Hiring
What documents should I send a new bookkeeper?
Short answer
Provide entity details, recent statements, prior closing reports, unpaid invoice and bill lists, payroll records and tax registrations through a secure channel. Keep ownership of your records and use invited software access rather than shared passwords.
Detailed answer
Build an opening pack
Include statements for all bank, card, loan and payment-platform accounts, your chart of accounts, the last reconciled trial balance and relevant filed returns. Add schedules for assets, inventory, owner transactions and outstanding obligations. Explain your sales process, payment methods, accounting basis and any known errors or overdue periods.
Agree missing information and access
The new provider should list missing records and confirm the cut-off date before starting. Use named accounts with appropriate permissions and a secure document portal. Agree who answers transaction queries and supplies recurring records each month. Keep a copy of the opening pack so future corrections can be traced back to the handover.
Country differences: rules, thresholds and terminology differ between the US, UK, Australia and Canada. Check the official source for your country below.
Official sources
Published by Expert Bookkeeping Services · Last updated 2026-11-01. General information only — confirm specifics for your situation with a qualified adviser.
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