Count on Conley Bookkeeping

Let me start off by saying, your books are NOT going to be the messiest books I've ever seen!

There's no need to feel anxious about it either!

When it comes to sharing the details of your finances with your bookkeeper, there's nothing we haven't seen and nothing that will be shameful!
. . and they probably aren't as bad as you think :)

My goal will be to ease your mind and set you up for success so you can get back to doing what you are best at . . . running your business like a boss!

Expense categorization doesn’t have to be messy… but most business owners make it that way 😅

Let’s fix that 👇

EXPENSE CATEGORIZATION DOS ✅

✔️ Upload receipts for large purchases
Future you (and your CPA) will THANK you at tax time.

✔️ Use the memo field like a pro
Leave yourself notes on anything unusual.
“Why did I spend $2,300 here again?” ← you won’t remember later.

✔️ Stay consistent with recurring expenses
If it’s “Software” this month, it should be “Software” every month.
Consistency = clean reports = better decisions.

✔️ Split loan payments correctly
Principal ≠ interest.
One reduces your loan, the other is an expense.
(This one matters more than you think 👀)

EXPENSE CATEGORIZATION DON’TS 🚫

🚫 Don’t dump everything into “Miscellaneous”
That’s not a category… it’s a red flag.

🚫 Don’t guess
If you’re unsure, pause and ask. Guessing creates messy books FAST.

🚫 Don’t wait until year-end
Categorizing 12 months at once = stress + mistakes.

🚫 Don’t ignore the details
The small things add up… and they tell the real story of your business.

Clean books aren’t just for taxes…
They help you actually understand your business💡

And if this already feels overwhelming?
That’s your sign to hand it off to someone who loves this stuff 🙋‍♀️

What does reconciliation involve?

Reconciliation is the crucial process of comparing two sets of financial records to guarantee their alignment. This step in bookkeeping is vital for identifying discrepancies or errors that may have occurred.

For instance, suppose you maintain a bank account and track transactions in a spreadsheet or bookkeeping software. At month-end, upon receiving your bank statement, you notice a mismatch with your spreadsheet balance. This is where reconciliation becomes essential.

To reconcile your bank account, you compare each transaction on your bank statement to its counterpart in your spreadsheet or accounting software. Ensuring matching amounts and detecting any missing transactions is key. Any disparities found require further investigation to pinpoint the issue.

It's as straightforward (and as complicated) as that! :)

Though time-consuming, reconciliation is an indispensable aspect of bookkeeping. It guarantees the precision of financial records and aids in uncovering potential errors or fraud.

If the bookkeeping process feels overwhelming or you're unsure where to begin with reconciliation, consider enlisting the help of a professional bookkeeping service. They can manage day-to-day tasks, allowing you to concentrate on running your business.

Hiring a bookkeeper is a big deal—you’re handing over the financial heartbeat of your business. The right questions will help you quickly spot someone who’s proactive, organized, and actually makes your life easier (not more confusing).

Here’s a solid list of smart questions a small business owner should ask before hiring a bookkeeper:

💼 Experience & Qualifications

- How long have you been working as a bookkeeper?
- Are you certified (ex: QuickBooks ProAdvisor)?
- Do you have experience with businesses my size?

👉 Why it matters: You want someone with experience, not someone learning on your dime.

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🧾 Services & Scope

- What exactly is included in your monthly bookkeeping services?
- Do you handle payroll, sales tax, or just basic bookkeeping?
- Do you offer cleanup/catch-up services if my books are behind?
- Will you help with year-end prep for my accountant?

👉 Why it matters: Not all bookkeepers do the same things—get crystal clear on what you're paying for.

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📊 Communication & Reporting

- How often will I receive financial reports?
- Will you explain my numbers in a way I understand?
- How do we communicate (email, calls, text, etc.)?
- What’s your response time?

👉 Why it matters: A good bookkeeper doesn’t just “do the books”—they help you understand them.

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🔐 Systems, Tools & Security

- What software do you use? (Do you work with QuickBooks Online?)
- How do you access my bank accounts (read-only access, statements, etc.)?
- How do you store and protect my financial data?

👉 Why it matters: Security and efficiency are everything when it comes to your finances.

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🔄 Processes & Workflow

- What does your onboarding process look like?
- How do you categorize transactions and handle questions?
- What do you need from me each month?
- How do you handle errors if something is entered incorrectly?

👉 Why it matters: You want a smooth, repeatable process—not chaos every month.

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💰 Pricing & Contracts
- How do you charge (flat fee vs hourly)?
- What’s included in that price—and what’s extra?
- Do you require long-term contracts?
- What happens if I need to cancel?

👉 Why it matters: No surprises. Ever.

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🚨 Red Flags & Problem Solving

- What’s the biggest mistake you see business owners make?
- How do you handle messy or disorganized books?
- Have you ever found major errors in a client’s books? What did you do?

👉 Why it matters: You want someone who can fix problems—not avoid them.

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🤝 Collaboration

- Will you work directly with my CPA or tax preparer?
- Do you help with tax planning or just reporting?
- Can you help me understand how to pay myself and save for taxes?

👉 Why it matters: Your bookkeeper should be part of your financial team—not working in a silo.

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⭐ Final Gut-Check Question

“If I hire you, how will my life as a business owner improve?”

👉 This one tells you everything.

You didn’t start your business to become a bookkeeper. 👀

You started it because you’re really good at what you do.

But somewhere along the way…
you became the CEO, the marketer, the customer service rep… and the bookkeeper 😅

Here’s the truth:
👉 The most successful business owners stick to what you do best
👉 And they outsource the rest

Because every hour you spend stressing over your books is an hour you’re NOT:
✔️ Making money
✔️ Serving your clients
✔️ Growing your business

And let’s be honest… bookkeeping is one of the first things that gets pushed to the weekend (and then… next weekend… and then tax season panic 😬)

That’s where a good bookkeeper comes in 🙌

✨ Clean, organized books
✨ Clear financial reports you actually understand
✨ Confidence at tax time
✨ More time back in your day

You focus on what you do best.
Let someone else handle the rest

Because your time is too valuable to spend it buried in spreadsheets and accounting software! 💻

July 1st = your official CEO check-in day 👏

If you’re a small business owner, this is your reminder to pause and take a look at your numbers before the year runs away from you.

Here’s your quick quarterly checklist:

✔️ Did you pay yourself?
Aim for at least 50% of your profits (if your cash flow allows it). You didn’t start a business to not get paid.

✔️ Are you saving for taxes?
A good rule of thumb: set aside around 25–30% of your profit so there are no surprises later.

✔️ Have you looked at your reports?
Your Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet tell the story of your business.
At minimum, review them quarterly… but monthly is where the real power is 💡

This isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about being aware, making adjustments, and staying in control.

And if reading your numbers makes your eyes glaze over… that’s your sign it might be time to hand it off to a bookkeeper 😉

Your business deserves more than guesswork.

To me, bookkeeping is like a giant puzzle 🧩

Every transaction has a place, every number tells a story, and when everything clicks together… I get way too giddy about it 😄

But for most small business owners?

It’s the thing they avoid, dread, and push to “later” (which somehow turns into months 😅).

And . . . I get it.

You didn’t start your business to deal with this stuff. You started your business to do what you do best!

That’s where I come in.

You focus on growing your business, doing what you love, and making money…

I’ll happily sit over here, solving the puzzle and getting your books clean, clear, and stress-free 🙌

Do you have a slot reserved on my schedule? 📆

We have 3 spots open at the moment.

If you've been contemplating hiring a bookkeeper, consider this your sign. Click the link in my bio to arrange a 30 minute consultation!

Strong cash flow is what keeps your business steady and stress levels low—manage it well, and you stay in control.

Let’s break down some simple cash flow do’s and don’ts:

CASH FLOW DO’S:�

✅ Keep 3–6 months of operating expenses set aside (bonus points if it’s earning interest in a high-yield savings account).�
✅ Send invoices quickly and use automatic reminders so you’re not chasing payments manually.�
✅ Stay ahead of the game by planning for slow seasons and regularly reviewing your cash flow projections.

CASH FLOW DON’TS:�
🛑 Take on debt without a clear plan for how you’ll repay it.�
🛑 Stretch your budget too thin on big expenses like payroll, inventory, or rent.

Need help managing your cash flow? Great bookkeeping is a good place to start!