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