In past blogs, I’ve encouraged you to create and maintain a checklist of tasks that you want your bookkeeper or accountant to perform at least once a quarter. But checklists only go so far.
I also believe business owners and their accountants/CPAs should meet in person each quarter. Yes, we’ll talk about your numbers, but let’s take advantage of our time together and also talk about your day-to-day operations and what may be affecting the numbers.
Here are some of the items we’ll cover in our meeting:
Catching Up on Your Business and the Market
I’ll want to hear about you and any new developments. What’s working and what are the challenges? I’d also like to hear more about the business you are in. What’s happening with you, your team, and the market you’re competing in?
This will help provide a total picture, giving me an overview of what to expect and where we can offer more support and advice.
An Update on any Tax Changes Impacting the Business
There could be federal laws taking effect, and/or state and local developments to keep an eye on. We’ll talk about where you might expect to see some changes, and also, some possible savings, as a result.
How are the Internal Controls?
Are all of your processes and checks and balances really working for you and making sense to you? If you think we need to evaluate your current controls and their outcomes, we can create a plan.
Do you Feel Comfortable with your Bookkeeping Technology?
Are you using what you have effectively? Can we help you train on any existing systems? Would you be open to recommendations from us on new software? We’ll go over these questions as well.
What Other Business Growth Advice Can we Offer?
Brigade Bookkeeping works with many different businesses—from start-ups, to established storefronts, to businesses that are branching out in new directions. If you’re curious about growth, let’s talk about where you want to be and how you want to get there.
The bottom line is, let’s not miss an opportunity to meet in person. While I’m a big fan of what can be shared and accomplished through online technology, I think meeting in person will help us have a meaningful conversation about your business.
If you have questions you know you want to ask, and I might need more time to prepare the answers, please feel free to email them to me in advance of our meeting so I can make definitive recommendations.
In the meantime, I look forward to our next quarterly meeting!
