I've been chatting with my own Accountant, Brenda at Do The Sums, to find out what we can do to make THEIR job easier. Don't worry, though, I also chatted to her about how to best make a Bookkeeper or Accountant work best for YOU. Have to have both sides, right?

Over to Brenda...

How long have you owned Do The Sums? What do you love best about what you do?

I bought Do The Sums from the previous owner Rebecca, nearly 4 years ago. I love my clients and I also love working with numbers and problem solving.

 What is the difference between a Bookkeeper and An Accountant?

Generally tax knowledge and experience. We are able to complete end of year financial statements, bookkeepers generally just do the day to day stuff like reconciling, invoicing etc.

What are your 3-5 absolute TOP TIPS that a client could take on board to make their bookkeeper LOVE them? (ie make your job easier)

1.  Never be shy to ask even what you deem to be a "stupid", always ask if you are unsure, me myself I will never charge a client if they ask a simple question, easier to ask than for me to spend hours (and then have to charge client) to fix something that could have easily been done correctly. 

 
2. Never be shy to ask even what you deem to be a "stupid", always ask if you are unsure, me myself I will never charge a client if they ask a simple question, easier to ask than for me to spend hours (and then have to charge client) to fix something that could have easily been done correctly.  
 
3. Have a good accounting system, even if it is just an excel spreadsheet make sure you do everything clearly and consistently.  
 

4. Have a good relationship with your accountant/bookkeeper.  

5.  Stay on top of your reconciling or spreadsheet, nothing worse than going to do it a year later and not remembering what something is for. 

You can get in touch with Brenda and her team via email - brenda@dothesums.co.nz or also find them on Facebook (website is currently having a refresh)