Managing a small business may sound a small task, but it is exactly the opposite. One of the prime reasons behind it is the workload that a small business owner needs to handle. Among the different works, it is the accounts which remain neglected in most of the cases. Small business accounting is not difficult to manage if one will move systematically.
It is better to make a checklist if you want to handle your works all alone. Over here in this post, four different checklists are given that will help you to manage your accounts work without any kind of hassle. The accounting checklist is divided into five parts as follows:
- Daily Accounting Tasks
- Weekly Accounting Tasks
- Monthly Accounting Tasks
- Quarterly Accounting Tasks
- Annual Accounting Tasks
Here are the details of the checklist
Daily Accounting Tasks
Any business runs on the cash, and you cannot overlook the inflow and outgoing cash. It is important to check the cash amount that you have in your hand. Additionally, the checking helps you to understand what amount you are going to receive or need to pay to others. Keeping these in the mind daily can help you in maintaining day to day affairs.
Weekly Accounting Tasks
Record Transaction
Recording all the transactions such as billing customers, receiving cash from customers, paying vendors, etc. are essential for small business accounting. You should keep the records at least weekly to ensure the smooth running of your business. Using bookkeeping can help you in this matter.
Review the unpaid bill from vendors
One must keep a separate folder for unpaid vendors. You should keep track of the amounts that are needed to pay. Few vendors offer a discount on early payments also.
Prepare and send invoices
You must ready all the invoices during the weekend. It is a good idea to prepare the invoices, and send them in the weekend as during the week you might remain busy.
Monthly Accounting Tasks
Balance Your Business Checkbook
Once a month, you must look at the checkbook of the business. You will be able to understand that the cash inflow and other transactions are okay in that or not. You can also be able to know that all the transaction and entries are done in the right manner or not.
Analyze Inventory Status
In case you are having any inventory then you need to look at that at least once in the month. A regular check can help you in making the adjustments during small business accounting as you will neither have a shortage or overload.
Review the Month-End Balance Sheet vs. Prior Period
By checking the balance sheet of the current period with the early period, you can get a possible picture of the business that you are running. You can be able to point out where the business is lacking and can manage it.
Quarterly Accounting Tasks
Prepare/Review Revised Annual P&L Estimate
You must revise and review all the annual estimation. You should also assert that do your assets are going up or down, the difference between revenues and expenses, etc.
Review Sales Tax and Make Quarterly Payments
You should also look in matters like tax and quarterly payments of the taxes. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can help you determine your state tax obligations.
Annual Accounting Tasks
Fill Out IRS Forms W-2 and 1099-MISC
You must fill and report the annual earnings of your full-time employees (W-2s) and most independent contractors (1099s). For any contractors who earned less than $600 a 1099 form is not required.
Review and Approve Full-Year Financial Reports and Tax Returns
You must check all the documents finally before you submit the tax returns finally. For a smooth small business accounting, you should hire a professional accountant who can help you in the tax preparation and internal accounting.