Bookkeeping Blog
Practical bookkeeping and QuickBooks advice for small business owners.
Bookkeeping vs. Accounting: What Is the Difference?
Bookkeeping records and organizes transactions. Accounting interprets them for tax, planning and compliance. Learn the difference and which one your small business needs first.
Read article →Bookkeeping is the day-to-day recording and organizing of your financial transactions. Accounting uses those records to prepare statements, give tax advice and support planning. Bookkeeping comes first, because accounting work is only as good as the records behind it.
6 min read · BasicsHow Much Does a Bookkeeper Cost for a Small Business?
Bookkeeping costs depend on transaction volume, number of accounts, cleanup needs and services included. See typical pricing models, what drives the price and what to ask before you hire.
7 min readRead article →CleanupHow to Catch Up on Months of Behind Bookkeeping
Months behind on bookkeeping? Follow this step-by-step plan to gather records, reconcile accounts, fix errors and get current without starting over.
7 min readRead article →QuickBooksWhy Your QuickBooks Balance Does Not Match Your Bank (and How to Fix It)
If your QuickBooks balance does not match your bank, reconciliation will show why. Learn the common causes and the steps to reconcile a bank account in QuickBooks Online.
6 min readRead article →Tax Prep1099 Contractors: How to Keep Clean Records All Year
Collect W-9s, track contractor payments by vendor and avoid a year-end scramble. A practical guide to 1099 contractor records for U.S. small businesses.
6 min readRead article →IndustriesBookkeeping for Contractors: Job Costing Basics
Job costing shows which construction jobs make money. Learn how contractors can track materials, labor, subcontractors and progress billing by job in QuickBooks.
6 min readRead article →IndustriesBookkeeping for Rental Property Owners: Track Each Property Separately
Track rent, repairs, deposits and mortgage by property so you know which rentals are profitable and are ready for tax time. A practical guide for rental owners.
6 min readRead article →CleanupHow Much Does a QuickBooks Cleanup Cost? What Affects the Price
QuickBooks cleanup cost depends on how far behind you are, how many accounts you have and how clean your records are. See what drives the price and how to get a fixed quote.
7 min readRead article →QuickBooks5 Signs Your QuickBooks File Needs a Cleanup
Reports that do not match your bank, big uncategorized balances and duplicate entries are signs your QuickBooks needs a cleanup. Learn the five warning signs and what to do next.
6 min readRead article →Tax PrepWhat to Send Your CPA at Tax Time: A Small Business Checklist
Give your CPA clean records and tax time is faster and cheaper. Use this checklist of reports, statements and documents to send before your tax preparer asks.
6 min readRead article →ReportsThe 5 Reports Every Small Business Owner Should Read Each Month
Five monthly reports show how your business is really doing: profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow, A/R aging and A/P aging. Learn what each one tells you and what to look for.
6 min readRead article →ChecklistsWhat a Monthly Bookkeeping Close Includes (and Why It Matters)
A monthly close is the set of steps that finishes your books for the month: categorize, reconcile, review and report. See the checklist and what you should receive each month.
6 min readRead article →BasicsWhat Is Bookkeeping? A Simple Guide for Small Business Owners
Bookkeeping is recording and organizing your business's financial transactions. Learn what it includes, why it matters and how often to do it.
6 min readRead article →Basics7 Signs Your Business Needs a Bookkeeper
Behind on reconciliations, unsure about profit, or dreading tax season? These seven signs show it is time to hand your books to a professional.
6 min readRead article →QuickBooksQuickBooks Cleanup: What It Is and When You Need It
A QuickBooks cleanup fixes errors, miscategorized transactions and unreconciled accounts. Learn the signs you need one and what the process involves.
7 min readRead article →ChecklistsMonthly Bookkeeping Checklist for Small Businesses
Use this monthly bookkeeping checklist to keep your books accurate: reconcile accounts, review reports, follow up on invoices and prepare for taxes.
5 min readRead article →BasicsChart of Accounts: How to Set One Up for a Small Business
A clear chart of accounts keeps your reports useful. Learn what it is, how to organize it and the mistakes to avoid.
6 min readRead article →BasicsWhy You Should Separate Personal and Business Finances
Mixing personal and business money makes books messy and tax time harder. Learn how to separate them and clean up when they are mixed.
5 min readRead article →BasicsCash vs. Accrual Accounting: Which Should You Use?
Cash basis records money when it moves. Accrual records income and expenses when earned or incurred. Learn the difference and how to choose.
6 min readRead article →IndustriesBookkeeping for Medical and Dental Practices
How medical, dental and med spa practices can organize deposits, supplies, payroll and merchant fees so the books reflect real profit.
6 min readRead article →ReportsHow to Read a Profit and Loss Statement
A profit and loss statement shows income, expenses and net profit for a period. Learn what each section means and what to look for.
6 min readRead article →ReportsHow to Read a Balance Sheet
A balance sheet is a snapshot of what your business owns, owes and is worth on a given date. Learn the sections and what to check.
6 min readRead article →ReportsCash Flow vs. Profit: Why You Can Be Profitable and Still Run Out of Cash
Profit and cash are not the same. Learn why a profitable business can run short of cash and how to monitor both.
6 min readRead article →Tax PrepYear-End Bookkeeping Checklist: Get Ready for Your CPA
Use this year-end checklist to reconcile accounts, review 1099s, clean up categories and give your CPA clean records.
6 min readRead article →QuickBooksQuickBooks Online vs. Desktop: Which Is Right for Your Business?
Compare QuickBooks Online and Desktop on access, features and who each fits, and learn what to check before switching.
6 min readRead article →Not sure where your books stand?
Book a free 15-minute call. We will tell you honestly what your books need.