Small Business Accounting Guides
Plain-English guides to bookkeeping, taxes, cash flow, budgeting, and financial statements, written for U.S. small business owners.
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Running a small business means keeping track of money, records, and taxes, often without an accounting background. These guides explain the basics step by step, with simple examples, so you can understand what the numbers mean and know what to ask your accountant. Pick a topic below, or start with the complete bookkeeping guide.
Bookkeeping and Accounting Basics
- Small Business Bookkeeping: A Complete Guide for Owners
- The Essential Guide to Small Business Accounting
- Chart of Accounts: A Simple Guide
- Debits and Credits: A Simple Guide
- Journal Entries: A Beginner’s Guide
- General Ledger: How It Works
- Trial Balance: How to Prepare and Review It
- Bank Reconciliation: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Month-End Closing: A Step-by-Step Checklist
- Cash Basis vs. Accrual Accounting
Financial Statements and Cash Flow
- Profit and Loss Statement: A Complete Guide
- Balance Sheet: How to Read and Understand It
- Cash Flow Statement: How to Read It
- Small Business Cash Flow: How to Track and Improve It
- Working Capital: How to Calculate It
- Financial Ratios: How to Measure Performance
- Budgeting: How to Create a Simple Business Budget
Taxes
- Tax Deductions: A Practical Guide for Owners
- Estimated Taxes: A Practical Guide
- Tax Deadlines: A Month-by-Month Guide
- Self-Employment Tax: A Simple Guide
- Tax Forms: Which Forms Does Your Business Need?
- Tax Planning: Strategies to Prepare for Tax Season
- Tax Recordkeeping: What Records Should You Keep?
- IRS Audit: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Money In, Money Out, and People
- Invoicing: How to Create and Manage Invoices
- Accounts Receivable: A Practical Guide
- Accounts Payable: A Practical Guide
- Business Expenses: How to Track and Manage Them
- Petty Cash: How to Manage It
- Receipt Management: How to Organize Records
- Payroll: A Complete Guide for Owners
- Owner’s Draw vs. Salary: How to Pay Yourself
- Independent Contractor vs. Employee
- Business Bank Account: What Owners Need to Know
Profit, Costs, and Tools
- Profit Margin: How to Calculate and Improve It
- Break-Even Analysis: How to Calculate Your Break-Even Point
- Cost of Goods Sold: How to Calculate It
- Inventory Accounting: A Practical Guide
- Depreciation: How It Works
- Accounting Software: How to Choose the Right Tool
Working With Accounting Professionals
- Bookkeeper vs. Accountant: What’s the Difference?
- CPA for Small Business: What They Do, Cost, and When You Need One
- Accountants for Small Businesses: A Complete Guide
Latest Guides
- Depreciation for Small Business: How It WorksLearn how depreciation for small business works, which assets qualify, how to calculate straight-line depreciation, and how to record it in your books.
- Debits and Credits for Small Business: A Simple GuideLearn how debits and credits for small business work, including normal balances, simple examples, and common mistakes to avoid when recording transactions.
- Cash Flow Statement for Small Business: How to Read ItA cash flow statement for small business helps owners understand how money moves into and out of their company during a specific period. It shows… Read more: Cash Flow Statement for Small Business: How to Read It
- Trial Balance for Small Business: How to Prepare and Review ItA trial balance is an important part of the accounting process for small businesses. It helps business owners and bookkeepers check whether the total debits… Read more: Trial Balance for Small Business: How to Prepare and Review It
- Journal Entries for Small Business: A Beginner’s GuideEvery small business needs accurate financial records to track income, expenses, and other transactions. One of the most important parts of maintaining these records is… Read more: Journal Entries for Small Business: A Beginner’s Guide
- General Ledger for Small Business: How It WorksA general ledger for small business is one of the most important tools for tracking financial transactions and understanding a company’s financial position. It organizes… Read more: General Ledger for Small Business: How It Works
These guides are for general education only and are not professional advice. Please read our Disclaimer and learn about this site.