| There are several distinct advantages to | | | | benefits.Most free-lance bookkeepers will |
| outsourcing your bookkeeping functions. | | | | have their own offices saving you space |
| First and foremost is saving money. Having | | | | within your office. So you will not be |
| said that don't step over dollars to pick up | | | | buying that extra desk, calculator, computer |
| dimes. You get what you pay for and if you | | | | and computer software. Your bookkeeper will |
| don't pay for quality than you won't have | | | | be providing all of that as part of his/her |
| quality service. However, you can save money | | | | fee. No software updates, computer |
| by outsourcing because you won't be paying | | | | maintenance, training costs, etc. Of course |
| for employer payroll tax expense (FICA, FUTA | | | | should you prefer to have your computerized |
| and SUTA) workman's compensation and general | | | | bookkeeping records available to you at your |
| liability insurances, vacation time, sick | | | | office, a small investment in software |
| time, health insurance and other benefits a | | | | installed on your computer makes this |
| good full time bookkeeper will expect from | | | | possible. Also no office supplies to be paid |
| his/her employer. Just remember, however, | | | | for. You will be amazed at just how much |
| that these costs will be built into the | | | | pens, pencils, and paper can be used by a |
| consultant's hourly rate and their fee will | | | | bookkeeper. Your consultant bookkeeper will |
| reflect these costs. Any bookkeeping | | | | either ask you to drop off the work at their |
| consultant who has not taken these costs into | | | | office, will pick it up at your office or |
| consideration is not a bookkeeper you want - | | | | some may even offer remote bookkeeping |
| if they don't know enough to include these | | | | service. And by having your bookkeeping done |
| costs into their fees, then they don't know | | | | off site, your bookkeeper will be able to |
| enough to be a help to your business. You | | | | work more efficiently and accurately because |
| should expect to pay at least three times | | | | her/his office will most likely offer less |
| what you would pay an experienced full charge | | | | distractions than your busy office. All of |
| bookkeeper.And just how do you save money by | | | | this is saving you money.And the best reason |
| paying three times the amount you would pay | | | | for outsourcing is that you control the |
| an employee? Well, let's see. There will be | | | | amount of money spent on bookkeeping. What I |
| no recruiting, interviewing and training | | | | mean by this is that the person you hire to |
| costs for start. And if you should find | | | | do your bookkeeping will be doing just that - |
| yourself unhappy with the services there will | | | | not answering the phone, dealing with |
| be no additional recruiting, interviewing and | | | | drop-bys, chatting to other employees, etc. |
| training to replace your bookkeeper. Also, | | | | Also you can start with just a few hours a |
| you will not have to be concerned about law | | | | month and add on when you need to and then |
| suits such as sexual harassment, unlawful | | | | adjust downward again should it be necessary. |
| firing, age discrimination, sexist, etc. Or | | | | Can you imagine finding an employee to start |
| an increase in your unemployment rates | | | | with only four hours a month, then asking |
| because you laid off an employee that you | | | | them to put in 20 hours a week for awhile and |
| really wanted to fire but had no lawful cause | | | | then back down to four hours a month again. |
| to do so. So right away we have less time | | | | I don't think you would keep them for very |
| and money spent and potentially less hassle | | | | long, but a free lance bookkeeper is able to |
| if things don't go well.And of course you | | | | work around these variables and even more |
| will not be paying the 7.65% employer's share | | | | importantly expects to work with flexible |
| of FICA and Medicaid, or SUTA or FUTA | | | | schedules.So have I convinced you yet? If |
| expense, or workman's compensation and | | | | so, then just remember "you will get what you |
| general liability insurance premiums. Also | | | | pay for". Go for top quality because your |
| any worthy bookkeeper will expect at least | | | | financial records are the core of your |
| two weeks vacation, coverage for sick time, | | | | business and without great bookkeeping you |
| health and dental insurance, a 401k plan | | | | cannot expect to succeed no matter what type |
| where the employer matches employee | | | | of business you have. After all don't you |
| contributions and even perhaps more | | | | think you are worth it? |