I truly used to be terrified to look at my numbers, and felt overwhelmed by opening a spreadsheet. I wasn’t even going to say the words Quickbooks or Freshbooks.

I don’t have an exciting story of the moment I overcame this, but over the years as a small business owner, I’ve started to find power in understanding my numbers. I like planning my revenue goals, and seeing where my money is coming from and going to.

Recently, I had a virtual coffee date with Tanya, owner of Tidy Books. She specializes in bookkeeping for photographers and creatives. Tanya is passionate about business owners understanding their numbers, and in helping small businesses.

Our conversation about how Tanya’s company works with creatives, and what value it can provide was really eye opening for me. I still use a Google spreadsheet for my business, because it works for me. Financially my business is simple, with repeat type of expenses, no travel, and rarely anything beyond a few basic categories. After talking to Tanya, I am even more sold on the benefits of what improving the organization of my finances can do for my business.

I wanted to share this insight with my clients and readers. After our call, I asked Tanya if she’d be willing to do a blog interview. I asked questions that I was personally curious about, but also kept my clients in mind, for things that can help everyone.

Here’s what Tanya has to say.

What can you offer me as a bookkeeper?

If you’ve never had one before, you will feel a huge relief when you hire a bookkeeper. A good bookkeeper will not only bring organization and peace of mind to your books, but will also help you interpret the numbers as your strategize and make decisions about your business. Ultimately, you’ll be freeing up your time and brain space to grow your business and do more of what you love!

Will it save me time? How much?

Hiring a bookkeeper will definitely save you time! How much depends on how much time you are currently spending each month (or maybe you’re crunching at the end of the year). Once we are up and running, your only responsibilities are getting us your bank statements at the end of each month (which we also try to automate) and answering any questions we have about your transactions (i.e. was this amazon expense equipment or studio supplies)? 

Are there reasons I should ditch my spreadsheet and use QB?

If you’re currently using a spreadsheet and it’s working for you, great! There are 3 reasons I see to move beyond a spreadsheet: 1) automation – connect your bank accounts and other softwares to eliminate your data entry! 2) more insights – as you are growing, the ability to pull reports and see your profit margin and paycheck at a glance are key. You’ll be able to 3) delegation. 

How do I know if I’m ready for bookkeeping services?

There are a few signs it might be time to hire a bookkeeper. Some diagnostic questions: 1) Could my time and energy spent on bookkeeping be used to bring in more business? 2) Is the mess and stress of my books holding me back from taking my business to the next level? 3) Are the finances always hanging over my head and can I afford to delegate this. On a financial level, typically when a business is approaching or over six-figures of income, this is an investment worth making). 

How do you work with my accountant?

We do not file taxes, but we love to work with your accountant to get your taxes filed! We are happy to work directly with your accountant and provide everything that is needed for tax filings.