It’s a sad fact, but it’s been known to happen. Although one of the key requirements for a good bookkeeper, after intelligence and a facility with numbers, is discretion — a respect for privacy and confidentiality — some bookkeepers drop the ball big-time on that one. Let me tell you a little story — with the names changed, of course.
“Barbara” was a bookkeeper who worked for a small company whose owner, “Steve,” had decided to apply for a loan in order to expand his business. Steve went down to the bank where he had his business account, filled out the necessary papers, and waited. “Ryan,” the bank officer he spoke with, told him things were looking very good for Steve getting the loan.
That Saturday, Barbara went to the nail salon. Her nail tech (they don’t call them “manicurists” anymore) asked how things were at work. “Fine,” Barbara said. “You know I like my job.” The nail tech hazarded a guess that Barbara would be working there till she retired. “I hope so… if the company lasts that long,” Barbara replied. The nail tech expressed surprise at Barbara’s remark. “Steve’s applied for a loan,” Barbara explained, “but he’s trying to expand too fast.
I’m afraid the whole thing’s gonna come crashing down on him. We have some accounts that are delinquent, the roll-out of the new product has been less than successful…” and she went on to enumerate the company’s troubles. The nail tech made no further comment but listened as she filled in Barbara’s acrylics.
A little while later, Ryan’s wife was seated in that same chair, getting her nails worked on. And the nail tech, in the course of chit-chat, related Barbara’s comments to this woman… who, naturally, carried the story back to her banker husband.
Steve didn’t get the loan, and when Barbara, in a paroxysm of guilt, unburdened her soul by confessing her indiscretion, Steve fired her. But the damage had been done.
Now, certainly most bookkeepers exhibit more discretion than that… but there’s always one who doesn’t know how to keep his or her mouth shut.
One solution to the problem is to hire a virtual bookkeeper. This offsite worker may be in another town, another state, or even another country. He or she will face little temptation to share the stories of what s/he has learned in the course of his/her work: S/he doesn’t live or work in the area, doesn’t know people who know the people s/he works for. And even should s/he make a minimal comment to a friend, that friend doesn’t know any of these people and is in no position to say something to someone that can come back and “bite the business owner in the butt.”
Hiring the services of a virtual bookkeeper may be the best way to indiscretion-proof your business.
