Bookkeeping Coaching & Advice

Small Business Managers/Owners

Maybe you have a bookkeeping system, and you have a bookkeeper. But do you really know what's going on?

• How can you tell if your books are accurate?
• Are you getting a good return on your investment in bookkeeping services?
• Will you be compliant if the auditors come knocking?

These can be troubling questions for many small business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs.

At Zenally, we've worked with many business people in your position. We can help you to:

• understand how to manage your bookkeeping staff to ensure regulatory compliance and accuracy
• use systems and methods so better bookkeeping can get done in less time
• understand what your books are telling you, so you can make better financial decisions
• help you learn to assess the financial health of your business and avoid cash crunches
• implement strategies that will set you up for even more success

Solopreneurs

Are you doing your own books? Would you like to improve your time efficiency and produce better results?

Why not let us help you become your own financial expert?

You use the financial information coming from your bookkeeping efforts to make impactful business decisions:

• Is it time to hire an employee?
• Should you decrease inventory?
• What will be the impact of raising your prices?

You may want to know how much money you actually earn for all the hours you work.

Whatever concern you might have, we'll help you solve it, and we'll help you develop the mindset of a CEO.

You'll be able to make confident decisions, knowing your numbers are bang on.

Do you already have an accounting package like Quickbooks or Wave but struggle with certain aspects? Do bank reconciliations or monthly accruals tend to ruin your day?

We'll help you review your numbers, methods, and finances. We'll make sure you're aware of the bookkeeping basics.

How We Work to Improve Your Bookkeeping Skills, Processes, and Outcomes

Zenally creates flexible arrangements to give you the hands-on coaching and training you need.

Generally, we'll follow these steps:

1. Determine your specific bookkeeping concerns

   Do you have a particular pain point that's been on your mind?

2. Identify any knowledge gaps

   We'll identify the skills and knowledge needed for you and your staff to manage the bookkeeping process and meet your regulatory requirements effectively. We adapt to the skill level present in your business.

3. Assess the current bookkeeping process

   We'll evaluate your existing bookkeeping system to identify bottlenecks and areas needing improvement. This will help us zero in on the most effective approach to address your concerns.

4. Establish clear objectives

   What specific goals do you want to achieve: improve accuracy? Increase efficiency? Strengthen financial reporting? Defining objectives will help guide the coaching project and enable you to measure its effectiveness.

5. Prepare a project plan

   We'll develop a project plan and budget that fits your time constraints and financial needs.

6. Customize the coaching approach

   We tailor coaching sessions to the unique needs of your business and staff, considering your industry, business size, and existing bookkeeping practices.

7. Implement best practices

   Proven bookkeeping methods and techniques will optimize your processes and ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations.

8. Evaluate software solutions

   You might use a spreadsheet or an accounting package like Quickbooks or Freshbooks. You might be considering upgrading to a more advanced accounting package. We'll help you explore available software options and choose the one that's right for your business.

9. Strive for efficiency

   We'll determine how you can be more efficient with bookkeeping so you can spend less time pushing paper and more time in the financial manager's chair.

10. Establish internal controls

    When things are going off the rails, how do you know? We'll help you implement a system of internal controls that will raise a red flag when your bookkeeping develops problems. This will ensure the accuracy and reliability of your financial records.

11. Evaluate Progress

    We'll regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the coaching sessions and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that your investment in coaching is paying off.

12. Plan for regular review and updates

    "Set it and forget it" rarely works in any endeavour. We'll establish a schedule for periodic reviews of your bookkeeping practices to ensure they continue to meet your business needs and remain compliant with accounting standards and regulations.

13. Foster a culture of continuous improvement

    You need a mindset of ongoing learning and development among your staff. We'll promote regular training and knowledge sharing to stay current with bookkeeping best practices and regulations.

How Can a Bookkeeping Coach Help My Small Business?

Zenally's bookkeeping coaches can help your small business establish a solid financial foundation. We assist you to create an effective bookkeeping system, accurately track your financial transactions, and prepare timely financial reports.

We support you from our offices in Red Deer, Innisfail, and Lacombe.

Identify cost savings opportunities

Bookkeeping support from our experts can help you identify cost savings opportunities by analyzing your financial data and identifying areas where you can reduce expenses and improve profitability.

Improve cash flow management

Improve your cash flow management by developing a forecasting model that helps you predict cash inflows and outflows and plan accordingly.

Streamline bookkeeping processes

A bookkeeping coach can help you streamline your processes, making them more efficient and effective. We can help you identify areas where you can automate or simplify bookkeeping tasks, reducing the time and effort needed to manage your finances.

Provide tailored guidance and support

Our CPA-supervised bookkeeping coaches can provide tailored guidance and support to help you manage your bookkeeping tasks effectively. We can work with you to identify your specific needs and develop a customized plan to help you achieve your bookkeeping goals.

Grow your skills

We can provide training and advice to help you build your bookkeeping skills and knowledge. We can help you understand bookkeeping principles and best practices and provide guidance on using bookkeeping software and tools.

Provide accountability and motivation

Our bookkeeping coaches can provide accountability and motivation to help you stay on track with your bookkeeping tasks. Together, we'll set goals, track your progress, and provide encouragement and support to help you overcome any challenges along the way.

Improve financial management

Once your bookkeeping system is working smoothly, you'll be better able to stay on top of your tax obligations, including filing tax returns and paying taxes on time. We'll provide insights and recommendations based on your financial information.

We'll show you how to identify areas where you can improve profitability, manage cash flow more effectively, and make better-informed financial decisions.

Flexible Resources As Your Business Grows

Sometimes the demands of your growing business can be overwhelming. It's good to know Zenally's Bookkeeping Services are available to you when you find you need to tackle other challenges.

How is One-On-One Bookkeeping Coaching Effective?

In a one-on-one setting, we can personalize the instruction to your skill level and pace of learning. This ensures you receive tailored advice that's relevant and appropriate for your specific needs.

We know you're busy.
One-on-one training means we can fit into your schedule.

We provide immediate feedback to help you correct mistakes and reinforce good habits. The training is focused on specific areas of need, such as a particular software or bookkeeping concept. This allows you to get the most out of the training and improve your skills in the areas that matter most to your business.

With personalized instruction and immediate feedback, you'll develop a greater sense of competence and mastery over bookkeeping tasks. You or your staff will build confidence in your bookkeeping abilities and financial management skills.

Why is bookkeeping important for small businesses?

Small businesses are required by law to keep accurate financial records. Failure to comply can result in legal and financial penalties. Quality bookkeeping also provides you with a clear understanding of your financial position.

Error-free financial records are essential for preparing tax returns. Keeping accurate records for your business can minimize the risk of audits, penalties, and fines. You can also take advantage of deductions and credits to reduce your tax liability.

By analyzing financial records, you can identify trends, forecast future revenue, and plan for cash flow needs.

Small businesses often require financing to start or grow their operations. Lenders and investors require accurate financial records to assess the creditworthiness of a business. You can improve your chances of obtaining financing by keeping accurate records.

Did You Know?

• According to a study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), over 40% of small business owners in Canada say that bookkeeping is one of their top challenges. This suggests that many Canadian small business owners also struggle with keeping their financial records in order.
• The CFIB also reports that small business owners who handle their own accounting and bookkeeping are more likely to make mistakes on their tax returns. In fact, the study found that 74% of small business owners who do their own accounting and bookkeeping have made errors.
• A study by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) found that bookkeeping errors are one of the most common reasons for business failure. In fact, 80% of businesses fail because of cash flow problems, which can often be traced back to bookkeeping errors.

Most Common Bookkeeping Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Bookkeeping mistakes can be costly for your small business, leading to inaccurate financial records and compliance issues.

• Mixing personal and business expenses: This makes it tough to track business expenses accurately and can create compliance issues. Remember: In the eyes of the tax man, you are not your business. You should have separate bank accounts and credit cards for business and personal expenses.
• Failing to reconcile accounts: This can lead to inaccurate financial records. You need bank accounts and credit card statements reconciled. You need it done regularly so you'll find out fast if something is going wrong: like unauthorized credit card charges.
• Ignoring the need for proper records: Inaccurate records can create compliance issues. You need to keep organized records of all financial transactions, including receipts and invoices.
• Forgetting to record transactions: This can make it difficult to track business expenses and prevent you from claiming tax deductions to which you are entitled. Make it a priority to record all financial transactions, including cash transactions.
• Failing to categorize expenses correctly: This can result in misleading financial statements, which may lead to ill-informed decision-making with costly results.
• Neglecting to back up data regularly: The CRA requirement that you recreate lost data can be both painful and stressful for your business. Contemplate for just a moment what would happen if your business lost all the information about your receivables. Back up regularly to sleep well at night.
• Forgetting that your accountant is a great resource: If you're unsure about the right way to record a transaction, a quick chat with Zenally can save time and money.

Our Top Bookkeeping Tip

Our top bookkeeping tip for small business owners is to stay organized and consistent with your bookkeeping practices. This includes setting up a system for tracking financial transactions, reconciling accounts regularly, and keeping accurate records of all expenses and income.

It can save you time and stress in the long run, as you will be better prepared for tax season and other financial reporting requirements.

Remember, bookkeeping doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming.

By implementing a few simple practices and staying on top of your financial records, you can ensure the financial health and success of your small business.

Zenally Can Help

Suppose you're a small business owner struggling with bookkeeping or looking to improve your financial management skills. In that case, Zenally's bookkeeping coaching and advisory services can help. Our team of experienced bookkeepers and accountants can provide one-on-one training, support, and strategic advice to help you manage your finances more effectively.

Whether you need ongoing bookkeeping support or a one-time consultation, we're here to help you:

• Ensure your prior year(s) adjustments were entered correctly.
• Complete revenue projections, budgeting, and profit allocation.
• Understand when it's best to talk with your accountant: when you need tax expertise, business experience, and access to specific knowledge of regulations.
• Move from the trenches into the role of CEO.

Contact Us

Zenally, Your Business Ally