Bookkeeping basics: A guide for small businesses

online business bookkeeping

Some e-commerce accounting software have inventory management capabilities built right in, so you can monitor everything within the same system. You should be able to set up the system to automatically alert you when an item goes out of stock or drops below a minimum threshold so you can restock in a timely fashion. When clients enjoy working with you, they are more likely to offer referrals for you.

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Bench: Overall Best Online Bookkeeping Service

On the other hand, the company allows you to take care of all your bookkeeping needs in one place, tax and payroll services included, which is a worthwhile tradeoff for many businesses. The third option on the list of Pilot’s online business bookkeeping services is the Plus plan. Bookkeeper360 is an online bookkeeping service best suited for small businesses that use Xero or Quickbooks accounting software. Like Bookkeeper.com, Bookkeeper360 also works with both cash- and accrual-based businesses. There are three bookkeeping packages on offer, including a pay-as-you-go solution.

  • This means that you don’t record an invoice until it is actually paid.
  • If a customer wants to hire the agent they’ve been working with, thus taking them away from this platform, a fee is applied to cover these expenses.
  • The bookkeeper can be paid as a contractor and work as little or as much as the business needs.
  • As with many other services, KPMG Spark’s solutions for accrual businesses are much more expensive than those for cash-based ones.
  • You can message the bookkeeping team at Merritt anytime, and you’ll receive a same-day reply.
  • S-Corporations will also need to report income and losses on their personal tax return.

There are some times that we’ll request documents from you (like account statements or receipts), just to ensure the information we have is correct. If you need to share files with your bookkeeping team, it’s as simple as uploading a file. We don’t sync your financial data from any other bookkeeping software. It will be a lot harder to work with a virtual bookkeeper if you use QuickBooks and they use FreshBooks or Xero. Therefore, make sure you ask them which accounting app they use for their business and why. If they are using different software and tools, you should figure out why and use that to determine if you really want to work with them.

Accounting Methods

Most software runs on either PC or Mac — so the type of computer you choose is personal preference. Some states may require a business license in order to file for LLC and get an EIN for your business. Missing deadlines, inefficiencies, and lack of accuracy can plague on-site bookkeepers — but not you.

Before joining the team, she was a content producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and holds an MSc in international marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Magazine and the founder of ProsperBull, a financial literacy program taught in U.S. high schools. Katherine Haan, MBA is a former financial advisor-turned-writer and business coach. For over a decade, she’s helped small business owners make money online. When she’s not trying out the latest tech or travel blogging with her family, you can find her curling up with a good novel.

Best Online Bookkeeping Services of March 2024

Log in online anytime, anywhere from your PC, Mac, tablet or phone to get the financial data and run your business on the go. Send recurring invoices to your customers, accept online payments and stay on top of your cash flow. Plus, you can track your expenses and collaborate with team members – while never having to leave FreshBooks.