Starting your own business feels incredible—until reality hits: you’re also now the bookkeeper. If you’re wondering, “How do I even start my bookkeeping?”, you’re not alone. We’ve been there. So have thousands of business owners we’ve coached—some who got it right early, and some who learned the hard way.
Good news? You don’t have to figure it all out at once. And with a few smart moves now, you can avoid a year-end scramble of Venmo screenshots and crumpled receipts at the end of the year.
Let’s dive into the simple steps you can take today to get your books on track—without the stress.
Step 1: Shift Your Mindset—You Can Do This
Before we get into Excel sheets and software, let’s talk about something more important: your mindset. If the word “bookkeeping” makes your palms sweat, it’s probably tied to thoughts like, “I’m not good at math” or “I’ve never done this before.”
But here’s the deal, bookkeeping is just tracking. You’re not doing tax returns or calculating depreciation. You’re simply keeping an organized record of where money is coming from and where it’s going. And yes, you can figure this out.
Start telling yourself:
- “I can get help if I need it.”
- “I’ll get better at this every week.”
- “This will make me a smarter business owner.”
Because all of that is true.
Step 2: Start with a Spreadsheet—Right Now
You don’t need fancy software to start. You just need a spreadsheet.
Right now, open Excel, Google Sheets, or even a notebook if you must. Create two simple lists:
- Expenses (what you’ve spent)
- Income (what you’ve earned)
List the date, the amount, and a short description. No hunting for receipts yet—just capture what you know. The goal is to start organizing what’s already happened.
This may not feel glamorous, but trust me—it’s the foundation for smarter business decisions (and way fewer headaches at tax time).
Step 3: Open a Separate Business Bank Account
Mixing business and personal expenses is one of the biggest mistakes new business owners make. It causes confusion, invites audits, and weakens your asset protection.
Go open a business bank account.
You’ll need your LLC documents or Articles of Incorporation, your EIN, and a few basics. Don’t let the bank upsell you into a pricey corporate package—just ask for a simple small business account with a debit card.
From there, run all your business expenses and income through that account. It keeps everything clean, organized, and easy to manage. Plus, it shows the IRS and courts that you’re serious about your business.
Step 4: Choose the Right Bookkeeping Software
Once you get rolling, spreadsheets aren’t going to cut it forever. That’s where QuickBooks Online comes in.
QuickBooks connects directly to your bank accounts and payment systems, pulling in transactions automatically. It categorizes expenses, tracks income, and helps you run real reports like profit and loss statements or cash flow summaries.
If you’re new to bookkeeping, stick with the online version—it’s simple, powerful, and mobile-friendly. No need to learn accounting jargon like “credits and debits” right away. QuickBooks makes managing your books approachable and even (dare we say) fun.
Step 5: Set a Weekly Routine
Consistency beats complexity...every time!
Set aside a regular time each week—whether it’s Tuesday night, Sunday morning, or Friday afternoon—and check your books. Review your transactions, categorize your expenses, double-check your income.
At first, it’ll feel like another chore. But pretty soon, you’ll start seeing patterns. You’ll know if you’re making money. You’ll catch mistakes early. And you’ll feel more in control of your business than ever before.
Successful entrepreneurs don’t shy away from their numbers…they master them.
Bottom line:
Getting your books in order isn’t just about taxes. It’s about knowing your numbers, staying organized, and building a foundation that helps your business grow.
And it all starts today.
Need Help? We’ve Got You.
At KKOS Lawyers, we help business owners just like you set up entities, clean up their books, and build smart systems that scale. Whether you’re just starting out or need a fresh start, we’re here to help. Book a call today and let’s get your business dialed in.
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