Get Comfy with Numbers | Making Bookkeeping & QuickBooks Easy for Female Entrepreneurs, Bookkeeping for Small Business

Erika Millard

Hey bestie! Welcome to the Get Comfy with Numbers podcast! I'm Erika Millard - Founder of Bookkeeping with Erika, Bookkeeping Expert, and your go-to gal for helping you finally feel confident about your business finances. Whether you're here to set up, clean up, or take bookkeeping completely off your plate, you're in the right place. And if you're feeling a little sweaty and nervous just reading this? You're definitely in the right place. 😉 This podcast is for female business owners who want to stop avoiding their numbers and start understanding them. You don't need to become a spreadsheet whiz or love math - you just need someone to make it simple (hi 👋, that's me!). Inside each episode, we'll break down: - How to set up smart, streamlined bookkeeping systems - What it means to have "clean" books and how to get there - The most common QuickBooks mistakes (and how to fix them) - Real ways to prepare for tax time without tears - And how to use your numbers to make confident business decisions You'll also hear stories from my clients and guests who have gone from overwhelmed to in control, with just a little help from their bookkeeping bestie. 🎧 Plus, don't forget to grab my FREE QuickBooks Health Check - a simple way to spot issues fast and feel confident your books are on track. https://erikamillard.com/qbhealthcheck So grab one of the three drinks on your desk (because obviously), hit follow, and let's take the stress out of your numbers, one episode at a time. Let's connect: 🌐 www.erikamillard.com 📧 connect@erikamillard.com 📸 Instagram: @erika_millard

  1. 109 The 5 Bookkeeping Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them)

    4 DAYS AGO

    109 The 5 Bookkeeping Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them)

    In last week's episode, I talked to all of you who are doing your own bookkeeping without any formal training — because honestly, that's how most small business owners start. Today I want to walk through the five bookkeeping mistakes I see beginners make all the time, so you know exactly what to watch for (and how to fix them). First, let's normalize something: every small business makes bookkeeping mistakes. Truly. Even experienced business owners do. So if you've ever felt behind or unsure about your numbers, you're not alone.   In this episode I break down the five biggest ones I see: • Mixing business and personal transactions – this is probably the number one stress creator for small business owners. • Not reconciling your accounts monthly – think of this as simply "checking your math." • Guessing categories or being inconsistent – bookkeeping doesn't require perfection, but it does need consistency. • Waiting until tax season – which usually creates that familiar panic cycle. • Adding apps and automations before you actually have a workflow.   The good news is you don't need complicated tools to get started. You don't need fancy dashboards, five connected platforms, or every integration available. What you really need is clarity first. In this episode I share a simple way to pause before adding new tools and ask three helpful questions: Where does the money start? Where does it get recorded? And who checks it each month? You'll also get one simple fix for each of the five mistakes, so you can make a small improvement right away. Bookkeeping isn't about being perfect — it's about staying consistent and supported. And, depending on where you are in your business, that support can look different. Some people stay DIY with a little guidance. Some need help cleaning things up. And some decide they're ready to fully outsource. All of those paths are valid — the goal is just making your bookkeeping feel a lot less overwhelming.   Here are the ways we can connect: Take Home Target https://erikamillard.com/takehometarget  Free QuickBooks Next Steps Session call   https://portal.erikamillard.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6814fec8e03a2f003a29c5f1/schedule   Happy Bookkeeping!

    11 min
  2. 3 MAR

    108 Start Here: New to Small Business Bookkeeping Without Formal Training?

    If you're helping with bookkeeping but were never trained for it — you're not alone. Maybe you're the spouse, sister, office manager, or the organized one who got handed the finances when the business started growing. One day someone said, "Can you just handle the books?" — and now you're doing your best, hoping you're not missing something important. Here's the truth: you're not behind. You were never taught. And this is a learnable system. Why So Many People End Up Here Small business bookkeeping rarely starts with a formal job description. It often grows out of trust and necessity: Family businesses where everyone pitches in Admin roles that slowly expand into finances Being "the organized one" who gets promoted to handling money Helping a partner or friend keep things running If you've ever thought: What if I mess something up? Will the CPA think I did this wrong? What actually matters here? You're asking the right questions. Your Role Is Simpler Than You Think You do not need to become an accountant. Your job is to: Keep things organized Track money coming in and out Help the business owner understand reality That's it. Bookkeeping isn't about perfection — it's about clarity. The 5 Things Every Beginner Actually Needs to Know 1. Clean records matter more than perfection Consistency beats complexity every time. 2. Separate business and personal money This single step prevents most problems. 3. Categorizing transactions is not guessing You're telling the story of the business. 4. Reconciliation is your safety check This is how you know the numbers are real. 5. Reports help with decisions Your Profit & Loss report is your main friend. What Doesn't Matter Yet (Deep Breath) You do not need: Advanced accounting knowledge To memorize tax rules Perfect books Fancy systems To understand everything immediately You're learning. That's allowed. Common Beginner Mistakes (Totally Normal) Most accidental bookkeepers: Wait until tax season to look at the books Avoid reconciliation because it feels intimidating Try to fix everything at once Stay silent when they're confused These aren't failures — they're part of the learning curve. Why Your Work Matters Small businesses run because someone stepped up and helped. You're helping a real person support their family, employees, and dreams. You're not "just doing bookkeeping." You're protecting the business. You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone If this episode felt like someone finally explained things clearly, you're in the right place. You can: Follow the show for beginner-friendly guidance Listen to the next episode for step-by-step support Reach out when you're ready for extra help 🎧 Listen Next Next week: The three bookkeeping mistakes beginners make that cause the most stress — and how to avoid them.   Here are the ways we can connect: Take Home Target https://erikamillard.com/takehometarget  Free QuickBooks Next Steps Session call   https://portal.erikamillard.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6814fec8e03a2f003a29c5f1/schedule   Happy Bookkeeping!

    10 min

Trailer

About

Hey bestie! Welcome to the Get Comfy with Numbers podcast! I'm Erika Millard - Founder of Bookkeeping with Erika, Bookkeeping Expert, and your go-to gal for helping you finally feel confident about your business finances. Whether you're here to set up, clean up, or take bookkeeping completely off your plate, you're in the right place. And if you're feeling a little sweaty and nervous just reading this? You're definitely in the right place. 😉 This podcast is for female business owners who want to stop avoiding their numbers and start understanding them. You don't need to become a spreadsheet whiz or love math - you just need someone to make it simple (hi 👋, that's me!). Inside each episode, we'll break down: - How to set up smart, streamlined bookkeeping systems - What it means to have "clean" books and how to get there - The most common QuickBooks mistakes (and how to fix them) - Real ways to prepare for tax time without tears - And how to use your numbers to make confident business decisions You'll also hear stories from my clients and guests who have gone from overwhelmed to in control, with just a little help from their bookkeeping bestie. 🎧 Plus, don't forget to grab my FREE QuickBooks Health Check - a simple way to spot issues fast and feel confident your books are on track. https://erikamillard.com/qbhealthcheck So grab one of the three drinks on your desk (because obviously), hit follow, and let's take the stress out of your numbers, one episode at a time. Let's connect: 🌐 www.erikamillard.com 📧 connect@erikamillard.com 📸 Instagram: @erika_millard

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