Why You Should Have an Accountant Do Your Bookkeeping

If you are looking for bookkeeping services in Las Vegas, NV, there are many different options available to you. Before you can begin the hiring process, you must determine what you need. The terms "bookkeeper" and "accountant" are often used interchangeably. However, in terms of the typical job function, there is a difference. Bookkeepers tend to handle the day-to-day financial needs such as ensuring employees have filled out the appropriate paperwork for payroll, submitting invoices and collecting amounts owed, and paying bills. Depending on the size of the business, the need for this type of employee may only be needed on a part-time basis. In contrast, an accountant deals more with the bigger picture of a business’ finances. He or she deals with the important financial documents, such as the profit and loss statement, and tax documents.

The challenge is that business owners may not want to deal with the day-to-day grind of finances, so it would be beneficial to hire someone to handle that. However, if the business has less than 30 employees, it may not be worth it to hire someone full-time for just that role. This is where it can be beneficial for a business to use an accountant for bookkeeping. Since you will have use for your accountant many times throughout the year, it might make sense to just pay them as a full-time employee and let them handle the bookkeeping needs. First, this will give them an idea of how your business is run. Second, it will allow you to consolidate your workforce. Since accountants typically handle your taxes at year-end, it will be less work for them if they already know how your accounts are organized and how the books handled. If you call your accountant on a regular basis and wish he or she was in the office full-time, it might be a good time to bring them on-board.

Bookkeeping services in Las Vegas, NV run the gamut of temporary bookkeepers to full-time accountants, so there is something to fit your business needs. However, it is important to understand that people can use the terms "bookkeeper" and "accountant" without being certified. Good bookkeepers and accountants will take the time to achieve their certification either through the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Be sure to review an individual's credentials and experience before hiring them.

Sources:

Gunn, E. (2011, June 28). "When to Hire a Bookkeeper or Accountant." Entrepreneur (Website). Retrieved from http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219917 . Accessed on October 3, 2011.

Mohr, A. (2012, August 23). "What's the Difference Between a Bookkeeper and an Accountant?" Intuit (Website). Retrieved from http://blog.intuit.com/money/whats-the-difference-between-a-bookkeeper-and-an-accountant/ . Accessed on October 3, 2011.