Small business bookkeeping is essential for the success of any small business. Bookkeeping refers to recording and tracking a company’s financial transactions, including expenses, revenues, and profits. Small business bookkeeping can be daunting for beginners, but it’s crucial to running a successful business. This guide will cover the basics of small business bookkeeping, including why it’s important, what it entails, and how to set up and maintain a bookkeeping system.
Why Is Small Business Bookkeeping Important?
Small business bookkeeping is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps business owners understand their financial position, including their cash flow, expenses, and revenue. Small business owners can make informed decisions about budgeting, expenses, and investments by keeping track of financial transactions. Second, accurate bookkeeping is essential for tax purposes. Small business owners must report their income and expenses accurately to the IRS, and good bookkeeping practices can help make this process easier. Finally, accurate bookkeeping is essential for securing funding or investors. Lenders and investors will want to see accurate financial records to determine the financial health of a business and its potential for growth.
What Does Small Business Bookkeeping Entail?
Small business bookkeeping involves tracking and recording a company’s financial transactions. This includes all income, expenses, and other financial transactions, such as loans or investments. There are several key elements of small business bookkeeping that beginners should understand.
Accounts Payable
Accounts payable refers to the money a company owes to suppliers, vendors, or creditors. This includes bills for goods or services, rent payments, and loan payments. Small businesses must keep track of their accounts payable to ensure that they pay their bills on time and avoid late fees or penalties.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable refers to the money a company owes its customers or clients. This includes invoices for goods or services that have not yet been paid. Small businesses must keep track of their accounts receivable to ensure that they receive payment for their goods or services and manage their cash flow.
Expenses
Expenses refer to any costs associated with running a small business. This includes rent, utilities, salaries, supplies, and any other costs associated with operating a business. Small businesses must track their expenses to manage their budget and ensure that they have enough cash flow to cover their expenses.
Revenue
Revenue refers to the income a company earns from its products or services. Small businesses must track their revenue to understand their financial position and to determine their profitability.
Financial Statements
Financial statements are documents that provide an overview of a company’s financial position. The three main financial statements are the balance sheet, the income statement, and the cash flow statement.
The balance sheet overviews a company’s assets, liabilities, and equity. The income statement shows a company’s revenue and expenses and provides an overview of its profitability. The cash flow statement shows the movement of cash in and out of a company.
Setting Up a Small Business Bookkeeping System
Setting up a small business bookkeeping system can seem daunting, but it’s essential for managing the financial health of a small business. There are several key steps involved in setting up a bookkeeping system.
Determine your bookkeeping method.
The first step in setting up a bookkeeping system is to determine the method you will use. There are two main options: single-entry or double-entry bookkeeping. Single-entry bookkeeping is a simple method that involves recording transactions as they occur in a single ledger. Double-entry bookkeeping is a more complex method that involves recording transactions in two separate ledgers: debits and credits.
Most small businesses opt for double-entry bookkeeping because it provides a more accurate picture of the business’s financial health. However, single-entry bookkeeping may be sufficient if your business is very small or has few transactions.
Choose a software program.
Once you have determined your bookkeeping method, the next step is to choose a software program. Many options include QuickBooks, Xero, FreshBooks, and Wave. When choosing a program, consider your budget, the features you need, and your level of expertise.
If you are uncomfortable with accounting, look for a program offering tutorials and customer support. If you are on a tight budget, consider a free or low-cost option like Wave. If you need advanced features like inventory management or payroll, look for a program that offers those features.
Set up your accounts.
Once you have chosen your software program, the next step is to set up your accounts. Your accounts will depend on the nature of your business, but they will generally include an income account, expense accounts, and asset and liability accounts.
Your income account should track all the money coming into your business, including sales, services, and other revenue streams. Your expense accounts should track all the money going out of your business, including rent, utilities, supplies, and salaries. Your asset and liability accounts should track your company’s assets and liabilities, such as cash, inventory, loans, and accounts payable.
Record transactions
With your accounts set up, the next step is to record your transactions. You must record all income and expenses, including cash, credit card, and check transactions. Be sure to keep all receipts and invoices safe for future reference.
Recording transactions can be time-consuming, but it is essential for accurate financial reporting. Consider hiring a bookkeeper or outsourcing your bookkeeping to a third-party service if you do not have the time or expertise to manage it yourself.
Reconcile accounts
Reconciling your accounts is the process of comparing your records to your bank statements to ensure that they match. This is important for identifying errors or discrepancies and ensuring that your financial statements are accurate.
You should reconcile your accounts regularly, such as monthly or quarterly. Your software program should have a reconciliation feature that makes this process easier.
Outsource your bookkeeping
Outsourcing your bookkeeping will benefit your business. The benefits include cost savings. You can focus on core activities like scaling your business. Outsourced bookkeepers reduce the risk of bookkeeping errors and improved compliance.
As a business owner, your time and resources are valuable, and outsourcing your bookkeeping will free up valuable time to re-invest in growing your business.