What’s the best option when you need help crunching numbers? Many options are available when you require support to stay on top of your business’s finances, including hiring an accountant or bookkeeper to work directly on your payroll. For many small businesses, however, that option doesn’t make sense, especially from a fiscal perspective.

Turning to a third party for assistance provides a new set of options. Should you opt for online accounting services that connect you with virtual Calgary accountants on an as-needed basis, or should you work with an established accounting business instead? A quick look at the differences between the two options can help you decide.

The Level of Personalization

Working with a virtual accountant can be a quick and convenient way to take care of some minor “housekeeping” on your books or to handle some basic tasks. However, you shouldn’t expect a very personal service. Sometimes, you may not even work with the same individual from session to session. There is little personalization to the service and few opportunities for the business to get to know you well. On the other hand, a more individualized experience is possible with an established accounting firm, giving you more opportunities to discuss and strategize with someone who knows your work.

Access to Experience

There’s no guarantee that a virtual accountant will have more knowledge or experience beyond what’s necessary to become certified. That can leave you worrying about mistakes or frustrated at the lack of services you need. With an established firm, you can assess their experience level more adequately and see how long your potential accounting partner has been in business.

Knowledge of Your Business

A personalized experience isn’t just about friendly chats—it’s about understanding the nature of your business and its finances over time. With a virtual accountant who may service dozens of clients a week, that kind of deep knowledge is difficult to cultivate. An actual accountant, however, will be able to use experience from other similar businesses and knowledge gained from working closely with you to provide a more tailored service that aligns with your goals.

Technology and Training

As mentioned, a virtual online accountant may not have much more training than what’s necessary to service clients. Their access to advanced accounting technology may also be poor. With a proven firm’s help, you can tap into the latest tools in the accounting world. Don’t pass up the opportunity to work with a bookkeeper with the knowledge, training, and tools to provide good service.

Making the Right Choice for Your Business

A smart bookkeeping approach can significantly benefit your business, from finding ways to reduce costs to improving your annual tax situation. At Reion Accounting, we stand out among accounting companies in Calgary by providing a service highly integrated with the latest technology.

By choosing to work with our accountants, your business can tap into the best of both worlds—the personal knowledge and experience of a trusted accountant and the convenience of modern technology and techniques. Speak with us at your convenience to explore more details about how we can provide your business with reliable service to support your work.