You hired someone to handle your bookkeeping. But how do you know it's actually being done well?
Most business owners discover bookkeeping issues not because they failed to supervise—but because they were never shown what good bookkeeping actually looks like.
If you've ever felt that quiet unease... wondering if your books are really as clean as you've been told... questioning whether all those reconciliations are actually happening... or simply wishing you knew what questions to ask—this guide is for you.
What Good Bookkeeping Actually Looks Like
A calm guide for business owners who want confidence in their numbers without doing the work themselves
What You'll Learn:
Inside this 11-page guide, you'll discover:
The non-negotiables of competent bookkeeping What should always be happening behind the scenes—and how to know if it's actually getting done
Green flags, yellow flags, and red flags Learn to recognize the patterns that tell you whether your bookkeeping is serving you well (without becoming suspicious or second-guessing everything)
Questions you're allowed to ask Clear, professional conversation starters that invite clarity without confrontation
The Calm, Empowered Owner Self-Assessment A simple scoring system to help you understand exactly where you stand right now
Your next step decision guide Whether you need a conversation, a second opinion, or just reassurance—you'll know your clearest path forward
Ready-to-use checklist Practical questions to ask your bookkeeper this month (or to evaluate potential bookkeepers before you hire)
This guide is for you if:
- You have a bookkeeper but aren't entirely sure what they're actually doing each month
- You're thinking about hiring a bookkeeper and want to know what standards to expect
- You've been handling bookkeeping yourself but feel like you're missing something important
- You've had that uncomfortable moment when your accountant asked a question you couldn't answer
- You want to feel confident in your numbers without becoming an accountant yourself
This guide is not for you if:
- You're looking for DIY bookkeeping tutorials (this is about oversight, not execution)
- You want to learn how to use QuickBooks or other accounting software
- You're hoping to save money by doing everything yourself
Why I created this guide:
In over 30 years of working with service-based business owners, I've seen the same pattern repeat: capable, intelligent people who trust their bookkeeper completely... until something happens that makes them question everything.
The problem is never that they failed to supervise properly. The problem is that no one ever showed them what competent bookkeeping actually looks like behind the scenes.
This guide exists to give you that clarity—calmly, clearly, and without requiring you to become an accountant yourself.
Because you deserve to feel confident in your numbers. You deserve to know what questions to ask. And you deserve support that reduces your stress instead of adding to it.
You're allowed to expect your numbers to be handled well.
Your guide-
Stacy Luft, MBA
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Understanding what good bookkeeping looks like is the first step toward becoming a Calm, Empowered Owner who trusts their numbers.
What happens after you download:
- Instant access to the complete 11-page guide (PDF)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is good bookkeeping supposed to include?
Competent bookkeeping includes monthly reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts (including bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and clearing accounts), consistent and accurate transaction categorization, timely month-end closes, professional documentation that another professional could follow, and financial reports that can be explained in plain language. Good bookkeeping should make your financial picture clearer each month, not more complicated.
How do I know if my bookkeeper is doing a good job?
Green flags include: your bookkeeper proactively explains unusual changes, month-end closes happen on a predictable schedule, you receive consistent reports you can use for decisions, and questions are welcomed and answered clearly. You should be able to ask basic questions like "How much cash do I actually have available?" and receive a clear, accurate answer in minutes—not a vague estimate or defensive response.
What are red flags in bookkeeping?
Red flags that deserve immediate attention include: statements like "don't worry about that account, it's fine" without explanation, inability to show reconciliation documentation when asked, consistent resistance to questions or requests for clarity, and discovery that basic reconciliations haven't been completed for multiple months. Multiple red flags together indicate it's time to bring in a second set of professional eyes for an objective review.
What questions should I ask my bookkeeper?
You can ask: "Can you walk me through how reconciliations are handled each month?", "Which accounts are included in your monthly reconciliation process?", "If another professional reviewed this file, would they be able to follow the work?", "What does a clean month-end close look like in your process?", and "How do you document adjustments or corrections?" These questions aren't interrogations—they're invitations for partnership and clarity. A confident professional will welcome them.
Do I need to understand accounting to oversee my bookkeeper?
No. As a business owner, you are not responsible for knowing how to reconcile accounts, understanding debits and credits, auditing your bookkeeper's work line by line, fixing errors you didn't create, or learning accounting just to feel safe. Your role is oversight, not execution. You need to know what questions to ask, expect clear and timely communication, and make decisions based on reliable numbers—but you don't need to become an accountant yourself.
What does monthly reconciliation mean?
Think of reconciliation like balancing your personal checkbook—but for every financial account your business uses. It means ensuring that what shows in your accounting software matches what's actually in your bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and other accounts. If your bookkeeper says "everything is reconciled" but can't show you how or when, that's like someone saying they've organized your house but you can't find anything. All balance sheet accounts should be reconciled monthly—not some, not occasionally, but all of them, every month.
When should I get a second opinion on my bookkeeping?
A second opinion is appropriate when you've had conversations with your bookkeeper and still feel uncertain, you're noticing multiple red flags that remain unaddressed, your gut tells you something isn't right even if you can't name exactly what, you've discovered that basic reconciliations haven't been completed in months, or you're about to make a significant business decision and want to ensure your numbers are solid. Getting a second opinion isn't paranoid—it's responsible business ownership.
What's the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant?
Bookkeeping is an accounting function supported by software—it's not just a software skill. A bookkeeper is responsible for the day-to-day recording of financial transactions, reconciling accounts, maintaining documentation, and producing regular financial reports. An accountant typically handles higher-level functions like tax preparation, financial analysis, strategic planning, and interpreting financial data. Both roles require competent professionals who can explain their work clearly and welcome questions.
How often should I receive financial reports from my bookkeeper?
You should receive financial reports on a consistent, predictable schedule—typically monthly after the month-end close is completed. Reports should follow the same structure month to month unless there is a clear reason for change. Work should be completed on a reasonable and agreed-upon timeline. If reports arrive late regularly with no communication about delays, or if the timeline keeps changing without explanation, these are yellow flags worth addressing.
What does it mean to be a Calm, Empowered Owner?
Being a Calm, Empowered Owner means you're the Calm CEO, not the Worried Accountant. As the Calm CEO, you know what questions to ask, expect clear and timely communication, make decisions based on reliable numbers, and trust your team while verifying the foundation is solid. You don't second-guess every transaction, learn QuickBooks shortcuts at midnight, feel responsible for catching every error, or lose sleep over account reconciliations. You can delegate the technical work and maintain appropriate oversight—these are not in conflict.
