Clarissa
When you run an online business, your “team” can look very different from a traditional company. You might have a virtual assistant in another time zone, a bookkeeper who works on her own schedule, a copywriter you only hire for launches, and an attorney you call once a year. So the question is fair — … Read more
Quick Answer: The most common bookkeeping misconceptions — that it’s just data entry, that AI will replace bookkeepers, that you only need it at tax time, that bookkeepers are too expensive, and that small mistakes trigger audits — quietly cost online business owners thousands of dollars in missed deductions, bad decisions, and unnecessary stress every … Read more
Quick Answer If you receive multiple 1099 forms (like a 1099-K from PayPal and a 1099-NEC from a client) for the same income, only use the 1099-NEC to file your tax return — the 1099-K is just informational. Report total business income (matching what your bookkeeping shows), with fees and processor costs deducted as expenses. … Read more
Quick Answer The best business bank account for your small online business has no monthly fees (or easily waivable ones), integrates with your bookkeeping software and payment processors, handles your transaction volume without extra charges, and offers both checking and savings options. Strong picks for online businesses include Mercury, Relay, Bluevine, and traditional banks like … Read more
The $5/hour bookkeeper is costing you more than you think It shows up in Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and Upwork searches constantly: bookkeepers offering their services for $3, $5, or $8 an hour. For a small business owner watching every dollar, it looks like a deal. It feels responsible. It feels like you found a … Read more
You can never seem to make enough money in your business. And on the rare months you actually do, it’s because you worked every waking hour, said yes to a client who pays late on purpose, or delivered an offer you secretly hate. That’s the cost of undercharging in your business. And most small business … Read more
A weekly financial workflow for a small business is a 30-minute recurring routine that includes reconciling your bank account, categorizing transactions, sending invoices, paying bills, reviewing your P&L, and updating your budget. The fastest way to build one is to document it as an SOP, store all financial files in one place, and block a non-negotiable weekly appointment on your calendar (often called “Finance Friday”).
Tax season hits harder when you’re scrambling for receipts, chasing down 1099s, and digging through bank statements at the last minute. The fix is simple: hand your accountant a clean, organized package the second the new year starts. This guide walks you through exactly what to prepare, how to organize it, and when to send … Read more
Your books are three months behind. Your inbox has receipts you haven’t filed. You opened QuickBooks last week, panicked, and closed it. If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most service-based business owners hit this wall sometime in the first two years. Bookkeeping overwhelm is almost always a systems problem, not a “you” … Read more
“What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?”, “Do I need a CPA for my small business?”, “What does a fractional CFO do?”