Client LoginTaxDome 
Online AccountingQuickBooks Online
Accounts PayableBill.com
.
Bookkeeping is a dreaded chore for many. And its importance is often overlooked.
Most of us, though, would agree that driving with no speedometer in your vehicle would be confusing and dangerous, leading you to always second guess your driving speed and be on constant lookout for law enforcement. Operating a business without solid bookkeeping practices is very similar. There’s no gauge for how your business is doing.
This article examines why meticulous bookkeeping is a must for any small business and how it helps to maintain your company’s financial health (much like a speedometer helps to maintain a consistent speed).
What is Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping is the process of recording, organizing, and managing a company’s financial transactions. This includes the recording of sales, purchases, receipts, and payments. The goal of bookkeeping is to maintain accurate and up-to-date records of a business’s financial activities. That way, you get a clear picture of your company’s financial standing.
Financial Clarity and Decision Making
Bookkeeping is necessary for your financial clarity and ability to make decisions. When you have a system for recording and organizing financial transactions, you have a wealth of data available at any given time. Plus, you can begin to see patterns in your cash flow and expenses and make forecasts for the next quarter, 6 months or year(s).
Knowing where your company stands currently and what, based on patterns, may happen in the future, you can make more informed decisions about growth initiatives, pricing strategies and resource allocations. But without strong bookkeeping practices, planning for the future is simply a guess…a shot in the dark, and not a calculated decision based on reliable data.
Tax Compliance
Besides strategic advantages, meticulous bookkeeping is essential for staying compliant with state and federal tax laws. Taxes are the responsibility for every small business owner and should be taken seriously. Accurate bookkeeping ensures that all financial transactions are well-documented, traceable, and in accordance with current laws and regulations.
Also note, that precise bookkeeping not only safeguards your business from potential run-ins with the law but also builds a foundation of trust with regulatory authorities. And, detailed records put you in a better position to take advantage of tax deductions and credits.
Cash Flow Management
Effective cash flow is a requirement for every small business; without it, your business doesn’t survive. By consistently recording income and expenses, you get a real-time view of your cash position. That way, you can anticipate cash shortages, plan for necessary expenditures, and ensure the liquidity needed for your business to operate.
Business Growth
For small businesses looking to expand and attract potential investors or partners, detailed financial records are necessary. Stakeholders (i.e., investors, lenders, or potential business partners) want to know the true state of your business. And comprehensive bookkeeping provides that.
When looking to grow, your bookkeeping practices not only show the financial standing of your company but also build trust with those you’re looking to partner with. And the opposite is true too. Poor bookkeeping erodes the trust of others.
Morgan & Associates Help with Bookkeeping
In small business, it’s the details that often make or break a company. Reliable bookkeeping sets a business apart from ones simply muddling through with no clear, detailed picture of their current standing, much less planning for their futures.
At Morgan & Associates, we love helping businesses stand out from the crowd! We’d like to talk with you about your bookkeeping practices and how we may be able to assist you. Like a speedometer helps you drive more safely and get to your destination, detailed bookkeeping helps you arrive at your business goals.
