DIY bookkeeping might be hurting your retail store. Bookkeeping might not be the most exciting part of running your store, but ignoring it can cost you big time. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your financials, you’re tempted to push bookkeeping to the back burner or DIYing it, this is your wake-up call!

Cathy sat down with Kirk Johnson, RETAILMavens’ Profit First Maven, to discuss why financial health is non-negotiable for every retailer. They dive into the hidden costs of messy books, the pitfalls of DIY bookkeeping, and why hiring a professional can be a big help for your business.

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The Cost of Messy Books

When your financials are disorganized, it doesn’t just cause stress, it leads to real financial losses. Here’s how poor bookkeeping can hurt your store:

• Pricing Mistakes: Incorrect pricing can eat into your margins.
• Missed Tax Deductions: If your records aren’t in order, you could be leaving money on the table come tax season.
• Cash Flow Confusion: Without clear numbers, you may not realize you’re spending more than you’re making until it’s too late.

The Dangers of DIY Bookkeeping

Many retailers take on bookkeeping themselves to save money, but this often backfires. DIY bookkeeping can:

• Take up valuable time that could be spent growing your business.
• Lead to errors that result in costly mistakes.
• Prevent you from making strategic decisions based on accurate data.

Why Hiring a Bookkeeper Pays Off

Outsourcing bookkeeping isn’t an expense, it’s an investment. A professional bookkeeper ensures your numbers are accurate, helps you make informed decisions, and ultimately increases your profitability. With clean books, you can confidently answer crucial questions like:

1. Is my business actually making money?
2. Can I afford to hire more staff?
3. How much inventory should I order for the next season?

Retailers who have cleaned up their books have seen incredible transformations, from reducing financial stress to making smarter business moves. One retailer uncovered pricing errors that were costing them thousands, another freed up hours each week by outsourcing their bookkeeping, allowing them to focus on marketing and sales.

Your Millie Moment:

Are you ignoring your financial health because you don’t know where to start? 

Take one step today: schedule time to review your balance sheet and profit and loss statements, even if it’s just 15 minutes. 

If you’re DIY-ing your books, ask yourself: Is this the best use of my time, and what could I be doing instead that would grow my business?

Resources to Help You Take Action

• Ditch DIY bookkeeping! Explore RETAILMavens’ monthly bookkeeping services by clicking here.
• Get QuickBooks insights! Join Captain Kirk’s QuickBooks Corner in our Richer Retailer Facebook group. 
• Already doing multiple 6-figure sales, and ready to scale beyond 7 figures? Apply for a Game Plan Call today!

Financial clarity isn’t just about numbers, it’s about creating freedom, joy, and peace of mind. Take control of your financials and become the richer retailer you were meant to be!