Toronto | Milky Way VAS

Are you looking for the best bookkeeper in Toronto or in the Greater Toronto Area?

If you’re running a small business in Toronto or the surrounding area, you’ve probably realized that keeping your books balanced yourself isn’t the best use of your time. In such a busy city, there are just so many things that an entrepreneur should be focused on to achieve business growth, but administrative work isn’t really one of them.

Smart Business Decisions

Bookkeeping is one of the smartest things for a business owner to outsource. In fact, hiring a bookkeeper for your small business could actually save you money. Why? Because making mistakes can really add up. That’s why you’ve probably heard that 30 per cent of small businesses fail within two years; this happens because the expenses of these businesses outweigh their profits. A great Toronto bookkeeper can help you understand your numbers so that you’re on top of your financials and the situation never escalates to that kind of cash crunch.

A great Toronto bookkeeper just makes sense. Unless you’re a stellar numbers person and administrative superstar, invoicing, accounts receivable, balance sheets, and taxes are probably always nagging at the back of your mind, preventing you from focusing on sales, service delivery, and outstanding customer service. A pro will take charge of your books and keep your numbers in tip top order so that you don’t have to worry or stress about what needs to be done; your bookkeeper can keep you abreast of your business’ financial health and take a load off your shoulders.

It’s understandable that taking the leap to outsource your bookkeeping for the very first time can be scary! Relinquishing your finances requires trust—both trust in the individual you hire and their processes.

A great bookkeeper is more than just a human calculator. They’re someone who will join you as a committed extension of your team; a professional who is committed to your success. They won’t just run the numbers, they’ll also get to know your business intimately so that they can help make a positive impact on the growth of your business overall.

Qualities of a Great Bookkeeper

Of course, bookkeepers in Toronto require certain qualifications and skills, but what are the personality traits that you should keep an eye out for when hiring a bookkeeper? Most people can do the work at a basic level—after all, you started out doing it yourself at some point—but the question is, who is going to go the extra mile and do it really well?

Obviously, skills such as professional expertise and tax knowledge are a must, but what makes a bookkeeper go from basic to an integral member of your team?

The best traits to look for in a GTA bookkeeper are:

Detail oriented
Organized
Attention to follow up
Ability to provide advice
Honesty
Ability to prioritize
Passion for numbers
Eagerness to learn
Puts your business first

These traits will make sure that:

Statements are verified
Stray invoices are investigated
Files are kept neat and orderly
Payments are constantly followed up
Items are allocated to the correct accounts
Unusual items are looked into
Paper is organized regularly
Your bookwork is treated as if it was their own
Your cash flow is managed

When you’re scouring the Toronto area for a great bookkeeper, you’ll want to keep these traits and skills in mind because it will save you both time and money. If your bookkeeper accomplishes everything listed above, not only will you save time related to financial management, but you’ll also free up more time to focus on growing your business. With all that time saved, you can see that investing in bookkeeping will actually save you money in the long-term.

Here at Milky Way VAS, I am a QuickBooks ProAdvisor and a Xero Certified Advisor. I offer professional cloud-based outsourced bookkeeping that encompasses all the skills and qualities that I’ve outlined above—perfect for your small Toronto-based business! Not only can I handle basic bookkeeping, but I also offer payroll services, bookkeeping setup, customer invoicing, and government filing. I provide a complete, efficient service so you won’t need multiple people to do the job.

And you know what else?

I really care about my clients.

I believe in building a relationship with you and your books so that I can understand your business and help advise you about the best choices for your finances. Your success matters to me, and I’ll go out of my way to ensure that you’re making all of the best choices when it comes to your small business in Toronto.

So, if you’ve asked yourself, “do I want a basic bookkeeper or do I want to partner with someone who will really care about my business, becoming an integral part of my team who is dedicated to my success?” then you definitely shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Milky Way VAS. I am more than happy to answer your questions and ascertain all your bookkeeping needs!

Trust me, once you’ve found a great bookkeeper, you’ll never look back!

So, you’re looking for the best Virtual Assistant in Toronto?

There are literally dozens upon dozens of people out there who call themselves Virtual Assistants. The problem is that they don’t all offer the same skills, dedication, and focus that you might be looking for. The best Virtual Assistant is someone who is able to give you their entire focus when you need it; someone who can help you out when you’re feeling stressed about the amount of work that needs to be done.

What are the qualities that you should look for when you’re trying to hire a Virtual Assistant?

1. Will They Be There When You Need Them?

One of the reasons you’re hiring a Virtual Assistant is because you need someone who can complete all of the little tasks that can build up and create a backlog on your to-do list. You need to find a VA who will be there when you need them.

A great Virtual Assistant should never be too far from their phone or computer, ready to respond to your messages within a few minutes of getting them, if not immediately. Although they might not be able to complete your desired task right away, they should be able to talk to you about it and set up a due date for the project that works for both of you.

2. Do They Ask Questions?

Have you ever given someone complex directions, asked them if they understood, and then they’ve just responded with a “Yup”? It always gives me a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. If someone is actively engaged in a conversation, they should have lots of questions and thoughtful comments. The questions don’t mean that they don’t understand. The questions demonstrate that they just want to be as clear and get as many details as possible.

Inquisitiveness is a quality that a Virtual Assistant should have. A great VA wants to be able to do exactly what you ask as thoroughly and quickly as they can. Often times this requires that they ask quite a few questions. Curiosity is a fabulous trait, and one that you want to find in a VA.

3. Are You A Good Fit For One Another?

If you interact with someone on a daily basis, even if it’s just over the internet, it’s important to make sure that you click. Why would you want to spend time with someone who you don’t get along with? A Virtual Assistant is like any other employee in this sense. If you’re going to hire someone, make sure that you get along well.

When you first talk to a VA, ask yourself a few questions. Did you have a comfortable rapport with them? Did you feel at ease while you conversed? Do you feel like they understood you and you understood them? If the answer to all of these questions is yes, then you may have found your Virtual Assistant!

4. Do They Have the Skills You Need?

Although every Virtual Assistant should be adaptable and a jack-of-all-trades, there are some projects that might be beyond the average VA’s scope and ability. If you have a specialized business, or you deal with a lot of numbers and finances, then a general purpose VA might not be able to help you as much as you would like.

In these cases, look for Virtual Assistants who have the skills that you need for your business. From financial services to administrative tasks to online business management, identify your specific needs and make sure your virtual assistant can meet them.

5. Do They Complete Tasks On-Time?

One of the beauties of engaging a Virtual Assistant is to have someone that can complete the work you don’t have time to do. As a business owner, your time is extremely valuable. You need a partner who has your back. Whether you’re incredibly busy at a particular time of year, or there are important tasks that are just too time-consuming to do yourself, the last thing you want is to have to chase someone down for the completed projects.

You need to make sure that the Virtual Assistant you choose has the ability to hold to deadlines and get you the material you need on the day that you ask for it. Being able to stick to a deadline is an absolutely essential quality to look for in a Virtual Assistant.

Finding A Diamond In The Rough

Finding and onboarding the right Virtual Assistant can take some energy and hard work. You need to find someone who can handle the details, go the extra mile, and make sure that you’re getting the virtual support that you need to help your business grow.

When I first started Milky Way VA, I knew that I could bring my experience working in a diverse number of business environments to my clients. I know what it’s like to manage a business, and the level and quality of support that you need from your staff on a daily basis.

As a Virtual Assistant, I love helping my clients to reach their goals. I’m resourceful, have excellent time management skills, and excel in a number of areas such as financial matters, administrative duties, and online business management. If you’re looking for a great partner to help your business succeed, don’t hesitate to send me a message. We can have a chat to see if we’re the right fit to work together. I can’t wait to get to know you, your business, and your goals!

So You’re Looking for the Best Bookkeeper in the GTA?