SMALL BUSINESS FINANCE · BOOKKEEPING TIPS · PORTLAND, OR
The Blue Water Blog
Practical financial tips and bookkeeping advice to help small business owners stay organized, prepared, and in control of their money.
How to Manage Bookkeeping for Multiple Businesses
Owning more than one business can mean more opportunities, but it also means more financial records to manage. We have helped business owners organize their bookkeeping when transactions, accounts, and expenses start becoming difficult to keep straight across multiple businesses.
Cash Flow Tips for Business Owners During the Holiday Season
The holiday season can be an expensive time for business owners. Between payroll, bonuses, inventory, marketing, gifts, and year-end expenses, more money may be leaving your business than usual.
The Numbers Every Successful Business Owner Should Know
Running a business keeps you busy. Between serving clients, managing expenses, and handling everything else on your list, it is easy to focus on the money coming in without really knowing what your numbers are telling you.
What to Buy (and Not Buy) for Your Business Before Year-End
As year-end gets closer, I often hear business owners ask whether they should make purchases before December 31 to get the tax deduction. I have helped clients look at their numbers before making these decisions because spending money just to get a deduction does not automatically make it a smart business purchase. Before you start buying new equipment, software, or office furniture, here are a few things to consider.
Q4 Planning: What Does Your Business Need Next?
Q4 can sneak up quickly. I’ve helped business owners use their bookkeeping and financial reports to see what is working, what needs attention, and where to focus before year-end. You still have time to make meaningful changes before the year is over.
5 Signs Your Bookkeeping Needs a Cleanup
Running a business gets busy, and bookkeeping can quickly fall behind. We’ve helped business owners who thought their books were fine until we looked closer and found incorrect balances, uncategorized transactions, payment processor issues, and old invoices affecting their reports. Here are five signs your books may need a cleanup.
Mid-Year Financial Reset Checklist for Business Owners
Missing transactions, unreconciled accounts, and months of bookkeeping can quietly pile up. A mid-year review can help you determine whether your books are on track or whether it is time for a bookkeeping clean up. Use this checklist to see if your bookkeeping needs attention.
Is Your Bookkeeping Software Set Up Correctly?
As your business grows, your bookkeeping software should grow with it. I help clients who have been using the same setup for years, only to discover it is no longer supporting their business. The software itself is not usually the problem. It is how it has been set up and maintained over time.
How to Review Your Business Expenses Each Month
Running a business comes with a steady stream of expenses, and it is easy to pay them without taking a closer look. I often help clients who are surprised to discover they are spending more than expected in certain areas, or missing opportunities to reduce costs.
Cash Flow is Becoming a Bigger Focus than ever in 2026
With rising costs, economic uncertainty, and changing customer spending habits, cash flow is becoming a bigger focus than ever in 2026.
Preparing Your Business Finances Before Vacation
Taking a vacation as a business owner can be difficult when you're worried about what might happen while you're away. I've helped many clients prepare their finances before time off so they can enjoy their vacation without stressing about bookkeeping, cash flow, unpaid invoices, or missed bills.
What Business Owners Often Get Wrong About Accounting Basics
Many business owners are experts in their industry, but accounting is often something they learn along the way. I've helped many clients gain clarity around their numbers simply by understanding a few key accounting basics.
Costly Payroll Mistakes Small Business Owners Often Make
Payroll mistakes can become expensive quickly for small businesses. Between payroll taxes, deadlines, employee classifications, overtime rules, and compliance requirements, even small payroll errors can create penalties, cash flow issues, and unnecessary stress.
The Risks of Automated Bookkeeping Business Owners Should Know
AI and automated bookkeeping tools are becoming more common in business finance, and there is no question they can save time.
The Pricing Mistakes That Keep Small Businesses Stuck
One of the biggest things we see behind the scenes is businesses making sales but still struggling with profit. And many times, pricing is a major reason why.
A Simple Guide to Tax Planning for Solopreneurs and Small Businesses
One thing I hear often from business owners is that taxes feel stressful and unpredictable, especially after tax season is over and there is little clarity on what to do next. Many of the clients I work with come to us unsure of what they will owe or how to prepare for it.
Common Budgeting Mistakes Business Owners Make
Business budgeting is just as important as personal budgeting because your business is what funds your personal life. If your business finances are not managed well, it becomes very difficult to pay yourself consistently, save, or plan ahead personally.
What Percentage of Revenue Should You Allocate to Expenses, Taxes, and Profit?
One of the biggest challenges I see with business owners is not knowing where their money should go each month. I have worked with many clients who were bringing in good revenue but still felt stressed because they were unsure how much to spend, how much to save for taxes, and whether they were actually making a profit. Once I helped them break their numbers down into simple percentages, everything started to feel clearer and more manageable.
What Monthly Bookkeeping Actually Includes (And Why the Frequency Matters)
Monthly bookkeeping for small business is more than a task list. Here's what actually happens each month, why the frequency matters, and what you should be receiving.
8 Ways to Tell if Your Business Is Doing Well Financially
One thing we hear often from business owners is, “I feel busy, but I am not sure if my business is actually doing well financially.” We have worked with many clients who were bringing in sales but still felt unsure about their financial position. Once we walked through a few key numbers together and put simple systems in place, they finally had clarity on where they stood and what needed to improve.
Ready to Stop Doing This Yourself?
Schedule a free consultation. Let’s find the right bookkeeping plan for your business.