How Do I Choose the Right Remote Bookkeeping Services for My Business?
Hiring the wrong bookkeeper can quietly ruin your business. On the flip side, choosing the right remote bookkeeping partner can save you money, reduce tax stress, and free up your time to actually grow the business.
Download Our Free Brochure →But how do you choose the right one? Let’s break it down.
1. Look for a Bookkeeping Specialist – Not a “Jack of All Trades”
Many services claim to offer bookkeeping “plus” admin support, data entry, or virtual assistant services. That’s a red flag. You need a bookkeeping-first team that understands:
- Account reconciliations
- Financial reporting
- Monthly close process
- Industry-specific compliance
Choose a company that focuses 100% on bookkeeping, not one where it’s an afterthought.
2. Evaluate Software Compatibility
You’re likely using QuickBooks, Xero, or another accounting platform. If your bookkeeper isn’t familiar with your software – run.
Ask these questions:
- “Do you work inside QuickBooks Online or push spreadsheets?”
- “Do you offer a login to your own CRM or platform?”
- “Can your team handle integrations like payroll, AP, or POS systems?”
The best remote bookkeeping services will plug into your system – not make you change your workflow.
Download Our Free Brochure →3. Ask About Industry Experience
If you’re a lawyer, you don’t want a bookkeeper who specializes in eCommerce. If you run a construction business, you don’t want someone who only works with tech startups.
Ask:
- “Have you worked with companies in my industry?”
- “Do you understand the unique chart of accounts I need?”
- “Can you track job costs, trust accounts, or project-based expenses?”
4. Clarity on Scope, Frequency, and Communication
Your books can’t be something that’s updated “when we get to it.” You need consistency.
Ask them:
- “How often will you reconcile my accounts?”
- “Will I have a dedicated point of contact?”
- “How quickly will you reply to questions?”
Avoid services that dodge these questions.
5. Pricing Transparency
Good remote bookkeeping isn’t cheap – but it should be predictable.
Avoid services that charge hourly. Look for flat monthly pricing that includes:
- Bank and credit card reconciliation
- Monthly reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow)
- Ongoing communication
- Tax-season prep
Real Test Case: Construction Company in Texas
A general contractor in Houston switched to RemoteBooksOnline after struggling with an overseas freelancer who never understood project-based cost tracking.
Within 2 months:
- Books were fully reconciled
- Job-cost tracking was built into their chart of accounts
- Their CPA received clean reports for quarterly filing
They now close their books monthly – with no stress.
FAQs
Can I hire a remote bookkeeper in a different state?
Yes. Most quality remote bookkeeping services operate nationwide and can comply with your state’s tax and financial reporting requirements.
What certifications should a remote bookkeeper have?
Look for QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification, Xero certification, or experience with GAAP standards.
Is it secure to work with a remote bookkeeping service?
Yes – as long as the service uses encrypted portals, MFA logins, and has secure data-handling policies.
What happens if I need to switch providers?
Choose a provider that gives you full access to your books and documentation, so if you ever switch, there’s no data hostage situation.
Should I hire a freelancer or a service company?
Services like RemoteBooksOnline offer better accountability, team coverage, and built-in quality checks – freelancers often disappear or get overwhelmed.
Ready to take control of your books without the stress?
RemoteBooksOnline offers reliable, U.S.-based remote bookkeeping for small businesses across all industries. Whether you need monthly cleanup, catch-up bookkeeping, or CPA-ready reporting, we’ve got you covered.
Stay organized and tax-ready year-round with our flat-rate monthly bookkeeping services.
If you’re behind on your books, our catch-up bookkeeping services can help you get current fast-no stress, no mess.
CPA and bookkeeping firms can scale faster with our white-label bookkeeping services fully branded for your clients.
