Why Hire a Freelance Bookkeeper

Why Hiring A Freelance Bookkeeper Boosts Your Business Success

A freelance bookkeeper handles your financial records, compliance, and cash flow management on a flexible, cost-effective basis, freeing you to focus on revenue-generating activities while gaining accurate insights for smarter business decisions. This professional partnership typically saves small business owners 10-15 hours monthly and delivers returns exceeding three times the service cost within the first year.

As CEO of Complete Controller for over two decades, I’ve watched countless entrepreneurs transform their businesses simply by stepping away from their QuickBooks screens. My team and I have guided thousands of SMEs through financial chaos, and here’s what I’ve learned: the difference between struggling businesses and scaling ones often comes down to who’s managing the books. Smart owners delegate numbers to focus on growth—and the data backs this up. With 1.57 billion freelancers now working globally and the freelance market projected to reach $16.89 billion by 2029, the professional bookkeeping talent available today can revolutionize how you run your business. Download A Free Financial Toolkit

What does hiring a freelance bookkeeper actually do for your business?

  • A freelance bookkeeper manages your financial records, tax compliance, and cash flow on a flexible schedule that fits your budget and needs
  • They provide expert transaction categorization, bank reconciliation, and invoice management using professional tools like QuickBooks
  • Professional bookkeepers create accurate financial reports and forecasts that guide strategic decisions
  • They maximize tax deductions and prevent costly IRS penalties through meticulous record-keeping
  • Freelance services scale with your business growth without the overhead of full-time employment

Time Liberation:
How Professional Bookkeeping Returns Your Most Valuable Asset

Small business owners typically invest 8-12 hours monthly on basic bookkeeping tasks, with complex businesses requiring up to 20 hours—that’s nearly a full work week every month spent on financial administration instead of business development. This time drain represents more than lost productivity; it’s a direct hit to your bottom line.

The real cost of DIY financial management

When you calculate the opportunity cost of handling your own books, the numbers become stark. A business owner earning $75 per hour who spends 15 hours monthly on bookkeeping sacrifices $13,500 annually in potential revenue-generating time. That calculation doesn’t include the stress of working evenings and weekends to catch up on reconciliations or the mental fatigue that comes from switching between strategic thinking and data entry.

The hidden time costs multiply when you factor in:

  • Learning and troubleshooting accounting software updates
  • Researching tax law changes and compliance requirements
  • Correcting errors that compound over multiple months
  • Preparing documentation for tax filing or financial reviews

Technology can’t replace professional judgment

Modern accounting platforms like QuickBooks Online and Xero have streamlined many bookkeeping processes, but automation has limits. Complex transactions still require human expertise—from allocating prepaid expenses to managing accrual adjustments. Even with sophisticated software, manual oversight consumes hours monthly for review, reconciliation of discrepancies, and exception handling.

Pro insight from my Complete Controller experience: One retail client discovered their “time-saving” accounting app had miscategorized $40,000 in inventory purchases as office supplies over six months. The cleanup took 30 hours and nearly triggered an audit. A professional bookkeeper would have caught this error immediately.

Financial Precision:
The Foundation of Business Confidence

A freelance bookkeeper brings specialized expertise that prevents the costly mistakes plaguing 40% of small businesses that receive IRS penalties annually. Professional accuracy goes beyond avoiding fines—it creates the financial clarity needed for confident decision-making and sustainable growth.

Compliance without complications

Tax regulations change constantly, and missing updates can trigger significant penalties. The IRS can impose 20% accuracy-related penalties on businesses that underpay due to poor record-keeping. On a $20,000 understatement, that’s a $4,000 penalty plus interest—far exceeding annual bookkeeping costs.

Professional bookkeepers maintain:

  • Audit-ready documentation organized to IRS standards
  • Timely filing calendars that prevent late penalties
  • Proper expense categorization maximizing legal deductions
  • Updated knowledge of changing tax regulations

Strategic tax optimization

Expert bookkeepers don’t just record transactions—they identify opportunities. Through proper timing of expenses and comprehensive deduction tracking, professionals frequently save clients thousands during tax season. One study found businesses recover an average of $6,000 annually just by fixing common categorization errors and implementing proper systems. Complete Controller. America’s Bookkeeping Experts

Cash Flow Mastery:
From Survival to Strategic Growth

Cash flow problems kill more businesses than lack of profitability, yet most entrepreneurs only discover shortfalls when it’s too late. A freelance bookkeeper monitors your financial pulse continuously, creating forecasts and budgets that prevent liquidity crises before they threaten operations.

Proactive financial monitoring

Professional bookkeepers track:

  • Accounts receivable aging to accelerate collections
  • Payment cycles optimizing vendor relationships
  • Seasonal fluctuations requiring cash reserves
  • Growth indicators signaling expansion readiness

Case Study Impact: A boutique retailer partnering with outsourced bookkeeping services improved cash visibility and reduced shortages by 40% within six months. The key? Weekly cash position reports that highlighted slow-moving inventory and collection opportunities the owner had missed while juggling daily operations.

Looking for bookkeeping support you can rely on? Explore Complete Controller.

Cost Efficiency:
The Mathematics of Smart Outsourcing

Hiring a freelance bookkeeper costs 30-50% less than full-time employment while delivering superior expertise and flexibility. The financial comparison reveals overwhelming advantages for businesses seeking professional financial management without fixed overhead.

Breaking down the numbers

Cost FactorFreelance BookkeeperFull-Time Employee
Annual Cost$9,600-$14,400 (20 hrs/mo)$60,000-$90,000+
Benefits & TaxesNone$15,000-$25,000
Software & EquipmentIncluded$2,000-$5,000
Training & ManagementNone40-60 hours annually
ScalabilityInstant adjustmentHiring/firing complexity

Hidden savings multiply returns

Beyond direct cost comparisons, freelance bookkeeping eliminates:

  • Recruitment and onboarding expenses
  • Technology infrastructure investments
  • Management time for employee oversight
  • Costs of errors requiring professional cleanup

Research indicates businesses achieve 3x return on bookkeeping investment within twelve months through combined savings and recovered opportunity costs.

Scalability and Strategic Insights:
Growing Without Growing Pains

As your business expands, a freelance bookkeeper adapts services instantly—from basic transaction recording to complex financial analysis. This flexibility proves invaluable for startups and growing firms facing unpredictable needs.

Customized solutions for every stage

Freelance bookkeepers offer:

  • Hourly arrangements for minimal needs
  • Monthly retainers providing predictable costs
  • Specialized expertise added as complexity grows
  • Seamless transition to larger firms when needed

From my Complete Controller portfolio: We helped a software startup scale from $200K to $1M revenue by identifying pricing inefficiencies and cash flow patterns invisible to the founder. The bookkeeper’s fresh perspective uncovered margin improvements worth $75,000 annually—paying for services many times over.

Selecting Your Ideal Freelance Bookkeeper:
A Strategic Approach

Finding the right bookkeeping partner requires evaluating expertise, technology proficiency, and industry experience. Most top search results skip this critical implementation guidance, leaving business owners uncertain about the selection process.

Essential evaluation criteria

Prioritize candidates demonstrating:

  • Current certifications in QuickBooks or similar platforms
  • Specific experience in your industry vertical
  • Clear communication protocols and response times
  • References from businesses of similar size
  • Data security measures protecting sensitive information

Quick-start onboarding process

  1. Share read-only access to existing financial accounts
  2. Establish weekly check-ins for the first month
  3. Define key performance indicators like monthly reporting dates
  4. Review progress at 30 days and adjust scope as needed
  5. Gradually expand responsibilities as trust builds

Conclusion

Hiring a freelance bookkeeper transforms your business through recovered time, enhanced accuracy, improved cash flow, cost efficiency, and scalable expertise that grows with your ambitions. After twenty years leading Complete Controller, I’ve witnessed this transformation countless times—business owners finally focusing on what they do best while professionals handle the numbers that make growth possible.

The data speaks clearly: professional bookkeeping delivers returns exceeding 300% while freeing up to 20 hours monthly for revenue generation. Your competitors who’ve already made this shift aren’t spending weekends reconciling accounts—they’re planning their next market move. Ready to join them? Visit Complete Controller to connect with our expert team and discover how professional freelance bookkeeping can accelerate your business success. CorpNet. Start A New Business Now

Frequently Asked Questions About Freelance Bookkeepers

What exactly does a freelance bookkeeper do for my business?

Freelance bookkeepers manage transaction recording, bank reconciliations, invoice processing, financial reporting, tax preparation support, and cash flow monitoring—all remotely using cloud-based tools, providing the same services as in-house staff at a fraction of the cost.

How much should I expect to pay a freelance bookkeeper?

Freelance bookkeepers typically charge $25-$50 hourly or $300-$900 monthly for retainer arrangements, depending on transaction volume and complexity—significantly less than the $60,000-$90,000 total cost of full-time employment.

Is a freelance bookkeeper better than hiring full-time for my small business?

For most small businesses, freelance bookkeepers offer superior value through cost savings of 50-70%, instant scalability, specialized expertise, and elimination of employment overhead while providing the same quality of service.

Will a freelance bookkeeper really save me time as a business owner?

Yes—business owners typically reclaim 10-15 hours monthly by outsourcing bookkeeping, time worth $6,000-$18,000 annually in opportunity costs that can be redirected toward growth activities and revenue generation.

How do I find a trustworthy freelance bookkeeper for my business?

Look for certified professionals with strong references, industry-specific experience, secure technology practices, and clear communication protocols—platforms like Upwork or specialized firms like Complete Controller pre-vet qualified candidates to simplify your search.

Sources

Cubicle to Cloud virtual business About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. LastPass – Family or Org Password Vault
author avatar
Jennifer Brazer Founder/CEO
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Reviewed By: reviewer avatar Brittany McMillen
reviewer avatar Brittany McMillen
Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.

4 Easy Steps to Repair Your Credit Score

Discussion

When you have a better credit score, you are able to obtain loans with better terms and lower interest rate. You need a good credit score, it is necessary to borrow money for some personal reasons includes a car loan, credit card and a home loan etc. You can also purchase inventories and get the facility for the startup and growth of the business. Repairing a credit score is the major problem for the improvement of professional work. It only depends on the situation. However, if you do not have a good credit score, it is important to settle some of your debts to improve your credit score.

Here are four important steps that repair your credit score.

1.   Review your credit report

You should review your credit reports. There are so many credit bureaus that are required to review your credit report. They can provide you a copy without any charges once a year. These credit bureaus include Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

There is another way to check and review your credit report, Credit Karma. It is the free services that provide an accurate credit report. Only you have to sign up and make an account on that site. And then you can easily see your credit score and view all the information that is contained on your report. Somehow your entries might be same but not always. A credit report is rarely identical across all credit bureaus.

2.   Pay your bills on time

Another way to repair your credit scores, to pay your bills on time. Moreover thirty-five percent of total credit scores are based on the payment history. The payment history shows your ability to make your payments on time. You will receive a payment notification on time once you paid your bills. In case, you receive late payment notification and potential insufficient funds (NFS) fees insufficient money in your account. Then your credit score will be affected adversely. So, it is important to pay your bills on time. You can also pay your bills in advance.

3.   Lower your credit utilization ratio

The credit utilization ratio is considering thirty percent of your credit score. Credit utilization ratio is one of the most visualize financial term. It shows the revolving debt and availability of revolving credit. You can also calculate your total revolving debt by dividing your total available revolving debt. Many lenders borrow less than thirty percent of credit that is less risky. However, a credit utilization ratio of fifty percent is the lower threshold of the credit score. Hence, to work with forty-nine percent maximum credit utilization ratios repairs the credit score. It is mainly closer to thirty percent where you can get better control over credit score.

4.   Close all your new credit cards

The last step to repair your credit score to close all your new credit cards. If you have a low credit utilization ratio than you can easily repair your credit score. If you have few credit cards then you can easily get a good credit score.

In this way, close your all new credit cards and keep your old cards. If you close your previous cards then you will definitely lose your payment history. You could also increase the limit on your credit cards. There are two important mechanisms in this step. The first one is to transfer all your account balance to the card with the longest payment history and the second is to avoid the temptation of shopping on credit.

 

 

Check out America's Best Bookkeepers
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing services to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks file, critical financial documents and back office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of US based accounting professionals are certified QuickBooks™️ ProAdvisor’s providing bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay services. With flat rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost effective expert accounting solution for business, family office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Creative Management Benefits Now

Unlocking Creative Management Benefits for Innovative Success

Creative management benefits include increased efficiency, adaptability, brand strength, employee satisfaction, and operational agility that drive measurable business growth and sustainable competitive advantage. These benefits transform organizations by streamlining workflows, reducing administrative burden on creative teams by up to 35%, and delivering tangible ROI through improved project execution and resource optimization.

Leading Complete Controller for over two decades has taught me that businesses either innovate or stagnate—there’s rarely middle ground. I’ve watched countless companies struggle with creative bottlenecks, burned-out teams, and missed opportunities while their competitors soared past them. The difference? Strategic creative management that balances innovation with operational excellence. This article reveals the five core benefits of creative management, practical implementation strategies that actually work, and real-world examples of companies achieving 10X growth through structured creative frameworks. You’ll discover how to reclaim your team’s creative time, boost engagement by 23%, and build a culture where innovation thrives alongside profitability. Download A Free Financial Toolkit

What are creative management benefits and how do they unlock innovative success?

  • Creative management benefits include increased efficiency, adaptability, brand strength, employee satisfaction, and operational agility
  • Efficiency gains manifest through streamlined workflows that eliminate bottlenecks and reduce non-creative tasks by 35%
  • Adaptability improvements help organizations pivot quickly during market changes and technological disruptions
  • Brand strength develops through consistent messaging and unified creative vision across all channels
  • Employee satisfaction increases through recognition programs, flexible work arrangements, and creative autonomy

The Core Creative Management Benefits Every Business Needs

Creative management transforms chaotic creative processes into strategic business assets that consistently deliver results. According to Monotype’s 2025 research, 57% of creative teams waste more than a quarter of their time on non-creative administrative tasks—a staggering productivity drain that creative management directly addresses.

The most successful organizations implement structured frameworks that balance creative freedom with operational discipline. These frameworks create clear pathways for ideas to move from concept to execution while maintaining quality standards and brand consistency. Companies with dedicated creative operations roles rate themselves as 88% effective at balancing creativity with business needs, compared to just 45% for those without structured approaches.

Key efficiency improvements include:

  • Automated workflow systems that reduce project turnaround times by 40%
  • Centralized asset management that eliminates version control issues
  • Standardized approval processes that cut review cycles from weeks to days
  • Resource allocation tools that match talent to projects strategically
  • Performance dashboards that track ROI on creative investments

Cross-department collaboration accelerates when creative management breaks down traditional silos. Marketing, sales, product development, and customer service teams align around shared creative assets and messaging, multiplying the impact of every creative initiative. This integrated approach produces campaigns that resonate across touchpoints and drive consistent brand experiences.

Building Sustainable Competitive Advantage Through Creative Excellence

Organizations that master creative management build moats their competitors struggle to cross. Strong brand identity emerges naturally when creative teams have clear guidelines, adequate resources, and strategic direction. Customers recognize and trust brands that communicate consistently, whether through social media, packaging, or customer service interactions.

Employee engagement skyrockets when creative professionals feel valued and empowered. Gallup’s analysis of 2.7 million employees found that highly engaged teams drive 23% higher profitability and experience 43% lower turnover in low-turnover organizations. Creative management directly impacts these metrics by providing clear career paths, recognition for innovative work, and tools that eliminate frustrating bottlenecks.

Innovation cycles compress dramatically under effective creative management. Instead of months-long development processes plagued by miscommunication and rework, teams launch new concepts in weeks. This speed advantage proves crucial in fast-moving markets where first-movers capture disproportionate market share. Companies leveraging agile creative methodologies report 30% increased efficiency and 65% improved financial performance according to McKinsey research.

Real-World Impact: Strategic Creative Management at Scale

Imperfect Foods faced a critical challenge in 2021: their small internal creative team couldn’t match the content velocity needed for explosive growth. Partnering with Superside’s creative operations platform transformed their capabilities overnight. The company submitted 168 creative projects that year, primarily motion graphics their internal team lacked bandwidth to produce.

By implementing templating strategies and structured workflows, Imperfect Foods increased design capacity by 10X while saving $250,000 in production costs. Their TikTok campaigns achieved remarkable results: 25% lower customer acquisition costs compared to other channels, 47% stronger click-through rates, and 50% improved conversion rates when paired with strategic partnerships. This case study demonstrates how creative management multiplies both output and outcomes. Complete Controller. America’s Bookkeeping Experts

Building Creative Culture That Drives Results

Leadership commitment forms the foundation of successful creative management. Leaders who champion experimentation, celebrate calculated risks, and invest in creative infrastructure see returns that extend far beyond individual projects. These leaders understand that creativity requires both structure and freedom—seemingly opposite forces that creative management reconciles.

Diverse teams produce stronger creative outcomes by bringing varied perspectives to every challenge. Cross-functional collaboration becomes natural when creative management systems facilitate easy communication and resource sharing. Marketing insights inform product design, customer feedback shapes messaging, and operational constraints inspire innovative solutions.

Modern creative management relies on technology platforms that unify teams, projects, and resources. These tools eliminate the friction that kills creativity: lost files, unclear feedback, missed deadlines, and resource conflicts. The right technology stack transforms creative chaos into orchestrated innovation.

Essential creative management tools include:

  • Project management platforms with creative-specific features
  • Digital asset management systems with intelligent tagging
  • Collaborative review and approval workflows
  • Resource planning and capacity management tools
  • Analytics dashboards that connect creative work to business outcomes

The Human Side of Creative Management Excellence

Burnout devastates creative teams, yet many organizations ignore warning signs until top talent leaves. Research shows burnout symptoms are 15% lower among hybrid workers, with 82% reporting greater happiness and motivation with flexible arrangements. Creative management must prioritize human sustainability alongside business outcomes.

Smart organizations implement flexible working options that respect creative rhythms. Some people produce their best work at dawn, others at midnight. Some need silence, others thrive in collaboration. Creative management accommodates these differences through policies that value outcomes over hours logged.

Recognition programs specifically designed for creative contributions dramatically impact retention. Well-recognized employees are 45% less likely to leave after two years, and companies with strong recognition programs see 31% lower overall turnover. Creative management builds recognition into daily operations, not just annual reviews.

Effective wellbeing initiatives include:

  • Flexible hours that accommodate creative workflows
  • Mental health resources specifically for creative professionals
  • Sabbatical programs for long-term creative renewal
  • Learning budgets for skill development and inspiration
  • Collaborative spaces designed for both focus and interaction

Your Blueprint for Creative Management Success

Start by auditing your current creative workflows to identify friction points. Map how ideas move from concept to completion, noting every handoff, approval, and revision cycle. This baseline assessment reveals opportunities for immediate improvement and helps prioritize technology investments.

Invest strategically in technology that addresses your specific bottlenecks. Generic project management tools rarely serve creative teams well—look for platforms designed specifically for creative workflows. The right tools pay for themselves through time savings and improved output quality within months.

Launch recognition programs that celebrate both creative excellence and operational efficiency. Creative management succeeds when teams understand that innovation and execution deserve equal praise. Public recognition, career advancement opportunities, and performance bonuses aligned with creative metrics drive sustained engagement.

Foster diverse team cultures through intentional hiring and development practices. Creative management thrives when different perspectives collide productively. Build teams that balance creative visionaries with operational experts, risk-takers with quality guardians, and specialists with generalists.

Measure outcomes consistently using metrics that matter. Track project velocity, resource utilization, employee satisfaction, and creative ROI. Regular measurement reveals what works, what doesn’t, and where to focus improvement efforts. Successful creative management evolves based on data, not assumptions.

Final Thoughts

Two decades building Complete Controller taught me that creative management separates thriving businesses from those merely surviving. The data proves what I’ve witnessed firsthand: structured creative management delivers 35% time savings, 23% profitability increases, and dramatic improvements in employee satisfaction and retention.

Your creative team holds untapped potential that proper management unlocks. By implementing the strategies outlined here—from workflow optimization to wellbeing initiatives—you’ll build an organization where innovation becomes predictable, not accidental. The companies winning tomorrow are investing in creative management today. Don’t let your competition get there first. Connect with our team at Complete Controller to discover how expert financial and operational guidance can amplify your creative management success. CorpNet. Start A New Business Now

Frequently Asked Questions About Creative Management Benefits

What specific metrics should I track to measure creative management ROI?

Track project completion times, resource utilization rates, employee satisfaction scores, creative asset reuse percentages, and revenue attributed to creative campaigns. Leading organizations also measure time saved on administrative tasks and client satisfaction ratings.

How long does it take to see results from implementing creative management systems?

Initial improvements in workflow efficiency typically appear within 30-60 days. Significant cultural shifts and measurable ROI generally emerge after 3-6 months of consistent implementation. Full transformation often requires 12-18 months.

What’s the difference between creative management and project management?

Creative management specifically addresses the unique challenges of creative work: subjective feedback, iterative processes, inspiration timing, and portfolio diversity. While project management focuses on timelines and deliverables, creative management balances artistic excellence with business objectives.

How can small businesses implement creative management without large budgets?

Start with free or low-cost tools, focus on process documentation, establish clear creative briefs, and implement simple recognition programs. Many creative management principles cost nothing to implement—they simply require commitment and consistency.

What are the biggest mistakes companies make when implementing creative management?

Over-controlling creative processes, ignoring team feedback, choosing generic tools over creative-specific solutions, measuring only efficiency without quality, and expecting overnight transformation instead of gradual improvement.

Sources

  • Adobe for Business. “Creative operations management guide.” 2024.
  • Bonsai. “Creative resource management: A guide for creative teams.” 2024.
  • Brazer, Jennifer. Personal experience and leadership insights, Complete Controller.
  • Complete Controller. “The Leadership Style Best to Run an Organization.”
  • Gallup. “The Benefits of Employee Engagement.” Meta-analysis of Q12 data across 2.7 million employees. 2020.
  • Harvard Business School Online. “The Importance of Creativity in Business.” 2022.
  • IA Magazine. “6 Traditional and Creative Benefits to Offer Employees.” 2024.
  • Kudoboard. “Why Employee Recognition Is Essential for Retention in 2025.”
  • McKinsey & Company. “In pursuit of value—not work.”
  • Monotype Imaging Inc. “Scaling Creative Operations Report.” September 2025.
  • Reward Gateway UK. “8 Creative Employee Benefit Ideas.” 2024.
  • StreamWork. “What Is Creative Process Management?” 2024.
  • Superside. “9 Benefits to Expect From a Creative Services Partner.” 2024.
  • Superside. “How Imperfect Foods Fuels Growth With a Dedicated Creative Team.” Case Study.
  • TikTok for Business. “Imperfect Foods Case Study: Optimizing New Customer Signups With an Evergreen Strategy.”
  • Yarooms. “41% of Employees Would Quit Without Hybrid Work: A Retention Crisis.” 2024.
Cubicle to Cloud virtual business About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity. LastPass – Family or Org Password Vault
author avatar
Jennifer Brazer Founder/CEO
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Reviewed By: reviewer avatar Brittany McMillen
reviewer avatar Brittany McMillen
Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.

Business world going green

Sustainability is becoming an integral part of any organization’s success. The business environment and industry trends are changing more and more rapidly. Industries are getting more volatile, complex and unpredictable. The business environment has had to evolve in order to deal with these complexities and rapidity of change. The North American market in particular is moving towards environmentally friendly or green activities to appeal to the more informed customer base. However, this trend is not only noticeable here in North America but has spread out to other regions around the world such as Europe, Japan and Australia. The subject of the environment and our global ecosystem has been a topic of hot debate for a few decades and the green initiative is a result of these ongoing concerns that are yet to be regulated and or corrected. This article looks at the advantages of using a green model for upcoming and established businesses and the associated political and economic issues.

The green initiative therefore has taken off but interestingly the most successful businesses adopting this green model have not found success through simply advertising themselves as a greener alternative to existing products. Rather these businesses have come up with innovative solutions to be either cheaper, more efficient or produce better quality products while at the same time being more environmentally friendly. Only a small percentage of consumers are likely to pay a higher price for a product that is better for the environment than one which is not. However, a larger proportion of consumers are likely to purchase a product that provides them with greater performance while being of comparable value and at the same time have positive environmental factors associated with it.

There are several advantages for companies adopting a green model for their business practices, a trend that has been increasingly growing in recent years. There are several legal and tax advantages for using equipment that produce low emissions especially in states such as California. Businesses using renewable forms of energy generation are given subsidiary grants as well as tax credits which help reduce overall cost of operations. Adopting a green model can lead to greater efficiency and less waste of resources. It also helps improve the work environment as only using organic and scent free products help employees who suffer from respiratory and other health related conditions. A company associating itself with green practices also generally has a much better public response which adds to the sustainability and credibility of the business.

The introduction of the triple bottom line to public sector full cost accounting has also brought about a different outlook to whether businesses are indeed socially beneficial. A business may be profitable but if it is causing considerable social and environmental damage it would reflect a different bottom line. Profitability is no longer the only measure of a business’s success. Most investors and business owners realize the importance of having a positive public image. Manufacturing and selling products that are less harmful to the environment shows that a business cares about more than just profitability. This is a growing market trend and many stakeholders today agree that the value of a business lies in three core factors; profitability, society and environment. Thus, a true measure of a business’s success depends upon a positive profitable outlook along with positive social and environmental benefits.

The economy and market trends in North America are currently leading towards sustainable business. This is encouraging as knowledge becomes more readily available such ideologies can be studied and implemented in other countries around the world. With depleting resources and an even increasing population it is important that we conserve our planet’s resources and ecosystem for our future generations. Without sustainable business this cannot be achieved. The North American economy is on the right track but still a lot of work is to be done to repair the damage that has already been caused to the environment due to humanities negligence. The term “going green” is already becoming saturated because of so many companies claiming to be more environmentally proactive in different areas of business. However, this is a good trend but needs to be regulated to ensure that these corrective practices are in fact taking place and the positive measurable outcome is favorable to all stakeholders.

 

 

Check out America's Best Bookkeepers
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing services to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks file, critical financial documents and back office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of US based accounting professionals are certified QuickBooks™️ ProAdvisor’s providing bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay services. With flat rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost effective expert accounting solution for business, family office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

The advantages of having a stable job

Everyone wishes to have a decent job that helps pay the expenses and manage a decent life without having to worry. People spent years wondering and exploring the right profession for themselves; one that helps bring in the bacon and is of interest to them. Who doesn’t love a stable job? After all, half our lifetime is spent studying, whining for grades, and competing with millions of others in the job market, and demands a result in the form of a stable job. Let’s explore the advantages of a stable job!

Management of Expenses

People are always worried about payments and expenses! Some people work two shifts to provide for their families and some are still unable to even though they work tirelessly. A stable job means that one has a clear idea of the monthly earning; therefore, knows the resources available for the month. The employee knows how much can be spent, how much needs to be saved for the next month, how to manage the year-end payments, and more. There is a constant pattern of earnings which allows one to manage the expenses accordingly. If savings and expenses are balanced well, one can effortlessly deal with unexpected situations such as a sudden party!

Lesser Stress, More Fun!

Having a stable job means that one is doing well in fulfilling the basic needs of life, providing for the family, and is satisfied with the work. On the contrary, an unstable job lays pressure on the employee to vigorously look for another job, adds to the frustration, and deteriorates the health of the employee. Several studies have proven that financial constraints lead to anxiety and depression while work stress is known to be the major reason for depression. A stable job allows one to enjoy life, spend time with his family and friends, experience adventures, and live life to the utmost, without worrying about money.

More Employee Benefits

People who add value add to the company with their skills, hard work, and enthusiasm; their worth in the organizations grows exponentially. Employees who enjoy stability in their job are the ones who have positively contributed towards the profitability of the company and are valued in the organization. Such employees are likely to receive more benefits like paid holidays, salary increments, annual bonuses and appraisals at their jobs. Since they have developed a credibility in the organization, they are not micro-managed. The company is lenient towards them just in case they get late to work or don’t show up on one of the days.

Opportunity to Take Investment Risks

A person is able to take risks and explore different opportunities when he is sufficiently meeting the basic needs of life. A stable job interprets that one is doing well with the expenses and needs of life, and is most likely to have some money in the form of savings. Such individuals are able to invest in different short-term and long-term projects to increase the sources of earnings. Some investment opportunities include starting a business of interest like a small café, buying stocks, investing in an on-going project or more. However, one must take calculated risks and carefully invest the hard-earned money!

Opportunities for Professional Growth

Stability in a job is achieved through professional excellence. Employees are stable in a job when they have performed well, have tirelessly worked to deliver their best performance and have added value to the company. Such employees have a competitive edge over others and have more opportunities for professional growth within and outside the company. Their current employer wouldn’t want to let them go while other employers would like to welcome them into their company. This gives employees a leverage to choose from a range of opportunities and diversify their skills by exploring new roles.

A stable job offers peace of mind and provides a stress-free life in terms of finances. It allows one to experiment with different things, take calculated risks, and enjoy life to the utmost without any pressure!

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About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing services to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks file, critical financial documents and back office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of US based accounting professionals are certified QuickBooks™️ ProAdvisor’s providing bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay services. With flat rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost effective expert accounting solution for business, family office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

A free tool to avoid losing money in your restaurant

Controlling the stock of your restaurant today is a must if you do not want to lose money. Can you imagine a textile business that does not know how many garments it has sold? Or what is worse, that not knowing how much it cost them to make them, do they sell them too cheap?

It is unthinkable that these companies work without knowing the manufacturing cost and the value of the products; however, in a restaurant quite often the control of food and beverages does not follow any order.

If you invest too much money but this is not reflected in your profits, you have customers but the accounts still do not leave, you spend more and more time but it seems to be not enough … it’s time to think if you are managing correctly.

I invite you to ask yourself these questions:

  • Do you know exactly what products are in your restaurant?
  • Is there someone in charge of making and reviewing the inventory?
  • Do you control the costs of your restaurant?
  • Are there specific dates assigned to take inventory?
  • Do you check one by one the products you receive from your suppliers?
  • Do you know what your best selling products are? And the least sold?
  • Do you know the system “first in first out” (the first to enter is the first to leave)?
  • Do you always have the necessary products, preventing them from running out?

If in any of these questions your answer has been NO, you have to know that you must improve in the control of food and beverages.

 

What is stock control and why is it going to help you not lose money in your restaurant? Stock control consists of knowing what foods and beverages we have in our restaurant at a certain time.

To carry out a correct management, we will do what is known as inventory; a detailed list where we will write:

  • Items that we have in stock.
  • Quantity of each of them.
  • Provider
  • Detailed description.

The purchase of food and beverages is one of the most important expenses for restaurants, so you must have inventory control policies: specific dates to do so, periodic reviews and why not, surprise inventories to avoid theft.

  • How stock control will reduce your expenses in your restaurant.
  • You can make smarter decisions to reduce costs .
  • Your profitability will increase , since you will avoid losing money.
  • You will know what your sales have been and you can create strategies to increase them.
  • You will save time that you can invest in other aspects of your restaurant.
  • You will decide what and how much to order without accumulating and losing money.
  • You will know which are the most profitable items to design the menu that includes them.
  • You will know which genre is going to expire soon and you should use it.
  • You will see the evolution of prices of products and you can decide on your suppliers.
  • You will improve the way you order products.
  • You will avoid theft or loss of raw materials due to lack of control.
  • You will always have a minimum and a maximum so that nothing runs out.

You can reduce the level of waste.

And of course, you will save a large amount of money.

As you see, just a tool like inventory can save you money and resources, which are sure to be welcome to favor other areas of your business.

If you have decided to improve the management of your restaurant and want to continue increasing your profits. I invite you to review our Restaurant Management Course, because we teach you everything you need to know to make your business profitable, through videos and success stories.

 

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About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing services to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks file, critical financial documents and back office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of US based accounting professionals are certified QuickBooks™️ ProAdvisor’s providing bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay services. With flat rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost effective expert accounting solution for business, family office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Useful strategies to help you in your finances

If you have time in the market and you still cannot get your business to achieve the success you’ve always dreamed of, it may be because you’re not using the right finance strategies.

There are many factors that can positively or negatively influence this. One of them is the ability to manage money in the right way, getting to be economically independent, but without bankrupting everything that you have fought so hard for.

If you find you have financial issues and you do not know which the best option, stay here and keep reading this post, we will show you some little used but very useful strategies to have the best support of all in your venture.
 

What are the best finance strategies for your venture?


These strategies that we are going to show you below are not used because only companies of great size and status use them, they tend to go unnoticed since there are others that are much easier to carry out. But today we are going to teach you how to execute them so that you can take them your venture to the top.

 

1. Analyze the needs of the company to draw up an action plan


Many of the big players in the market believe that this step is the first and most important in any functional financial strategy, regardless of the time that has been stipulated to achieve them.

Plan step by step everything that must be done to reach a specific goal requires time, knowledge and a lot of patience, these plans must be organized and very well detailed in a personalized way, where you can clarify how to meet the needs and objectives of your enterprise.
 

2. Design the strategies according to the term in which you want to reach a goal


The time frame is one of the main keys in a strategy to make it work, especially if you plan to opt for long-term goals, which are the most recommended because they are the most durable, but for this it is necessary to take into account 3 aspects of importance:

The Investment: must be oriented to increase the value of your company, the tactics can be defensive, offensive, reoriented or survival. Depending on the plans you have made, you can choose between these two types of growth:

Internal growth: that is to expand the business because the demands have increased by a considerable percentage, and the offers are no longer enough to cover them.

External growth: a clear example of this type of growth is to eliminate competitors through various mergers.

Regarding disinvestment, it does not affect, since this strategy is applied only when your objectives are focused on getting ahead.

  

3. Short-term functional strategies


Surely after all the information we gave you before you have doubts about whether it is possible or not to create a short-term financial strategy, and the truth is that if possible, as long as these are focused on the following points:

Work Capital: One of your priorities is to find a stable relationship between risk and performance. For this you must adjust to some kind of strategy, be it conservative, aggressive or intermediate.

Circulating Liability: this is a common financing of any company, large or small, the ideal is to take advantage of the discounts for prompt payment instead of going to financial institutions to make a credit application.

Efficient Cash: a good way to increase the liquidity of your venture is to reduce inventory, delay payments in case of commission and resignation, and seek to make the collections as soon as possible.

 

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About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing services to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks file, critical financial documents and back office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of US based accounting professionals are certified QuickBooks™️ ProAdvisor’s providing bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay services. With flat rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost effective expert accounting solution for business, family office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

3 tips for making a business plan

Before starting a project, the entrepreneur must make a business plan. But what is the best way to do this, especially for those who do not have experience?

The first step is to understand that there are no magic formulas. Employers with little experience should have a business plan as a priority.

 

Making a simple business plan is ideal

To reduce the chances of errors when it comes to making a business plan, according to the specialist, it is necessary to start with a simple, clear and easy to implement plan. Later on, you will have time and find you have the need to perfect it, especially at the beginning you must go out to sell, sell and sell some more.

Minimize mistakes, especially for less experienced entrepreneurs, is the goal. One of these, quite common, is to build the business plan based on assumptions or information only from the environment that surrounds them. Overestimating their own abilities is also a very common mistake, and entrepreneurs must be careful not to fall into that trap.

 

Learn 3 tips to build the business plan

To avoid making mistakes when making a business plan, it is worth paying attention to some points. Learn below three tips to consider and avoid future headaches.

 

  1. Be realistic

Especially if you have experience as an employee in a large company, you can have the expectation that things happen fast.

It is necessary to have peace of mind and patience, especially in what can be done with the available finances.

 

  1. Investigate the market in its entirety

References such as the size of the market, the expectation of growth of the sector, how to gain space in that market, among others, should be in the plan. Therefore, the entrepreneur has to investigate everything about the sector he intends to enter. Other external factors, such as the place of installation and acceptance rate among the public in the region, also need to be considered.

 

  1. Prepare to take risks

No matter how bright an idea or more promising the market is, every entrepreneur will take risks when starting a venture, because there is no guarantee that future achievements will compensate the expenses, money and time invested.

Therefore, the business plan should not avoid them, but consider the best way to handle them.

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About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing services to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks file, critical financial documents and back office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of US based accounting professionals are certified QuickBooks™️ ProAdvisor’s providing bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay services. With flat rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost effective expert accounting solution for business, family office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

4 tips to run a family business

Many self-employed workers and entrepreneurs are now incorporating family members who, due to current circumstances, do not have access to the labor market. What at first might seem like a good idea, can become a serious problem because it is difficult to separate family and work; not to mention that when there is a lot of trust between people who work together, decisions can be made in less professional and more emotional ways. That’s why we recommend that you take into account the following tips when managing a company of this type:

 

  • When selecting or promoting someone close to the family business, it is better to do so with the help of an external technician who provides independence as well as objectivity. Thus the choice will be more in line with the professional needs of the family business, which will avoid problems and duplication of personnel in the future.
  • In the cases in which a couple establishes a family business, one must be careful because a possible separation may also end with the business, so it is advisable to anticipate possible disputes through a family protocol or an agreement. The protocol of a family business addresses not only what to do in cases of divorce, but also what to do in succession processes or incorporation of family members to the company, being able to complement the protocol with marriage agreements that establish what happens with the matrimonial property in cases of divorce.
  • For cases of rivalries between siblings within the family business, we must act with caution because it is one of the most common causes of disappearance in the family business, so it is best to prevent bad health competition clearly delimiting the functions and responsibilities of every brother in the family business. Sometimes the eagerness to lead the family business will force to create several branches. Thus a climate of constructive complementary will be given, instead of one of destructive competition. Even so, it is normal that in all family business there are conflicts between brothers. That is why it is best to establish a code of conduct that sets the procedures for resolving differences.
  • Firefighting is always a difficult act, but in the family business it is much more difficult, because after the process there may be hatred and resentment. Sometimes the economic situation forces the business to have to make that type of decisions, although in rare occasions it is due to the abuse of trust within the family business. Relying on the trust and the emotional bond of the family is the key to face the process with the maximum guarantees but that bitter swallow in the family business should not be delegated to external managers, it should be the responsibility of the family. In the event that the dismissal is motivated by conflicting relatives, the opportunity must be given to correct their behavior or to be relocated to another post where it may be more useful.
Check out America's Best Bookkeepers About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing services to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks file, critical financial documents and back office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of US based accounting professionals are certified QuickBooks™️ ProAdvisor’s providing bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay services. With flat rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost effective expert accounting solution for business, family office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Can your hobby be your business?

Although there is no test that can give you an accurate answer, there are certain essential questions that will help you determine if you meet the requirements to be successful in this new project.

 

  1. How committed are you?

One thing is certain: successful entrepreneurs have a great commitment to their business. It is something simple to understand, but difficult to put into practice. If you are one of those who passes from one hobby to another without being really focused on something or easily distracted, maybe it is not your moment. Entrepreneurs are persistent, even when things get tough.

 

 

  1. Do you have patience?

Although not all optimists start a business, most entrepreneurs think positively. From those who own a single location, to the founders of the most important companies, they all have in common the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. Without this essential characteristic it is difficult to motivate employees and succeed in the midst of a crisis.

 

 

  1. Do you like to make decisions?

This implies assuming a commitment. And when decisions are not adequate, the consequences can be fatal. Especially when you start a project with limited capital and resources. Is it better to install the office at home or rent a space? How to fix the price of your products or services? What will be your target audience? … In short, there are many questions that you must answer. And the difference between a hobby and a business is that decisions have financial implications. Can you enjoy it equally?

 

 

  1. Do you have capital?

Once you have a business plan and you know that your hobby can be a profitable business, the next step is to finance it. The recommendation in these cases is not to give up your work. Getting a loan is not easy and requires many sacrifices. So, if you keep a salary and things do not work as you planned, at least you will have to endure a crisis, without having to lose your business.

 

 

  1. Do you like sales?

When you are an entrepreneur, your job is to sell, be it products, a business vision and even yourself. And you will have to do it every day, several times. Do not worry, if you really have what it takes to be an entrepreneur, you will enjoy it.

If you answered yes to most of the questions, then you are ready to transform your hobby into a real business. If your answers were negative and you still feel the desire to be an entrepreneur, it is best to find a partner that supports you to make your dream come true. Remember that even if you really enjoy your hobbies, think about whether you will be willing to let them become a way of life with financial implications.


Check out America's Best Bookkeepers
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing services to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks file, critical financial documents and back office tools in an efficient and secure environment. Complete Controller’s team of US based accounting professionals are certified QuickBooks™️ ProAdvisor’s providing bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay services. With flat rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost effective expert accounting solution for business, family office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.