How to Build a Great Relationship With Your Bookkeeper
Why Collaboration Matters for Your Business
Introduction
Bookkeeping is more than just data entry—it’s the foundation of reliable financial information. A skilled bookkeeper helps you understand where your money is going, identify opportunities to improve profitability, and ensure you’re prepared for taxes, financing, or even an eventual sale. But the quality of this partnership depends as much on the relationship as the technical skills.
The Core of a Strong Relationship
Trust – Your bookkeeper has access to sensitive financial information. Building confidence starts with transparency and consistent follow-through.
Communication – Clear, timely conversations prevent mistakes and reduce back-and-forth.
Alignment – Your bookkeeper should understand your goals—whether it’s maximizing profitability, preparing for growth, or simplifying compliance.
What Business Owners Can Do
Provide Timely Information: Upload receipts, invoices, and payroll details promptly so financials stay current.
Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to request clarification—your bookkeeper should help you understand the numbers.
Set Expectations: Agree on deliverables, deadlines, and reporting formats at the outset to avoid misalignment.
Respect the Process: Bookkeepers often use specific systems and workflows (like Dext, Bill.com, and QBO).
Following these processes helps keep everything accurate and efficient.
What a Good Bookkeeper Should Do
Proactive Communication: Reach out with reminders and flag issues early.
Deliver on Time: Provide reconciliations, reports, and payroll without delay.
Educate and Empower: Explain what the numbers mean for your business, not just present them.
Adapt with Growth: Offer more advanced services (like AR/AP management or CFO-level insights) as your business scales.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Radio Silence: Long stretches without updates cause frustration and erode trust.
Incomplete Records: Delayed or missing documents slow down reporting and increase errors.
Unclear Boundaries: Confusion about who is responsible for what (invoicing, payments, collections) leads to missed tasks.
The Black Dog Financial Perspective
At Black Dog Financial, we believe a great relationship with your bookkeeper is built on structure, accountability, and partnership. That’s why we establish:
Clear SOPs for communication and reporting.
Service levels that grow with your business.
Executive-level reporting to give you clarity, not just compliance.
Conclusion
A strong bookkeeper relationship transforms bookkeeping from a chore into a strategic advantage. With trust, communication, and aligned expectations, your financials become a tool for smarter decisions and long-term growth.
We welcome you to reach out for additional questions or strategy discussions around the topic. You can reach us by clicking: Contact Us
zsultan@blackdogadvisor.com