Get Comfy with Numbers | Making Bookkeeping & QuickBooks Easy for Female Entrepreneurs, Bookkeeping for Small Business

Hey hey, friend! Welcome to summer school! All month long we're diving deep into financial statements and the foundations you actually need to understand your business. And we're kicking things off with the report you've definitely heard of but maybe never fully understood — the profit and loss. What We Cover in this Episode: What even IS a profit and loss report? You might know it as the income statement, the P&L, or just "that scary report." They're all the same thing! It's basically your business's scorecard for a specific period of time — what came in, what went out, and what's left over. Key terms you need to know: Revenue/Income — Every single dollar that came into your business (sales, services, affiliate income, referrals, all of it) Expenses — Everything you spent to run the business Gross Profit — What's left after you subtract your direct costs (cost of goods sold) from revenue Net Profit/Net Loss — The bottom line. What's actually left after ALL expenses come out Revenue is NOT profit (and why this matters SO much) A million dollar month means nothing if you spent $900k to generate it. We talk about why it's not always about the big income number — it's about how much you're actually keeping. A live walkthrough of your QuickBooks P&L Pull up your report and follow along! We walk through: The income section (and why you should separate your offers/services) Cost of goods sold — what it is and who actually needs it Operating expenses The net income line at the bottom Your midnight Google questions, answered: How often should I actually look at my P&L? (Hint: at least monthly!) My P&L says I'm profitable but I have no money — what's going on? My categories are a mess — does that affect my report? Action Steps from This Episode Pull up your QuickBooks profit and loss report for the current or most recently completed quarter Make sure your transactions are categorized before you run it Look at your income section — are your different offers/services separated out? Check out that bottom line — are you profitable? Does it match what you expected? Mentioned in This Episode Podcast Playlist Freebie — Not sure where to start with your bookkeeping? Grab the free playlist that meets you right where you are → [link in show notes] Summer School Series — This is part 1 of 4! Each session covers one big financial foundation topic. Stay tuned for the next session!

Do you have QuickBooks open in a tab right now that you haven't actually clicked on in two weeks? This episode is for you. First things first: you're not lazy, you're not bad at business, and you are so not alone. Bookkeeping avoidance is one of the most common things I see, and today I'm breaking down exactly why it happens AND what to do about it. In this episode, I cover: The 3 real reasons you keep avoiding your QuickBooks (hint: it's not because you're bad at this) Why avoidance is actually making the problem bigger, not smaller How to start breaking the cycle without needing a full free afternoon to do it Why you need to drop the shame spiral for good The 3 reasons bookkeeping avoidance makes total sense: It feels overwhelming before you even start There's shame, guilt, or fear attached to what you might find Nobody actually taught you how to do this But here's the truth: the longer it sits, the heavier it gets. What would take 30 minutes today can turn into a 3-hour project next month. And without your numbers, you're making business decisions based on vibes... which is a different kind of stressful. The good news? You don't need a perfect 3-hour block to get caught up. You just need a plan and a starting point. Ready to stop dreading it and actually start doing it? Grab the free Cleanup Playlist Bundle in the link below. It walks you through how to clean up your QuickBooks, get caught up quickly, and figure out if you're missing anything. https://erikamillard.com/podcast-playlist-bundles

Not everyone needs QuickBooks right now. And some people who already have it? They're using it wrong. In this episode, I'm walking you through three real conversations I had with business owners all asking the same question: Is QuickBooks right for me? Each one got a different answer, and here's why. What you'll hear in this episode: The Spreadsheet Girly -- She had a perfectly fine system, low transaction volume, and zero urgency to switch. So why did I still nudge her toward QuickBooks? Because setting up your foundation before the busy season hits can save you from learning too many new things at once. Plus, if you don't have a way to invoice clients yet, you might as well have it all in one place. The Guy Who Wasn't Sure It Was Set Up Right -- He had QuickBooks. He clicked through all the setup prompts. But something felt off. Sound familiar? Having QuickBooks and having QuickBooks set up correctly are two very different things. We did a full review of his chart of accounts, settings, and categorization, and now he's working through the course with a lot more confidence. The Paper Ledger Lady -- She had discipline, she had a system, and she had been doing her own books for years. The problem wasn't her capability; it was the language barrier. QuickBooks uses accounting terminology that can feel like a foreign language if you don't have a background in it. The good news? You don't need an accounting degree. You just need someone to show you what to do. The thing all three had in common? They weren't lost. They just needed someone to point them toward what actually made sense for their situation. If you heard yourself in any of these stories, your next step is the free podcast playlist. It will help you figure out exactly where you are in your bookkeeping journey and which episodes to start with, so you're not sifting through 100+ episodes wondering where to begin. Grab the free playlist here: https://erikamillard.com/podcast-playlist-bundles Topics covered: When a spreadsheet is actually fine (and when it's not) Signs your QuickBooks setup might have gaps Why the language of accounting feels so overwhelming How to go from "I don't know what I don't know" to feeling confident The mindset shift that helps you stop overthinking and start taking action

Today I'm sharing the mic with Lisa Avila a Non-Profit Strategist so we can cover everything you'd need to know if you wanted to start a non-profit business. The big vision, the money, the organization, avoiding burnout and everything in between! 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!

When you're hunting on YouTube for an answer to your bookkeeping question or problem, minutes can turn to hours. It seems the clarity you need is burried and hidden deep somewhere in these videos, it's just hard to know how to find it. Today we're talking about a real life example of this so I can teach you how to get the help you're looking for! 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!

Feeling overwhelmed by all the QuickBooks options? You're not alone. In this episode, we break it all down in a simple, no-stress way so you can confidently choose the right plan—without overpaying or overcomplicating your bookkeeping. ✨ What You'll Learn: The real first decision: QuickBooks Online vs Desktop Why QuickBooks Online is the best choice for most small business owners When Desktop actually makes sense (and when it doesn't) 🚫 Why you should avoid QuickBooks Self-Employed A simple breakdown of each QuickBooks Online plan: Simple Start (best place to begin) Essentials (when you need bill tracking) Plus (for deeper insights + budgeting) Advanced (for larger teams) 💡 The truth about recurring invoices (and why you probably don't need to upgrade for them anymore) 💡 The truth about budgeting features (and when they actually matter) 🎯 Key Takeaways: Start simpler than you think More features ≠ easier bookkeeping Most service-based businesses will do great with Simple Start Upgrade only when your business actually needs it—not "just in case" ⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid: Choosing a higher plan too soon Starting with Self-Employed Sticking with Desktop just because it feels familiar Expecting software to fix messy books 💗 Bestie Truth: QuickBooks has made its lower-tier plans more powerful—don't let all the options pressure you into overcomplicating things. 📩 Next Steps: Not sure which plan fits your business? That's exactly what I help with. Send me a DM or book a free "Next Steps" session to get personalized guidance. 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!

Do you need help setting up your books… fixing them… or finally handing them off for good? If you've ever opened QuickBooks and immediately felt overwhelmed, you're not alone. One of the most common questions business owners ask is: "Do I need a fresh start?" "Or are my books just a mess?" "Or honestly… can someone just take this off my plate?" In this episode, we break down the three core types of bookkeeping support—so you can finally understand what you need (and stop second-guessing yourself). Because while these services sound similar, they solve very different problems. 🏗️ Bookkeeping Setup: Starting From Scratch 🧹 Bookkeeping Cleanup: Fixing the Mess 🔄 Monthly Bookkeeping Support: Staying on Track We walk through a real client journey that perfectly illustrates this. She came in thinking she needed monthly bookkeeping support… But first: Her books needed a full cleanup from the previous year Before that, her system needed a proper setup to even begin fixing things Once those were done? Monthly bookkeeping became simple, smooth, and stress-free. 👉 The takeaway: It's not about which service is better—it's about where you are right now. 🎯 Quick Self-Check Ask yourself this one question: "When was the last time someone really reviewed my books and confirmed everything is correct?" Never? → You likely need Setup More than 3 months ago (or your CPA raised concerns)? → You need Cleanup Everything is accurate, but you're still doing it yourself? → You're ready for Monthly Support Take a second to write down your answer or record a quick voice note—clarity starts here. 🧠 Key Takeaway Setup gets you started right. Cleanup gets you back on track. Monthly support keeps you there. 🎁 Resources & Next Steps ✨ Free QuickBooks Health Check Not sure where you stand? Start here: 👉 erikamillard.com/qbhealthcheck ✨ Book a Free Next Steps Call Ready to hand this off or want expert guidance? Grab a call via the link in the show notes and we'll figure out exactly what you need. 🔎 Keywords (SEO Boost) quickbooks setup, bookkeeping cleanup, monthly bookkeeping services, small business bookkeeping help, quickbooks help for entrepreneurs, bookkeeping services explained, fix messy books, outsource bookkeeping, small business finances, accounting basics for business owners 📣 Final Thoughts Wherever you are—starting fresh, cleaning things up, or ready to hand it off—you're not behind. You just need the right next step. Be sure to subscribe and tune in next week for another conversation designed to make your business finances feel simpler and more manageable. 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!

If you're helping with bookkeeping but were never trained for it — you're not alone. Maybe you're the spouse, sister, office manager, or the organized one who got handed the finances when the business started growing. One day someone said, "Can you just handle the books?" — and now you're doing your best, hoping you're not missing something important. Here's the truth: you're not behind. You were never taught. And this is a learnable system. Why So Many People End Up Here Small business bookkeeping rarely starts with a formal job description. It often grows out of trust and necessity: Family businesses where everyone pitches in Admin roles that slowly expand into finances Being "the organized one" who gets promoted to handling money Helping a partner or friend keep things running If you've ever thought: What if I mess something up? Will the CPA think I did this wrong? What actually matters here? You're asking the right questions. Your Role Is Simpler Than You Think You do not need to become an accountant. Your job is to: Keep things organized Track money coming in and out Help the business owner understand reality That's it. Bookkeeping isn't about perfection — it's about clarity. The 5 Things Every Beginner Actually Needs to Know 1. Clean records matter more than perfection Consistency beats complexity every time. 2. Separate business and personal money This single step prevents most problems. 3. Categorizing transactions is not guessing You're telling the story of the business. 4. Reconciliation is your safety check This is how you know the numbers are real. 5. Reports help with decisions Your Profit & Loss report is your main friend. What Doesn't Matter Yet (Deep Breath) You do not need: Advanced accounting knowledge To memorize tax rules Perfect books Fancy systems To understand everything immediately You're learning. That's allowed. Common Beginner Mistakes (Totally Normal) Most accidental bookkeepers: Wait until tax season to look at the books Avoid reconciliation because it feels intimidating Try to fix everything at once Stay silent when they're confused These aren't failures — they're part of the learning curve. Why Your Work Matters Small businesses run because someone stepped up and helped. You're helping a real person support their family, employees, and dreams. You're not "just doing bookkeeping." You're protecting the business. You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone If this episode felt like someone finally explained things clearly, you're in the right place. You can: Follow the show for beginner-friendly guidance Listen to the next episode for step-by-step support Reach out when you're ready for extra help 🎧 Listen Next Next week: The three bookkeeping mistakes beginners make that cause the most stress — and how to avoid them. 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!

Okay, real talk. If you already know something feels off with your money… you don't need another podcast episode. You need clarity. If that's you, pause this, go grab a Free QuickBooks Next Steps Session call , and let's actually fix it. We'll talk about your bookkeeping, figure out what's messy or unclear, and decide what needs to happen next. No pressure. Just a plan. But if you're not totally sure what's off yet… keep listening. Because today we're breaking up with some money habits that might be quietly costing you. 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!

I'm starting a fun Valentine's Mini-Series this week for the next few weeks! I don't personally sit down every week and look at my numbers. That feels like a lot. But I do have a monthly routine where I check in with my business money, and that habit has made a huge difference. This applies whether you do your own bookkeeping, outsource parts of it, or have someone else doing most of it. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, as the CEO, you still need a relationship with your numbers. I want to encourage you to create a monthly money check-in ritual that feels like a treat! 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!

Spreadsheets are fine… until they aren't. Today I'm telling you how you can know it's time to level up to QuickBooks: ✅ 1) You spend hours every month doing "money homework" ✅ 2) You're manually entering transactions (aka copy/paste life) ✅ 3) Your spreadsheet doesn't match your bank account (and you're always "off") ✅ 4) You need professional invoices that don't look homemade ✅ 5) You need real reports (and not just vibes) ✅ 6) You're making enough money that mistakes are expensive ✅ 7) You're starting to feel unsure what your numbers even mean Manually tracking everything on a spreadsheet is fine in the beginning, but as you scale you business, it becomes quite the mental challenge to keep that up. If it's time for you to move to QuickBooks let me help you through it. You won't regret it! Here are the ways we can connect: Learn: www.erikamillard.com Email: connect@erikamillard.com Instagram: @erika_millard Free QuickBooks Next Steps Session call https://portal.erikamillard.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6814fec8e03a2f003a29c5f1/schedule Get on my waitlist: https://erikamillard.com/setuppromo Happy Bookkeeping!

To celebrate our 100th episode I'm recapping 5 of our most engaging episodes! I just can't thank you enough for your support in making Getting Comfy with Numbers a top 2.5% podcast. These are the episodes that have shaped our show the most and given business owners the help they've needed the most. Anyone looking for a quick bookkeeping crash course should look no more! 002 5 Bookkeeping Basics Every Business Owner Needs to Know 032 The Small Business Tax Questions You've Always Wanted Answers to with Bethany Prignano 049 The Ultimate QuickBooks Clean Up Checklist 057 How Much Does Your Business REALLY Cost? (And Why You Need to Know!) 075 - Stay Caught Up: The Monthly QuickBooks Routine That Actually Works I want to offer a listener a little Bookkeeping Bestie desk refresh! How to enter: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts Screenshot it Send it to me on Instagram or reply to the email linked in the show notes Even if you've left a review before, you can update it and still enter. Here are the ways we can connect: SIGN UP FOR EMAILS: https://erikamillard.myflodesk.com/podcast Reach me: https://erikamillard.com/contact Learn: www.erikamillard.com Email: connect@erikamillard.com Instagram: @erika_millard Free QuickBooks Next Steps Session call https://portal.erikamillard.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6814fec8e03a2f003a29c5f1/schedule Take Home Target erikamillard.com/takehometarget Mini Course- Get Comfy with Budgeting https://erikamillard.com/budget Get Comfy with QuickBooks https://erikamillard.com/get-comfy-with-quickbooks Don't forget to download the free Monthly Bookkeeping Checklist https://erikamillard.com/bookkeeping-checklist I'm so excited to share my new freebie that will help you keep making smart decisions in your business : https://erikamillard.com/qbhealthcheck Happy Bookkeeping!

Want to know what to Review Before the Ball Drops? You can do this! If you're feeling behind or unsure what to look at before the year ends… you're not alone. This checklist is simple. I've reviewed over 90 QuickBooks files so I know the exact spots people forget to check. This is about clarity, confidence, and giving January-You a calmer start. Check That All Transactions Are Categorized Make Sure You Reconciled Every Month Look at Your Owner Pay for the Year Review Any Big Investments Check Estimated Payments + Get Your Final Number Ready Review Your Mileage & Receipts, Your Profit & Loss, and Your Balance Sheet Set Three Simple Financial Intentions for the New Year You're not behind. You're building something real. And I'm so proud of you! Here are the ways we can connect: SIGN UP FOR EMAILS: https://erikamillard.myflodesk.com/podcast Reach me: https://erikamillard.com/contact Learn: www.erikamillard.com Email: connect@erikamillard.com Instagram: @erika_millard Free QuickBooks Next Steps Session call https://portal.erikamillard.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6814fec8e03a2f003a29c5f1/schedule Take Home Target erikamillard.com/takehometarget Mini Course- Get Comfy with Budgeting https://erikamillard.com/budget Get Comfy with QuickBooks https://erikamillard.com/get-comfy-with-quickbooks Don't forget to download the free Monthly Bookkeeping Checklist https://erikamillard.com/bookkeeping-checklist I'm so excited to share my new freebie that will help you keep making smart decisions in your business : https://erikamillard.com/qbhealthcheck Happy Bookkeeping!