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. 3H AGO

    112 Which QuickBooks Plan Do You Actually Need? (Simple Guide for Business Owners)

    Feeling overwhelmed by all the QuickBooks options? You're not alone. In this episode, we break it all down in a simple, no-stress way so you can confidently choose the right plan—without overpaying or overcomplicating your bookkeeping. ✨ What You'll Learn: The real first decision: QuickBooks Online vs Desktop Why QuickBooks Online is the best choice for most small business owners When Desktop actually makes sense (and when it doesn't) 🚫 Why you should avoid QuickBooks Self-Employed A simple breakdown of each QuickBooks Online plan: Simple Start (best place to begin) Essentials (when you need bill tracking) Plus (for deeper insights + budgeting) Advanced (for larger teams) 💡 The truth about recurring invoices (and why you probably don't need to upgrade for them anymore) 💡 The truth about budgeting features (and when they actually matter) 🎯 Key Takeaways: Start simpler than you think More features ≠ easier bookkeeping Most service-based businesses will do great with Simple Start Upgrade only when your business actually needs it—not "just in case" ⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid: Choosing a higher plan too soon Starting with Self-Employed Sticking with Desktop just because it feels familiar Expecting software to fix messy books 💗 Bestie Truth: QuickBooks has made its lower-tier plans more powerful—don't let all the options pressure you into overcomplicating things. 📩 Next Steps: Not sure which plan fits your business? That's exactly what I help with. Send me a DM or book a free "Next Steps" session to get personalized guidance.   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!

    15 min
  2. 110 QuickBooks Setup, Cleanup, or Monthly Bookkeeping: How to Know What You Need

    MAR 17

    110 QuickBooks Setup, Cleanup, or Monthly Bookkeeping: How to Know What You Need

    Do you need help setting up your books… fixing them… or finally handing them off for good? If you've ever opened QuickBooks and immediately felt overwhelmed, you're not alone. One of the most common questions business owners ask is: "Do I need a fresh start?" "Or are my books just a mess?" "Or honestly… can someone just take this off my plate?" In this episode, we break down the three core types of bookkeeping support—so you can finally understand what you need (and stop second-guessing yourself). Because while these services sound similar, they solve very different problems. 🏗️ Bookkeeping Setup: Starting From Scratch 🧹 Bookkeeping Cleanup: Fixing the Mess 🔄 Monthly Bookkeeping Support: Staying on Track   We walk through a real client journey that perfectly illustrates this. She came in thinking she needed monthly bookkeeping support… But first: Her books needed a full cleanup from the previous year Before that, her system needed a proper setup to even begin fixing things Once those were done? Monthly bookkeeping became simple, smooth, and stress-free. 👉 The takeaway: It's not about which service is better—it's about where you are right now. 🎯 Quick Self-Check Ask yourself this one question: "When was the last time someone really reviewed my books and confirmed everything is correct?" Never? → You likely need Setup More than 3 months ago (or your CPA raised concerns)? → You need Cleanup Everything is accurate, but you're still doing it yourself? → You're ready for Monthly Support Take a second to write down your answer or record a quick voice note—clarity starts here. 🧠 Key Takeaway Setup gets you started right. Cleanup gets you back on track. Monthly support keeps you there. 🎁 Resources & Next Steps ✨ Free QuickBooks Health Check Not sure where you stand? Start here: 👉 erikamillard.com/qbhealthcheck ✨ Book a Free Next Steps Call Ready to hand this off or want expert guidance? Grab a call via the link in the show notes and we'll figure out exactly what you need. 🔎 Keywords (SEO Boost) quickbooks setup, bookkeeping cleanup, monthly bookkeeping services, small business bookkeeping help, quickbooks help for entrepreneurs, bookkeeping services explained, fix messy books, outsource bookkeeping, small business finances, accounting basics for business owners 📣 Final Thoughts Wherever you are—starting fresh, cleaning things up, or ready to hand it off—you're not behind. You just need the right next step. Be sure to subscribe and tune in next week for another conversation designed to make your business finances feel simpler and more manageable.     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!

    13 min
  3. 109 The 5 Bookkeeping Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them)

    MAR 10

    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
  4. MAR 3

    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

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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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