Books. Keeper of Books. I guess they are similar in word, but not in deed. Maybe they were just uninformed about finances and credit cards, but even at the young age of ten, I knew what a Bookkeeper was. It was my mother. It was the sound of a QuickBooks “ding” every time a transaction was entered. It was reading off transactions on a never-ending AMEX statement out loud as she typed away on her desktop keyboard while watching General Hospital and snacking on popcorn. I knew what she did, but didn’t quite understand WHY she did it.

Growing up with a mother in finance was a blessing. I knew the value of cleaning, organizing, and record keeping. I saw that because she was organized both professionally and personally, she was able to streamline just about everything in our world. We were never the kids at the door crying because we couldn’t find our ballet shoes. She had trained us to place them in a bag, in the coat closet, by the front door. Viola. We were never the kids who went without, as our mother was able to successfully budget and save for things like new braces and Homecoming dresses. My mother’s type A personality was made to be a bookkeeper, so it comes to no surprise to me that I too was born for this type of work. The rush one gets when the balance and reconcile statement each month says “0”. The little high I get off of scanning and organizing receipts and paid invoices. The pride one feels when a client asks for reports to see their company’s financial health.

So. Why a bookkeeper? My job is to give you more time to do what you do best in your business. My job is to give you all the time to paint and schedule Art Exhibitions, while we handle credit card payments and sales tax reporting. So that you can manage your Bakery downstairs, while we make sure payroll is on time upstairs. By choosing to retain a bookkeeper, you are not only saving time, but money. No more missed payroll reports and IRS payments. No more credit card late fees. No more data entry drudgery and incorrect categorizing of items due to lack of software training.

Running a business is magic. How blessed is the individual who can do what they love day in and day out. A bookkeeper is an invaluable time saver. The long days of building your business days, and record keeping your finances on nights and weekends is over.

Making Magic

Bookkeepers. Such a bad rap of the ladies who sit behind desks all day and type away. Ones who pay bills, process payroll and bill clients. Their keyboards clicking away under halogen lighting and in floral patterned dresses. From the outside looking in, I guess so. But there’s so much more to it.

I am a bookkeeper, yes. But I am many things. I am a (new) wife. I am a mother to 3 beautiful girls and one wild stepson. I am a rescue dog mom, to Olive. I am the unofficial maid to my girls bedroom and personal chef to my husband on weekends. It is knowing me and all my roles that allows one to truly understand me. When taking on a new client, I like to really get to know them. Yes, the more I know about your business workings the better. But. Send me photos your beautiful new Goldendoodle you brought home over the weekend. Text me about your sons upcoming wedding and show me your new dress. And when I see you on Halloween with your grandbabies, don’t be alarmed as I come and hug you and ask about your family.

Work is great. I love what I do, and only hope that so many others feel the same way. But life? Life is so multi faceted. So yes, I want to be your bookkeeper, but I also want to know you. Because by knowing you, I can begin to understand your business, and that’s where the bookkeeping magic really begins.

Blog Log

Blogging about finances seems intimidating! Most people do not like to talk about money, let alone discuss things about money. My mothers famous quote? “Don’t be an ostrich. Get your head out of the sand so you can see what’s going on”. Fun fact? I used to hate opening mail. It was traumatizing. Is is a bill? Is it an ad for a new handbag I cannot afford but am desperate for so then I feel bad about it?

Snail mail still makes me feel some type of way. How did I overcome it? Online paperless notices 🙂 All my bills now come to my email. I can download, save and file away (well, after I pay it!). So, don’t be an ostrich. Open the mail. Or sign up for paperless. And begin to see what’s all around you.