How to Track Business Expenses as a Startup — The Right Way
Which expenses are deductible? How to categorize them? This guide covers everything from SaaS subscriptions to contractor payments. Tracking expenses properly is one of the most valuable things a startup founder can do for their business. Done right, it reduces your tax bill, gives you clarity on where your money is going, and protects you […]
How to Prepare Your Books for Tax Season (US Startup Checklist)
A step-by-step checklist to get your financials ready for your CPA — covering expense categories, 1099s, and year-end close. Tax season does not have to be a crisis. For founders whose books are maintained properly throughout the year, it is just another week. For everyone else, it is a stressful scramble of hunting down receipts, […]
When Should a Startup Hire a Bookkeeper? (7 Signs You’re Ready)
Doing your own books in a spreadsheet? Here are the 7 signs it’s time to outsource — and what to look for when you do. Most founders start out doing their own bookkeeping. It makes sense at the very beginning — there are not many transactions, everything fits in a simple spreadsheet, and keeping costs […]
Cash Flow vs Profit: What’s the Difference and Why It Matters
Profitable businesses can still run out of cash. Learn the difference and how to track both so you never get caught off guard. Here is a fact that surprises many founders: a business can be profitable on paper and still run out of cash. In fact, growing too fast is one of the most common […]
How to Read a Profit & Loss Statement (P&L) — Plain English Guide
What is bookkeeping, why it matters, and how to set up a clean system from day one. Covers accounts, categories, and common mistakes. Every month, Startup Books sends clients a Profit & Loss statement. Many founders open it, glance at the bottom number, and close it. That is a missed opportunity. Your P&L is one […]
Bookkeeping for Startups: The Complete Beginner’s Guide (2025)
What is bookkeeping, why it matters, and how to set up a clean system from day one. Covers accounts, categories, and common mistakes. If you just launched a startup or are running a small business in the US, you have probably heard that you need to ‘keep your books.’ But what does that actually mean? […]