If your business is growing quickly and you struggle to keep up with the billing, invoicing and other office tasks, it may be time for help. You can focus on other areas of your business that need attention, while an expert handles the numbers.  Here are some of the things that you want to look into, so you don't have to worry about handling paperwork at the end of a long workday.  

Background and Credentials

After you start searching for a professional, look into their bookkeeping background and credentials. You should be able to find one with the following:

• Payroll services training
• AIPB or NACPB certification
• Business experience
• Budget planning and management skills

When you meet with or more potential professionals, or if you choose to use someone who is a freelancer that works online, these are some of the credentials that they should have. Ask the experts how long they have been in the business, and who are some of their current work relationships with.

Cost Efficiency

How much the professional's service fees are will affect the cost. These factors can dictate the cost of their services:

• How many hours of work a week you will provide the bookkeeper services professional with
• The size of the company and overhead costs
• List of tasks you need the bookkeeper to complete

You want to find a person that offers a competitive rate, since you are just getting started with balancing the cost of paying someone to do the work. This may mean taking someone who doesn't work for a big company, or that works out of a home office.

Work Relationship Requirements

You need to know in advance how you will communicate with this person. You may have someone that will pick up all of your paperwork one day a week, or that may want it delivered to them. If you aren't good with electronics, online communication with faxing, scanning and inputting data may not be great for you.

Some bookkeepers may do everything online and want you to use a specific type of software program they have and know. You have to figure out which working relationship is most suitable for your needs and schedule.

When you have someone who can manage your finances more efficiently than you, and who can save you money by creating a budget, plus they will do the payroll, things will get a lot easier for you. Talk with the bookkeepers that you have considered hiring to see which one offers a rate that you can afford, and who will be the most practical for you to work with.