Bookkeeping as an act helps entrepreneurs stay in charge of their finances, it also helps you with making highly sound financial decisions, it is not even an option to make sure you are well equipped with the act of bookkeeping.
You do not even have to be a seasoned accountant as an entrepreneur, but having a good knowledge of bookkeeping will help out a long way. Not only does bookkeeping help you stay in charge of your finances, it also helps you make very sound financial decisions. Therefore, you must stay in touch with the basics of bookkeeping at least.
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Most bookkeeping functions may have to be directed to a professional accountant, but as a small business owner who may not be afford the payment for your small business, you may need to do that yourself until you can hire someone to help you out with it.
If you fail to stay up to date with bookkeeping, you will run the risk of wasting money, hitting cash flow crunches, and missing out on opportunities to make expansion happen.
For a small business owner who may not be able to afford an accountant, these are things you need to pay attention to as regards record keeping;
- Expenses and revenue: A revenue and expense ledger or journal is required to help you track the amount going out and what the purpose is, and in the same light, how much you have coming in. Most good small business owners understand the need for keeping expenses and revenue, it is used by most small businesses in the form of a single-entry accounting, where receipts and expenditures are recorded.
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Cash expenditures: It is important that you can account for every amount you spend on your business and that is where the journal for business expenses comes in, and thre are two ways to get this done, you can either write yourself a reimbursable check or keep a petty cash record. If you pay yourself through a check, keep all cash receipts and learn to calculate their total on a weekly, or monthly basis depending on the volume of expenses.
Inventory records: Keeping tabs on your inventory records will help you prevent pilferage, help you keep inventory holdings to a minimum, and track buying trends amongst other things. The most important aspects of information required for you to capture in your inventory are; the date, item purchased, the stock number of item purchased, the price of the item purchased, the price of item purchased, the date the item was sold, and the price it was sold.
Account receivable tracking system: If your services or products are paid for at the time of delivery, an account receivable tracking system will not be necessary, but if on the other hand, you offer services or products and allow people to pay later, then you will need an account receivable tracking system to keep track of what is owed you.
Account payable: Account payable are debts that are owed by your company for goods and services, being able to keep track of what you owe will help you in the establishment of a good credit, and help you hold on to your money for as long as possible.