--- title: "Managing Your Bookkeeper: Reviews and Communication | MCC" description: "How to work with a bookkeeper after hiring: monthly rhythm, what to review, how to send documents and how to spot early signs of trouble." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/bookkeeping/guides/managing-your-bookkeeper-after-you-hire" --- Bookkeeping guide · Updated October 12, 2026 # Managing Your Bookkeeper: Reviews and Communication Hiring is only the start. The books are only as good as the information you send and the attention you give the reports. A steady monthly rhythm keeps both sides on track and keeps small issues from growing. By [Matthew Coleman](/about), MCC Solutions **Quick answer.** To manage your bookkeeper after hiring, set dates: you send documents by one day, the bookkeeper finishes by another and you review by a third. A steady monthly calendar keeps reports arriving in the same week and small issues from growing. Want this handled for you? Monthly bookkeeping, cleanup and year-end close for small businesses. Start with a free health check of your books. [Free health check](/bookkeeping/health-check)[Get a quote](/bookkeeping/#interest) **Related:** [NJ 1099 contractor rule (ABC test)](/bookkeeping/guides/nj-independent-contractor-rule-abc-test-2026) · [Trial balance explained](/bookkeeping/guides/trial-balance-explained) · [Owner contribution or loan](/bookkeeping/guides/owner-equity-and-capital-contributions) **Free tools:** [Late payment fee calculator](/bookkeeping/late-payment-fee-calculator) · [True cost of an employee](/bookkeeping/employee-cost-calculator) [![Intuit ProAdvisor Gold tier badge](/img/credentials/intuit-proadvisor-gold.png)](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)Gold tier in Intuit's ProAdvisor program. [See my Intuit listing](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77) Keeping your own books? Tallyfinch does invoices, bank import and reports on your computer. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) ## Agree a monthly calendar Set dates. You send documents by a certain day, the bookkeeper finishes by another, and you review by a third. When everyone knows the calendar, reports arrive in the same week every month and become part of your routine. Put the dates in writing along with the contact method for urgent questions, so urgent matters do not wait in a long email. ## Make your side easy Give the bookkeeper prompt answers to their questions about transactions. Send receipts and statements in one place, not scattered across texts and emails. Tell them about new loans, large purchases, new bank accounts or changes in staff when they happen. A shared folder with subfolders by month works well, and the bookkeeper can tell you what is missing. ## What to look at each month Read the profit and loss and compare it with last month. Check that the bank and card balances match your statements. Scan the uncategorized list, the accounts receivable aging and the payables list. Ask about anything that surprises you. You do not have to know accounting to ask good questions. Why did this expense double? Who is this vendor? What does this balance represent? ## Signs the arrangement is slipping Reports arriving later and later, repeated questions about the same transactions, reconciliations that do not tie, or vague answers are warning signs. So is reluctance to share access or files. Raise issues early, directly and in writing, and give a chance to correct. Compare their work to an independent source from time to time, such as your own bank statement or a tax preparer's view. ## Review the relationship yearly Once a year, revisit scope and price. Has the business grown? Do you need new reports such as budgets or cash forecasts? Ask your tax preparer how clean the books were at year end, because their feedback is a useful quality check. If you decide to change providers, plan a handoff. Request the file, a list of open items, a reconciliation summary and documentation of any custom setups. ## Using the books for decisions The point of all this is better decisions. Ask your bookkeeper for a short summary each month: what changed, what to watch, what questions are open. Use it to talk about pricing, hiring, spending and taxes. If you only look at the books once a year, you are paying for history instead of insight. A fifteen-minute monthly conversation turns bookkeeping from a chore into a management tool. Be clear about who decides what. The bookkeeper records and flags, while you or your CPA decide on tax positions and accounting policy. Writing this split down avoids awkward moments when a transaction has more than one reasonable treatment. ## Common questions **How often should I talk with my bookkeeper?** A brief monthly review call or message exchange is enough for many businesses, with more contact as needed. **What reports should I always receive?** At minimum a profit and loss, balance sheet and reconciliation confirmation each month. **What if my bookkeeper makes a mistake?** Ask for a correction and an explanation of how it will be prevented. Occasional errors happen, patterns do not. This guide is general information, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Rules, fees and due dates change; check with the IRS, the NJ Division of Taxation or a licensed professional for your situation. Let us handle it [### Monthly bookkeeping Categorizing, reconciling and monthly reports, with cleanup, payroll and NJ filings available. Bookkeeping →](/bookkeeping/) [### QuickBooks Online Monthly bookkeeping, cleanup and reconciliation in QuickBooks Online for New Jersey small businesses. Your account stays in your name. QuickBooks →](/bookkeeping/software/quickbooks-online)[### Xero Bookkeeping and reconciliation in Xero for New Jersey small businesses, including cleanup and moving from spreadsheets or another program. Xero →](/bookkeeping/software/xero)[### FreshBooks Bookkeeping, invoice clean-up and reconciliation in FreshBooks for New Jersey freelancers and service businesses. FreshBooks →](/bookkeeping/software/freshbooks) More guides - [Bookkeeping for a Side Hustle: Start Simple](/bookkeeping/guides/bookkeeping-for-a-side-hustle) - [Tracking Mileage and Vehicle Expenses for Business](/bookkeeping/guides/tracking-mileage-and-vehicle-expenses) - [Keeping Records for a Home Office Deduction](/bookkeeping/guides/home-office-expense-records) - [Uncategorized and Suspense Accounts: Clear Them Out](/bookkeeping/guides/uncategorized-and-suspense-accounts) Free tool - [Bookkeeping health check](/bookkeeping/health-check) [All guides](/bookkeeping/guides) Reach small business owners, freelancers and bookkeepers who read this guide: [advertise here](/advertise#bookkeeping). Document pack ### Bookkeeping Client Onboarding Pack The documents a solo bookkeeper writes again for every new client, drafted once: what to ask, what to agree in writing, and what to request each month. [See what is inside ($39)](/toolkits/bookkeeping-client-onboarding-pack) Also in the [Bookkeeper Practice Bundle](/toolkits/bookkeeper-practice-bundle): 3 products for $59 instead of $77 separately. Tallyfinch ### Books you keep on your own computer Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) [Download it free](/tools/pro/trial/mccBooks) [Compare the three apps](/software) ## Rather have us keep the books? Ask for a quote. [Get a Quote](/bookkeeping/#interest)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)