The Dangers of Automated Systems for Bookkeeping

When it comes to your hard-earned money, an automated computer system is not always a safe and effective option especially when it comes to nuanced situations and details that will cost you thousands without human support and attention.

Case in point: We recently had a boutique client using Tax Jar - an automated system - and when we began looking at her numbers during catch up, things weren’t adding up. It turns out she overpaid $25,000 without knowing it and it took human eyes on her books to see the issue. Not only were we able to identify the problem, but we were able to correct it. They still charged her a fee to process the adjustments (even though it was their error), but we made it right and she’s getting a big chunk of her money back! The danger of using a company like Tax Jar is you miss the human reason and logic that takes place when there’s a big discrepancy (and they still charge more than HarQuin). Bottom line: When things don't reconcile, that's a problem and it could cost you.

Boutique owners! We are here to fight for you. We are in this together. Now is not the time to let money slip through your fingers - but a time to recession proof your business, budget, get out of debt, make your inventory work for you, make every dollar count and get things in order - your books, your business, your home, everything!

HOW TO AVOID ERROR IN YOUR BOOKS

  1. Beware of automated systems. They cannot use reason and logic as humans can when something isn’t adding up in your books.

  2. Have a good CPA. Be sure you’re working with a CPA who cares about your money and will pay careful attention to everything. Get your bookkeeping done separately so there’s not one person doing everything - this eliminates human error.

  3. Hire a bookkeeper that is an asset to your business. Our bookkeeping, payroll and sales tax teams actually reconcile your accounts, follow up on notices from the IRS either correcting errors or getting penalties abated. For many, it can feel intimidating, so our sales tax team fights back and gets refunds—saving our clients thousands of dollars they deserve.

Let us know how we can support you and if you’re not already a client, get your free estimate here.

Lindsey Sryocktax jar, bookkeeping, CPA, taxes