Real talk on money, mindset, and making your business work for you.

Unfiltered Finance

Signs you need a bookkeeper

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Many small business owners start out doing their own bookkeeping. It works in the beginning when you are scrappy and watching every dollar, but as your business grows, DIY bookkeeping can shift from manageable to something that slows you down.

How to Know When It Is Time to Hire a Bookkeeper for Your Small Business

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A solid bookkeeping system starts with a clean chart of accounts. A chart of accounts cleanup helps organize every dollar your business earns and spends so your reports are accurate, easy to read, and actually useful. When it’s set up right, you can make smarter decisions with clarity and confidence. When it’s messy, it can […]

Clean Chart of Accounts for Clear Finances

Bookkeeping Basics

QuickBooks is rolling out some seriously cool tools. Their new AI Accounting Agent can auto-categorize transactions, the Finance Agent can flag insights in your numbers, and the Customer Hub pulls all your client info into one place. The Business Feed even shows you what the AI has already taken care of for you. It’s all […]

Why You Still Need a Bookkeeper (Even With QuickBooks AI)

Bookkeeping Basics

bookkeeper and client reviewing reports

I’ve seen it happen firsthand. Tiny bookkeeping mistakes that snowball into big headaches business owners never planned for. At first, it’s little things: a few transactions left uncategorized, a personal expense mixed in with the business, or a bank balance that just won’t match QuickBooks. But over time, those little things stack up into one […]

Bookkeeping isn’t the most glamorous part of running a business. You didn’t start your company to reconcile accounts or track receipts. But ignoring your books—or getting them wrong—doesn’t just cost you time. It costs you money.

The Costly Mistakes of DIY (or Ignored) Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping Basics

Music has always been more than background noise for me—it’s been a soundtrack, a teacher, and at times, a lifeline. These five albums in particular shaped who I am, carried me through different seasons, and still find their way onto my turntable today.

5 Albums That Changed My Life

Behind the Books

RaeAnn owner of Stout Bookkeeping putting a record on her record player

What to Do When Your Accountant Retires (Without Losing Your Sanity!)

If your accountant is retiring, don’t panic—this could be the perfect time to get your financial house in order. From gathering essential records to upgrading your bookkeeping system, a few simple steps can make the transition smooth. The key? Finding the right financial partner to step in seamlessly.

Not sure where to start? I’m offering a free diagnostic review of your books to help business owners navigate this change with confidence. Let’s make sure your finances stay on track—schedule your review today!

What is Financial Automation? Financial automation means setting up systems and tools to handle repetitive financial tasks for you. Instead of manually processing invoices, making payments, or tracking expenses, automation can take care of it—giving you more time to focus on growing your business. If you’re not using automation yet, don’t worry! Start small and […]

How to Save Time and Reduce Stress with Automation

Profit & Cash Flow