109 The 5 Bookkeeping Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them)

In last week's episode, I talked to all of you who are doing your own bookkeeping without any formal training — because honestly, that's how most small business owners start. Today I want to walk through the five bookkeeping mistakes I see beginners make all the time, so you know exactly what to watch for (and how to fix them). First, let's normalize something: every small business makes bookkeeping mistakes. Truly. Even experienced business owners do. So if you've ever felt behind or unsure about your numbers, you're not alone.   In this episode I break down the five biggest ones I see: • Mixing business and personal transactions – this is probably the number one stress creator for small business owners. • Not reconciling your accounts monthly – think of this as simply "checking your math." • Guessing categories or being inconsistent – bookkeeping doesn't require perfection, but it does need consistency. • Waiting until tax season – which usually creates that familiar panic cycle. • Adding apps and automations before you actually have a workflow.   The good news is you don't need complicated tools to get started. You don't need fancy dashboards, five connected platforms, or every integration available. What you really need is clarity first. In this episode I share a simple way to pause before adding new tools and ask three helpful questions: Where does the money start? Where does it get recorded? And who checks it each month? You'll also get one simple fix for each of the five mistakes, so you can make a small improvement right away. Bookkeeping isn't about being perfect — it's about staying consistent and supported. And, depending on where you are in your business, that support can look different. Some people stay DIY with a little guidance. Some need help cleaning things up. And some decide they're ready to fully outsource. All of those paths are valid — the goal is just making your bookkeeping feel a lot less overwhelming.   Here are the ways we can connect: Take Home Target https://erikamillard.com/takehometarget  Free QuickBooks Next Steps Session call   https://portal.erikamillard.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6814fec8e03a2f003a29c5f1/schedule   Happy Bookkeeping!