Bookkeeping tips for business owners who don’t want accountant-speak
Practical bookkeeping, cleanup, tax, and reporting tips for small business owners, therapy practices, nonprofits, and service-based businesses. No jargon. No scare tactics. Just useful explanations to help you understand your numbers and make better decisions.
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Square Says One Number. Your Bank Says Another. Now What?
Your Square sales don't always match your bank deposits, and that's normal. Processing fees, refunds, sales tax, and transfer timing can explain the difference. Here's why properly reconciling Square matters for your bookkeeping.
Your Payroll Software Doesn't Mean Your Payroll Is Correct
Payroll software makes paying employees easier, but it doesn't guarantee everything is correct. From missed tax payments to bookkeeping errors, here's what small business owners should be checking.
The Scariest Things I Find in QuickBooks Aren’t What You Think
The scariest QuickBooks problems usually aren’t obvious. Negative receivables, old Undeposited Funds balances, unreconciled accounts, strange payroll liabilities, and incorrect loan balances can quietly make your financial reports unreliable.
Tax Season Starts Before January: What Small Business Owners Should Do Before Year-End
Tax season does not start in January. October is the perfect time to clean up bookkeeping, review payroll, check contractor information, and resolve tax questions before year-end.
Tell Your Bookkeeper When Something Changes, Not Six Months Later
Your bookkeeper can see transactions in QuickBooks, but they can’t always see the story behind them. Here are the business changes you should mention before they turn into bookkeeping cleanup projects.
DIY Bookkeeping Isn’t Free When You Have to Pay Someone to Untangle It Later
DIY bookkeeping can save money, but neglected mistakes can turn into an expensive cleanup project. Here’s why keeping your books reasonably clean throughout the year usually costs less than untangling them later.
Apparently I’m a Hidden Gem: My VoyageKC Interview + a Newsletter You Might Be Missing
VoyageKC recently featured Sara and Dunham Bookkeeping Services. Get a little behind-the-scenes look at DBS, plus a reminder that there’s a monthly newsletter full of practical tips and free resources.
Your Nonprofit’s 990 Shouldn’t Be a Once-a-Year Surprise
Form 990 preparation gets much easier when your nonprofit keeps good records all year. Here’s what organizations should track before filing season arrives.
Your Bank Balance Is Not Your Profit
Money in the bank does not tell you how much your business made. Here’s why your cash balance and your profit can look completely different.
September 15 Is a Bigger Tax Deadline Than Most Business Owners Realize
September 15 is the third estimated tax payment deadline and the extended filing deadline for many partnerships and S corporations. Here’s what business owners should check before it arrives.
Your Books Need a Fall Cleanup Too
September is a great time to clean up unreconciled accounts, uncategorized transactions, strange balances, and other bookkeeping problems before year end.
Why August Is the Perfect Time to Prepare Your Books for Year-End
Year-end bookkeeping becomes much easier when you begin before December. Learn which accounts, documents, contractor records, and financial reports small business owners should review now.
What Does Monthly Bookkeeping Actually Include?
Monthly bookkeeping involves much more than categorizing bank-feed transactions. Learn how reconciliations, account reviews, financial reports, and ongoing problem-solving help keep your business records accurate throughout the year.
7 Signs Your Business Books Need a Cleanup
Bank balances that don’t match, old unpaid invoices, uncategorized transactions, and confusing reports may all point to a bookkeeping problem. Learn seven common signs that your business books need a cleanup.
Back-to-School Bookkeeping Reset for Your Small Business
Back-to-school season isn’t just for students. Use August as an opportunity to reconcile accounts, clear up confusing transactions, and create a bookkeeping routine that keeps your business organized through the rest of the year.
Small Bookkeeping Habits That Prevent Big Cleanups
Big bookkeeping messes usually start with small habits. Here are a few simple bookkeeping habits that can prevent bigger cleanup projects later.
Tax Season Is Easier When You Start Before January
Tax season is easier when your books are cleaned up before January. July is a great time to review your bookkeeping while there is still time to fix problems before year-end.
Your Bank Balance Is Not Your Profit
Your bank balance can show what is in the account today, but it does not tell you whether your business is profitable. Here’s why your reports matter more.
What Your Profit and Loss Report Is Trying to Tell You
Your profit and loss report should tell you what your business earned, spent, and kept. July is a great time to review it before year-end decisions sneak up on you.
Financial Independence Starts With Knowing Your Numbers
As we head into the 250th Independence Day weekend, it’s a great time to think about financial independence in your business. Knowing your numbers gives you clarity, control, and room to make better decisions.