Startup Bookkeeping: The Ultimate Guide

A cash flow statement is a mandatory statement that will record the amount of cash a business has leaving and entering a startup. This financial document Certified Bookkeeper will let investors see the company’s management of finances and where the money is coming from. Having a good CFO, accountant and bookkeeper will aid in tracking and utilizing financial statements. Accurate books will help you see that you have enough money coming in and out of business.

Common Bookkeeping Mistakes to Avoid

• One area you do not want to let fall to the wayside as an entrepreneur is managing and organizing your financial transactions.
• Apply for financing, track your business cashflow, and more with a single lendio account.
• If you’re considering becoming a bookkeeper, read our guide to learn how to start a bookkeeping business in 2025.
• When choosing an accounting method, cash-basis is likely the simplest option for most startups, especially in the early stages.
• Because of this, deferred revenue components must be included in your income statement and financial reports to boost your profile with investors or banks.
• Your balance sheet and income statement capture your business’s fundamental financial information.

Traditionally, bookkeeping was a manual process using spreadsheets or even physical ledgers. What is Legal E-Billing While this might work for very early-stage startups with minimal transactions, it quickly becomes cumbersome and prone to errors. Spreadsheets lack the features and controls of dedicated accounting software, making it difficult to scale as your business expands. That’s why using accounting software from the get-go is a smart move. It offers better accuracy, efficiency, and the ability to scale as you grow.

Reg CF Review Practices

• Accrual accounting involves recording revenue when a sale is made, not necessarily when cash is received, and expenses when they are incurred, not necessarily when paid.
• Venture capitalists assess startup businesses based on several criteria, including revenue.
• An accountant can help you prepare your books to put your best foot forward for investors.
• It will also help you save time and make critical business decisions.
• By integrating the software, you can connect your finances to the vital data on customers, inventory, and other aspects of your business.

A well-thought-out business plan is the backbone of your bookkeeping business. It should detail the services you offer, define your target market, and include a competitive pricing strategy. Don’t forget to integrate financial projections to assess your business’s potential growth and sustainability. Unlike certified public accountants, bookkeepers don’t file tax returns or audit financial statements. Unless they are a certified public accountant (CPA), bookkeepers should not prepare tax returns or sign the returns as a paid preparer.

Cash and expense management

• Outsourcing accounting can be helpful in your early stages, but you don’t necessarily need to.
• You can read more about our ratings for various business accounting software here.
• Since this service is built for fast-scaling startups and growing businesses, its platform is equipped to handle all of the finance management needs of a business built to scale.
• Finally, the cash flow statement tracks the movement of cash both into and out of your business.

Talk to people in your network who are also bookkeepers and ask what they are charging. In doing so, you can get a good idea as to the range bookkeepers charge for services. Your accountant will have to be comfortable with modern-day technology. While it might seem quaint to have an accountant managing the books with pen and paper or carefully designed spreadsheets, you will need the power of accounting software or an ERP. Your accountant should be comfortable with various software to ensure you can choose the best option for your business.

An accountant can establish internal controls to protect assets from theft and to reduce the risk of fraudulent transactions. The Profit & Loss Statement (also known as the Income Statement) shows your revenue, expenses, and net profit over a specific period. Think of your ledger as a book or spreadsheet containing running balances for each account on your COA. The type of business entity you choose for your startup is hugely important.