A bookkeeping checklist for your first year in business
Ten habits that keep a small business ready for tax season, a bank loan or an investor, without hiring a full-time accountant.
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Your first year sets the habits that decide whether tax season is calm or chaotic. This checklist keeps your books ready for a lender, an investor or the tax office.
Set up before your first sale
Open a separate business bank account
Choose cloud software (Xero, QuickBooks or Odoo)
Build a simple chart of accounts
Every week
Record sales and expenses
Reconcile the bank feed
Chase invoices past due
Ten minutes a week beats ten days in March.
Every month
Task | Why |
|---|---|
Close the month | Numbers you can trust |
File PPN | Avoid late penalties |
Review profit and loss | Spot problems early |
See a reconciliation in action
Learn it step by step
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