More Than Compliance: Why Good Bookkeeping Still Matters Today

In my last post, I shared the story of Luca Pacioli, the Renaissance mathematician who gave the world double-entry bookkeeping. Back then, there were no tax authorities breathing down anyone’s neck. No deadlines. No penalties. Just merchants who wanted to know where they stood. Fast forward to today, and most business owners still face that … Read more

Why the First Bookkeepers Didn’t Worry About Tax Returns

When you think of bookkeeping, you probably think of receipts, tax returns, and filing deadlines. But the truth is, bookkeeping began centuries before any of those obligations existed – and for a much more practical reason. In 1494, an Italian mathematician and Franciscan friar named Luca Pacioli published a book called Summa de Arithmetica. Tucked … Read more

Three Small Habits That Make Month-End Less Stressful (and Help Your Big 3)

Running a business can feel like spinning plates. Between serving your customers, finding new ones, and trying to keep the numbers in order, it’s easy to feel like the financial side is always playing catch-up. Over the years, I’ve found nearly every business owner I meet is ultimately thinking about what I call The Big 3: … Read more

Your Books Aren’t as Messy as You Think

If you’ve ever felt embarrassed about the state of your books, you’re definitely not alone. Nearly every business owner I meet says the same thing: “I’m sorry – it’s probably worse than anything you’ve seen.” Spoiler alert: it almost never is. I’ve been there myself. When I started my own limited company over 30 years … Read more

From Skeptic to Bookkeeping Convert

I’ll be honest – there was a time when I thought bookkeeping sounded about as exciting as watching paint dry. Then, not too long ago, I decided to join an AAT Level 1 course at Petroc. Just one evening a week – mainly to keep my brain busy alongside other courses like British Sign Language … Read more