Whatever the size of business you’re working with, following a solid set of best practices can make all the difference. It will save time, reduce unnecessary errors and ensure your finances are straight.
Let’s explore what a monthly bookkeeping checklist entails. We’ll also discuss the best practices accountants can implement to streamline their work, maintain accuracy and provide value to their clients.
Good Business Health: The Importance of Monthly Bookkeeping Tasks
Accurate and up-to-date bookkeeping is essential for any business, big or small. It’s especially useful for accountants who manage client accounts, as it provides clearer insights into financial health.
As a professional accountant or a bookkeeper, you’ll need to know the right basic tasks of a bookkeeper to focus on each month to set you up for success.
Regular, timely bookkeeping tasks ensure that your financial records remain up-to-date. It will also help you file your taxes on time and provide your clients with spot-on financial advice.
Staying compliant with HMRC and local tax regulations is obviously also a priority. And good bookkeeping will mitigate any potential risks.
Essential Monthly Bookkeeping Checklist for Accountants
How can you keep a tight grip on your client’s finances? Here’s a handy breakdown of the basic accounting and bookkeeping tasks list you should follow every month.
| Monthly Bookkeeping Task | Description |
| Reconcile Bank Accounts | Match all transactions in accounting software to bank statements to ensure accuracy. |
| Review Financial Statements | Check the balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and cash flow to ensure they reflect accurate finances. |
| Track Receivables and Payables | Ensure that outstanding invoices are followed up on and payments to suppliers are made on time. |
| Prepare VAT Returns | Ensure VAT returns are filed correctly each month. |
| Monitor Cash Flow | Track cash flow to avoid any future shortfalls and ensure adequate working capital. |
| Update Payroll Records | Correctly record and pay employee salaries, tax deductions and benefits. |
| Manage Petty Cash | Record all petty cash transactions accurately and ensure there’s no misuse of funds. |
| Review Transactions | Check all transactions are categorised correctly in the accounting software for accurate reports. |
By implementing these practices every month, you will keep your client’s financial records organised. This will help them make better business decisions. It’s always a good idea to build these into healthy habits.
Daily and Weekly Bookkeeping Checklist
While monthly bookkeeping is essential, it’s also important to handle accounting tasks daily and weekly. These basic accounting tasks help ensure that monthly tasks go smoothly and that financial data is updated regularly
The Benefits of Hiring: Why Use a Bookkeeper?
While accounting software can automate some basic bookkeeping tasks, a professional bookkeeper will record all transactions correctly and in compliance with local regulations. The duties of a bookkeeper accountant include:
- Categorising transactions accurately.
- Ensuring financial records are organised and up to date.
- Assisting with VAT filing and compliance.
- Generating reports that help businesses track their financial performance.
What Are the Responsibilities of a Bookkeeper?
Bookkeeping tasks are governed by local tax laws and regulations, including the requirement for businesses to submit VAT returns and keep proper financial records.
So what are the job duties of a bookkeeper?
- Maintaining accurate financial records: Ensuring that every financial transaction is correctly recorded.
- Managing payroll: Ensuring employees are paid on time and that taxes are withheld correctly.
- Filing VAT returns: Ensuring VAT is correctly calculated and submitted to HMRC on time.
- Preparing financial reports: Generating profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements.
By fulfilling these bookkeeping duties, accountants can help their clients maintain good financial health and stay compliant with tax laws.
Bookkeeping Strategies for Small Businesses
Small businesses face many challenges when it comes to managing finances. In fact, 60% of small business owners think they aren’t knowledgeable enough when it comes to accounting.
Here are a few useful bookkeeping strategies for startups and small businesses to help them stay organised:
- Use Accounting Software: Cloud-based accounting software such as Xero or QuickBooks can automate many basic bookkeeping tasks and reduce the potential for errors.
- Keep Personal and Business Finances Separate: Ensure that personal expenses are not mixed with business finances. This can save time when preparing reports and filing taxes.
- Track Expenses: Encourage businesses to track every expense, no matter how small, to ensure they are tax-deductible and properly categorised. An accounting checklist small business helps with this.
- Plan for Tax Payments: Set aside a portion of revenue each month to prepare for VAT and income tax payments. This can prevent cash flow issues at the time of filing.
FAQs
1. What are the responsibilities of a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, managing payroll, preparing VAT returns and generating financial reports.
2. What does a bookkeeper do on a daily basis?
Accountant daily tasks include recording transactions, managing invoicing, updating the general ledger and ensuring payments are up-to-date.
3. How do I manage bookkeeping tasks for a small business?
To manage bookkeeping for a small business, use accounting software, track all expenses, reconcile accounts and set aside time for VAT filing and payroll management.
4. What are the benefits of hiring a bookkeeper for my business?
A professional bookkeeper ensures accurate financial records, helps with tax compliance, tracks cash flow and saves time for business owners to focus on growth.
Conclusion
You could say bookkeepers are at the heart of business. They ensure the financial success of any business. Especially for accountants who manage multiple clients. Good financial management hinges on maintaining accurate and timely bookkeeping tasks.
By following a daily, weekly and monthly bookkeeping tasks list and ensuring all legal requirements are met, small businesses can offer valuable services to their clients.
Good bookkeeping practices ensure that financial operations run smoothly. Turning these practices into good habits will mean you have the time to focus on growing your business.
Parul is a dedicated writer and expert in the accounting industry, known for her insightful and well researched content. Her writing covers a wide range of topics, including tax regulations, financial reporting standards, and best practices for compliance. She is committed to producing content that not only informs but also empowers readers to make informed decisions.
