Missing money again?

As we get rolling in Q4 (where has the time gone?!!) I wanted to hit on a topic that’s often put on a back burner for small business leaders and veteran-owned businesses….Bookkeeping.

Bookkeeping doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does have to be consistent. For many business owners, the challenge isn’t understanding the numbers, it’s staying disciplined about how they’re tracked, categorized, and reconciled. The difference between clean, accurate books and a chaotic financial scramble at month-end comes down to a few simple habits.

Here are five proven tips to help you stay organized and close your books quickly and accurately each month:

• 1. Record Transactions Daily
  Don’t wait until the end of the week to log expenses and deposits. Daily entries help catch mistakes early and give you a real-time view of cash.

• 2. Categorize Every Expense
  Whether you use QuickBooks, Xero, or a spreadsheet, assign every transaction to the correct account. Misclassified expenses distort your financial statements and make tax season harder than it needs to be.

• 3. Reconcile Monthly
  Match your books to your bank and credit card statements every month. This simple step ensures your financials reflect reality not assumptions and helps detect fraud or duplicate charges early.

• 4. Review Reports Regularly
  Look at your profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow statement monthly. You’ll quickly spot trends in revenue and expenses that help you make smarter business decisions.

• 5. Set a Monthly Close Schedule
  Put closing tasks on your calendar and stick to them. Consistency builds confidence in your numbers and keeps surprises off your desk at year-end.

Founders need better information

Get a single daily brief that filters the noise and delivers the signals founders actually use.

All the best stories — curated by a founder who reads everything so you don't have to.

Get the brief

Good bookkeeping isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being proactive. When your books are current and accurate, you’ll spend less time reacting and more time making decisions that grow your business.

Schedule a call with me now so we can make sure things are in line for year-end.

Sponsoring the Cash Flow Chronicles today is MORNING BREW!

Thank you for supporting our newsletter. Each time a reader engages with our sponsor’s ad, this directly supports CFC’s mission to be the TOP FINANCIAL newsletter Beehiiv has to offer.

Even if you do not buy a product, subscribe, etc. this greatly supports our mission. Take 5 seconds today and check them out!

Trusted by millions. Actually enjoyed by them too.

Most business news feels like homework. Morning Brew feels like a cheat sheet. Quick hits on business, tech, and finance—sharp enough to make sense, snappy enough to make you smile.

Try the newsletter for free and see why it’s the go-to for over 4 million professionals every morning.

Check it out

NEW FOR 2025!

I have a high focus helping other vets out there and want you all to succeed, so I created this Skool group below called the Profit Platoon. Would love to have you there!