Spring cleaning is a staple in households for a reason. Over time, things get pretty messy—especially when you’re busy. And in business, the same thing can happen to your accounting books. Do your books need tidying up? Use our bookkeeping clean-up checklist to get started.
In this article, we’ll go over:
- 为什么不好的簿记对业务不利
- How to fix bad bookkeeping: 6 Tips
- 簿记清理清单
为什么不好的簿记对业务不利
无论如何，如果您的书有点混乱，有什么大不了的？凌乱，不完整和不准确的簿记可能会导致一系列问题不仅仅是时间。簿记不良也可能导致巨大的IRS处罚和（gasp!)audits.
Here are some specific issues you may have to deal with as a result of messy books:
- 麻烦获得商业贷款或投资
- 财务状况不正确的情况
- Overwithdrawals
- Missed opportunities (e.g., tax deductions or credits)
- 罚款不准确
- 无法找到关键记录
- Wasted time
- 记录中的不一致之处
In short, bad bookkeeping puts your time and money—and maybe even your business—on the line. If you find yourself dealing with any of the above issues, it might be time to give your books some TLC.
How to fix bad bookkeeping: 6 Tips
If you struggle with disorganization in accounting, you need to know how to fix bad bookkeeping.
Take a look at the following tips on how to clean up messy bookkeeping.
1.检查数据输入错误
您需要记录每项业务交易。老实说，有a lot记录。因此，您可能会不时结束数据输入错误。
当您在书籍中输入不正确的信息时，会出现数据输入错误。这可能是由于错误：
- 善变的debits and credits
- 制造transposition errors（例如，写作24对42）
- Entering the wrong numbers
检查是否有数据输入错误，以清理并清理您的书籍。您可以在每个报告期结束时仔细检查工作并准备试用余额，从而找到这些类型的错误。
At some point, you might do the opposite of a data entry error, too. You may forget to record a transaction, which is an error of omission. Failing to record every transaction throws off your books (aka bad bookkeeping!).
To fix bad books due to errors of omission, comb through your records (e.g., receipts). Record any omitted entries in your books for the correct accounting period.
2. Reconcile your accounts
How often do you reconcile your accounting accounts (e.g., assets)? If you don’t reconcile your books with your external account balances (e.g., bank account), you’re going to be left with bad books.
调解帐户是将您在会计簿中记录的内容与银行或信用卡声明中的交易进行比较的过程。
事务should match. If they don’t, adjust your records to match your bank or credit card statement to your accounting entries.
例如，您可能需要调整书籍以包括：
- Bank service fees
- 不足的资金检查
- Interest earned
Likewise, you might have to adjust your bank statement balance for:
- Deposits in transit (i.e., increase the bank statement balance by the deposit in transit amounts)
- Outstanding checks (i.e., subtract the outstanding check amounts from the bank statement balance)
So, how often should you do银行对帐单对帐? Try to aim for reconciling your accounts each month for tidy books.
3. Make adjusting entries
调整条目是确保您在正确的会计期内记录交易的关键。同样，您必须在找到数据输入错误并调和书籍后将其制作。
You can also create adjusting entries to record depreciation and amortization, an allowance for doubtful accounts, and accrued revenue or expenses.
有三个调整条目类别：
- Accruals: Revenues or expenses that have not been recorded or received or paid
- 延期：Revenues or expenses that have been recorded but not yet earned or used
- 估计：非现金项目，例如可疑帐户的津贴
Prepare adjusting entries like you do regular journal entries. Simply debit one account and credit the other.
4. Look for duplicates
Spring cleaning is a time for decluttering. You know, getting rid of duplicate items that you may not need.
The same goes for your bookkeeping clean-up checklist. Find and remove duplicates to get rid of unnecessary clutter and save your books from inaccuracies.
A duplicate journal entry can show you have more or less money than you have. To find duplicates, reconcile your accounts.
5. Upgrade the way you manage your books
通常，凌乱的书是唱片保存过程不佳的结果。对于Spick和Span Books，您可能会考虑将久经考验的电子表格或纸质记录升级到软件。
vwin158 可以帮助您将记录保留在一个可访问的空间中。另外，您可以获得诸如自动银行交易进口，机器学习以及接受信用卡付款的能力之类的功能。而且，您可以快速生成关键财务报表，例如您的P＆L和资产负债表。
Using accounting software can help tidy up your books, streamline the way you manage them, and give you financial data at your fingertips.
6. Consult an accounting professional
有时，您太忙了，无法进行会计清理。或者，您可能不知道可以做些什么来修复它们。会计专业人员可以帮助您解开并清理会计记录。
Hiring an accountant can help:
- Free up your time
- Improve the accuracy of your books
- Give you peace of mind
- 修复会计错误
簿记清理清单
When it comes to tidying up your books, create a checklist to help you track what needs done and cross items off your to-do list. To get started, use our bookkeeping clean-up checklist below.
