(Because Guessing Isn’t a Financial Strategy)
It’s almost July. That means we’re halfway through the year (how?!), and it’s the perfect time to hit refresh on your bookkeeping—especially if you’ve been flying by the seat of your pants a little.
If your books are kind of “meh” or completely “yikes,” don’t panic. You’re not behind—you’re just early for catch-up season.
Let’s walk through a simple way to get your books cleaned up and ready for Q3, without the panic spiral or mystery numbers that make you question everything.
Step 1: Know What “Caught Up” Actually Means
No, it doesn’t mean perfect. It just means:
- All your income and expenses are entered and categorized
- Bank and credit card accounts are reconciled
- Reports like your Profit & Loss actually make sense
- You know what you’ve made—and what you’ve spent it on (sorry, Amazon)
Caught up = clarity, not perfection. And it feels really good. If you’re looking for bookkeeping help for small businesses, this is a great first goal.
Step 2: Gather the Goods
Before you can organize the chaos, you need all the pieces. Grab:
- Bank & credit card statements
- Loan info (if you’ve financed anything)
- Payroll reports
- Invoices you’ve sent
- Receipts—digital, crumpled, or scribbled on a napkin
Think of this like gathering ingredients before you start cooking. Otherwise, halfway through you’ll realize you’re missing the financial equivalent of eggs.
Step 3: Look for Weird Stuff
Once you’re in QuickBooks (or whatever system you’re using), scan for things that look off:
- Random transactions labeled “Ask My Accountant” (classic)
- Negative balances in income accounts (uh-oh)
- Expenses that ended up in odd categories, like your Subway sandwich showing up under “Office Furniture”
This is where cleanup starts to feel like detective work—with fewer trench coats and more spreadsheets. If you’re doing a QuickBooks cleanup, this is where most of the mystery lives.
Step 4: Reconcile Like a Boss
Reconciliation is the part where your books and your bank actually agree on how much money you have. It’s like couples therapy for your checking account.
It’s the best way to catch:
- Duplicates
- Missing transactions
- That one payment from 2 months ago that still hasn’t cleared (why?)
If you’ve never reconciled before, now’s the time. And if you don’t want to? Good news: I actually enjoy this part. (Weird, I know—but that’s why I became a bookkeeper in Western Colorado.)
Step 5: Use Your Numbers for Something Useful
Once your books are cleaned up, you can actually use them! Shocking, I know.
Run your Profit & Loss and ask:
- Are you making money, or just staying busy?
- What’s your biggest expense?
- Are there clients or services that bring in more than others?
Clean books help you make smart decisions and plan ahead with confidence. Whether you’re looking at growth, taxes, or just staying afloat, clean financials are a superpower for small businesses.
🙋♂️ Need Help Getting There?
If you’re thinking, “Yeah this all sounds great, but I’d rather fight a mountain lion than reconcile my bank account,” I get it.
At Western Slope Bookkeeping, we help small business owners and nonprofits around Delta County, Mesa County, and the Western Slope clean up their books, simplify their systems, and finally feel in control again.
Whether you’re behind a few months or haven’t touched your books since 2023, you’re not too far gone! We’ll sort it out together.
Let’s Make Q3 Your Cleanest Quarter Yet
Whether you’re behind on your books, second-guessing your QuickBooks setup, or just tired of wondering if your numbers are right, we can help.
At Western Slope Bookkeeping, we work with small businesses and nonprofits across the Western Slope to clean up, catch up, and build financial systems that actually make sense.
Ready to stop guessing and start fresh?
👉Schedule a free consult today and let’s turn that bookkeeping mess into momentum.
📩 Or email me anytime: westernslopebookkeeping@gmail.com
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