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Mike P - Green background
Michael Pignatelli, CPA
CEO, Unloop

Category: Bookkeeping

It's no secret that Amazon is the biggest online shopping platform in the world for sellers and buyers alike. Each year, there's an increase in users on Amazon. So if you have a business and want to extend your store into the online world, Amazon is the best way to do so. It allows small business owners to reach more people and increase their revenue.

Amazon also has an FBA program that helps merchants sell their products more easily. If you plan to start a business on Amazon, here's everything you need to know about the Amazon FBA program.

What is Amazon FBA?

If you have a product-based business, you need a warehouse to store your products and a reliable company to ship your goods. Amazon addresses those worries, and its program offers to take responsibility for storing your goods, packing them, and shipping them to your customers.

When you use their program, your items will be eligible for Amazon prime shipping. Furthermore, Amazon also covers damages and will give you a full refund when they happen. The Amazon FBA makes online selling more convenient and economical for merchants.

How to Join the Amazon FBA Program?

If you want to become an FBA seller, you can start applying to the program by checking it out in your Amazon Seller Central account. Amazon will ask you to specify what items you will be selling to help identify which warehouse to send your products to. Then, once your products are in the warehouse, every time a customer orders from you, Amazon will do the rest.

Additionally, every time an order is complete, Amazon notifies you about the status of your products in storage. Since Amazon is doing the bulk of the work for you, there are FBA fees you need to fulfill to keep the program running. Here are some of them.

FBA fees

FBA fees are the ones you pay Amazon for doing the work for you. The cost of FBA fees may vary depending on how big or small your item is. The price may also differ depending on your product category. One important reminder is that the FBA fee is levied per unit.

Sales charges

Amazon charges a merchant a fee every time you sell a product using Amazon. There are two payment options for this charge. The basic plan is to pay Amazon $0.99 for every unit you sell. The professional plan charges you $39.99 per month regardless of how many items you sell in that period.

You should have your approximate Amazon monthly sales to help you determine which plan to use. For example, if you sell hundreds of items monthly, the professional plan will save you from excess sales charges.

amazon fba taxes - amazon seller account 

A Walkthrough on Amazon FBA Taxes

Whether you have a physical store or are an Amazon seller, one thing is for sure—you need to collect sales tax. Amazon collects sales tax for their sellers, but it's your responsibility to fill up important details for proper sales tax compliance. Furthermore, there are other taxes involved when you have an Amazon business.

Here is an easy guide for online sellers to help you navigate the confusing part of tax filing.

Form 1099-K

The most important form to accomplish when dealing with Amazon FBA taxes is form 1099-K. This form contains all the business income you must file and declare to your government. The information you should include in this form are:

  • Annual gross income
  • Monthly gross income
  • Sales tax
  • Shipping fees

Additionally, to make it easier for you to track your tax obligations, Amazon generates the form for you. Although, as an Amazon seller, it's your responsibility to check if there are any discrepancies in the tax data before you file it to your tax collection agency.

Understanding the Amazon Sales Tax Report

Sales tax is a consumption tax levied by the government on the sales of goods and services. If you are a product-based business, most of your goods will be imposed with sales tax, and you have to collect them as a seller. However, sales tax rates may vary depending on where the sales originates.

You can collect the correct sales tax rate by identifying your business's sales tax nexus. In most cases, the nexus you belong to is the state where your base of operations is. But other business functions can also dictate what sales nexus you belong in.

  • Personnel working for your business in different states
  • Business affiliates
  • Selling products during events in different states
  • Economic nexus
  • Inventory storage

As a general rule, your tax nexus should be your home state, but for Amazon FBA sellers taxes, it's not always the case. Since your products are sent to an Amazon warehouse, there are situations in which your items are in another state. In this case, your sales tax nexus will follow where your inventory storage is.

How Does Amazon Collect FBA Sales Tax?

If you're worried that you must manually collect sales tax every time someone purchases from your business, you can relax. Amazon handles the sales tax collection. Once a customer checks out an item, Amazon automatically adds the proper sales tax to the final cost. You see reports of your sales tax collections on your Amazon seller central account.

However, before Amazon can start collecting sales tax, you must first apply for a permit to collect them. After which, you have to set up the collection rate in your Amazon account. If you have products that are eligible for exemptions, you have to put it in your tax settings so the platform can collect sales tax properly.

Filing Sales Tax Returns of Amazon FBA sellers

Since Amazon generates almost all the forms and reports you need for your sales tax, all you have to do is to file them. You have time to prepare for filing your taxes and ensure that all data is valid and complies with the taxation laws. Here are several ways to file your taxes.

  1. Hire a professional. If you have the extra budget to hire a tax professional, then this is the best option you can go for. You can let the professional handle the filing process and can even do the checking for you. If you have little knowledge about taxes, a professional will ensure that all data on your forms and reports are valid to avoid delays and fines.
  1. Accounting software. There are accounting software options that can help you file your taxes. These filing programs will guide you through the process and upload all your needed forms. However, you still have to ensure that all information on your documents are valid before uploading them to the software.
  1. Filing online. The IRS and other tax collection agencies allow you to file online to avoid long lines. You can file independently if you are confident about your understanding of taxes. This way, you won't need to pay a professional or software for tax filing processes. Just remember to review your documents several times to ensure they are error-free.
    tax filing online

    Unloop: Accounting for Amazon Sellers

    Whether you have a physical store or you own an online store, accounting is part of running a business. Unfortunately, accounting is also one of the messiest, most time-consuming, and most confusing tasks to handle. As a business owner, you need to oversee many aspects of your business, and you can't spend all your time on accounting.

    Unloop offers accounting services for Amazon sellers so business owners can focus on other parts of their business. Our services include:

    • Figuring out your business numbers from COGS—inventory to sales
    • Using accrual accounting to make financial reports for your business
    • Automating your business by connecting it to accounting software
    • Connecting you to CPAs to help you with tax filing at the end of tax season

    Final Thoughts

    The Amazon FBA program is a big help for sellers to run their businesses conveniently. From storing and packing to shipping your goods, Amazon handles it all for you. But, of course, even as you enjoy their services, it is your responsibility to comply with tax laws. 

    We hope this short guide on handling your Amazon FBA sales taxes helps you understand and prepare your tax for the incoming tax season. If you need professional help, Unloop has a team of ecommerce experts to help you with your business accounting. Book a call with us today!

    Amazon FBA Taxes and Everything About the Amazon FBA Program
    Watch Now

    It's no secret that Amazon is the biggest online shopping platform in the world for sellers and buyers alike. Each year, there's an increase in users on Amazon. So if you have a business and want to extend your store into the online world, Amazon is the best way to do so. It allows small business owners to reach more people and increase their revenue.

    Amazon also has an FBA program that helps merchants sell their products more easily. If you plan to start a business on Amazon, here's everything you need to know about the Amazon FBA program.

    What is Amazon FBA?

    If you have a product-based business, you need a warehouse to store your products and a reliable company to ship your goods. Amazon addresses those worries, and its program offers to take responsibility for storing your goods, packing them, and shipping them to your customers.

    When you use their program, your items will be eligible for Amazon prime shipping. Furthermore, Amazon also covers damages and will give you a full refund when they happen. The Amazon FBA makes online selling more convenient and economical for merchants.

    How to Join the Amazon FBA Program?

    If you want to become an FBA seller, you can start applying to the program by checking it out in your Amazon Seller Central account. Amazon will ask you to specify what items you will be selling to help identify which warehouse to send your products to. Then, once your products are in the warehouse, every time a customer orders from you, Amazon will do the rest.

    Additionally, every time an order is complete, Amazon notifies you about the status of your products in storage. Since Amazon is doing the bulk of the work for you, there are FBA fees you need to fulfill to keep the program running. Here are some of them.

    FBA fees

    FBA fees are the ones you pay Amazon for doing the work for you. The cost of FBA fees may vary depending on how big or small your item is. The price may also differ depending on your product category. One important reminder is that the FBA fee is levied per unit.

    Sales charges

    Amazon charges a merchant a fee every time you sell a product using Amazon. There are two payment options for this charge. The basic plan is to pay Amazon $0.99 for every unit you sell. The professional plan charges you $39.99 per month regardless of how many items you sell in that period.

    You should have your approximate Amazon monthly sales to help you determine which plan to use. For example, if you sell hundreds of items monthly, the professional plan will save you from excess sales charges.

    amazon fba taxes - amazon seller account 

    A Walkthrough on Amazon FBA Taxes

    Whether you have a physical store or are an Amazon seller, one thing is for sure—you need to collect sales tax. Amazon collects sales tax for their sellers, but it's your responsibility to fill up important details for proper sales tax compliance. Furthermore, there are other taxes involved when you have an Amazon business.

    Here is an easy guide for online sellers to help you navigate the confusing part of tax filing.

    Form 1099-K

    The most important form to accomplish when dealing with Amazon FBA taxes is form 1099-K. This form contains all the business income you must file and declare to your government. The information you should include in this form are:

    • Annual gross income
    • Monthly gross income
    • Sales tax
    • Shipping fees

    Additionally, to make it easier for you to track your tax obligations, Amazon generates the form for you. Although, as an Amazon seller, it's your responsibility to check if there are any discrepancies in the tax data before you file it to your tax collection agency.

    Understanding the Amazon Sales Tax Report

    Sales tax is a consumption tax levied by the government on the sales of goods and services. If you are a product-based business, most of your goods will be imposed with sales tax, and you have to collect them as a seller. However, sales tax rates may vary depending on where the sales originates.

    You can collect the correct sales tax rate by identifying your business's sales tax nexus. In most cases, the nexus you belong to is the state where your base of operations is. But other business functions can also dictate what sales nexus you belong in.

    • Personnel working for your business in different states
    • Business affiliates
    • Selling products during events in different states
    • Economic nexus
    • Inventory storage

    As a general rule, your tax nexus should be your home state, but for Amazon FBA sellers taxes, it's not always the case. Since your products are sent to an Amazon warehouse, there are situations in which your items are in another state. In this case, your sales tax nexus will follow where your inventory storage is.

    How Does Amazon Collect FBA Sales Tax?

    If you're worried that you must manually collect sales tax every time someone purchases from your business, you can relax. Amazon handles the sales tax collection. Once a customer checks out an item, Amazon automatically adds the proper sales tax to the final cost. You see reports of your sales tax collections on your Amazon seller central account.

    However, before Amazon can start collecting sales tax, you must first apply for a permit to collect them. After which, you have to set up the collection rate in your Amazon account. If you have products that are eligible for exemptions, you have to put it in your tax settings so the platform can collect sales tax properly.

    Filing Sales Tax Returns of Amazon FBA sellers

    Since Amazon generates almost all the forms and reports you need for your sales tax, all you have to do is to file them. You have time to prepare for filing your taxes and ensure that all data is valid and complies with the taxation laws. Here are several ways to file your taxes.

    1. Hire a professional. If you have the extra budget to hire a tax professional, then this is the best option you can go for. You can let the professional handle the filing process and can even do the checking for you. If you have little knowledge about taxes, a professional will ensure that all data on your forms and reports are valid to avoid delays and fines.
    1. Accounting software. There are accounting software options that can help you file your taxes. These filing programs will guide you through the process and upload all your needed forms. However, you still have to ensure that all information on your documents are valid before uploading them to the software.
    1. Filing online. The IRS and other tax collection agencies allow you to file online to avoid long lines. You can file independently if you are confident about your understanding of taxes. This way, you won't need to pay a professional or software for tax filing processes. Just remember to review your documents several times to ensure they are error-free.
      tax filing online

      Unloop: Accounting for Amazon Sellers

      Whether you have a physical store or you own an online store, accounting is part of running a business. Unfortunately, accounting is also one of the messiest, most time-consuming, and most confusing tasks to handle. As a business owner, you need to oversee many aspects of your business, and you can't spend all your time on accounting.

      Unloop offers accounting services for Amazon sellers so business owners can focus on other parts of their business. Our services include:

      • Figuring out your business numbers from COGS—inventory to sales
      • Using accrual accounting to make financial reports for your business
      • Automating your business by connecting it to accounting software
      • Connecting you to CPAs to help you with tax filing at the end of tax season

      Final Thoughts

      The Amazon FBA program is a big help for sellers to run their businesses conveniently. From storing and packing to shipping your goods, Amazon handles it all for you. But, of course, even as you enjoy their services, it is your responsibility to comply with tax laws. 

      We hope this short guide on handling your Amazon FBA sales taxes helps you understand and prepare your tax for the incoming tax season. If you need professional help, Unloop has a team of ecommerce experts to help you with your business accounting. Book a call with us today!

      Read more

      Starting a business comes with many headaches, and most have nothing to do with selling products and services. A huge responsibility of a business owner is managing a business's situation—building a culture, training employees, and, most of all, keeping the company's financial situation in good standing. 

      Since startup companies have little to no assets, they tend to go the simpler route with their financial records. Many startup owners prefer dealing with cash-basis accounting, better known as single-entry bookkeeping (which we'll discuss more later).

      While this is a good way to manage accounting for your startup, you can't depend on it forever. 

      If your business grows, you might have to expand your accounting to cover the new areas of your financial business structure, like assets, liabilities, and equity. The IRS even mandates that companies with annual gross sales of over $5 million cannot use single-entry accounting.

      Eventually (with enough hard work and luck), your business will grow, and along with it must grow your financial statements, financial transactions, and financial records—basically your whole accounting system. You'll need to make a choice: go big or go home.

      What Is Bookkeeping?

      In general terms, bookkeeping is the process of accounting for a company's business transactions. Bookkeeping organizes business transactions and turns them into records that reflect the company's financial situation, which completes the accounting process.

      Financial records are vital in keeping businesses afloat. Without bookkeeping, businesses would be in financial darkness. With no written or recorded financial information, any financial decision or transaction would have to be closer to a guess than a concrete decision. Simply put, a business without proper bookkeeping in place will not thrive, let alone survive.

      That said, not all forms of financial management are made equal. For example, startup accounting and bookkeeping differ from that of large businesses—it all falls on what is necessary and what your business prohibits you from excluding in a financial statement.

      Two Types of Bookkeeping

      Essentially, there are two types of bookkeeping, both with their own advantages and disadvantages.

      Single-Entry Bookkeeping

      Single-entry bookkeeping is the simplest form of accounting and bookkeeping. With single-entry bookkeeping, you simply state income and business expenses—usually accompanied by a brief description of the financial transaction and its date—against each other on a table and calculate the difference as your business's cash balance. This is also called cash accounting.

      Accounting for startups and small businesses usually starts with single-entry bookkeeping for several reasons. One is because single-entry bookkeeping is much cheaper. You can do it on cheap accounting software or, if you're frugal, you can even do it on a piece of paper with a pen or a pencil.

      While single-entry bookkeeping falls under generally accepted accounting principles, it isn't ideal, especially for growing businesses. This is due to single-entry bookkeeping having entries lacking detail. In addition, since single-entry bookkeeping does not specify the nature of income and business expenses, it cannot produce a balance sheet—an essential part of your company's financial health. It is also more prone to error and is unacceptable for taxes.

      If you're counting on your business growing, you will have to consider double-entry bookkeeping for your company's financial data.

      Double-Entry Bookkeeping

      Single-entry to double-entry bookkeeping is like Little League to the NBL. While single entry bookkeeping can get you an idea of your company's financial data, double-entry bookkeeping gives you the whole picture.

      With double-entry bookkeeping, you include debit and credit or the increase and decrease of accounts in different situations. For example, debit can increase assets and decrease liabilities, while credit can increase liabilities and then decrease assets.

      Single-entry bookkeeping does not have debit and credit and thus cannot specify the nature of accounts. A classic example of this is loans. In single-entry bookkeeping, the money produced from loans is inserted directly into income; in double-entry bookkeeping, the loan is tagged as a liability—a debit—adding context to your financial report and leaving you with much more accurate accounting.

      Double-entry bookkeeping takes notes of assets, liabilities, and equities, in addition to everything a single-entry system records. This can be used to produce a balance sheet. Large businesses prefer double-entry bookkeeping because it is more contextual, and it becomes easier to account for vast assets and put them into financial records.

      Eventually, large businesses will move to accrual accounting, something double-entry bookkeeping makes easier. By then, their finances will operate more on a schedule instead of relying solely on the income entering the company.

      Basic Bookkeeping Tasks

      Now that you know the two types, it's time we dive into the tasks which make up bookkeeping, some of which you might probably be doing already. Here are some bookkeeping tasks to do on a weekly and monthly basis.

      Weekly Bookkeeping Tasks

      Weekly bookkeeping tasks are mostly about records. Every week, you must input the week's transactions and prepare them for evaluation at the end of the month. Here are some of them.

      Record Transactions in a Journal, Bookkeeping Software, or Spreadsheet

      One of the first bookkeeping tasks you must do weekly is to record any type of financial transaction made in the company's name: mainly income and expenses.

      Most startup businesses do this in a journal, but it's ideal to do it on a spreadsheet or bookkeeping software since it's safer to store it digitally than have it out in the open.

      Label Financial Transactions

      Of course, it's not enough that you'll simply jot how much money is going in and out; you'll also have to mark transactions differently to ensure an accurate accounting of your finances.

      For example, while sales and loans both bring in money for the company, only sales can be labeled as assets in double-entry bookkeeping because loans have to be paid back in the future and are thus liabilities.

      File and Digitize Your Receipts

      After jotting your transactions in a journal or typing them into bookkeeping software, you'll want to file them for later reference. Physical copies of receipts should be shelved and digitized to avoid losing them.

      Digitization is important, especially in today's ecommerce world, where most transactions are done electronically.

      Monthly Bookkeeping Tasks

      Monthly bookkeeping tasks are important for your company's financial health and stability. The tasks you'll have to be doing on a monthly basis are about maintaining your company's financial standing and, more importantly, looking into its future.

      Reconcile Accounts

      Reconciling your accounts is, basically, double-checking. This helps maintain the integrity of your records and spot any inconsistencies that could be signs of fraud or theft within a company.

      Ready Your Invoices 

      Accounting is not only recording finances but also predicting how much your company has in the future. By readying your invoices, you can come up with a realistic income you can expect for the following month. 

      Follow Up on Outstanding Invoices

      Sometimes, we let unpaid invoices slide. While it is normal to have to follow up on outstanding invoices, this should be an urgent priority. Letting unpaid invoices go robs your company of the money you were expecting from a sale and disrupts the harmony of your finances.

      Following up on outstanding invoices can lead to them being paid which procures additional income for your company.

      Pay Bills

      While income adds assets to your business, expenses add liabilities, and paying them or leaving them unpaid could determine your net profit margin ratio for the next month as well as the overall health of your business.

      Clearing your monthly bills leaves you with less debt going into the next month, and less debt means more profit for your business. It can also help monitor how much you owe in business taxes before you submit your next tax returns.

      Evaluate Your Financial Situation

      Once all monthly tasks have been settled, you are left with your company's financial status, which you will then evaluate (ideally, with the help of an accountant). You will see how much your business has profited, how the cash flow is doing, how much there is to spend, or worse, how much you have lost and how much you still owe.

      Regardless, it is important to evaluate your finances because this is how you can decide on your company's future, and the steps to take to help it grow.

      Go Big With Unloop

      Bookkeeping can be difficult, especially for startups, so if you want to go big with your business, it's time for you to upgrade your company's bookkeeping and accounting processes.

      Unloop is one of the best accounting services on the market, and, luckily for you, we offer bookkeeping services, too. At Unloop, we can ensure you save money by having accurate records. We also handle accounts payable, forecasting, payroll, and tax services.
      Book a call with us, and see what Unloop can do for your business!

      Go Big or Go Home: Basic Bookkeeping for Startups
      Watch Now

      Starting a business comes with many headaches, and most have nothing to do with selling products and services. A huge responsibility of a business owner is managing a business's situation—building a culture, training employees, and, most of all, keeping the company's financial situation in good standing. 

      Since startup companies have little to no assets, they tend to go the simpler route with their financial records. Many startup owners prefer dealing with cash-basis accounting, better known as single-entry bookkeeping (which we'll discuss more later).

      While this is a good way to manage accounting for your startup, you can't depend on it forever. 

      If your business grows, you might have to expand your accounting to cover the new areas of your financial business structure, like assets, liabilities, and equity. The IRS even mandates that companies with annual gross sales of over $5 million cannot use single-entry accounting.

      Eventually (with enough hard work and luck), your business will grow, and along with it must grow your financial statements, financial transactions, and financial records—basically your whole accounting system. You'll need to make a choice: go big or go home.

      What Is Bookkeeping?

      In general terms, bookkeeping is the process of accounting for a company's business transactions. Bookkeeping organizes business transactions and turns them into records that reflect the company's financial situation, which completes the accounting process.

      Financial records are vital in keeping businesses afloat. Without bookkeeping, businesses would be in financial darkness. With no written or recorded financial information, any financial decision or transaction would have to be closer to a guess than a concrete decision. Simply put, a business without proper bookkeeping in place will not thrive, let alone survive.

      That said, not all forms of financial management are made equal. For example, startup accounting and bookkeeping differ from that of large businesses—it all falls on what is necessary and what your business prohibits you from excluding in a financial statement.

      Two Types of Bookkeeping

      Essentially, there are two types of bookkeeping, both with their own advantages and disadvantages.

      Single-Entry Bookkeeping

      Single-entry bookkeeping is the simplest form of accounting and bookkeeping. With single-entry bookkeeping, you simply state income and business expenses—usually accompanied by a brief description of the financial transaction and its date—against each other on a table and calculate the difference as your business's cash balance. This is also called cash accounting.

      Accounting for startups and small businesses usually starts with single-entry bookkeeping for several reasons. One is because single-entry bookkeeping is much cheaper. You can do it on cheap accounting software or, if you're frugal, you can even do it on a piece of paper with a pen or a pencil.

      While single-entry bookkeeping falls under generally accepted accounting principles, it isn't ideal, especially for growing businesses. This is due to single-entry bookkeeping having entries lacking detail. In addition, since single-entry bookkeeping does not specify the nature of income and business expenses, it cannot produce a balance sheet—an essential part of your company's financial health. It is also more prone to error and is unacceptable for taxes.

      If you're counting on your business growing, you will have to consider double-entry bookkeeping for your company's financial data.

      Double-Entry Bookkeeping

      Single-entry to double-entry bookkeeping is like Little League to the NBL. While single entry bookkeeping can get you an idea of your company's financial data, double-entry bookkeeping gives you the whole picture.

      With double-entry bookkeeping, you include debit and credit or the increase and decrease of accounts in different situations. For example, debit can increase assets and decrease liabilities, while credit can increase liabilities and then decrease assets.

      Single-entry bookkeeping does not have debit and credit and thus cannot specify the nature of accounts. A classic example of this is loans. In single-entry bookkeeping, the money produced from loans is inserted directly into income; in double-entry bookkeeping, the loan is tagged as a liability—a debit—adding context to your financial report and leaving you with much more accurate accounting.

      Double-entry bookkeeping takes notes of assets, liabilities, and equities, in addition to everything a single-entry system records. This can be used to produce a balance sheet. Large businesses prefer double-entry bookkeeping because it is more contextual, and it becomes easier to account for vast assets and put them into financial records.

      Eventually, large businesses will move to accrual accounting, something double-entry bookkeeping makes easier. By then, their finances will operate more on a schedule instead of relying solely on the income entering the company.

      Basic Bookkeeping Tasks

      Now that you know the two types, it's time we dive into the tasks which make up bookkeeping, some of which you might probably be doing already. Here are some bookkeeping tasks to do on a weekly and monthly basis.

      Weekly Bookkeeping Tasks

      Weekly bookkeeping tasks are mostly about records. Every week, you must input the week's transactions and prepare them for evaluation at the end of the month. Here are some of them.

      Record Transactions in a Journal, Bookkeeping Software, or Spreadsheet

      One of the first bookkeeping tasks you must do weekly is to record any type of financial transaction made in the company's name: mainly income and expenses.

      Most startup businesses do this in a journal, but it's ideal to do it on a spreadsheet or bookkeeping software since it's safer to store it digitally than have it out in the open.

      Label Financial Transactions

      Of course, it's not enough that you'll simply jot how much money is going in and out; you'll also have to mark transactions differently to ensure an accurate accounting of your finances.

      For example, while sales and loans both bring in money for the company, only sales can be labeled as assets in double-entry bookkeeping because loans have to be paid back in the future and are thus liabilities.

      File and Digitize Your Receipts

      After jotting your transactions in a journal or typing them into bookkeeping software, you'll want to file them for later reference. Physical copies of receipts should be shelved and digitized to avoid losing them.

      Digitization is important, especially in today's ecommerce world, where most transactions are done electronically.

      Monthly Bookkeeping Tasks

      Monthly bookkeeping tasks are important for your company's financial health and stability. The tasks you'll have to be doing on a monthly basis are about maintaining your company's financial standing and, more importantly, looking into its future.

      Reconcile Accounts

      Reconciling your accounts is, basically, double-checking. This helps maintain the integrity of your records and spot any inconsistencies that could be signs of fraud or theft within a company.

      Ready Your Invoices 

      Accounting is not only recording finances but also predicting how much your company has in the future. By readying your invoices, you can come up with a realistic income you can expect for the following month. 

      Follow Up on Outstanding Invoices

      Sometimes, we let unpaid invoices slide. While it is normal to have to follow up on outstanding invoices, this should be an urgent priority. Letting unpaid invoices go robs your company of the money you were expecting from a sale and disrupts the harmony of your finances.

      Following up on outstanding invoices can lead to them being paid which procures additional income for your company.

      Pay Bills

      While income adds assets to your business, expenses add liabilities, and paying them or leaving them unpaid could determine your net profit margin ratio for the next month as well as the overall health of your business.

      Clearing your monthly bills leaves you with less debt going into the next month, and less debt means more profit for your business. It can also help monitor how much you owe in business taxes before you submit your next tax returns.

      Evaluate Your Financial Situation

      Once all monthly tasks have been settled, you are left with your company's financial status, which you will then evaluate (ideally, with the help of an accountant). You will see how much your business has profited, how the cash flow is doing, how much there is to spend, or worse, how much you have lost and how much you still owe.

      Regardless, it is important to evaluate your finances because this is how you can decide on your company's future, and the steps to take to help it grow.

      Go Big With Unloop

      Bookkeeping can be difficult, especially for startups, so if you want to go big with your business, it's time for you to upgrade your company's bookkeeping and accounting processes.

      Unloop is one of the best accounting services on the market, and, luckily for you, we offer bookkeeping services, too. At Unloop, we can ensure you save money by having accurate records. We also handle accounts payable, forecasting, payroll, and tax services.
      Book a call with us, and see what Unloop can do for your business!

      Read more

      The choice of bookkeeping service package you make today will directly impact your profit margin and your time for the short or long term. You also have to account for the costs your business incurs more than your revenue for it to be profitable.

      Accounting services are essential for a growing business, but they have a cost. As a business owner, you pay to keep your business numbers intact. So it's only logical to make a cost-effective choice before deciding to commit.

      If you're looking for bookkeeping price packages in Canada or the US, let Unloop help you with the following guide.

      Different Accounting Pricing Packages

      Bookkeeping and accounting firms adapt different pricing models for their services. This is to allow an option that will match the client's needs with the solutions they provide. There are at least three pricing packages.

      Flat Rate or Fixed Fee

      This type of bookkeeping pricing package offers you a fixed amount to pay for an agreed service. They may do the work earlier or later than expected, but as long as the service is completed, you must pay the rate.

      Hourly Rate

      Compared to a flat rate, an hourly rate charges you a fixed amount on an hourly basis. This type of accounting pricing package makes efficiency important because the longer the service takes to complete, the higher the amount you pay. The good news is that an hourly rate is a good option if you only need minor services.

      Monthly Cost or Subscription

      Some accounting businesses bundle services together and offer them on a fixed monthly bookkeeping and accounting rate called a subscription. They also offer different levels or what they call "tiers" that cater to different levels of accounting business needs.

      Different Accounting and Bookkeeping Services You Can Get

      Many accounting service companies offer a host of services for their clients. Their arrangement may vary depending on your case, or it may be a fixed package containing several services. But no matter what accounting service firm you deal with, you will encounter the following services.

      Bookkeeping

      This service is a staple in any bookkeeping service company. If there's only one service they have to provide, it is bookkeeping, which is the core process of any financial accounting.

      Reporting Financial Statements

      From bookkeeping, they can extend the service to financial statement preparation and reporting. In most cases, financial statements come bundled as part of bookkeeping service packages as it is connected to the process. But some accounting service firms offer monthly financial reports as a business advantage.

      Accounts Payable Assistance

      In some enterprises with a business-to-business (B2B) model, there can be frequent volume purchases, and these transactions often involve credits. Accountants understand that with the volume comes the complexity of managing accounts payable, which can wreak havoc on a business's cash flow. So they offer assistance and management as part of their service offering.

      Payroll

      As the number of employees increases, paying them becomes more challenging. That's because apart from the volume, you may also have different types of employees, such as regular full-time, part-time, or contract employees. All these employee types have different treatments. So accountants offer payroll services to ensure salary is paid accurately for everyone and the disbursement is recorded properly in the business's accounting system.

      Forecasting

      Accountants understand the value of knowing future revenue potential for management. So to relieve business owners of the guesswork, accountants offer forecasting services to project short-term and long-term income and how a purchase decision can affect future revenues.

      Sales and Income Tax Services

      Tax is the most complex subject for any business owner. Yet taxes are obligations that every business must fulfill. To ensure that business owners are paying the correct tax amount and avoid legal repercussions, accountants can offer tax preparation assistance to help businesses know the right tax amount to pay.

      bookkeeping price packages - Two professionals calculating and doing paperwork

      Things to Consider Before Committing to a Bookkeeping Service

      Before selecting from bookkeeping pricing packages offered by an accounting service company, consider the following criteria. These will help you determine the right arrangement that will maximize your profit.

      Your Business's Size

      How big the business is plays an important factor when choosing a bookkeeping service. There are several ways to measure your business size: the number of employees, the size of equity invested, and the volume of transactions.

      Each of these will affect how complex the accounting service is needed. For example, if you're a startup business with less than five employees, you may only need a part-time bookkeeping service, but if you have hundreds of regular workers, you'll need a skilled accounting team handling the payroll, books, and bank accounts.

      Your Business's Accounting Software

      Most small businesses use a program or software to handle their accounting and bookkeeping work. So it's important to tell your prospective bookkeeper what you are using (or not using) so they can do their best to adjust to your needs.

      As an example, Unloop is a bookkeeping agency that specializes in QuickBooks. If you're using the same software, the transition will be smooth, but if you're using a different accounting software such as Xero or Sage50, they will have to work with what you have or transition you to QuickBooks.

      The Bookkeeping Company's Industry Familiarity

      An accountant familiar with your industry will know how your numbers work. This means they are far more capable of working efficiently and giving you accounting information that they know will help.

      Unloop is a service agency that specializes in ecommerce. We know how to work with numbers and can provide you with the reports you need for decision-making. Not only that, but we can also offer advice on what steps you can take to maximize profitability.

      Bookkeeping Company's Scope of Service

      Inquire about what services the bookkeeping company has to offer. The more services they can offer, the better. That's because you can always expand the service you need for them, which makes for a more efficient operation of your accounting systems.

      You'll want to get a full-service accounting agency that offers services like the ones mentioned above. This way, you won't have to search for another company to do a different aspect of your accounting.

      The Bookkeeping Company's Client History

      A bookkeeping service company must have a track record of both past and ongoing clients. So check if they have some under their belt. This verifies their legitimacy and competence.

      It's much better if you can get feedback about their service. Check their website for client testimonials or ask for case studies you can read. If their clients are satisfied, then it's likely that you will be, too.

      The Best Bookkeeping Price Package for You

      Now that you know the different pricing packages and services available, you are in a better position to decide what the best package applies to your business. But to hone in on the most cost-effective decision, you must find out what your business needs and talk to an accounting service provider.Talk to Unloop. We have three different price packages to offer you to make sure it's customized according to your business needs. Book a call with us or check out our ecommerce services now.

      Bookkeeping Price Packages: Choosing the Best Option for Your Business
      Watch Now

      The choice of bookkeeping service package you make today will directly impact your profit margin and your time for the short or long term. You also have to account for the costs your business incurs more than your revenue for it to be profitable.

      Accounting services are essential for a growing business, but they have a cost. As a business owner, you pay to keep your business numbers intact. So it's only logical to make a cost-effective choice before deciding to commit.

      If you're looking for bookkeeping price packages in Canada or the US, let Unloop help you with the following guide.

      Different Accounting Pricing Packages

      Bookkeeping and accounting firms adapt different pricing models for their services. This is to allow an option that will match the client's needs with the solutions they provide. There are at least three pricing packages.

      Flat Rate or Fixed Fee

      This type of bookkeeping pricing package offers you a fixed amount to pay for an agreed service. They may do the work earlier or later than expected, but as long as the service is completed, you must pay the rate.

      Hourly Rate

      Compared to a flat rate, an hourly rate charges you a fixed amount on an hourly basis. This type of accounting pricing package makes efficiency important because the longer the service takes to complete, the higher the amount you pay. The good news is that an hourly rate is a good option if you only need minor services.

      Monthly Cost or Subscription

      Some accounting businesses bundle services together and offer them on a fixed monthly bookkeeping and accounting rate called a subscription. They also offer different levels or what they call "tiers" that cater to different levels of accounting business needs.

      Different Accounting and Bookkeeping Services You Can Get

      Many accounting service companies offer a host of services for their clients. Their arrangement may vary depending on your case, or it may be a fixed package containing several services. But no matter what accounting service firm you deal with, you will encounter the following services.

      Bookkeeping

      This service is a staple in any bookkeeping service company. If there's only one service they have to provide, it is bookkeeping, which is the core process of any financial accounting.

      Reporting Financial Statements

      From bookkeeping, they can extend the service to financial statement preparation and reporting. In most cases, financial statements come bundled as part of bookkeeping service packages as it is connected to the process. But some accounting service firms offer monthly financial reports as a business advantage.

      Accounts Payable Assistance

      In some enterprises with a business-to-business (B2B) model, there can be frequent volume purchases, and these transactions often involve credits. Accountants understand that with the volume comes the complexity of managing accounts payable, which can wreak havoc on a business's cash flow. So they offer assistance and management as part of their service offering.

      Payroll

      As the number of employees increases, paying them becomes more challenging. That's because apart from the volume, you may also have different types of employees, such as regular full-time, part-time, or contract employees. All these employee types have different treatments. So accountants offer payroll services to ensure salary is paid accurately for everyone and the disbursement is recorded properly in the business's accounting system.

      Forecasting

      Accountants understand the value of knowing future revenue potential for management. So to relieve business owners of the guesswork, accountants offer forecasting services to project short-term and long-term income and how a purchase decision can affect future revenues.

      Sales and Income Tax Services

      Tax is the most complex subject for any business owner. Yet taxes are obligations that every business must fulfill. To ensure that business owners are paying the correct tax amount and avoid legal repercussions, accountants can offer tax preparation assistance to help businesses know the right tax amount to pay.

      bookkeeping price packages - Two professionals calculating and doing paperwork

      Things to Consider Before Committing to a Bookkeeping Service

      Before selecting from bookkeeping pricing packages offered by an accounting service company, consider the following criteria. These will help you determine the right arrangement that will maximize your profit.

      Your Business's Size

      How big the business is plays an important factor when choosing a bookkeeping service. There are several ways to measure your business size: the number of employees, the size of equity invested, and the volume of transactions.

      Each of these will affect how complex the accounting service is needed. For example, if you're a startup business with less than five employees, you may only need a part-time bookkeeping service, but if you have hundreds of regular workers, you'll need a skilled accounting team handling the payroll, books, and bank accounts.

      Your Business's Accounting Software

      Most small businesses use a program or software to handle their accounting and bookkeeping work. So it's important to tell your prospective bookkeeper what you are using (or not using) so they can do their best to adjust to your needs.

      As an example, Unloop is a bookkeeping agency that specializes in QuickBooks. If you're using the same software, the transition will be smooth, but if you're using a different accounting software such as Xero or Sage50, they will have to work with what you have or transition you to QuickBooks.

      The Bookkeeping Company's Industry Familiarity

      An accountant familiar with your industry will know how your numbers work. This means they are far more capable of working efficiently and giving you accounting information that they know will help.

      Unloop is a service agency that specializes in ecommerce. We know how to work with numbers and can provide you with the reports you need for decision-making. Not only that, but we can also offer advice on what steps you can take to maximize profitability.

      Bookkeeping Company's Scope of Service

      Inquire about what services the bookkeeping company has to offer. The more services they can offer, the better. That's because you can always expand the service you need for them, which makes for a more efficient operation of your accounting systems.

      You'll want to get a full-service accounting agency that offers services like the ones mentioned above. This way, you won't have to search for another company to do a different aspect of your accounting.

      The Bookkeeping Company's Client History

      A bookkeeping service company must have a track record of both past and ongoing clients. So check if they have some under their belt. This verifies their legitimacy and competence.

      It's much better if you can get feedback about their service. Check their website for client testimonials or ask for case studies you can read. If their clients are satisfied, then it's likely that you will be, too.

      The Best Bookkeeping Price Package for You

      Now that you know the different pricing packages and services available, you are in a better position to decide what the best package applies to your business. But to hone in on the most cost-effective decision, you must find out what your business needs and talk to an accounting service provider.Talk to Unloop. We have three different price packages to offer you to make sure it's customized according to your business needs. Book a call with us or check out our ecommerce services now.

      Read more

      The wine business is one of the most vertically integrated businesses there is. A vineyard can work down the supply chain by building a winery and going further with an ecommerce storefront. But winery bookkeeping and accounting become more complex with this integration.

      Sounds daunting? Let Unloop show you how bookkeeping and accounting for wineries work as simply as possible.

      short graphic summarizing the processes and accounting systems of a wine business

      The Vineyard

      At the top of the wine industry supply chain is the vineyard. This business takes care of grapefruit planting up to harvesting, which wineries will use as a raw material for making wine. The following is the vineyard's production process.

      1. Planting - Farmers plant rows of grapes on a vast land using machinery and direct labor, which takes days to finish depending on the vineyard's land area and available labor.
      2. Pruning - From the time when farmers plant the grapes, there's a period of dormancy that takes years. During these times, activity is focused mainly on pruning the growing branches to ensure high-quality grape yields.
      3. Veraison - Veraison is the peak period of growth for grapes. It’s when they are ripe and ready for picking.
      4. Harvest - Harvesting is the final step in a vineyard's lifecycle, where manual laborers select grapes and clip them off the branches. The grapes are then shipped to a winemaker or made into wine in-house during this time.
      closeup shot of ripe grapes with the vineyard as a blurred background

      Vineyard Bookkeeping & Accounting System

      A vineyard is heavy on agricultural activities. The production is long-winding, and it will take years before the vineyard realizes a profit. Given the situation, accountants follow these accounting practices.

      Cash Accounting Method

      Most farm businesses operate using the cash basis accounting method, where income or costs are immediately recognized as soon as the cash is received or spent. 

      With this accounting type, farms have a clearer view of their cash flow. It also makes tax filing easier because they won’t have to pay taxes in accumulated amounts, unlike in accrual accounting.

      Since vineyards are farms, vineyard accountants and bookkeepers use the same accounting method, making it easier to record production costs accurately.

      The Cost of Goods Produced (COGP)

      According to accounting principles, accountants use COGP to allocate vineyard costs associated with growing grapes, such as direct labor, overhead, and other supplies and activities involved in the process. 

      They do so to avoid any miscalculations and confusion between the cost pool of the winery and the vineyard.

      Cost Capitalization

      Grapes take years to grow. As a result, the vineyard only gets revenue after several years. Farming costs add up during that time without any income to offset them. To resolve this problem, accountants may capitalize on the vineyard's expenses so the business realizes a profit according to the total sales in the given period.

      The Winery

      Harvesting the grapes is the departure point of the vineyard and the start of the winery production processes. In the winery, the grapes are turned into wine and are stored as collections for sale in the future.

      In most cases, vineyards also have a wine production facility (i.e., winery), so the two terms are often mixed up. But wineries work differently. The video below details the winemaking process.

      Winery Bookkeeping & Accounting System

      As briefly shown above, wine production has a different behavior compared to the vineyard. It has similar functions to a general manufacturing process, with some nuances. As a result, accountants adjust their practices according to the winery's needs.

      The Accrual Method of Accounting

      Professionals use the accrual basis accounting method for winery accounting. It's a rational choice because obtaining the raw material for winemaking may not need to be paid immediately due to integration. 

      On the other hand, getting cash from a sale of a barrel or bottles may also take time. To avoid any miscalculations, accountants record transactions once incurred.

      The Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

      Wineries use the common COGS system primarily because they have a tangible good to sell for a profit.

      The Ecommerce Wine Store

      At present, many wine sellers take their products online. Ecommerce marketplaces, like Amazon, offer a vast network of wine consumers, making it attractive for sellers of all kinds. Online wine sellers can choose between these two models.

      Third-Party Wine Retailer Model

      A third-party seller can offer a wide variety of wines from different wineries. They are strictly retail. They must also follow the steps a direct-to-consumer takes to have an ecommerce presence (see next section).

      However, two additional core steps are necessary to enter the ecommerce market.

      1. Source a Wine Supplier - Sellers search for wineries, wine wholesalers, and distributors to get their products. They buy in bulk for lower prices and sell for a profit.
      2. Create a Brand - Third-party wine sellers must create a brand to establish their identity and credibility in the ecommerce market. The brand will help them differentiate themselves from the rest.

      Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Model

      Wineries can now sell their wine bottles directly to consumers using the power of ecommerce. Smaller wineries often use a D2C approach, which offers a high-profit margin and a seamless transition, leveraging their existing supply and brand.  

      All that’s left for wineries like yours to do are the following:

      1. Set Up an Online Store or Marketplace Seller Account - If you sell wine on Amazon, you must register for a seller account and provide the necessary information about your winery brand. The platform then reviews your account before activating it for selling.
      2. Upload Wine Inventory - Once you have an active seller account, you may take photos of your wine inventory and post them online with full descriptions and other helpful content.
      3. Plan for Wine Packaging and Shipment - Wine bottles are fragile, so carefully plan their packaging and shipping to avoid in-transit mishaps. Also, check state laws about alcohol selling and distribution to prevent issues that could lead to shipping delays.
      4. Engage in Digital Marketing and Advertising - Consider hiring a digital marketer and other ecommerce professionals to help attract the right customers and transform your wine bottles and barrels into substantial revenue.

      Outsource Your Ecommerce Bookkeeping and Accounting

      The challenge of running a winery business is that it has two different accounting systems—one for the vineyard and another for the winery itself. Plus, you can take your business online, like creating a separate retail business with another accounting system. Establishing multiple accounting systems is no easy feat, so outsourcing the job to the experts can be significantly beneficial

      Here's what wineries can expect when they outsource their financial management.

      Accurate Bookkeeping

      Accounting professionals will record all the ecommerce business financial data using double-entry accounting software, such as QuickBooks. This service will include generating financial statements and other financial reporting documents as needed.

      Reporting on Cost of Goods Sold

      The ecommerce retail side of the wine business will have separate COGS recordkeeping. Accountants and bookkeepers report this financial data to you or include them in the income statement for your analysis

      Tax Assistance

      In the ecommerce market, adherence to accounting compliance is essential, which often entails tax management, such as sales tax and income tax. By outsourcing your ecommerce accounting, you'll gain access to seasoned bookkeeping experts who can collaborate with your accountant, ensuring precise tax filing obligations based on comprehensive records and data.

      shot of a glass of wine with wine bottles beside it and a blurred background of wine barrels

      With Unloop, Financial Management Will Be a Breeze for Your Ecommerce Wine Business 

      Whether you own a vineyard or are a third-party wine seller, outsourcing your bookkeeping and accounting will lift a huge burden off your back.

      Ecommerce has a lot of potential to scale. If the demand for wine spikes, it will be more challenging to do bookkeeping and accounting on your own, so leave it to the experts at Unloop and focus on growing your winery into a successful business. Book a call with us if you want to know more about what we are capable of, or check out our bookkeeping services now for more information.

      Winery Bookkeeping & Accounting: From Vineyard to Ecommerce Storefront
      Watch Now

      The wine business is one of the most vertically integrated businesses there is. A vineyard can work down the supply chain by building a winery and going further with an ecommerce storefront. But winery bookkeeping and accounting become more complex with this integration.

      Sounds daunting? Let Unloop show you how bookkeeping and accounting for wineries work as simply as possible.

      short graphic summarizing the processes and accounting systems of a wine business

      The Vineyard

      At the top of the wine industry supply chain is the vineyard. This business takes care of grapefruit planting up to harvesting, which wineries will use as a raw material for making wine. The following is the vineyard's production process.

      1. Planting - Farmers plant rows of grapes on a vast land using machinery and direct labor, which takes days to finish depending on the vineyard's land area and available labor.
      2. Pruning - From the time when farmers plant the grapes, there's a period of dormancy that takes years. During these times, activity is focused mainly on pruning the growing branches to ensure high-quality grape yields.
      3. Veraison - Veraison is the peak period of growth for grapes. It’s when they are ripe and ready for picking.
      4. Harvest - Harvesting is the final step in a vineyard's lifecycle, where manual laborers select grapes and clip them off the branches. The grapes are then shipped to a winemaker or made into wine in-house during this time.
      closeup shot of ripe grapes with the vineyard as a blurred background

      Vineyard Bookkeeping & Accounting System

      A vineyard is heavy on agricultural activities. The production is long-winding, and it will take years before the vineyard realizes a profit. Given the situation, accountants follow these accounting practices.

      Cash Accounting Method

      Most farm businesses operate using the cash basis accounting method, where income or costs are immediately recognized as soon as the cash is received or spent. 

      With this accounting type, farms have a clearer view of their cash flow. It also makes tax filing easier because they won’t have to pay taxes in accumulated amounts, unlike in accrual accounting.

      Since vineyards are farms, vineyard accountants and bookkeepers use the same accounting method, making it easier to record production costs accurately.

      The Cost of Goods Produced (COGP)

      According to accounting principles, accountants use COGP to allocate vineyard costs associated with growing grapes, such as direct labor, overhead, and other supplies and activities involved in the process. 

      They do so to avoid any miscalculations and confusion between the cost pool of the winery and the vineyard.

      Cost Capitalization

      Grapes take years to grow. As a result, the vineyard only gets revenue after several years. Farming costs add up during that time without any income to offset them. To resolve this problem, accountants may capitalize on the vineyard's expenses so the business realizes a profit according to the total sales in the given period.

      The Winery

      Harvesting the grapes is the departure point of the vineyard and the start of the winery production processes. In the winery, the grapes are turned into wine and are stored as collections for sale in the future.

      In most cases, vineyards also have a wine production facility (i.e., winery), so the two terms are often mixed up. But wineries work differently. The video below details the winemaking process.

      Winery Bookkeeping & Accounting System

      As briefly shown above, wine production has a different behavior compared to the vineyard. It has similar functions to a general manufacturing process, with some nuances. As a result, accountants adjust their practices according to the winery's needs.

      The Accrual Method of Accounting

      Professionals use the accrual basis accounting method for winery accounting. It's a rational choice because obtaining the raw material for winemaking may not need to be paid immediately due to integration. 

      On the other hand, getting cash from a sale of a barrel or bottles may also take time. To avoid any miscalculations, accountants record transactions once incurred.

      The Cost of Goods Sold (COGS)

      Wineries use the common COGS system primarily because they have a tangible good to sell for a profit.

      The Ecommerce Wine Store

      At present, many wine sellers take their products online. Ecommerce marketplaces, like Amazon, offer a vast network of wine consumers, making it attractive for sellers of all kinds. Online wine sellers can choose between these two models.

      Third-Party Wine Retailer Model

      A third-party seller can offer a wide variety of wines from different wineries. They are strictly retail. They must also follow the steps a direct-to-consumer takes to have an ecommerce presence (see next section).

      However, two additional core steps are necessary to enter the ecommerce market.

      1. Source a Wine Supplier - Sellers search for wineries, wine wholesalers, and distributors to get their products. They buy in bulk for lower prices and sell for a profit.
      2. Create a Brand - Third-party wine sellers must create a brand to establish their identity and credibility in the ecommerce market. The brand will help them differentiate themselves from the rest.

      Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Model

      Wineries can now sell their wine bottles directly to consumers using the power of ecommerce. Smaller wineries often use a D2C approach, which offers a high-profit margin and a seamless transition, leveraging their existing supply and brand.  

      All that’s left for wineries like yours to do are the following:

      1. Set Up an Online Store or Marketplace Seller Account - If you sell wine on Amazon, you must register for a seller account and provide the necessary information about your winery brand. The platform then reviews your account before activating it for selling.
      2. Upload Wine Inventory - Once you have an active seller account, you may take photos of your wine inventory and post them online with full descriptions and other helpful content.
      3. Plan for Wine Packaging and Shipment - Wine bottles are fragile, so carefully plan their packaging and shipping to avoid in-transit mishaps. Also, check state laws about alcohol selling and distribution to prevent issues that could lead to shipping delays.
      4. Engage in Digital Marketing and Advertising - Consider hiring a digital marketer and other ecommerce professionals to help attract the right customers and transform your wine bottles and barrels into substantial revenue.

      Outsource Your Ecommerce Bookkeeping and Accounting

      The challenge of running a winery business is that it has two different accounting systems—one for the vineyard and another for the winery itself. Plus, you can take your business online, like creating a separate retail business with another accounting system. Establishing multiple accounting systems is no easy feat, so outsourcing the job to the experts can be significantly beneficial

      Here's what wineries can expect when they outsource their financial management.

      Accurate Bookkeeping

      Accounting professionals will record all the ecommerce business financial data using double-entry accounting software, such as QuickBooks. This service will include generating financial statements and other financial reporting documents as needed.

      Reporting on Cost of Goods Sold

      The ecommerce retail side of the wine business will have separate COGS recordkeeping. Accountants and bookkeepers report this financial data to you or include them in the income statement for your analysis

      Tax Assistance

      In the ecommerce market, adherence to accounting compliance is essential, which often entails tax management, such as sales tax and income tax. By outsourcing your ecommerce accounting, you'll gain access to seasoned bookkeeping experts who can collaborate with your accountant, ensuring precise tax filing obligations based on comprehensive records and data.

      shot of a glass of wine with wine bottles beside it and a blurred background of wine barrels

      With Unloop, Financial Management Will Be a Breeze for Your Ecommerce Wine Business 

      Whether you own a vineyard or are a third-party wine seller, outsourcing your bookkeeping and accounting will lift a huge burden off your back.

      Ecommerce has a lot of potential to scale. If the demand for wine spikes, it will be more challenging to do bookkeeping and accounting on your own, so leave it to the experts at Unloop and focus on growing your winery into a successful business. Book a call with us if you want to know more about what we are capable of, or check out our bookkeeping services now for more information.

      Read more

      Disclaimer: Please note this article is not financial advice. The purpose of our blog is purely educational, so please consult a professional accountant or financial advisor before making any financial decision.

      In recent years, ecommerce platforms like Amazon have undeniably taken a greater role in the economy and our lifestyles. So if you wish to survive the competitive ecommerce world this 2023, hiring an Amazon bookkeeper isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.

      Let us convince you why hiring bookkeeping services for Amazon sellers is not only a mere luxury for those who can afford them but an indispensable key to online success.

      Why the Future Is Bright for Amazon FBA Sellers

      closeup shot of two people looking and discussing a business report

      There will always be skeptics, and it isn't a bad thing. It’s only natural to know that the ecommerce industry isn't just a passing trend before jumping on the bandwagon.

      Ensuring long-term growth becomes especially important when investing your money to buy initial inventory and hire employees. 

      Is setting up a store and selling on the world's largest online retailer worth it? Yes! Here are a few reasons establishing a business on Amazon is ideal.

      1. Amazon Surpasses Traditional Retailers

      Big-box stores like Walmart and Target always come to mind when shopping. Be it grocery items, furniture, or appliances, the go-to for almost everything you need is a big-box store. For this reason, physical retailers enjoy a steady supply of customers, keeping their aisles busy and parking lots full. 

      However, in 2020, Amazon's Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) exceeded that of Walmart. Amazon achieved a 41% GMV growth, while Walmart grew by 10%. These numbers translate to the volume of sales made within a year.

      Given this trajectory, it's clear that Amazon is on an upward swing, and today might be a good time to get involved.

      2. Amazon Continues to Enjoy Market Supremacy

      When asked about ecommerce, which company comes to mind? If Amazon isn't the first thing you thought about, you might be living in a cave! Amazon has truly taken over the ecommerce market. 

      Projections for Amazon promise a favorable outlook for the company and ecommerce in general, as analysts predicted that Amazon would take 50% of the ecommerce market share. The marketplace is nearing this benchmark after taking almost 40% of the market share in 2022. 

      Source: Data from Statista.com

      How does this translate for Amazon sellers like you? If you want to increase your products' visibility, be smart and put them up on display on Amazon. The more people visit Amazon, the higher the chances of translating traffic into actual sales.

      3. Mobile Ecommerce Steadily Gains Ground

      Smartphones have become inseparable from us. We have been doing most of our daily activities with the help of these gadgets. For instance, a meal can be delivered right to your home's doorstep through a mobile app.

      Taking advantage of this shift to mobile use, ecommerce platforms like Amazon optimize their websites and apps to work seamlessly with mobile devices. This leads to mobile commerce being projected to exceed $510 billion in sales in 2023.

      You can gain from this projected growth by having your products accessible on mobile devices through the Amazon app. In fact, the Amazon app is listed as one of the top mobile commerce platforms, gaining close to 21 million monthly active users and almost 35 million downloads in 2022.

      4. Social Commerce Generates Interest and Traffic

      Consuming all sorts of content on social media platforms is addicting. Entrepreneurs have seized this valuable opportunity by buying ad spaces and building a marketing strategy for social commerce.

      With a well-managed and engaging social media page, you can convert traffic on your page to sales on your Amazon store. You can even tap influencers and micro-influencers to generate interest in your products. 

      As long as social media remains popular, you can use the platform to promote your products and increase your brand's visibility on the Amazon marketplace.

      What Can an Amazon Bookkeeper Do for Your Small Business?

      Thanks to your hard work and a touch of luck, you've managed to grow your ecommerce business, receiving thousands of orders daily. Congratulations! But can you keep up? 

      Scaling up your business means adding new members to what used to be a one-person team. Unless you have eight tentacles, you cannot juggle crucial tasks like inventory management, shipment, and accounting via your Amazon Seller Central account.

      That's why you must hire bookkeeping services to keep your financial transactions in order and avoid financial trouble. And the best part? Hiring professional bookkeepers is as easy as booking a call!

      Read more to familiarize yourself with what bookkeepers can do for you and your growing business.

      graphic showing the benefits of hiring an Amazon bookkeeper

      Track Your Cash Inflows and Outflows

      You must have a system that keeps track of the number of goods sold and the money going in and leaving your business. New small business owners can get away with collecting receipts and encoding them manually on their self-made spreadsheets. 

      But as you scale up your operations, manual entry will be time-consuming and prone to costly errors. Hiring an Amazon accountant or bookkeeper with an accrual accounting system will help you monitor your cash inflow and outflow. They can do all the work on your behalf. 

      No matter how busy your daily business operations are, you can always rely on your bookkeeper to consider every penny that goes in and out of your business.

      Keep Your Taxes in Order

      Losing receipts and skipping accounting for your daily income and expenses is all too easy. But even though you’re unlikely to face immediate legal consequences for such lapses, you must still do your due diligence concerning money matters. 

      Your negligence might result in penalties from government auditors when tax season comes. A tight schedule is no excuse for overlooking your tax accounting. So, it’s time for you to hire a team of professional bookkeepers to settle and minimize your taxes for you. 

      While you still have to file taxes yourself, bookkeepers prepare everything to account for every cent you owe the government.

      See the Bigger Picture

      Are you a hands-on business owner? Nothing beats being in the trenches of your growing business and attending to every transaction yourself. But too much involvement on the ground may prevent you from seeing the bigger picture. You need to zoom out to check how your small business is doing.

      Professional bookkeepers employ the best bookkeeping software for Amazon sellers to generate summary reports about your business' performance. 

      For example, is your business making money? Which quarter saw growth in Amazon sales? You can answer all these questions by glancing at your summary report.

      Use Data for Projections

      In addition to tracking your daily earnings, you should also set targets for the future growth of your business. 

      Of course, you'll have milestones and deadlines to meet along the way. However, crafting a timetable should be based on past performance and cash flow for it to be realistic and achievable.

      Fortunately, you can instantly skip the complicated math and request a projections report with an experienced ecommerce bookkeeper. You can rely on their projections based on the data gathered from your business's past performance. They even use cloud accounting software that takes additional data from current trends observed in the market.

      Find Exceptional Amazon Accounting Services Today!

      2023 might just be the best time to become an Amazon FBA seller. Aspiring ecommerce businesses will definitely benefit from the current industry trends, including social commerce and mobile commerce. 

      However, you will need help in such a risky yet rewarding endeavor. Amazon bookkeeping and ecommerce accounting can be difficult without the help of professional accounting services. 

      So don't let your Amazon business get caught in the tangle of accounting and sales tax liability web! Ditch your clunky Google Sheet spreadsheets and hire a reliable Amazon seller bookkeeping service today!

      Book a call now and check out our bookkeeping services for budding entrepreneurs like you!

      Why an Amazon Bookkeeper Is Crucial for Your Amazon Business in 2023
      Watch Now

      Disclaimer: Please note this article is not financial advice. The purpose of our blog is purely educational, so please consult a professional accountant or financial advisor before making any financial decision.

      In recent years, ecommerce platforms like Amazon have undeniably taken a greater role in the economy and our lifestyles. So if you wish to survive the competitive ecommerce world this 2023, hiring an Amazon bookkeeper isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential.

      Let us convince you why hiring bookkeeping services for Amazon sellers is not only a mere luxury for those who can afford them but an indispensable key to online success.

      Why the Future Is Bright for Amazon FBA Sellers

      closeup shot of two people looking and discussing a business report

      There will always be skeptics, and it isn't a bad thing. It’s only natural to know that the ecommerce industry isn't just a passing trend before jumping on the bandwagon.

      Ensuring long-term growth becomes especially important when investing your money to buy initial inventory and hire employees. 

      Is setting up a store and selling on the world's largest online retailer worth it? Yes! Here are a few reasons establishing a business on Amazon is ideal.

      1. Amazon Surpasses Traditional Retailers

      Big-box stores like Walmart and Target always come to mind when shopping. Be it grocery items, furniture, or appliances, the go-to for almost everything you need is a big-box store. For this reason, physical retailers enjoy a steady supply of customers, keeping their aisles busy and parking lots full. 

      However, in 2020, Amazon's Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) exceeded that of Walmart. Amazon achieved a 41% GMV growth, while Walmart grew by 10%. These numbers translate to the volume of sales made within a year.

      Given this trajectory, it's clear that Amazon is on an upward swing, and today might be a good time to get involved.

      2. Amazon Continues to Enjoy Market Supremacy

      When asked about ecommerce, which company comes to mind? If Amazon isn't the first thing you thought about, you might be living in a cave! Amazon has truly taken over the ecommerce market. 

      Projections for Amazon promise a favorable outlook for the company and ecommerce in general, as analysts predicted that Amazon would take 50% of the ecommerce market share. The marketplace is nearing this benchmark after taking almost 40% of the market share in 2022. 

      Source: Data from Statista.com

      How does this translate for Amazon sellers like you? If you want to increase your products' visibility, be smart and put them up on display on Amazon. The more people visit Amazon, the higher the chances of translating traffic into actual sales.

      3. Mobile Ecommerce Steadily Gains Ground

      Smartphones have become inseparable from us. We have been doing most of our daily activities with the help of these gadgets. For instance, a meal can be delivered right to your home's doorstep through a mobile app.

      Taking advantage of this shift to mobile use, ecommerce platforms like Amazon optimize their websites and apps to work seamlessly with mobile devices. This leads to mobile commerce being projected to exceed $510 billion in sales in 2023.

      You can gain from this projected growth by having your products accessible on mobile devices through the Amazon app. In fact, the Amazon app is listed as one of the top mobile commerce platforms, gaining close to 21 million monthly active users and almost 35 million downloads in 2022.

      4. Social Commerce Generates Interest and Traffic

      Consuming all sorts of content on social media platforms is addicting. Entrepreneurs have seized this valuable opportunity by buying ad spaces and building a marketing strategy for social commerce.

      With a well-managed and engaging social media page, you can convert traffic on your page to sales on your Amazon store. You can even tap influencers and micro-influencers to generate interest in your products. 

      As long as social media remains popular, you can use the platform to promote your products and increase your brand's visibility on the Amazon marketplace.

      What Can an Amazon Bookkeeper Do for Your Small Business?

      Thanks to your hard work and a touch of luck, you've managed to grow your ecommerce business, receiving thousands of orders daily. Congratulations! But can you keep up? 

      Scaling up your business means adding new members to what used to be a one-person team. Unless you have eight tentacles, you cannot juggle crucial tasks like inventory management, shipment, and accounting via your Amazon Seller Central account.

      That's why you must hire bookkeeping services to keep your financial transactions in order and avoid financial trouble. And the best part? Hiring professional bookkeepers is as easy as booking a call!

      Read more to familiarize yourself with what bookkeepers can do for you and your growing business.

      graphic showing the benefits of hiring an Amazon bookkeeper

      Track Your Cash Inflows and Outflows

      You must have a system that keeps track of the number of goods sold and the money going in and leaving your business. New small business owners can get away with collecting receipts and encoding them manually on their self-made spreadsheets. 

      But as you scale up your operations, manual entry will be time-consuming and prone to costly errors. Hiring an Amazon accountant or bookkeeper with an accrual accounting system will help you monitor your cash inflow and outflow. They can do all the work on your behalf. 

      No matter how busy your daily business operations are, you can always rely on your bookkeeper to consider every penny that goes in and out of your business.

      Keep Your Taxes in Order

      Losing receipts and skipping accounting for your daily income and expenses is all too easy. But even though you’re unlikely to face immediate legal consequences for such lapses, you must still do your due diligence concerning money matters. 

      Your negligence might result in penalties from government auditors when tax season comes. A tight schedule is no excuse for overlooking your tax accounting. So, it’s time for you to hire a team of professional bookkeepers to settle and minimize your taxes for you. 

      While you still have to file taxes yourself, bookkeepers prepare everything to account for every cent you owe the government.

      See the Bigger Picture

      Are you a hands-on business owner? Nothing beats being in the trenches of your growing business and attending to every transaction yourself. But too much involvement on the ground may prevent you from seeing the bigger picture. You need to zoom out to check how your small business is doing.

      Professional bookkeepers employ the best bookkeeping software for Amazon sellers to generate summary reports about your business' performance. 

      For example, is your business making money? Which quarter saw growth in Amazon sales? You can answer all these questions by glancing at your summary report.

      Use Data for Projections

      In addition to tracking your daily earnings, you should also set targets for the future growth of your business. 

      Of course, you'll have milestones and deadlines to meet along the way. However, crafting a timetable should be based on past performance and cash flow for it to be realistic and achievable.

      Fortunately, you can instantly skip the complicated math and request a projections report with an experienced ecommerce bookkeeper. You can rely on their projections based on the data gathered from your business's past performance. They even use cloud accounting software that takes additional data from current trends observed in the market.

      Find Exceptional Amazon Accounting Services Today!

      2023 might just be the best time to become an Amazon FBA seller. Aspiring ecommerce businesses will definitely benefit from the current industry trends, including social commerce and mobile commerce. 

      However, you will need help in such a risky yet rewarding endeavor. Amazon bookkeeping and ecommerce accounting can be difficult without the help of professional accounting services. 

      So don't let your Amazon business get caught in the tangle of accounting and sales tax liability web! Ditch your clunky Google Sheet spreadsheets and hire a reliable Amazon seller bookkeeping service today!

      Book a call now and check out our bookkeeping services for budding entrepreneurs like you!

      Read more

      One of the numerous responsibilities of managing a business is bookkeeping. A business needs to record all its assets and expenses to determine how good—or bad—the business is doing. Good bookkeeping is the foundation of seamless accounting, and we're here to help you with your bookkeeping process.

      In this article, we'll discuss how double-entry accounting works and why this bookkeeping method is the one you should use for your business.

      Defining Double-Entry Accounting

      The practice of documenting transactions in at least two accounts is known as double-entry accounting. Transactions in double-entry bookkeeping often appear in the debit and credit entries.

      Having two columns allows you to monitor if both sides are balanced, which will help you pinpoint problems early on. Double-entry bookkeeping is one of the most efficient ways to monitor your company's financial health and growth.

      If you plan to use this accounting method, you should know the different account types a transaction may fall into. Here are the primary account types for the double-entry accounting system.

      Different Account Types

      • Asset Accounts: This account shows the money related to the things a company owns. This can pertain to cash in a business's checking account or the money used to buy the company's space.
      • Liability Accounts: This account reflects everything a business owes to other businesses or individuals. This includes mortgages, loans for machinery, and credit card balances.
      • Income Accounts: This account pertains to all the money received by the business. Transactions under this account usually come from sales a business generates from its products and services.
      • Expense Accounts: This account shows all the money your business spends. This can include purchased goods for your inventory, rent, utility bills, and advertising costs.

      A chart of accounts, which includes each account on the balance sheet and income statement where an accountant makes an entry, is necessary for the double-entry system. Companies can add and modify accounts to better reflect their unique operations, accounting, and reporting requirements.

      credit and debit accounts

      How Double-Entry Bookkeeping Works

      It's possible for you to do double-entry bookkeeping manually. But, if you're using this bookkeeping method, getting an accounting software will make it easier to set up and prevent errors.

      Accounting software options are not just for accountants. They are designed with business owners in mind. Even with little knowledge of accounting, you can surely use them with ease. To help you with the process, here are four crucial steps to start your double-entry bookkeeping system.

      Create a Chart of Accounts

      As previously stated, you need to record business transactions in at least two accounts for double-entry bookkeeping. The first step is to set up the chart of accounts where you'll be recording transactions.

      Bookkeeping software can set up charts for your business automatically. Take advantage of the technology to make the process easier for you.

      Use Credit and Debit Entries for Transactions

      In this bookkeeping method, the debit entry is on the left side of the ledger accounts, while the credit entry is on the right. It makes it easier to see if your accounts are balanced this way.

      A debit entry in the charts will increase the amount of assets and expense accounts. The amount of the obligation, revenue, and equity accounts will rise as a result of a credit entry. If you handle your finances properly at the end of the accounting period, all your accounts should be balanced.

      Ensure All Transactions Have Two Components

      Once your accounts are set up, and you understand how credit and debit work, you can start recording your financial transactions. For example, at the end of February, say you are due to pay $250 for rent. Here is how it would appear in your bookkeeping.

      DateAccount Debit Credit 
      02/28/2023Cash $250
      02/28/2023Expenses (Rent) $250 

      If you only list the $250 in expenses at the end of the accounting period. You will find a missing $250 in your cash account. If you're lucky to remember where the money went, you have your book balanced, but if not, you'll have discrepancies in your data.

      Consider another scenario where you spend $800 in business expenses.

      DateAccount Debit Credit 
      03/12/2023Rental car $350
      03/12/2023Meals $160 
      03/12/2023Hotel$290 
      03/12/2023Cash $800

      In double-entry accounting, you can clearly see the different expenses you use on your travel. This will give you a clear picture of spending patterns, which allows you to strategize how to spend and handle your finances.

      Generate Business Financial Statements

      After encoding all the data in your accounts, you will be ready to generate financial statements. Use these statements to assess the status of your financial health. Read and understand them to strategize further on how to lower your expenses or boost your revenue.

      You can also use financial statements to get a bank loan. Furthermore, investors look at your financial statements to see if your business is eligible for sponsors or huge investments.

      Advantages of Double-Entry Accounting

      At first glance, the double-entry method may sound complicated because of the left and right entries you must do. But even professional accountants will recommend double-entry accounting for businesses. Here are some reasons why you should do it.

      Improves Accuracy of Accounting Records

      When you run a business, keeping an accurate record of your transactions is vital for business success. With double-entry bookkeeping, every detail of your finances is recorded. You can ensure the important numbers are noted, and it is easy to spot any discrepancies.

      Furthermore, it makes it easier to track which businesses and individuals you owe as well as track those payments your business is yet to receive.

      Helps With Crucial Business Decision Making

      How you choose to handle your finances will dictate the success of your business. Double-entry accounting can help make more informed business decisions that cater to its growth. 

      For example, in double-entry bookkeeping, you break down all the expenses. It can be for travel, marketing, or even replenishing your inventory. You can analyze the data and brainstorm strategies to control your costs. It helps you make decisions if you need to control your money or spend more towards the development of your business.

      Widens Financial Analysis Scope

      The big difference from single-entry accounting is that double-entry accounting is more comprehensive, allowing business owners to widen their financial analysis. Imagine if you have a single-entry accounting process that only shows your expenses. You cannot compare it with anything, other than the historical data you have on hand.

      But with double-entry accounting, you can see the money coming into your business. This will give you confidence that you are also gaining profit as you spend to run business operations.

      business receipts

      Get Professional Bookkeeping Help With Unloop

      One thing about double-entry accounting is it's complicated for business owners, especially those new to the industry. But don't worry! Unloop is here to help small business owners with their double-entry bookkeeping.

      We are a team of experts that helps businesses with their bookkeeping and accounting needs to grow in their industry. We offer bookkeeping services which include:

      • Setting up necessary applications to jumpstart bookkeeping by integrating QuickBooks Online, Xero, A2X, Gusto, or Fathom.
      • Creating necessary financial statements such as income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets on a monthly basis.
      • Handling your inventory and CoGS using FIFO or WAC methods.
      • Helping you with filing your annual tax returns.
      • Providing unlimited consultation via Slack, so you are always up to date with your bookkeeping queries.

      On the surface, bookkeeping is simply keeping an organized and complete record of business transactions. But in reality, keeping up with recording is a challenge, especially when you handle all the other tasks in your business. Professional services ensure that every dollar that goes in and out of your business is accounted for.

      We hope this quick overview of double-entry accounting helps you understand bookkeeping for your small business. Remember, Unloop offers several accounting services if you need more professional help. Talk to our experts by booking a call with us today!

      Bookkeeping Starters: A Guide To Double Entry Accounting
      Watch Now

      One of the numerous responsibilities of managing a business is bookkeeping. A business needs to record all its assets and expenses to determine how good—or bad—the business is doing. Good bookkeeping is the foundation of seamless accounting, and we're here to help you with your bookkeeping process.

      In this article, we'll discuss how double-entry accounting works and why this bookkeeping method is the one you should use for your business.

      Defining Double-Entry Accounting

      The practice of documenting transactions in at least two accounts is known as double-entry accounting. Transactions in double-entry bookkeeping often appear in the debit and credit entries.

      Having two columns allows you to monitor if both sides are balanced, which will help you pinpoint problems early on. Double-entry bookkeeping is one of the most efficient ways to monitor your company's financial health and growth.

      If you plan to use this accounting method, you should know the different account types a transaction may fall into. Here are the primary account types for the double-entry accounting system.

      Different Account Types

      • Asset Accounts: This account shows the money related to the things a company owns. This can pertain to cash in a business's checking account or the money used to buy the company's space.
      • Liability Accounts: This account reflects everything a business owes to other businesses or individuals. This includes mortgages, loans for machinery, and credit card balances.
      • Income Accounts: This account pertains to all the money received by the business. Transactions under this account usually come from sales a business generates from its products and services.
      • Expense Accounts: This account shows all the money your business spends. This can include purchased goods for your inventory, rent, utility bills, and advertising costs.

      A chart of accounts, which includes each account on the balance sheet and income statement where an accountant makes an entry, is necessary for the double-entry system. Companies can add and modify accounts to better reflect their unique operations, accounting, and reporting requirements.

      credit and debit accounts

      How Double-Entry Bookkeeping Works

      It's possible for you to do double-entry bookkeeping manually. But, if you're using this bookkeeping method, getting an accounting software will make it easier to set up and prevent errors.

      Accounting software options are not just for accountants. They are designed with business owners in mind. Even with little knowledge of accounting, you can surely use them with ease. To help you with the process, here are four crucial steps to start your double-entry bookkeeping system.

      Create a Chart of Accounts

      As previously stated, you need to record business transactions in at least two accounts for double-entry bookkeeping. The first step is to set up the chart of accounts where you'll be recording transactions.

      Bookkeeping software can set up charts for your business automatically. Take advantage of the technology to make the process easier for you.

      Use Credit and Debit Entries for Transactions

      In this bookkeeping method, the debit entry is on the left side of the ledger accounts, while the credit entry is on the right. It makes it easier to see if your accounts are balanced this way.

      A debit entry in the charts will increase the amount of assets and expense accounts. The amount of the obligation, revenue, and equity accounts will rise as a result of a credit entry. If you handle your finances properly at the end of the accounting period, all your accounts should be balanced.

      Ensure All Transactions Have Two Components

      Once your accounts are set up, and you understand how credit and debit work, you can start recording your financial transactions. For example, at the end of February, say you are due to pay $250 for rent. Here is how it would appear in your bookkeeping.

      DateAccount Debit Credit 
      02/28/2023Cash $250
      02/28/2023Expenses (Rent) $250 

      If you only list the $250 in expenses at the end of the accounting period. You will find a missing $250 in your cash account. If you're lucky to remember where the money went, you have your book balanced, but if not, you'll have discrepancies in your data.

      Consider another scenario where you spend $800 in business expenses.

      DateAccount Debit Credit 
      03/12/2023Rental car $350
      03/12/2023Meals $160 
      03/12/2023Hotel$290 
      03/12/2023Cash $800

      In double-entry accounting, you can clearly see the different expenses you use on your travel. This will give you a clear picture of spending patterns, which allows you to strategize how to spend and handle your finances.

      Generate Business Financial Statements

      After encoding all the data in your accounts, you will be ready to generate financial statements. Use these statements to assess the status of your financial health. Read and understand them to strategize further on how to lower your expenses or boost your revenue.

      You can also use financial statements to get a bank loan. Furthermore, investors look at your financial statements to see if your business is eligible for sponsors or huge investments.

      Advantages of Double-Entry Accounting

      At first glance, the double-entry method may sound complicated because of the left and right entries you must do. But even professional accountants will recommend double-entry accounting for businesses. Here are some reasons why you should do it.

      Improves Accuracy of Accounting Records

      When you run a business, keeping an accurate record of your transactions is vital for business success. With double-entry bookkeeping, every detail of your finances is recorded. You can ensure the important numbers are noted, and it is easy to spot any discrepancies.

      Furthermore, it makes it easier to track which businesses and individuals you owe as well as track those payments your business is yet to receive.

      Helps With Crucial Business Decision Making

      How you choose to handle your finances will dictate the success of your business. Double-entry accounting can help make more informed business decisions that cater to its growth. 

      For example, in double-entry bookkeeping, you break down all the expenses. It can be for travel, marketing, or even replenishing your inventory. You can analyze the data and brainstorm strategies to control your costs. It helps you make decisions if you need to control your money or spend more towards the development of your business.

      Widens Financial Analysis Scope

      The big difference from single-entry accounting is that double-entry accounting is more comprehensive, allowing business owners to widen their financial analysis. Imagine if you have a single-entry accounting process that only shows your expenses. You cannot compare it with anything, other than the historical data you have on hand.

      But with double-entry accounting, you can see the money coming into your business. This will give you confidence that you are also gaining profit as you spend to run business operations.

      business receipts

      Get Professional Bookkeeping Help With Unloop

      One thing about double-entry accounting is it's complicated for business owners, especially those new to the industry. But don't worry! Unloop is here to help small business owners with their double-entry bookkeeping.

      We are a team of experts that helps businesses with their bookkeeping and accounting needs to grow in their industry. We offer bookkeeping services which include:

      • Setting up necessary applications to jumpstart bookkeeping by integrating QuickBooks Online, Xero, A2X, Gusto, or Fathom.
      • Creating necessary financial statements such as income statements, cash flow statements, and balance sheets on a monthly basis.
      • Handling your inventory and CoGS using FIFO or WAC methods.
      • Helping you with filing your annual tax returns.
      • Providing unlimited consultation via Slack, so you are always up to date with your bookkeeping queries.

      On the surface, bookkeeping is simply keeping an organized and complete record of business transactions. But in reality, keeping up with recording is a challenge, especially when you handle all the other tasks in your business. Professional services ensure that every dollar that goes in and out of your business is accounted for.

      We hope this quick overview of double-entry accounting helps you understand bookkeeping for your small business. Remember, Unloop offers several accounting services if you need more professional help. Talk to our experts by booking a call with us today!

      Read more

      Many things will worry you when you become a business owner. You’ll need to think of the quality of the products you sell, your marketing strategies, your inventory, customer feedback, and more! While some of the tasks are manageable, there are also areas you’ll probably need help with, like bookkeeping and accounting. 

      Getting professional help allows you to focus on the responsibilities you can handle while ensuring you stay on top of your business’s finances. Besides, managing the money coming in and out of your business is a severe obligation, as this affects the success or failure of your business.

      In this blog post, we’ll answer the question, “What are financial statements?” and share how partnering with a bookkeeping firm can help you ease your worries about financial statements. If you’re still thinking twice about it, keep reading, as we’ll list eight ways to convince you that connecting with professionals is the way to go!

      1. Updated Books

      Before you prepare financial statements, a bookkeeping firm will help you with the basic task of keeping your books in order. All the details in the financial statement will rely on how complete and organized your books are.

      Professionals will utilize bookkeeping and accounting software to ensure all your financial transactions will be recorded. Income from various payment gateways and your bank will be in the books. The expenses your business incurs will all be there too. So, when you need any financial statement you can quickly generate one.

      The software these firms use generates statements in just a few clicks. Because books will be up-to-date and are constantly checked, you can be sure that the details in the statements are updated and accurate.

      2. Know Your Assets and Liabilities

      Financial statements are so detailed that you can see all specifics about your assets and liabilities. Some assets you’ll view are the following:

      • The sales you make from your products and services
      • Accounts receivable or the payments you have yet to receive from clients or customers
      • Prepaid expenses
      • All company equipment, property, and machinery
      • Company investments
      • Product and company patents and trademarks

      Meanwhile, you’ll also know the costs and expenses of running your business. Some details are as follows:

      • Accounts payable or the money you have yet to pay suppliers or manufacturers
      • Debts and loans
      • Salaries for your team
      • Dividends payable or the share of income you need to give to shareholders

      By seeing where your money is coming from and being spent, you can create game plans with specific targets to minimize your costs and increase your income. 

      3. Understand the Reports You’re Getting

      With the help of a bookkeeping firm, all your financial data will be consolidated in one place. They’ll be the ones to generate the financial statements you need. After that, they will also help you learn how to read financial statements. Bookkeeping firms have Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) who will be there to analyze and make sense of the following reports.

      Balance Sheets

      The balance sheet is also called a financial position or net worth statement. Details like assets, liabilities, and equity can be found here. Through this report, you’ll know the value of your business and whether you can meet your financial obligations.

      Cash Flow Statements

      This statement is also known as a financial position statement. The report allows viewers to see whether your business is getting enough income to cover operating expenses and loan and debt payments. The report reflects how fast money can come into your business and how it is being spent.

      Income Statements

      When you see a report labelled as a statement of revenue and expense or a profit and loss statement, you are also looking at a company’s income statement. The income statement reflects your business’s financial performance at a given period. In this report, you’ll see details like net income, expenses, revenue, and earnings per share.

      With the help of qualified professionals, the statements will be categorized as numbers in a file. Still, with a financial firm’s help, you can make sense of these financial statements to guide your decision-making.

      how to read financial statements

      4. Get You Ready for an Investor Presentation

      Investors are essential for every business as they can provide additional funding for your venture to grow. A bookkeeping firm can get your finances in order and ready for a presentation for investors

      Investors will want to see your business’s cash flow statement to see how you generate cash, how fast you accumulate it, and the different expenses you have. They’ll want to know whether your finances are stable and well-managed because investors want to invest money in a company where they’ll have higher chances of getting returns.

      On top of the monetary help investors can give, these individuals can also give you valuable insights about your business. More often than not, individuals who want to invest in your business are the ones who are well-versed in your trade. But of course, aside from their experience and knowledge, numbers talk louder, so they’ll still need to base their decision on the financial reports you and your partner firm generate.

      5. Complete the Data for a Financial Analyst

      It is a financial analyst’s job to make business models that fit your business, but they can only do that when they have the complete details about your finances. When you have your bookkeeping in place, a financial analyst has a sea of data to use to make accurate models for your business. They can also use collected financial statements for their analysis.

      You won’t need to worry about incomplete annual data with a bookkeeping firm. Many firms backtrack your finances from the beginning of the year, even if you partner with them midyear. In the long run, you can accumulate historical financial data, which the financial analyst can use to analyze your business finances further.

      6. Stay Confident in Business and Financial Planning

      Together with financial analysis are business forecasting and planning. Forecasting isn’t 100% accurate because many factors can change the forecast. The best thing you can do to get the most accurate report is to get as much detailed and accurate historical data as possible. 

      The historical data will become the basis of whether there are trends occurring in your business that can still happen in the present and future. You can generate how your future financial statements will look, too. And as a result, you can set a date on when you can begin talking to investors or taking the risk of getting loans.

      prepare financial statements

      7. Worry Less About Creditor Evaluation

      Your business financial statements, forecasts, and plans are not only helpful when getting investors but also when applying for loans. If creditors see good trends in your forecasted financial statements and your plans to achieve more success, they’ll be confident you’ll have the capacity to pay them back. Your past, present, and future statements can also be the basis for how much they can lend you

      8. Be Aware of Your Net Income/Profit

      You’ll also be aware of your net income through business financial statements. Net income, also known as profit, is your income after deducting all company expenses. When you know your business income, you can plan what to do with your profit. 

      Some of the things business owners do with their profit are the following:

      • Save the money in the bank for emergencies
      • Improve business operations by investing in new software and equipment
      • Make over your office
      • Invest more money in marketing to reach a wider audience
      • Train and educate employees
      • Pay yourself
      • Hire new team members or outsource to help business operations

      Various financial reports, from the balance sheets, cash flow, and income statements to your forecasts, can help you see the profits you can earn. And with that, you can see where you can spend your profits best.

      Beyond Financial Statement Assistance From Unloop

      By now, you should already know the importance of financial statements in your business. Financial statements can give you a view of your assets, liabilities, and equity. They will also give you an overview of your business’s profits, losses, and cash flow. However, to get all of these, you’ll first need accurate data, which you can get through the help of professional bookkeeping services.For any financial services, contact Unloop. We offer services beyond bookkeeping, too. Here, we offer accounts payable services, forecasting, payroll, and tax management. We have solutions whether you sell on Amazon, Shopify, direct-to-consumer, or multichannel. Through the help of our team of trained experts and the utilization of the latest software, we can manage your business finances smoothly. Give us a call now so that we can begin the work!

      8 Ways a Bookkeeping Firm Can Ease Your Worries About Financial Statements
      Watch Now

      Many things will worry you when you become a business owner. You’ll need to think of the quality of the products you sell, your marketing strategies, your inventory, customer feedback, and more! While some of the tasks are manageable, there are also areas you’ll probably need help with, like bookkeeping and accounting. 

      Getting professional help allows you to focus on the responsibilities you can handle while ensuring you stay on top of your business’s finances. Besides, managing the money coming in and out of your business is a severe obligation, as this affects the success or failure of your business.

      In this blog post, we’ll answer the question, “What are financial statements?” and share how partnering with a bookkeeping firm can help you ease your worries about financial statements. If you’re still thinking twice about it, keep reading, as we’ll list eight ways to convince you that connecting with professionals is the way to go!

      1. Updated Books

      Before you prepare financial statements, a bookkeeping firm will help you with the basic task of keeping your books in order. All the details in the financial statement will rely on how complete and organized your books are.

      Professionals will utilize bookkeeping and accounting software to ensure all your financial transactions will be recorded. Income from various payment gateways and your bank will be in the books. The expenses your business incurs will all be there too. So, when you need any financial statement you can quickly generate one.

      The software these firms use generates statements in just a few clicks. Because books will be up-to-date and are constantly checked, you can be sure that the details in the statements are updated and accurate.

      2. Know Your Assets and Liabilities

      Financial statements are so detailed that you can see all specifics about your assets and liabilities. Some assets you’ll view are the following:

      • The sales you make from your products and services
      • Accounts receivable or the payments you have yet to receive from clients or customers
      • Prepaid expenses
      • All company equipment, property, and machinery
      • Company investments
      • Product and company patents and trademarks

      Meanwhile, you’ll also know the costs and expenses of running your business. Some details are as follows:

      • Accounts payable or the money you have yet to pay suppliers or manufacturers
      • Debts and loans
      • Salaries for your team
      • Dividends payable or the share of income you need to give to shareholders

      By seeing where your money is coming from and being spent, you can create game plans with specific targets to minimize your costs and increase your income. 

      3. Understand the Reports You’re Getting

      With the help of a bookkeeping firm, all your financial data will be consolidated in one place. They’ll be the ones to generate the financial statements you need. After that, they will also help you learn how to read financial statements. Bookkeeping firms have Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) who will be there to analyze and make sense of the following reports.

      Balance Sheets

      The balance sheet is also called a financial position or net worth statement. Details like assets, liabilities, and equity can be found here. Through this report, you’ll know the value of your business and whether you can meet your financial obligations.

      Cash Flow Statements

      This statement is also known as a financial position statement. The report allows viewers to see whether your business is getting enough income to cover operating expenses and loan and debt payments. The report reflects how fast money can come into your business and how it is being spent.

      Income Statements

      When you see a report labelled as a statement of revenue and expense or a profit and loss statement, you are also looking at a company’s income statement. The income statement reflects your business’s financial performance at a given period. In this report, you’ll see details like net income, expenses, revenue, and earnings per share.

      With the help of qualified professionals, the statements will be categorized as numbers in a file. Still, with a financial firm’s help, you can make sense of these financial statements to guide your decision-making.

      how to read financial statements

      4. Get You Ready for an Investor Presentation

      Investors are essential for every business as they can provide additional funding for your venture to grow. A bookkeeping firm can get your finances in order and ready for a presentation for investors

      Investors will want to see your business’s cash flow statement to see how you generate cash, how fast you accumulate it, and the different expenses you have. They’ll want to know whether your finances are stable and well-managed because investors want to invest money in a company where they’ll have higher chances of getting returns.

      On top of the monetary help investors can give, these individuals can also give you valuable insights about your business. More often than not, individuals who want to invest in your business are the ones who are well-versed in your trade. But of course, aside from their experience and knowledge, numbers talk louder, so they’ll still need to base their decision on the financial reports you and your partner firm generate.

      5. Complete the Data for a Financial Analyst

      It is a financial analyst’s job to make business models that fit your business, but they can only do that when they have the complete details about your finances. When you have your bookkeeping in place, a financial analyst has a sea of data to use to make accurate models for your business. They can also use collected financial statements for their analysis.

      You won’t need to worry about incomplete annual data with a bookkeeping firm. Many firms backtrack your finances from the beginning of the year, even if you partner with them midyear. In the long run, you can accumulate historical financial data, which the financial analyst can use to analyze your business finances further.

      6. Stay Confident in Business and Financial Planning

      Together with financial analysis are business forecasting and planning. Forecasting isn’t 100% accurate because many factors can change the forecast. The best thing you can do to get the most accurate report is to get as much detailed and accurate historical data as possible. 

      The historical data will become the basis of whether there are trends occurring in your business that can still happen in the present and future. You can generate how your future financial statements will look, too. And as a result, you can set a date on when you can begin talking to investors or taking the risk of getting loans.

      prepare financial statements

      7. Worry Less About Creditor Evaluation

      Your business financial statements, forecasts, and plans are not only helpful when getting investors but also when applying for loans. If creditors see good trends in your forecasted financial statements and your plans to achieve more success, they’ll be confident you’ll have the capacity to pay them back. Your past, present, and future statements can also be the basis for how much they can lend you

      8. Be Aware of Your Net Income/Profit

      You’ll also be aware of your net income through business financial statements. Net income, also known as profit, is your income after deducting all company expenses. When you know your business income, you can plan what to do with your profit. 

      Some of the things business owners do with their profit are the following:

      • Save the money in the bank for emergencies
      • Improve business operations by investing in new software and equipment
      • Make over your office
      • Invest more money in marketing to reach a wider audience
      • Train and educate employees
      • Pay yourself
      • Hire new team members or outsource to help business operations

      Various financial reports, from the balance sheets, cash flow, and income statements to your forecasts, can help you see the profits you can earn. And with that, you can see where you can spend your profits best.

      Beyond Financial Statement Assistance From Unloop

      By now, you should already know the importance of financial statements in your business. Financial statements can give you a view of your assets, liabilities, and equity. They will also give you an overview of your business’s profits, losses, and cash flow. However, to get all of these, you’ll first need accurate data, which you can get through the help of professional bookkeeping services.For any financial services, contact Unloop. We offer services beyond bookkeeping, too. Here, we offer accounts payable services, forecasting, payroll, and tax management. We have solutions whether you sell on Amazon, Shopify, direct-to-consumer, or multichannel. Through the help of our team of trained experts and the utilization of the latest software, we can manage your business finances smoothly. Give us a call now so that we can begin the work!

      Read more

      Financial management can be daunting for small business owners. Bookkeeping tasks often demand valuable time better spent on business growth. Luckily, automated bookkeeping continues to transform how small businesses control their finances.

      Automating makes it easier to keep accurate records and make smarter decisions. You can find various bookkeeping software that can do most of the work for you, from cloud-based solutions that offer real-time updates to affordable options you can tailor to your needs. With the right tools, bookkeeping automation can help you focus on scaling your business and making a profit.

      This guide will delve into the advantages of automated bookkeeping and explore some of the best software options available to help you get started. Let's get into the details!

      an infographic showing the 8 significant benefits of automated bookkeeping


      Are you planning to switch from manual bookkeeping to an automated system? Or are you a budding entrepreneur seeking to embrace automation for your financial management? Regardless of your level of expertise, automation has the potential to revolutionize your bookkeeping and accounting tasks.

      Below are eight compelling benefits of bookkeeping automation that prove you are making the right choice.

      1. Skip Time-Consuming Manual Data Entry

      As a business owner, you have a lot of things on your plate. Freedom from manual entry could save you the trouble. Simply look for optical character recognition software that allows you to capture receipts or documents and convert them into text. You can then integrate this tool into your main accounting software for categorization.

      In addition to automatic data entry, you can incorporate your bank into your bookkeeping system, so the deposits and withdrawals are immediately recorded. If you get your data from other channels, like ecommerce sites and other tools, you can also integrate them into your bookkeeping software to automate data collection.

      2. Say Goodbye to Inaccuracies

      The biggest downside of manual bookkeeping is inaccurate data. No matter how seasoned a bookkeeper is, a minor mistake on the keyboard or calculator can snowball into huge miscalculations. 

      But with automated bookkeeping, you can say goodbye to inaccuracies once and for all. Whether generating income tax reports or calculating sales taxes, automated systems flawlessly perform these tasks. There’s no room for typos or calculation errors that can plague manual bookkeeping.

      3. Free From Data Corruption

      A typical scene for bookkeepers using Excel sheets is data corruption. One day the Excel sheets are functioning well; the next, they’re not. Various factors contribute to this situation, including:

      • Big Data
      • Incomplete or Incorrect File Transfers
      • Inaccessible File/s

      Most automated bookkeeping solutions run on cloud storage, easily addressing this problem. The cloud has layers of protection, saving your financial information from corruption and unauthorized access.

      4. Protection From Hackers

      When data corruption occurs, it raises a red flag for the potential threat of cyber attacks. Hackers are known to target websites and databases, making your company's financial records vulnerable to these threats. 

      But because your books are saved on the cloud, guarantee that they are protected from such threats. The cloud has a technology called data encryption which translates the information while it is moved from one storage to the cloud. Even when hackers try to interfere, they won’t decipher the message. 

      Only those with access to your account can access and understand this private information.

      5. Access to Key Players Only

      Your financial security is not only threatened by external factors but also by potential risks from within your organization, which is why you should always exercise caution about who you share your financial data with. 

      Compared with traditional accounting processes that anyone can access, automation employs a more stringent approach. Only authorized personnel with proper login credentials are granted access to the data. This exclusivity of access lessens breaches and internal malpractices, maintaining integrity and privacy in your bookkeeping process.

      Unloop Pro Tip:
      As much as possible, keep your financial team small. These individuals should know how to handle sensitive financial information.

      Create a confidentiality agreement and put it on paper, so those who will break the agreement can be held legally accountable.

      6. Access Anywhere

      Gone are the days when you could only access information on the devices where the document is saved. You can now monitor your books effortlessly from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection.

      Modern bookkeeping and accounting software are optimized for mobile devices. You can log in and check your finances by downloading the app onto your smartphone or tablet. You can easily stay informed about your financial data in the office, meeting, or traveling.

      7. Worry-Free During Tax Time

      Because all your financial data is in one place, you won’t have difficulty preparing for tax season. Income and expense tracking are simplified and consolidated within the automated bookkeeping platform. It computes the taxes you need to pay yourself. From there, you can file tax documents and pay on time. 

      If there are instances when you must remit sales taxes, the tax software and your accounting system will show you how much exactly you need to remit.

      8. Automatic Reports Generation

      Understanding the data in your books means creating reports from them. Hence, the practice of automated bookkeeping. Some of the basic accounting reports you'll want to see regularly are the following:

      • Balance Sheet
      • Income Statement
      • Cash Flow Statement
      • Statement of Owner's Equity

      These financial reports will allow you to see the health of your finances. They are also helpful during investors' presentations and when applying for loans. 

      Unloop Pro Tip:
      Many software have report templates that can quickly be filled out in just a few clicks. And if you need to customize these templates, many software programs allow you to do so.

      The Best Automated Bookkeeping Software

      QuickBooks and Xero are two of the best bookkeeping and accounting software for small businesses. These programs automate repetitive tasks and provide efficient systems that save you valuable time and resources.

      How? Let’s take a look:

      Accounting Automation From QuickBooks

      The answer to your question, “How to automate bookkeeping?” could be answered by simply having Quickbooks. QuickBooks is one of the top choices for bookkeepers and accountants because of the following features:

      • Scheduled Invoices for Recurring Transactions
      • Time and Project Tracking
      • Live Bookkeeping
      • Mileage Tracking
      • Payroll Management
      • Cloud-Based Accounting
      • Inventory Management
      • Generation of Reports
      • Wide Integration Compatibility

      All these features work together to provide small businesses the convenience of tracking income and expenses and transforming them into easy-to-understand reports.

      QuickBooks is an excellent choice for business owners because you can automate your bookkeeping for affordable prices. The QuickBooks Priority Circle also provides training and support, making it an indispensable resource for both beginners and experienced users.

      Wide Array of Integrations With Xero

      Xero is another option you can look into when picking bookkeeping and accounting software. This tool can help in your various financial management needs due to the following features it offers:

      • Pay Your Bills on Time Through Scheduled Payments
      • Manage Expense Claims
      • Bank Connections and Reconciliation
      • Invoicing 
      • Payment Acceptance From Different Channels
      • Time and Project Tracking
      • Payroll Management and Integrations
      • Contact List Management
      • Generation of Financial Reports
      • In-Depth Analysis of Numbers Through Xero Analytics
      • Sales Tax Calculation
      • Inventory Management

      Some software don't have a sales tax feature, but not Xero. The tool's data analytics capabilities also back you with invaluable data for making informed business decisions.

      Automated Bookkeeping Services by Unloop

      The benefits of automated bookkeeping can significantly benefit your business. From saving time on manual data entry to reducing errors, automation can take the hassle out of managing your finances. 

      QuickBooks and Xero are two great options for reliable bookkeeping and accounting software. But if you’re unsure where to begin, look no further than Unloop. As a trusted accounting firm, we combine our financial expertise with cutting-edge accounting software to automate your business bookkeeping.
      Don't let bookkeeping consume you. Take the leap into automation with Unloop's professional services. Book a call now!

      8 Benefits of Automated Bookkeeping and the Best Software to Help You Get Started
      Watch Now

      Financial management can be daunting for small business owners. Bookkeeping tasks often demand valuable time better spent on business growth. Luckily, automated bookkeeping continues to transform how small businesses control their finances.

      Automating makes it easier to keep accurate records and make smarter decisions. You can find various bookkeeping software that can do most of the work for you, from cloud-based solutions that offer real-time updates to affordable options you can tailor to your needs. With the right tools, bookkeeping automation can help you focus on scaling your business and making a profit.

      This guide will delve into the advantages of automated bookkeeping and explore some of the best software options available to help you get started. Let's get into the details!

      an infographic showing the 8 significant benefits of automated bookkeeping


      Are you planning to switch from manual bookkeeping to an automated system? Or are you a budding entrepreneur seeking to embrace automation for your financial management? Regardless of your level of expertise, automation has the potential to revolutionize your bookkeeping and accounting tasks.

      Below are eight compelling benefits of bookkeeping automation that prove you are making the right choice.

      1. Skip Time-Consuming Manual Data Entry

      As a business owner, you have a lot of things on your plate. Freedom from manual entry could save you the trouble. Simply look for optical character recognition software that allows you to capture receipts or documents and convert them into text. You can then integrate this tool into your main accounting software for categorization.

      In addition to automatic data entry, you can incorporate your bank into your bookkeeping system, so the deposits and withdrawals are immediately recorded. If you get your data from other channels, like ecommerce sites and other tools, you can also integrate them into your bookkeeping software to automate data collection.

      2. Say Goodbye to Inaccuracies

      The biggest downside of manual bookkeeping is inaccurate data. No matter how seasoned a bookkeeper is, a minor mistake on the keyboard or calculator can snowball into huge miscalculations. 

      But with automated bookkeeping, you can say goodbye to inaccuracies once and for all. Whether generating income tax reports or calculating sales taxes, automated systems flawlessly perform these tasks. There’s no room for typos or calculation errors that can plague manual bookkeeping.

      3. Free From Data Corruption

      A typical scene for bookkeepers using Excel sheets is data corruption. One day the Excel sheets are functioning well; the next, they’re not. Various factors contribute to this situation, including:

      • Big Data
      • Incomplete or Incorrect File Transfers
      • Inaccessible File/s

      Most automated bookkeeping solutions run on cloud storage, easily addressing this problem. The cloud has layers of protection, saving your financial information from corruption and unauthorized access.

      4. Protection From Hackers

      When data corruption occurs, it raises a red flag for the potential threat of cyber attacks. Hackers are known to target websites and databases, making your company's financial records vulnerable to these threats. 

      But because your books are saved on the cloud, guarantee that they are protected from such threats. The cloud has a technology called data encryption which translates the information while it is moved from one storage to the cloud. Even when hackers try to interfere, they won’t decipher the message. 

      Only those with access to your account can access and understand this private information.

      5. Access to Key Players Only

      Your financial security is not only threatened by external factors but also by potential risks from within your organization, which is why you should always exercise caution about who you share your financial data with. 

      Compared with traditional accounting processes that anyone can access, automation employs a more stringent approach. Only authorized personnel with proper login credentials are granted access to the data. This exclusivity of access lessens breaches and internal malpractices, maintaining integrity and privacy in your bookkeeping process.

      Unloop Pro Tip:
      As much as possible, keep your financial team small. These individuals should know how to handle sensitive financial information.

      Create a confidentiality agreement and put it on paper, so those who will break the agreement can be held legally accountable.

      6. Access Anywhere

      Gone are the days when you could only access information on the devices where the document is saved. You can now monitor your books effortlessly from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection.

      Modern bookkeeping and accounting software are optimized for mobile devices. You can log in and check your finances by downloading the app onto your smartphone or tablet. You can easily stay informed about your financial data in the office, meeting, or traveling.

      7. Worry-Free During Tax Time

      Because all your financial data is in one place, you won’t have difficulty preparing for tax season. Income and expense tracking are simplified and consolidated within the automated bookkeeping platform. It computes the taxes you need to pay yourself. From there, you can file tax documents and pay on time. 

      If there are instances when you must remit sales taxes, the tax software and your accounting system will show you how much exactly you need to remit.

      8. Automatic Reports Generation

      Understanding the data in your books means creating reports from them. Hence, the practice of automated bookkeeping. Some of the basic accounting reports you'll want to see regularly are the following:

      • Balance Sheet
      • Income Statement
      • Cash Flow Statement
      • Statement of Owner's Equity

      These financial reports will allow you to see the health of your finances. They are also helpful during investors' presentations and when applying for loans. 

      Unloop Pro Tip:
      Many software have report templates that can quickly be filled out in just a few clicks. And if you need to customize these templates, many software programs allow you to do so.

      The Best Automated Bookkeeping Software

      QuickBooks and Xero are two of the best bookkeeping and accounting software for small businesses. These programs automate repetitive tasks and provide efficient systems that save you valuable time and resources.

      How? Let’s take a look:

      Accounting Automation From QuickBooks

      The answer to your question, “How to automate bookkeeping?” could be answered by simply having Quickbooks. QuickBooks is one of the top choices for bookkeepers and accountants because of the following features:

      • Scheduled Invoices for Recurring Transactions
      • Time and Project Tracking
      • Live Bookkeeping
      • Mileage Tracking
      • Payroll Management
      • Cloud-Based Accounting
      • Inventory Management
      • Generation of Reports
      • Wide Integration Compatibility

      All these features work together to provide small businesses the convenience of tracking income and expenses and transforming them into easy-to-understand reports.

      QuickBooks is an excellent choice for business owners because you can automate your bookkeeping for affordable prices. The QuickBooks Priority Circle also provides training and support, making it an indispensable resource for both beginners and experienced users.

      Wide Array of Integrations With Xero

      Xero is another option you can look into when picking bookkeeping and accounting software. This tool can help in your various financial management needs due to the following features it offers:

      • Pay Your Bills on Time Through Scheduled Payments
      • Manage Expense Claims
      • Bank Connections and Reconciliation
      • Invoicing 
      • Payment Acceptance From Different Channels
      • Time and Project Tracking
      • Payroll Management and Integrations
      • Contact List Management
      • Generation of Financial Reports
      • In-Depth Analysis of Numbers Through Xero Analytics
      • Sales Tax Calculation
      • Inventory Management

      Some software don't have a sales tax feature, but not Xero. The tool's data analytics capabilities also back you with invaluable data for making informed business decisions.

      Automated Bookkeeping Services by Unloop

      The benefits of automated bookkeeping can significantly benefit your business. From saving time on manual data entry to reducing errors, automation can take the hassle out of managing your finances. 

      QuickBooks and Xero are two great options for reliable bookkeeping and accounting software. But if you’re unsure where to begin, look no further than Unloop. As a trusted accounting firm, we combine our financial expertise with cutting-edge accounting software to automate your business bookkeeping.
      Don't let bookkeeping consume you. Take the leap into automation with Unloop's professional services. Book a call now!

      Read more

      Tax obligations can be heavy on small businesses. But many business owners don't know that there are tax deductions they can utilize to lower their tax payments. There are legal ways to deduct fees, and we'll discuss all business expenses that will fall under tax deductions to help your business.

      What Is a Tax Deduction?

      Tax deductions, or write-offs, are deductible expenses for your taxable income. These deductions help you pay smaller tax amounts at the end of the accounting period. However, you must be careful about which of your expenses to declare as deductions. Not all business expenses are eligible as write-offs.

      Here are business expenses you can list as tax deductions.

      Advertising and Promotional Expenses

      100% of your expenses for advertising and promotions are eligible for tax deductions. Expenses under this category can include: 

      • Hiring services for designing a business logo
      • Cost of printing business cards and other advertising materials
      • Ad space for print and online media
      • Cost of launching a business website
      • A social media marketing campaign's operating costs.

      However, any promotional and advertising campaigns that sponsor political campaigns or events are not eligible as write-offs.

      Home Office Expenses

      Home office deductions are the most common write-offs, but many small business owners don't know about them. You should utilize this deduction to capitalize on tax savings if you have a home office.

      You have two alternatives from the IRS to figure your home office deductions.

      • In order to qualify for the standard option, you must determine what portion of your home is used for business versus personal purposes and then add that portion to all of your qualifying expenditures, including your mortgage interest, utilities, and insurance. To accomplish this, you must maintain thorough records of all pertinent business expenses.
      • The second option is a standard tax deduction of $5 per square foot, up to a maximum of 300 square feet and a maximum total of $1500 in deductions. 
      IRS tax form 1040

      Business Meals

      As a general rule, half of the cost of qualifying meals and drinks are eligible for tax deductions as long as it meets the following criteria:

      • The costs need to be common and integral to your regular business operations.
      • The meal should not be overly luxurious based on the situation. For example, a simple team dinner should not cost thousands of dollars.
      • The business owner or an employee should be present when the meal is consumed.

      You can also deduct 100% of your meal's cost if the meal provided is used to feed employees who are rendering overtime work. Remember to keep documentation of receipts and other records such as place and date and the purpose of the meal.

      Startup Costs

      Any money spent on research or starting a firm in the first year is referred to as a startup cost, including fees incurred to establish a corporation, partnership, or limited liability firm (LLC). Small businesses can deduct up to $5,000 in administrative and startup costs.

      When organizational or beginning costs exceed $50,000, the eligible startup deduction of $5,000 is decreased by the amount above $50,000 (e.g., startup costs of $53,000 will incur $2,000 in deductions. This amount is taken from $53,000 - $50,000 = $3,000; $5,000 - $3,000 = $2,000). Any remaining costs must be amortized, and no deductions will be made for costs amounting to $55,000+.

      Business Insurance Premiums

      Specific business insurances are eligible for tax deductions. If you have several insurances under your business, revisit them and see if you can write them off as tax deductions. Here are insurances you can deduct from your taxable income.

      • Insurance protection for the structures, furnishings, and machinery of your business
      • Health insurance for employees
      • Malpractice insurance
      • Insurance for business vehicles
      • Workers compensation insurance
      • Business interruption insurance

      Car Expenses for Business Use

      If you have a vehicle whose sole purpose is for your business operations, the vehicle expenses are eligible for tax deductions. There are two ways to write off the cost of using your car for business purposes. It's up to business owners which one to utilize to benefit their business.

      Method #1: Standard Mileage Rate: In this method, you need to multiply the vehicle's total miles covered in the year by the standard mileage rate. For 2023, the standard mileage rate for automobiles is 65.5 cents per mile, and 63.5 cents per mile for motorcycles.

      Method #2: Actual Expense Method: With this method, you track all the expenses you spend for your business vehicle—gas, oil, repairs, insurance, rental fees, and registration fees. Then, multiply it by the proportion of business-related miles driven.

      For example, if the miles on your vehicle are half used for business and personal, you can multiply your expenses by 50%. But, if the car is solely for business, the percentage is 100%. It is also important to note that you can only use one method per vehicle and cannot switch for an entire year.

      Education

      Some businesses offer workshops to their employees to improve their service quality. The IRS will examine your workshop expenses to see if it's used to improve skills related to your business. Anything that falls under educational purposes is 100% deductible from the taxable income.

      Here are examples of business education expenses valid for deductions.

      • Webinars and seminars
      • Skill improvement workshops
      • Subscription to related professional publications
      • Transportation expenses to and from educational sessions

      Travel Expenses

      You can deduct travel expenses related to your business operations. Travel expenses should be necessary and away from your tax home to qualify. Tax home is where your business is located and provides service. Travel business expense is deductible when you are away from your tax home for an entire workday or longer.

      Here are some IRS-approved travel business tax deductions.

      • Travel via bus, train, car or airplane
      • Using a personal car to drive to a business location
      • Parking and toll fees
      • Meals and accommodation expenses
      • Shipping of necessary materials to the business location

      It is important to keep records of your travel expenses. Essential details such as arrival and departure dates, the trip's purpose, and other travel expenses receipts should be documented.

      business expenses receipts

      Personal Deductions

      The abovementioned tax deduction can be claimed through Schedule C or Schedule K-1 forms. However, there are still available personal tax deductions small business owners can utilize for their income tax returns. Here are some of them.

      Charitable Contributions

      Sole proprietors, partnerships and LLCs cannot write off charitable contributions as a business expense. However, business owners can put them as tax write-offs for individual tax returns.

      For it to be tax deductible, your donation should be under a qualified organization. Tax payments can claim up to $300 as a deduction on form 1040. But, business owners can deduct more on Schedule A through itemized deductions.

      Child and Dependent Care Expenses

      You can be qualified for the child and dependent care credit if you pay someone to look after your child or a dependent. To qualify for the credit, the child receiving the care should be under 13. Other dependents should be someone who is mentally or physically unable to take care of themselves.

      You can get credit between 20% to 35% of your allowable expenses based on your income. Check out IRS Publication 503 to know more about child and dependent care expenses.

      It's Tax Time!

      Big tax deductions will significantly benefit businesses, especially small ones. There are many ways a business can reduce their taxes. Always remember to have proper documentation of receipts so that when tax season comes around, you can write off as much as possible.

      If you need professional help with your taxes, Unloop offers accounting services for ecommerce and small businesses. Our expert team can handle bookkeeping, payroll, forecasting, accounts payable, and taxes. Talk to a professional for free and book a call with us today.

      9 Small Business Tax Deductions You Need To Know
      Watch Now

      Tax obligations can be heavy on small businesses. But many business owners don't know that there are tax deductions they can utilize to lower their tax payments. There are legal ways to deduct fees, and we'll discuss all business expenses that will fall under tax deductions to help your business.

      What Is a Tax Deduction?

      Tax deductions, or write-offs, are deductible expenses for your taxable income. These deductions help you pay smaller tax amounts at the end of the accounting period. However, you must be careful about which of your expenses to declare as deductions. Not all business expenses are eligible as write-offs.

      Here are business expenses you can list as tax deductions.

      Advertising and Promotional Expenses

      100% of your expenses for advertising and promotions are eligible for tax deductions. Expenses under this category can include: 

      • Hiring services for designing a business logo
      • Cost of printing business cards and other advertising materials
      • Ad space for print and online media
      • Cost of launching a business website
      • A social media marketing campaign's operating costs.

      However, any promotional and advertising campaigns that sponsor political campaigns or events are not eligible as write-offs.

      Home Office Expenses

      Home office deductions are the most common write-offs, but many small business owners don't know about them. You should utilize this deduction to capitalize on tax savings if you have a home office.

      You have two alternatives from the IRS to figure your home office deductions.

      • In order to qualify for the standard option, you must determine what portion of your home is used for business versus personal purposes and then add that portion to all of your qualifying expenditures, including your mortgage interest, utilities, and insurance. To accomplish this, you must maintain thorough records of all pertinent business expenses.
      • The second option is a standard tax deduction of $5 per square foot, up to a maximum of 300 square feet and a maximum total of $1500 in deductions. 
      IRS tax form 1040

      Business Meals

      As a general rule, half of the cost of qualifying meals and drinks are eligible for tax deductions as long as it meets the following criteria:

      • The costs need to be common and integral to your regular business operations.
      • The meal should not be overly luxurious based on the situation. For example, a simple team dinner should not cost thousands of dollars.
      • The business owner or an employee should be present when the meal is consumed.

      You can also deduct 100% of your meal's cost if the meal provided is used to feed employees who are rendering overtime work. Remember to keep documentation of receipts and other records such as place and date and the purpose of the meal.

      Startup Costs

      Any money spent on research or starting a firm in the first year is referred to as a startup cost, including fees incurred to establish a corporation, partnership, or limited liability firm (LLC). Small businesses can deduct up to $5,000 in administrative and startup costs.

      When organizational or beginning costs exceed $50,000, the eligible startup deduction of $5,000 is decreased by the amount above $50,000 (e.g., startup costs of $53,000 will incur $2,000 in deductions. This amount is taken from $53,000 - $50,000 = $3,000; $5,000 - $3,000 = $2,000). Any remaining costs must be amortized, and no deductions will be made for costs amounting to $55,000+.

      Business Insurance Premiums

      Specific business insurances are eligible for tax deductions. If you have several insurances under your business, revisit them and see if you can write them off as tax deductions. Here are insurances you can deduct from your taxable income.

      • Insurance protection for the structures, furnishings, and machinery of your business
      • Health insurance for employees
      • Malpractice insurance
      • Insurance for business vehicles
      • Workers compensation insurance
      • Business interruption insurance

      Car Expenses for Business Use

      If you have a vehicle whose sole purpose is for your business operations, the vehicle expenses are eligible for tax deductions. There are two ways to write off the cost of using your car for business purposes. It's up to business owners which one to utilize to benefit their business.

      Method #1: Standard Mileage Rate: In this method, you need to multiply the vehicle's total miles covered in the year by the standard mileage rate. For 2023, the standard mileage rate for automobiles is 65.5 cents per mile, and 63.5 cents per mile for motorcycles.

      Method #2: Actual Expense Method: With this method, you track all the expenses you spend for your business vehicle—gas, oil, repairs, insurance, rental fees, and registration fees. Then, multiply it by the proportion of business-related miles driven.

      For example, if the miles on your vehicle are half used for business and personal, you can multiply your expenses by 50%. But, if the car is solely for business, the percentage is 100%. It is also important to note that you can only use one method per vehicle and cannot switch for an entire year.

      Education

      Some businesses offer workshops to their employees to improve their service quality. The IRS will examine your workshop expenses to see if it's used to improve skills related to your business. Anything that falls under educational purposes is 100% deductible from the taxable income.

      Here are examples of business education expenses valid for deductions.

      • Webinars and seminars
      • Skill improvement workshops
      • Subscription to related professional publications
      • Transportation expenses to and from educational sessions

      Travel Expenses

      You can deduct travel expenses related to your business operations. Travel expenses should be necessary and away from your tax home to qualify. Tax home is where your business is located and provides service. Travel business expense is deductible when you are away from your tax home for an entire workday or longer.

      Here are some IRS-approved travel business tax deductions.

      • Travel via bus, train, car or airplane
      • Using a personal car to drive to a business location
      • Parking and toll fees
      • Meals and accommodation expenses
      • Shipping of necessary materials to the business location

      It is important to keep records of your travel expenses. Essential details such as arrival and departure dates, the trip's purpose, and other travel expenses receipts should be documented.

      business expenses receipts

      Personal Deductions

      The abovementioned tax deduction can be claimed through Schedule C or Schedule K-1 forms. However, there are still available personal tax deductions small business owners can utilize for their income tax returns. Here are some of them.

      Charitable Contributions

      Sole proprietors, partnerships and LLCs cannot write off charitable contributions as a business expense. However, business owners can put them as tax write-offs for individual tax returns.

      For it to be tax deductible, your donation should be under a qualified organization. Tax payments can claim up to $300 as a deduction on form 1040. But, business owners can deduct more on Schedule A through itemized deductions.

      Child and Dependent Care Expenses

      You can be qualified for the child and dependent care credit if you pay someone to look after your child or a dependent. To qualify for the credit, the child receiving the care should be under 13. Other dependents should be someone who is mentally or physically unable to take care of themselves.

      You can get credit between 20% to 35% of your allowable expenses based on your income. Check out IRS Publication 503 to know more about child and dependent care expenses.

      It's Tax Time!

      Big tax deductions will significantly benefit businesses, especially small ones. There are many ways a business can reduce their taxes. Always remember to have proper documentation of receipts so that when tax season comes around, you can write off as much as possible.

      If you need professional help with your taxes, Unloop offers accounting services for ecommerce and small businesses. Our expert team can handle bookkeeping, payroll, forecasting, accounts payable, and taxes. Talk to a professional for free and book a call with us today.

      Read more

      Are you stuck in a bookkeeping pinch and don't have access to a computer or a laptop? That's a tough situation you’ve got there. As a business owner, you don't always have the luxury of sitting at your desk all day working on accounting tasks. There are other business matters to address, which may sometimes require you to be out of the office.

      You can always appoint a bookkeeping and accounting team to manage financial matters. Still, staying on top of what's happening is necessary. So, is there anything you can do about it? Yes, there is! If you're using QuickBooks online, you can use the mobile app to accomplish essential bookkeeping duties.

      Let us give you a quick overview of the convenience of mobile bookkeeping with QuickBooks.

      Mobile Bookkeeping and Accounting Basics: 8 Convenient Features of the QuickBooks App

      Mobile devices are used for almost anything nowadays. Most people bring their smartphones around with them, whether they’re for locating areas or for completing quick transactions. Conducting business on your smartphone is no exception. It's a fast and convenient way to get things done.

      This is why bookkeeping mobile apps must function correctly. It can be complicated, but a smooth mobile platform makes a significant difference. Here are eight convenient features of the QuickBooks mobile app that you'll appreciate.

      bookkeeping in quickbooks online - partial shot of laptop and mobile phone with quickbooks app icon on its screen

      Your Business on a Page: Mobile-Friendly Surface

      The dashboard, menu, and other pages of the QuickBooks Online mobile app differ from the desktop version. They are designed to fit the restricted screen space of mobile devices perfectly.

      The orientation is vertical rather than landscape for quick scrolling. Text is as concise as possible to avoid clutter. The page elements are also interactive, allowing you to expand the details when necessary.

      You can view a lot of vital business data at a glance. Examples are:

      • Profit summary
      • Expenses summary
      • Balance of your bank accounts
      • Balance sheets
      • Financial snapshots of invested equity, liabilities, debts, and assets
      • Monthly profit and loss

      Is this your first time using the mobile app? Don't worry. It is more user-friendly than other accounting or bookkeeping software. Should you experience a learning curve, seek the help of a professional bookkeeping team.

      Adding a Personal Touch: Customizable Receipts

      If you're in the mood for changing how your loans, sales receipts, invoices, and estimates appear, the QuickBooks Online mobile app allows you to customize them. You may change the logo and colour of an invoice or add attachments, notes, or photos for reference. You can also make them fit your branding personality.

      Connected Banking: Syncing Transactions

      Know what happens with your bank accounts using the mobile syncing feature in a matter of minutes. Connect securely with your bank and use smart matching to automatically record any transactions you or your company make. You may also view profit and loss, pay bills, and categorize the details you want to see.

      What if syncing is taking too long to update? In that case, consider adding your transactions manually. It will only require a couple of clicks; nothing you can't accomplish!

      Quick Receipts: Seamless Snapshots

      It is essential to keep and attach receipts to their corresponding bills. If you're out of the office and need to record certain expenses, simply take a quick snapshot of the receipt and upload it using the QuickBooks Online mobile app. This helps you monitor and organize your company expenses with ease.

      QuickBooks Online will then upload and sync them to the main website.

      Financial Data Protection: App Security Lock Options

      Your financial accounting information is highly confidential. You must ensure that you're the only one with access to make changes to the app. The QuickBooks Online mobile app offers different locking methods to control user access. Choose between using a PIN, touch ID, or the fingerprint method to sign in. Enabling third-party password manager support is another option.

      Invoice Chaser: Automated Invoice Reminder

      Sometimes, customers forget about invoice due dates. Thus, you need to track and remind them to do so to avoid any bookkeeping or accounting issues. But how can you manage when you already have a full plate? Manually tracking and reminding them will take too much time and effort.

      The QuickBooks Online mobile app has a feature called automated invoice reminders. It allows you to enable polite reminders for overdue or soon-to-be invoices. These reminders are sent a few days prior to or after their due date. You can also personalize the message to embody your branding personality.

      Attachment Reader: Flexible File Support

      Some mobile devices don't support specific file formats. You still have to install an app that can open them. But with mobile bookkeeping in QuickBooks, you can open various file types included in attachments. It could be a pdf, doc, or another accounting file type.

      The mobile app also supports multi-currency and negative prices and rates.

      Quick Banking: Easy Banking Actions

      You can perform more banking actions using the QuickBooks Online mobile app. Aside from syncing, you can access bank, credit card, and transaction feeds, which you can modify and refresh on demand. If you need to work on multiple transactions simultaneously, that is also possible with the app.

      Other banking actions include adding a new bank account, reconciling transactions from connected bank accounts, viewing card balances, and easy swiping to accept bank transactions.

      bank accounts recording expenses - magnifying glass zooming in on quickbooks online logo on a browser

      Why You Should Use QuickBooks Online for Accounting and Bookkeeping

      No bookkeeping software is doing it like QuickBooks. It is often preferable compared to other bookkeeping and accounting tools. That said, it could be better and will only work for some businesses out there.

      Still considering using QuickBooks Online? Here are reasons that might resonate with you.

      Logically Unbreakable Security

      Did you know that QuickBooks Online uses a 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer encryption? That alone is enough to demonstrate how secure their system is. It will require massive calculations and virtually thousands of years to break it! That's how secure this encryption method is.

      QuickBooks also uses a cloud-based accounting system. Your data is stored in the cloud, enabling access anytime and anywhere on the Internet. It's easy to control who can view and modify confidential financial data about your business. Your data is also updated in real time and comes with a backup.

      Flexible Pricing

      QuickBooks has something to offer for businesses with tight budgets. They have flexible pricing plans, a reason they're popular among small companies. The prices range from $7.50 per month to $90 per month, depending on your chosen plan. Each plan also offers a free setup, so you can start connecting bank accounts and cards.

      Seamless Integration

      QuickBooks is just one of many tools you can use for bookkeeping and accounting tasks. Juggling them can be confusing and overwhelming, so why not manage them all in one place? That's where QuickBooks's integration feature comes in. Connect your Amazon, Shopify, or other ecommerce platforms to it for easy transactions and inventory management.

      Customized Files

      While QuickBooks offers ready-to-use templates for generating invoices, business plans, stats, and spreadsheets, it also makes room for customization. Feel free to change the look and feel of your documents to make them stand out even more or match your branding.

      Take Your Business With You

      Keeping up with bookkeeping and accounting while you're out and about for other business matters may seem like a pipe dream. But QuickBooks brings this dream to a reality with their mobile app. You can now pay bills, record expenses, ask for invoices, view transactions and activity, generate reports, and secure your financial data anytime and anywhere.

      Sit back and relax, knowing your business finances are in good shape and that you can always fix them without a computer or laptop.

      Need a Helping Hand to Navigate QuickBooks? Try Unloop's Bookkeeping Business Services

      The more your business grows, the harder it is to handle bookkeeping. This is especially true for small companies with little to zero experience in professional bookkeeping with QuickBooks. In that case, why not consider working with Unloop?


      Our bookkeeping services specialize in ecommerce and inventory businesses. We’ll set up your stack, which includes QuickBooks for bookkeeping. We’ll also prepare your financial statements and work with your CPA or other CPA firms to help keep your taxes in check. Book a discovery call with us and talk to an expert for free!

      8 Convenient Features of Mobile Bookkeeping With QuickBooks
      Watch Now

      Are you stuck in a bookkeeping pinch and don't have access to a computer or a laptop? That's a tough situation you’ve got there. As a business owner, you don't always have the luxury of sitting at your desk all day working on accounting tasks. There are other business matters to address, which may sometimes require you to be out of the office.

      You can always appoint a bookkeeping and accounting team to manage financial matters. Still, staying on top of what's happening is necessary. So, is there anything you can do about it? Yes, there is! If you're using QuickBooks online, you can use the mobile app to accomplish essential bookkeeping duties.

      Let us give you a quick overview of the convenience of mobile bookkeeping with QuickBooks.

      Mobile Bookkeeping and Accounting Basics: 8 Convenient Features of the QuickBooks App

      Mobile devices are used for almost anything nowadays. Most people bring their smartphones around with them, whether they’re for locating areas or for completing quick transactions. Conducting business on your smartphone is no exception. It's a fast and convenient way to get things done.

      This is why bookkeeping mobile apps must function correctly. It can be complicated, but a smooth mobile platform makes a significant difference. Here are eight convenient features of the QuickBooks mobile app that you'll appreciate.

      bookkeeping in quickbooks online - partial shot of laptop and mobile phone with quickbooks app icon on its screen

      Your Business on a Page: Mobile-Friendly Surface

      The dashboard, menu, and other pages of the QuickBooks Online mobile app differ from the desktop version. They are designed to fit the restricted screen space of mobile devices perfectly.

      The orientation is vertical rather than landscape for quick scrolling. Text is as concise as possible to avoid clutter. The page elements are also interactive, allowing you to expand the details when necessary.

      You can view a lot of vital business data at a glance. Examples are:

      • Profit summary
      • Expenses summary
      • Balance of your bank accounts
      • Balance sheets
      • Financial snapshots of invested equity, liabilities, debts, and assets
      • Monthly profit and loss

      Is this your first time using the mobile app? Don't worry. It is more user-friendly than other accounting or bookkeeping software. Should you experience a learning curve, seek the help of a professional bookkeeping team.

      Adding a Personal Touch: Customizable Receipts

      If you're in the mood for changing how your loans, sales receipts, invoices, and estimates appear, the QuickBooks Online mobile app allows you to customize them. You may change the logo and colour of an invoice or add attachments, notes, or photos for reference. You can also make them fit your branding personality.

      Connected Banking: Syncing Transactions

      Know what happens with your bank accounts using the mobile syncing feature in a matter of minutes. Connect securely with your bank and use smart matching to automatically record any transactions you or your company make. You may also view profit and loss, pay bills, and categorize the details you want to see.

      What if syncing is taking too long to update? In that case, consider adding your transactions manually. It will only require a couple of clicks; nothing you can't accomplish!

      Quick Receipts: Seamless Snapshots

      It is essential to keep and attach receipts to their corresponding bills. If you're out of the office and need to record certain expenses, simply take a quick snapshot of the receipt and upload it using the QuickBooks Online mobile app. This helps you monitor and organize your company expenses with ease.

      QuickBooks Online will then upload and sync them to the main website.

      Financial Data Protection: App Security Lock Options

      Your financial accounting information is highly confidential. You must ensure that you're the only one with access to make changes to the app. The QuickBooks Online mobile app offers different locking methods to control user access. Choose between using a PIN, touch ID, or the fingerprint method to sign in. Enabling third-party password manager support is another option.

      Invoice Chaser: Automated Invoice Reminder

      Sometimes, customers forget about invoice due dates. Thus, you need to track and remind them to do so to avoid any bookkeeping or accounting issues. But how can you manage when you already have a full plate? Manually tracking and reminding them will take too much time and effort.

      The QuickBooks Online mobile app has a feature called automated invoice reminders. It allows you to enable polite reminders for overdue or soon-to-be invoices. These reminders are sent a few days prior to or after their due date. You can also personalize the message to embody your branding personality.

      Attachment Reader: Flexible File Support

      Some mobile devices don't support specific file formats. You still have to install an app that can open them. But with mobile bookkeeping in QuickBooks, you can open various file types included in attachments. It could be a pdf, doc, or another accounting file type.

      The mobile app also supports multi-currency and negative prices and rates.

      Quick Banking: Easy Banking Actions

      You can perform more banking actions using the QuickBooks Online mobile app. Aside from syncing, you can access bank, credit card, and transaction feeds, which you can modify and refresh on demand. If you need to work on multiple transactions simultaneously, that is also possible with the app.

      Other banking actions include adding a new bank account, reconciling transactions from connected bank accounts, viewing card balances, and easy swiping to accept bank transactions.

      bank accounts recording expenses - magnifying glass zooming in on quickbooks online logo on a browser

      Why You Should Use QuickBooks Online for Accounting and Bookkeeping

      No bookkeeping software is doing it like QuickBooks. It is often preferable compared to other bookkeeping and accounting tools. That said, it could be better and will only work for some businesses out there.

      Still considering using QuickBooks Online? Here are reasons that might resonate with you.

      Logically Unbreakable Security

      Did you know that QuickBooks Online uses a 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer encryption? That alone is enough to demonstrate how secure their system is. It will require massive calculations and virtually thousands of years to break it! That's how secure this encryption method is.

      QuickBooks also uses a cloud-based accounting system. Your data is stored in the cloud, enabling access anytime and anywhere on the Internet. It's easy to control who can view and modify confidential financial data about your business. Your data is also updated in real time and comes with a backup.

      Flexible Pricing

      QuickBooks has something to offer for businesses with tight budgets. They have flexible pricing plans, a reason they're popular among small companies. The prices range from $7.50 per month to $90 per month, depending on your chosen plan. Each plan also offers a free setup, so you can start connecting bank accounts and cards.

      Seamless Integration

      QuickBooks is just one of many tools you can use for bookkeeping and accounting tasks. Juggling them can be confusing and overwhelming, so why not manage them all in one place? That's where QuickBooks's integration feature comes in. Connect your Amazon, Shopify, or other ecommerce platforms to it for easy transactions and inventory management.

      Customized Files

      While QuickBooks offers ready-to-use templates for generating invoices, business plans, stats, and spreadsheets, it also makes room for customization. Feel free to change the look and feel of your documents to make them stand out even more or match your branding.

      Take Your Business With You

      Keeping up with bookkeeping and accounting while you're out and about for other business matters may seem like a pipe dream. But QuickBooks brings this dream to a reality with their mobile app. You can now pay bills, record expenses, ask for invoices, view transactions and activity, generate reports, and secure your financial data anytime and anywhere.

      Sit back and relax, knowing your business finances are in good shape and that you can always fix them without a computer or laptop.

      Need a Helping Hand to Navigate QuickBooks? Try Unloop's Bookkeeping Business Services

      The more your business grows, the harder it is to handle bookkeeping. This is especially true for small companies with little to zero experience in professional bookkeeping with QuickBooks. In that case, why not consider working with Unloop?


      Our bookkeeping services specialize in ecommerce and inventory businesses. We’ll set up your stack, which includes QuickBooks for bookkeeping. We’ll also prepare your financial statements and work with your CPA or other CPA firms to help keep your taxes in check. Book a discovery call with us and talk to an expert for free!

      Read more

      Stop guessing

      Know exactly where your ecommerce business stands financially.
      +1 877 421 7270
      228 Park Ave S #82849
      New York, NY 10003
      United States
      7676 Woodbine Ave #2
      Markham, ON L3R 2N2
      Canada
      228 Park Ave S #82849
      New York, NY 10003
      United States
      7676 Woodbine Ave #2
      Markham, ON L3R 2N2
      Canada
      About unloop

      Unloop is the first and only accounting firm exclusively servicing ecommerce and inventory businesses in the US and Canada. With the power of people and technology, our team dives deep into COGS and inventory accounting.. You are paired with a dedicated bookkeeping team that prepares accurate financial statements, financial forecasts, and can also pay bills or run payroll for you. Come tax time, everything is organized and ready to go, so you don't need to worry. Book a call with an ecommerce accountant today to learn more.

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