Why Your Company Needs A *Real* Bookkeeper

Let’s face it. Running a small business is hard. And whether it’s managing operations, taking care of customers, or chasing down invoices, there’s no shortage of tasks eating up an owner’s time. 

But beyond the daily challenges of running a company, there’s also the money side of things to contend with. Questions like:

• How much cash do you have on hand? 
• Do you have enough set aside for taxes?
• Are you clear on whether you’re turning a profit each month? 

These concerns are something all small business owners face—or avoid—at a certain point along the journey. But, the way through is simple. You just need to gain financial clarity—and in doing so gain the confidence you need to propel your business forward.

The good news is it’s easier than you might think.

The Financial Solution for Small Businesses (Sort Of)

Seeking financial clarity, many small business owners realize they need to keep better books.

Typically, this starts with the owner doing the books themselves. However, most soon realize it’s a task that’s too time consuming, too confusing, or, frankly, too mind-numbing. (Hey, spreadsheets aren’t for everyone—we get that.)

Looking for a solution, the owner usually passes the bookkeeping off to a family member or part-time assistant—a choice that’s usually good enough for the time. The thing is, as your business grows, what was once good enough starts holding the company back…

It’s at that point where experienced bookkeeping services come in.

Small Business Bookkeeping (There’s More to It Than You Think)

A lot of business owners think bookkeeping is just typing numbers into Excel sheets. To be fair, that is part of the job, but when done right—by an experienced professional—bookkeeping is a lot more than data entry.

An experienced bookkeeper provides structure, consistency, and clarity to the financial side of your business. They accurately track income and expenses, reconcile accounts, and flag discrepancies. This keeps your finances organized so you’re never left scrambling for payroll or taxes.

An experienced bookkeeper also understands how to use the best bookkeeping software for small businesses—meaning fewer headaches for you and cleaner reports for your accountant come tax time. All of which leads us nicely to our next point.

Bookkeeping vs Accounting—Is There a Difference?

If you aren’t versed in the financial world (and let’s be real, why would you be?), it’s understandable to assume your accountant is handling the books. However, the reality is that most accountants don’t actually manage your business’s day-to-day financial records. 

Instead, accountants take data from your existing books and use that information to prepare your taxes and financial statements. And if your books aren’t already in order, many accountants charge premiums for their services. They need clean books in order to complete their job.

How To Know When It’s Time for an Experienced Bookkeeper

There’s a point in every business when it makes sense to hand off the books to a trusted professional. If you’re experiencing any of the following at your place of work, it might be that time.

• You spend more than a few hours each month “catching up”
• You’re unsure of whether your numbers are accurate
• You want to grow but don’t know if you can afford to
• The thought of tackling your finances is stressful

Any of those sound familiar? If so, bookkeeping outsourcing might be a smart next step for your business.

Why Experience Matters for Your Books and Business

While bookkeeping may not be the most exciting part of running your business, it is one of the most important. And while keeping records yourself—or hiring some part-time help—is a good first step for many, it may be time to take your business to the next level. 

CleanBooks is a financial services company that helps small business owners gain clarity around their finances so they can grow their businesses. We do this by offering five key services:

• Bookkeeping
• Controllership services
• Back office processes
• Financial planning & analysis
• Financial software consulting

Each individual service is offered as a part of a customized package based on your unique needs. To see which of these services might be right for you, give us a call. 

Our experts will crunch the numbers and let you know the next right steps for your business—including whether or not CleanBooks is a fit for your company. So if you’re seeking greater financial clarity, easier filing, better decision making, and more, don’t wait to reach out. 

Because leaving financial stress behind is just a phone call away.

Call us today.