Competent Bookkeepers for Accounting Firms- a Rarity?

Bookkeeping is a task that accountants dread doing. It takes a lot of time and it does not pay too well, accountants are better of preparing final accounts and compiling financial reports. So who does the bookkeeping?

Bookkeepers are hired exclusively for this purpose. They function like how nurses would to a doctor. They do the small yet necessary tasks that are instrumental when it comes to executing the larger tasks, in this case accounts. But unlike nurses, competent bookkeepers are not easy to get.

Bookkeeping is more of a practiced skill. Speed and efficiency can be acquired only over a period of time, this is one of the reasons why most people don't get into it. Competent bookkeepers are few number and you can imagine what their rates would be like. Their services are highly priced such that it is impractical for CPA's and small accounting firms to hire them.

The result?
Accountants take on the task themselves. They only take in clients whose bookkeeping is of a manageable size. The other prospects are reluctantly shown the door. Sad isn't it?

Indeed. The fact that they have to turn down money bringing clients for not having competent bookkeepers is a real pity. You must be wondering if there is a way out, like a perfect solution.

Well luckily, there is and it lies in outsourcing. There are BPO's today that provide accounting bookkeeping services in addition to the other services like call center and customer support. These BPO's provide quality bookkeepers for accounting firms for very low prices. Concerns of data security are comforted by special measures adopted by BPO's like a 'no working for competitors policy' and limited internet access for employees.