QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success

Erica Northrup & Lee Davis
  • 5.0 (6)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Running a business is hard. QuickBooks shouldn’t make it harder. Welcome to QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success—the podcast for growth-minded small business owners who are ready to stop drowning in financial confusion and start making confident, data-driven decisions. Hosted by Lee Davis & Erica Northrup, the father-daughter duo behind Lee Davis & Company, each episode delivers practical advice, proven systems, and real-world strategies to help you clean up your QuickBooks, simplify your bookkeeping, and grow your business with clarity. Whether you’re stuck in a bookkeeping mess, unsure how to read your reports, or ready to finally outsource your financial chaos, this show gives you the tools and insight to move from overwhelm to control—one episode at a time. Because your time should be spent on your craft and building your business—not buried in spreadsheets and reconciliations. ⸻ Perfect for: • Service-based small businesses • Business owners making $750K–$2.5M annually • Entrepreneurs tired of trying to “figure out” QuickBooks on their own • Leaders who want to spend less time managing their books and more time growing Subscribe today and take the guesswork out of your numbers.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 15 – The Hidden Cost of “Good Enough” QuickBooks

    Episode 15 – The Hidden Cost of “Good Enough” QuickBooksIn this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis explore a problem many business owners overlook — the hidden cost of QuickBooks that is “mostly working.” They break down why “good enough” often creates stress, poor decision-making, tax surprises, and missed opportunities, even when there are no obvious red flags. The conversation highlights how unreliable financial data affects confidence, growth, and peace of mind — and what changes when your books are done correctly. Listeners will gain clarity around why improving QuickBooks isn’t just about compliance — it’s about building a stronger business foundation. Key Takeaways“Good enough” books often hide deeper problems and missed opportunitiesInaccurate financial data leads to poor decisions around pricing, hiring, and growthTax season becomes stressful when systems aren’t reliableClean books create confidence, clarity, and better long-term planningThe biggest benefit of accurate financials is peace of mind Questions to Reflect OnDo I fully trust the numbers in my QuickBooks reports?Am I avoiding looking at my financial data because it feels confusing?What decisions would I make differently if I had complete clarity? Mentioned in This EpisodeFree 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com Send Us Your Questions: support@leedavisandcompany.com Recommended ResourcesEpisode: QuickBooks Reports You Should Check Every MonthFree Quick Start Guide at leedavisandcompany.comEpisode 8 on Reports Timestamps00:02 - Introduction to QuickBooks Mastery01:06 - Understanding Good Enough QuickBooks04:34 - Understanding Excuse Alley and Its Impact on Business Decisions14:00 - The Consequences of Poor Financial Tracking18:21 - Understanding the Costs of Deferring Financial Management19:46 - Transitioning to Financial Clarity Call to ActionIf you...

    22 min

  2. FEB 13

    Episode 14 – Why QuickBooks Gets Messy (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right)

    Episode 14 – Why QuickBooks Gets Messy (Even When You’re Doing Everything Right)In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis explain why so many hardworking business owners feel confused and frustrated inside QuickBooks—despite putting in real effort. They break down the hidden system issues that cause financial “messiness,” explore common patchwork fixes that create long-term problems, and show what actually leads to clarity and confidence. Listeners will walk away encouraged, equipped, and better prepared to manage their books proactively. Key TakeawaysMost messy books are caused by system gaps, not carelessnessQuickBooks is built for accountants, not business ownersPatchwork fixes create long-term cleanup cyclesUnderstanding money flow builds confidenceSustainable clarity comes from learning in order Questions to Reflect OnWhere do I tend to “patch” problems instead of fixing root causes?Do I understand how money flows through my business?Am I confident in my financial reports—or just hoping they’re right? Mentioned in This EpisodeFree 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com Send Us Your Questions: support@leedavisandcompany.com Timestamps 00:02 - Introduction to QuickBooks Mastery 04:14 - Understanding QuickBooks Challenges 06:51 - Understanding the Challenges of QuickBooks 07:30 - Understanding QuickBooks Setup Issues 14:06 - Understanding QuickBooks: The Importance of a System 17:02 - Understanding the QuickBooks System Call to ActionIf you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and stay connected with us at leedavisandcompany.com. Download our free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to get started with QuickBooks the right way. Have a QuickBooks question? Send it to support@leedavisandcompany.com — your question may be featured in a future episode.

    18 min

  3. FEB 4

    Episode 13: The Top 8 QuickBooks Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

    Episode 13: The Top 8 QuickBooks Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis break down the 8 most common QuickBooks mistakes they see business owners make every week—and how to fix them so your books stay clean and accurate all year long. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m doing something wrong in QuickBooks… but I’m not sure what,” this episode will give you clarity fast. You’ll learn why these mistakes create messy reports and stressful cleanups, and what simple habits and workflows keep QuickBooks working the way it’s meant to. Key TakeawaysReconciling monthly is your first line of defense—skip it and nothing else is reliable.The bank feed is a tool, not a bookkeeper—match first, don’t add blindly.Undeposited Funds errors can make income look wildly wrong.Owner pay must be categorized based on how the business is structured.Return checks need a proper workflow so income isn’t distorted.Vehicles/equipment financed purchases must be set up as assets + loans (not expensed).Monthly reports help you catch problems early—before decisions are made blindly. Questions to Reflect OnWhich of these 8 mistakes have I made in the last 90 days?If my reports were wrong right now, would I know?Do I have a monthly routine that keeps QuickBooks clean—or am I reacting at tax time? Mentioned in This EpisodeSend Us Your Questions: support@leedavisandcompany.com (Your question may be featured in a future episode.) Timestamps 00:55.000 – Episode 13 intro: “I think I’m doing something wrong in QuickBooks…” 02:20.257 – Mistake #1: Not reconciling every single month 05:43.108 – “If reconciliation isn’t done, nothing else is accurate.” 05:53.303 – Mistake #2: Misusing Ask My Accountant / Uncategorized 08:33.000 – “It’s like your inbox—you should never let it pile up.” 08:42.455 – Mistake #3: Not using the bank feed correctly 11:25.000 – “Match, don’t add.” 12:28.000 – “The bank feed is a tool, not your bookkeeper.” 12:41.347 – Mistake #4: Not using Undeposited Funds correctly 15:00.000 – “This mistake makes people think they made $200K more or less.” 15:09.853 – Mistake #5: Incorrectly categorizing owner’s pay 17:08.000 – “This is one of the fastest ways to make your P&L misleading.” 18:06.000 – Mistake #6: Invoicing mistakes (return checks) 19:32.000 – “Clean invoicing equals faster money.” 19:57.054 – Mistake #7: Vehicle/equipment purchases and loans 22:47.000

    29 min

  4. JAN 30

    Episode 12: Why QuickBooks Training Pays for Itself

    Episode 12: Why QuickBooks Training Pays for ItselfIn this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis explain why learning QuickBooks the right way can transform how you run your business. They share why self-teaching often leads to frustration and costly mistakes, and how hands-on, personalized training helps business owners gain confidence and control. You’ll learn what quality training looks like, how to choose the right trainer, and why understanding your numbers is one of the most important investments you can make in your business. Listeners will gain clarity, encouragement, and practical strategies they can begin using right away. Key TakeawaysProper QuickBooks training saves time, money, and frustrationHands-on learning builds confidence in your financial reportsAccurate data leads to better business decisionsTraining reduces dependence on outside helpGood trainers focus on real-world application, not memorization Questions to Reflect OnAm I confident that my QuickBooks setup is correct?Do I understand where my numbers come from?What mistakes might I be making without realizing it? Mentioned in This EpisodeFree 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com Send Us Your Questions: support@leedavisandcompany.com ⏱️ Timestamps00:02 - Introduction to QuickBooks Mastery01:57 - The Importance of QuickBooks Training 11:05 - Real World Benefits of QuickBooks Training 14:49 - Choosing the Right Training for QuickBooks 20:57 - The Importance of Training in QuickBooks 📣 Call to ActionIf you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and stay connected with us at leedavisandcompany.com. Download our free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to get started with QuickBooks the right way. Have a QuickBooks question? Send it to support@leedavisandcompany.com — your question may be featured in a future episode.

    23 min

  5. JAN 23

    Episode 11 – What You Need to Do to Get Ready for Your Accountant

    Episode Title: Episode 11 – What You Need to Do to Get Ready for Your AccountantGetting ready for your accountant doesn’t have to be stressful. In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis share the simple steps to prepare your books before tax season (or a quarterly review) so you can save time, money, and frustration. They explain why being prepared helps your accountant work faster (and helps you avoid missed deductions), then walk through a practical checklist you can use to get everything ready: reconciling accounts, clearing uncategorized transactions, organizing receipts, prepping payroll and loan documents, pulling key reports, updating invoices and bills, tracking major purchases and mileage, and making sure your personal tax documents are in order. They also cover how to communicate with your accountant—what to ask for, what deadlines to confirm, and what not to send—so you can have a smoother process and fewer surprises. Key TakeawaysPreparation reduces stress, prevents missed deductions, and saves money on cleanup work.Reconcile bank and credit card accounts and keep personal and business transactions separate.Clear uncategorized transactions and organize receipts/documents (ideally attached inside QuickBooks).Pull key year-end/quarterly reports and review A/R and A/P—especially old balances that may become bad debt.Communicate early: confirm deadlines, ask what format they prefer, and summarize major changes in writing. Questions to Reflect OnIf my accountant received my file today, what would they flag as “missing” or “messy”?Do I consistently keep personal and business transactions separate—and what needs to change if not?What are 3 business changes this year that my accountant should know in advance? Mentioned in This EpisodeFree QuickBooks Prep Checklist (PDF): Download Check list here Free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks: www.leedavisandcompany.com Send Us Your Questions: support@leedavisandcompany.com Recommended ResourcesSchedule C- Click here to check it out Timestamps00:02.080 - Episode 11: Preparing for Your Accountant 03:20.110 – Why preparation matters (save stress, time, money, deductions) 07:42.000 – The checklist: what you should have ready 09:38.315 – Reconcile bank + credit cards (and keep personal/business separate) 10:25.143 – Categorize everything (clear “uncategorized” + clean coding) 12:52.724 – Organize receipts, documents, payroll + loan statements 15:06.329 – Pull/export key reports + update invoices/bills (A/R + A/P) 17:29.313 – Major purchases + mileage/home office/personal business expenses 21:14.000 –...

    33 min

  6. JAN 16

    Episode 10: Which QuickBooks Plan Is Right for Your Business?

    Episode 10: Which QuickBooks Plan Is Right for Your Business?In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis break down how to choose the right QuickBooks plan based on your business size, structure, and complexity. They explore why so many business owners overbuy software, the most common mistakes when selecting a plan, and how to confidently match your QuickBooks version to what you actually need today — not where you hope to be someday. Listeners will gain clarity, confidence, and a simple framework they can use immediately to choose (or adjust) their QuickBooks plan. Key TakeawaysThe real differences between QuickBooks Online and DesktopWho QuickBooks Solopreneur is designed for — and when it makes senseHow the Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced plans compareWhy matching your plan to complexity (not ambition) saves moneyHow to upgrade confidently as your business grows Questions to Reflect OnDo I track inventory or projects in my business?How many users truly need access to my books?Do I need budgets, classes, locations, or custom reports? Mentioned in This EpisodeFree 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com Send Us Your Questions: support@leedavisandcompany.com Recommended ResourcesFree 3-Part Quick Start Guide – www.leedavisandcompany.comQuickbooks Check list (Questions to ask yourself) - Download Here Timestamps00:53.477 – Intro: Which QuickBooks plan fits your business? 01:17.522 – QuickBooks Desktop vs Online (what’s changed) 02:56.495 – QuickBooks Solopreneur (who it’s for + key features) 05:12.044 – QuickBooks Online plans overview (Simple Start → Advanced) 05:51.543 – Simple Start 06:53.382 – Essentials 07:36.673 – Plus 08:28.281 – Advanced 09:20.811 – Pro tips (inventory, projects, users, budgeting) 10:04.530 – 4-question decision framework (how to choose fast) 11:08.430 – Promotions and why not to overbuy 11:35.668 – Checking integrations with your industry software 12:07.517 – Key takeaway: match complexity, not ambition 12:46.299 – Recap + teaser for next episode Call to ActionIf you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and stay connected with us at leedavisandcompany.com. Download our free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to get started with QuickBooks the right way. Have a QuickBooks...

    15 min

  7. JAN 8

    Episode 9: How to Pay Yourself as a Business Owner (QuickBooks + Taxes)

    Episode 9: How to Pay Yourself as a Business OwnerIn this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis break down one of the most common small business questions: “How do I pay myself?” They explain why the answer depends on your business structure and financial goals, and they walk through the three main legal methods of paying yourself—owner’s draw, salary, and distributions/dividends. They also cover how to decide what’s right for you, why your business plan matters, how to avoid common IRS issues, and how QuickBooks can help you track owner pay properly with reports, payroll, and bank rules. This conversation will help business owners avoid tax surprises, protect cash flow, and build a clean system that supports both the business and the owner. Key TakeawaysThe right way to pay yourself depends on your business structure (LLC/sole prop vs S-Corp/corporation).Owner’s draw is not an expense—it shows on the balance sheet (equity), not the P&L.Salary requires proper payroll setup and payroll tax compliance—don’t run payroll for an LLC owner like an employee.Disability insurance taxation depends on who pays the premium (owner vs company).QuickBooks helps track owner pay with reports, bank rules, and payroll tools—keeping everything clean for tax time and lending. Questions to Reflect OnAm I paying myself based on what I need, or what the business can actually afford right now?Do I understand which payments are deductible business expenses vs personal spending?Is my QuickBooks set up so owner pay is categorized correctly and easy to explain at tax time? Mentioned in This EpisodeFree 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com Send Us Your Questions: support@leedavisandcompany.com TimestampsChapters: 01:16.514 - Why paying yourself the right way matters 04:46.009 - Method 1: Owner’s Draw (LLCs, sole props, partnerships) 9:32.848 - Method 2: Salary (S-Corps / corporations) 11:10.325 - Method 3: Distributions / Dividends 12:07.942 - How to choose the best method (income, risk, goals) 15:11.774- How QuickBooks helps (reports, payroll, bank rules) 16:58.036- FAQ: How much should I pay myself? 17:58.784 - FAQ: 401(k) and retirement priorities 18:40.693 - FAQ: Disability insurance—who should pay? 19:49.045 - FAQ: Paying yourself in an LLC (frequency + structure) 21:53.270 - FAQ: Deductions and what you can/can’t write off 22:53.672 - Common mistakes to avoid (payroll errors, mixing accounts) 24:10 - Payroll tax warnings and why payroll services matter Call to ActionIf you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and stay connected with us at leedavisandcompany.com. Download our free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to get started with QuickBooks the right way. Have a QuickBooks question? Send it to...

    29 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    Episode 8: QuickBooks Reports You Should Check Every Month

    Episode 8: QuickBooks Reports You Should Check Every MonthIn this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis break down the most important QuickBooks reports every business owner should review each month—and why they matter. Too many business owners rely on their bank balance instead of their financial reports. In this episode, Erica and Lee explain how reports tell the real story of your business, help you spot trends early, and give you confidence when making financial decisions. They walk through where to find each report in QuickBooks, what to look for, and how to use the information to guide growth, manage cash flow, and avoid costly mistakes. Listeners will walk away with clarity, confidence, and a simple monthly reporting routine they can start using right away. Key TakeawaysWhy reviewing reports monthly is essential for business growthThe 5 core QuickBooks reports every business owner should runHow to read Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow reportsHow reports help you make better decisions around spending, hiring, and growthWhy reports act as your business “report card” Questions to Reflect OnAm I reviewing my financial reports consistently—or just checking my bank balance?Do I understand what my numbers are telling me about my business health?Which report could give me the most clarity right now? Mentioned in This EpisodeFree 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com Send Us Your Questions: support@leedavisandcompany.com Youtube Link for Episode Video: https://youtu.be/IMGDXiC_hUY TimestampsTimestamp | Chapter Title 00:00.000 | Welcome & Introduction 01:25.558 | Why Reports Matter 04:16.674 | #1 Profit & Loss Report 06:06.738 | #2 Balance Sheet 07:47.920 | #3 Cash Flow Statement 09:17.570 | #4 Sales by Customer Summary 11:09.933 | #5 Budget vs Actual 14:16.513. | Bonus & Advanced Reports 17:08.872 | Using Reports to Make Better Decisions 20:26.454 | Practical Reporting Habits 20:26.454 | Outro & Call to Action Call to ActionIf you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and stay connected with us at leedavisandcompany.com. Download our free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to get started with QuickBooks the right way. Have a QuickBooks question? Send it to support@leedavisandcompany.com — your question may be featured in a future episode.

    24 min
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About

Running a business is hard. QuickBooks shouldn’t make it harder. Welcome to QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success—the podcast for growth-minded small business owners who are ready to stop drowning in financial confusion and start making confident, data-driven decisions. Hosted by Lee Davis & Erica Northrup, the father-daughter duo behind Lee Davis & Company, each episode delivers practical advice, proven systems, and real-world strategies to help you clean up your QuickBooks, simplify your bookkeeping, and grow your business with clarity. Whether you’re stuck in a bookkeeping mess, unsure how to read your reports, or ready to finally outsource your financial chaos, this show gives you the tools and insight to move from overwhelm to control—one episode at a time. Because your time should be spent on your craft and building your business—not buried in spreadsheets and reconciliations. ⸻ Perfect for: • Service-based small businesses • Business owners making $750K–$2.5M annually • Entrepreneurs tired of trying to “figure out” QuickBooks on their own • Leaders who want to spend less time managing their books and more time growing Subscribe today and take the guesswork out of your numbers.

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