As a business owner, we are sure there was a time(s) when you would look at your bookkeeping bill and think, “That seems high…”. And if so, you’re not alone. One of the most common concerns we heard during our recent webinar is exactly that.
But here’s the thing: in many cases, bookkeeping costs go up not because your provider is overpriced, but because your bookkeeping processes are too complex.
If there is no clear how-to, no consistent invoice workflow, no shared understanding of how merchant accounts work, no notes on which suppliers’ invoices are for resale and which are not, things take longer. And as we all know, time equals money.
When your bookkeeper ends up chasing missing info, second-guessing transaction types, or fixing recurring issues that could easily be avoided, the cost comes back to you.
Tools Alone Don’t Save You — But Proper Use Does
For instance, AutoEntry is a brilliant tool for uploading purchase invoices automatically, but it’s not a magic wand. For example, it doesn’t let you mark invoices as “resale” which is important for processing VAT correctly.
That’s why we created a tool called Purchase Invoice Fix in SortMyBooks. It gives you an opportunity to select a supplier, set a time range, and include every invoice from that supplier uploaded via AutoEntry to be auto-marked as resale. One click, no manual tweaks, no repeated errors.
Merchant Accounts: The Silent Time-Wasters
Stripe. SumUp. PayPal. Each one works differently when it comes to fees, settlements, and payouts. If your processes don’t clearly document how each one should be handled in your books, mistakes and questions are inevitable — and your bookkeeper’s time (and invoice) grows.
So, What’s the Solution?
You don’t need to cut corners — you need to cut confusion.
Applying lean philosophy to your business will allow you to document how your business handles things, using the right tools intentionally, and streamlining where possible. It will not only make your life and your bookkeeper’s easier
, but it will get you more reliable reports, and most importantly — reduce your bookkeeping costs without reducing quality.
Just as important is the communication between you and your bookkeeper. Understanding how things work on both ends, why they’re set up a certain way, and where the common pitfalls are, will make everything flow better. Clear expectations and a shared understanding build trust, save time, and help your finances truly support your business goals.
If that sounds like a conversation worth having, Let’s Chat and we’ll explore it together.
Kind regards,
Aileen @ SortMyBooks