One of the things I’ve heard more than once in doing these interviews is that the biggest surprises most people receive when they start a business is the importance of the numbers, the money. People want to make money doing something they enjoy, but most people don’t have any idea about taxes, tracking inventory, keeping a ledger, etc. And let’s be honest, most business owners don’t want to deal with the technicalities. They want to do what they enjoy and let the numbers take care of themselves.

Unfortunately, the numbers won’t take care of themselves, and that’s why we have people like the wonderful Stephanie Smith, owner of Zen Bookkeeping! She loves helping small businesses learn take care of their numbers. That’s why I thought she would be a great guest this week. She has tips, advice, and things to be careful of. If you’re a small business owner who struggles to take care of their books, give a listen and learn some helpful tools and tactics to make your life easier!

Podcast Episode Summary

• What’s the biggest mistake most small business owners make?
• How can we avoid this mistake?
• Where did the name Zen Bookkeeping come from?
• What’s the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
• What made Stephanie decide to become a bookkeeper?
• Why does Stephanie want to help small business owners specifically?
• The best and worst parts of being a bookkeeper
• Future plans for Zen Bookkeeping
• What can you do to make your bookkeeper’s job easier?
• Here’s a good reason for keeping your business and personal bank accounts separate
• Can she help you handle the IRS?
• What does working with a bookkeeper look like?
• Some of the services she offers
• She’s passed the love of numbers down to her son!
• Learn some surprising facts about Stephanie that are completely not bookkeeper related
• Deductions, baby!
• The easiest way to track your mileage

Recommended Resources Quickbooks - Most common bookkeeping software in the US MileIQ - an app to make tracking your mileage easy Siren Media - a digital marketing agency specializing in helping small businesses

Contact Info Website:  Zen Bookkeeping Facebook:  Zen Bookkeeping