Notice | IRS Tax Deadline Missed

At lunch earlier today I asked who needs bookkeeping help in 2026. Many business owners are tired of messy books, slow month end closes, and stressful tax seasons. If that sounds familiar, here are five reasons bookkeeping is not optional for small businesses and veteran owned companies.

I think many get tied up into the “cost” or that’s an additional expense they incur, but when you aren’t managing your books the cost becomes WAY bigger for your business.

1. You need accurate numbers to make decisions
Every decision you make relies on clean books. Pricing, hiring, purchasing, planning, borrowing, and forecasting all require accurate financials. If the data is wrong, the decisions are wrong. Good bookkeeping gives you clarity.

2. Cash flow depends on it
If income and expenses are not recorded correctly, cash flow reporting becomes guesswork. That is how surprise bills and missed payments happen. When bookkeeping is current, you know exactly where your money is going and how much you have. I’ve walked into companies doing millions in a month and their bookkeeping is absolutely terrible….don’t be that company!

3. Tax time becomes simple
No more scrambling. No more hunting down receipts. No more stress. Clean, organized books keep you compliant, audit ready, and in control. The cost of disorganized books is always higher than the cost of doing it right. This newsletter, written by Peter Riefstahl, is super helpful with tax tips, deadlines, etc. so make sure to sign up. Freebie that provides TONS of value.

4. You spot problems early
Missing payments, rising expenses, late customers, and shrinking margins show up in the numbers long before they become crises. Bookkeeping helps you fix issues now instead of reacting months later. If you close a month (loosely speaking here) and not all transactions are hitting the GL then you aren’t closing the month and really can’t say where things shake out.

5. It protects your business
Banks, lenders, partners, government agencies, and even customers expect accurate financial records. Clean books build credibility and strengthen your business. I have helped a few business owners get assistance from banks for business loans and the first thing they all want….book records and financials!

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If you are tired of managing books on your own, if your current bookkeeper is not detailed or responsive, or if you are behind on 2024 and 2025, reply to this email. I am opening spots for 2026 bookkeeping services and would love to talk about helping you.

You can reply, call, or send a message and I will walk you through options.

Do not wait until January to try and catch up. The best time to fix your books is before tax season arrives and take care of it now so you aren’t rushing to meet deadlines.

If you want a clean financial year in 2026, let’s talk.

[email protected] or just reply to this email!

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Veteran business owner? Take command of your cash flow and tighten your financial systems. Join The Profit Platoon — a community built for Veterans.