Understanding Service Level Agreement in Accounting: A Quick Guide

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Do you still think taking up or offering a service without a service level agreement in accounting is good to go? If yes, you must read this article to understand how a bookkeeping SLA gives businesses the right to expect quality and deadline-driven services and service providers a reason to trust their clients.

Involvement in a professional affair requires a whole lot of formalities. No matter what the position is, verbal interaction cannot be relied on. Having proper documents to confirm employment is a must. Thus, when you are hiring a bookkeeper for your firm, make sure you have a Service Level Agreement (SLA) made. A service level agreement in accounting plays a vital role in specifying employment confirmation, clauses, and conditions for the service providers to be aware of.

What Is A Service Level Agreement?

A service level agreement is a document signed by a service provider and its clients or customers. It is a legally binding credential whereby the service providers agree and promise to deliver services as expected from them.

The agreement assures clients and customers of providing specific services on a specific schedule. Failing to meet the quality, standards, and schedules would make the service provider liable to face strict actions. The clients and customers can report the matter to the Better Business Bureau. In case they are not satisfied with the services in any manner.

Why Should You Have A Bookkeeper Service Level Agreement?

Accounting functions are quite complicated and crucial affairs. Thus, trusting any random professional is never a good idea. To make sure, clients do not have to compromise on their service needs in any way, an SLA is drafted. Using this draft, the clients/customers get an assurance that the person, who is their service provider, would offer up-to-the-mark services within the specified deadlines.

When you have this agreement prepared, it gives you the right to take action against your service provider if you find them compromising on quality or deadlines. In addition, your service providers try their best to match up to your expectations in terms of quality without missing on the schedules. In short, the service level agreement in accounting builds seriousness among the professionals, you are trusting for your work to be done.

Along with the clients, the SLAs also serve to be useful for self-employed service providers. Most of the time, the latter are ghosted after getting the work done. This is a situation where the businesses or individuals get the work done by the service providers and then vanish suddenly without paying them in return. The service level agreement book becomes a formal contract between the two parties, convincing them of being involved in a genuine deal.