Bookkeeping for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Get You Started

Bookkeeping for beginners doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In this blog, we’ve outlined six essential concepts to help you get started—from tracking your records and understanding key bookkeeping practices to learning how to manage your books from home. Whether you have an accounting degree or not, these basic principles will equip you to handle your business finances like a pro.

1. Where Do I Start?

The first step to managing your books is choosing the right tool for keeping records. Here are three popular options:

• Spreadsheets: These are a good starting point for small businesses. However, they can become cumbersome as your business grows, and human errors may occur.
• Accounting Books: If your records are simple, an accounting book could be a solution. However, this manual method might not be ideal, especially with the government’s Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative.
• Bookkeeping Software: For compliance with MTD, you’ll need bookkeeping software. Look for a solution that simplifies bookkeeping, with clear instructions and essential features.

2. Bookkeeper vs. Accountant vs. DIY

You don’t need formal qualifications to manage your own bookkeeping, but understanding the difference between these roles is crucial:

• Bookkeeper: A bookkeeper handles the daily recording of financial transactions. They ensure that all entries are correct and organized, typically on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.
• Accountant: Accountants oversee the general financial health of a business, creating financial statements, tax returns, and providing advice for business decisions. They often adjust entries made by bookkeepers at the end of each fiscal period.
• DIY: With bookkeeping apps, it’s easy to take control of your business’s finances. As you get more familiar with the process, you can manage the books on your own and retain full visibility of your finances.

3. Basic Types of Bookkeeping You Should Know

To make bookkeeping easier, it’s important to understand the basic types of accounts you’ll be dealing with. Here are the most common ones:

• Cash Account: This tracks all business transactions. Bookkeepers use two journals—cash receipts and cash disbursements—to monitor the activity.
• Accounts Receivable: This account tracks the money your customers owe for products or services that have been delivered but not yet paid for.
• Inventory: Tracks the products you have in stock. Regular physical inventory counts help keep this account accurate.
• Accounts Payable: Shows what money is leaving or has left the business. This helps ensure you don’t pay vendors or suppliers twice.
• Loans Payable: Tracks debts you owe, including when payments are due for borrowed funds.
• Sales Account: Tracks revenue from all sales transactions, allowing you to understand how much income your business is generating.
• Purchases Account: Records the materials or goods you’ve bought for your business, which contributes to the Cost of Goods Sold and affects your gross profit.
• Payroll Expenses: Tracks employee wages and salaries, which are often a significant cost for many businesses.
• Retained Earnings: This account tracks the profits reinvested in your business and not distributed to the owners.

4. Easy Yet Essential Bookkeeping Practices

Bookkeeping doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these simple practices to stay on track:

• Don’t Leave It to the Last Minute: Set reminders for key dates and deadlines so you aren’t scrambling at the last minute. Doing your books in advance will help you avoid mistakes and save time.
• Keep Records Organized: A cluttered workspace or messy records can lead to confusion. Stay organized so you can easily access the information you need.
• Store Receipts Properly: Use bookkeeping software to store receipts digitally. This will help you maintain a paperless office and ensure that all receipts are available for review or audits.
• Separate Business and Personal Finances: To simplify bookkeeping, keep your personal and business finances separate. This will help you stay organized and focused on business-related transactions.

5. Key Bookkeeping Terms You Should Know

As you get started, you’ll come across several key bookkeeping terms. Understanding them will help you feel more confident in managing your business’s finances:

• Balance Sheet: A report that breaks down your business’s financial situation, including assets, liabilities, and equity. It shows what your business owns and owes.
• Chart of Accounts: A list of all accounts used in your business to categorize financial transactions, such as assets, liabilities, income, and expenses.
• Expense: The costs your business incurs during daily operations, which can be fixed, variable, or accrued.
• Trial Balance: A document where all ledger accounts are listed in debit and credit columns to ensure the system is mathematically correct.
• Profit and Loss Statement: A report that shows your business’s revenues and expenses over a specific period, helping you assess its financial performance.

For a more detailed explanation of these terms, consider bookmarking a glossary of bookkeeping terms to refer back to as you learn.

6. Tips for Learning Bookkeeping at Home

You don’t need to hire an expensive bookkeeper to handle your business’s finances. With some time and effort, you can learn to manage the books yourself. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Familiarize Yourself with Key Terms: Use a glossary to help you learn the common bookkeeping terms. Understanding the language will make the learning process easier.
• Do Your Research: Search online for helpful resources and blogs to stay informed about best practices in bookkeeping.
• Take Advantage of Free Tutorials: Many organizations, including HMRC, offer free webinars, tutorials, and workshops to help you understand bookkeeping better.
• Use a Bookkeeping App: The best way to learn is by doing. Choose an easy-to-use bookkeeping app with the necessary features and start managing your finances hands-on.

Conclusion

Starting your bookkeeping journey doesn’t have to be intimidating. By following the tips outlined above and using the right tools, you can successfully manage your business’s finances without hiring an accountant. If the task becomes too overwhelming, consider outsourcing to a professional or using an easy bookkeeping app to streamline the process.

For more in-depth guidance, check out our Bookkeeping Checklist to stay organized and efficient while managing your finances.