Straight answers to your accounting questions
The questions small business owners actually ask us, about bookkeeping, taxes, and QuickBooks, answered honestly and in plain English. Browse by topic below.
Bookkeeping Basics
What good bookkeeping looks like, whether you need help, and how to tell if your books can be trusted.
How do I switch bookkeepers?
Unhappy or your bookkeeper’s retiring? It’s easier than you think.
CostHow much does a bookkeeper cost?
The honest market range, and what drives the price.
Should I?Signs it’s time to hand off your bookkeeping
Seven signs you’ve outgrown doing it yourself.
Should I?Is doing your own bookkeeping saving you money?
The hidden costs of DIY, and the honest math.
Worth it?How many hours should bookkeeping take?
And is your time worth more than a bookkeeper costs?
What’s includedWhat does monthly bookkeeping service include?
What you’re actually paying for each month.
How it worksHow does outsourced bookkeeping work?
What working with a virtual bookkeeper is really like.
ExplainerWhat does a bookkeeper actually do?
The real day-to-day, and where their job ends.
ExplainerHow do I know if my books are accurate?
The signs of healthy books, and the red flags.
ExplainerHow often should bookkeeping be done?
A realistic weekly, monthly, and yearly rhythm.
ExplainerWhat financial reports should I look at?
The three reports that actually matter.
Should I?DIY bookkeeping vs. hiring a bookkeeper
When doing it yourself starts to cost you.
Which one?Do I need a bookkeeper or an accountant?
Bookkeeper, accountant, CPA, and EA, explained.
Which one?In-house vs. outsourced bookkeeping
An honest cost comparison for small businesses.
How toHow do I separate business & personal finances?
Why it matters, and the steps to do it.
Taxes & Deductions
What to set aside, when to pay, what you can write off, and when to bring in a pro.
How much should I set aside for taxes?
A practical rule of thumb, plus a free calculator.
Do I need to?Do I need to pay quarterly estimated taxes?
Who owes, when they’re due, and the penalties.
What can I?What business expenses can I deduct?
The rule, the categories, and a free checklist.
Should I?DIY taxes vs. hiring a tax preparer
When a preparer saves more than they cost.
How long?How long should I keep business records?
A clear retention guide by record type.
GuideThe IRS Safe Harbor Rule explained
How to stay penalty-free using last year’s tax.
Should I?When to switch from an LLC to an S-corp
How to know if the tax savings are worth it.
Can I?Can you file personal & business taxes together?
It depends on how your business is structured.
Guide1099 filing for business owners
When you need to send them, and how.
QuickBooks How-Tos
Step-by-step guides for the specific QuickBooks Online tasks that trip people up.
How to record tips in QuickBooks Online
Handle tips the right way in QBO.
How toHow to record an owner’s draw
Pay yourself without distorting your profit.
How toHow to record owner contributions
Putting your own money in, recorded right.
How toHow to categorize a refund
Vendor refunds and customer refunds, both ways.
How toHow to reconcile a bank account
The habit that proves your books are accurate.
How toHow to record a business loan
A liability, not income, and how to split payments.
How toHow to handle a bounced check
Reverse the payment and record the fee cleanly.
How toHow to categorize a transfer between accounts
Move money without double-counting it.
How toHow to set up multi-factor authentication
Lock down your QuickBooks account.
Free Tools & Quizzes
Quick, free ways to check where you stand, no strings attached.
Do I need a bookkeeper?
A 2-minute, honest read on whether it’s time.
QuizDo I need a tax preparer?
Find out if your taxes have outgrown DIY.
Tool10-Minute Bookkeeping Stress Test
A fast check on the health of your books.
CalculatorQuarterly Tax Calculator
Estimate what to set aside each quarter.
ChecklistFree Clean Books Checklist
What a clean, accurate set of books looks like.
ChecklistTax Deduction Checklist
Commonly missed write-offs, in one list.
ChecklistMonthly Accounting Checklist
Exactly what to do each month.
MoreAll free tools for business owners
Browse the full set of free resources.
Still have a question we haven’t answered?
Sometimes the fastest answer is a quick conversation. Tell us what you’re working through, and we’ll point you in the right direction, no pressure, no obligation.