What Most Business Owners Get Wrong About DIY Bookkeeping Running a business is tough. You do sales, help customers, manage workers, handle marketing, and maybe even clean toilets. So when QuickBooks ads say, “It’s super easy! Just link your bank and you’re done!” – of course, you want it to be true. Who doesn’t? But […]
Author Archives: Amber Malone
29
Jul
Jul
Let me ask you something real: Are you building a job…or a business? And I don’t mean a 9-to-5 where you clock in and collect a paycheck. I’m talking about the kind of job where you’re the whole show. The sales team, the customer service rep, the bookkeeper, the janitor, and the one sending invoices […]
24
Jul
Jul
If you’ve ever watched a QuickBooks Online commercial, you’ve probably seen it: a business owner clicking a few buttons, connecting a bank account, and suddenly—ta-da!—they’ve “done” their books. It’s a great ad. But it’s also dangerously misleading. Let me explain. Software Is a Tool—Not a Full Solution I’m a fan of QuickBooks Online. We use it every day in our business. It’s an amazing tool. But that’s just it—it’s a tool. […]
Let’s clear up a question I hear all the time from business owners: “Isn’t bookkeeping the same as accounting?” And — “Isn’t accounting the same as tax stuff?” Not quite. These words often get lumped together, but they each mean something different. And if you own a business, it’s super helpful to know what’s what. […]
17
Mar
Mar
Have you ever had one of those “Aha!” moments—when you suddenly understand something that had previously seemed mysterious or impossible? I’ve had more than enough of those, maybe more than I’d like to admit. But each “aha” means growth, right? One of my most significant life moments of clarity (besides my faith) was finally understanding […]
11
Mar
Mar
Credit cards have become the default way for many companies to pay bills. For some transactions and purchases, this makes logical sense. Paying off the balance on time every month can work well for many of the service-based businesses we provide bookkeeping. Several have rewards, cash back, and travel rewards, so often, this is the […]
26
Feb
Feb
Many people dread the first quarter of the year and just the thought alone of prepping for a tax return produces hives and panic. The following are tried and true tips, practices, and advice from a Certified Professional Organizer and an Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Put those two levels of expertise together and it gives […]
17
Dec
Dec
Even years after the COVID-19 pandemic, SBA and EIDL loans have sunk small businesses. Despite efforts to help enterprises during a brutal pandemic, many small companies still have large amounts owed and are on an uphill battle trying to pay it all off. Add that to current credit card balances or lines of credit, and […]
23
Oct
Oct
What is the chart of accounts inside QuickBooks? Why should it be organized? Does the chart matter? The simple answer is that it completely matters, and organization is the key to using it effectively. The chart of accounts is a chart of categories and titles where money is organized into inside financial software. Without accurate […]
06
Sep
Sep
Determine Your Income Streams If you’ve ever looked at a profit and loss statement, you know it’s not ideal to see one income line item with one big number for sales. Sales of what? What was sold? Did you only sell one item or service? How much was sold? When we analyze revenue, we want […]