What do you do when your very first client hands you a tangled mess of uncategorized transactions and co-mingled accounts?

Welcome to real-life bookkeeping! On this 🔥 Bookkeepers on Fire episode, Debbie & Donna break it all down with laughter, wisdom, and practical tips for every beginner (and pro!).

Listen in as we answer a question from a bookkeeper who just got their 1st client.

Here’s what you’ll take away:

🔁 Undo & Redo: When in doubt, wipe the slate clean. Re-import, categorize, and let rules do the heavy lifting.

👩‍🏫 Educate, Don’t Eliminate: Most small biz owners mix personal and business—it’s normal. Teach them, don’t ditch them.

 📊 Creative Clarity: Show where the cash is going by creating mini P&Ls under “Other Expenses”—yes, including Disney trips 🎢

✨ Ready to laugh, learn, and light up your bookkeeping world? Tune in now and get the full scoop!

🔥 Join our Bookkeepers On Fire Community to connect 🤝, collaborate 💬, and thrive 🚀 with like-minded professionals who are passionate about bookkeeping, accounting and business growth.

Join us here: Bookkeepers On Fire Community

Bookkeepers On Fire is proudly ad-free and 100% listener-supported, so we can bring you unfiltered conversations without outside agendas. If you enjoy the show, consider donating to help keep our mics hot and our mission independent.

🔥Donate with Venmo🔥    🔥Donate with PayPal🔥

#BookkeepersOnFire #QBO #BookkeepingTips #ClientCleanup #SmallBusinessHelp #ProfitWithPurpose

🎧"I’m getting a bit discouraged with my marketing efforts not getting responses. I’m on a tight budget and can’t spend much. I am emailing firms if they need extra outsourced help, posting in groups, asking current clients for any referrals and not much happening. I guess just need words of encouragement. Thanks!"

🔥 Discouraged by Crickets? You’re Not Alone.

On this episode of Bookkeepers on Fire, Debbie and Donna lit up the truth about slow marketing results and how to stay motivated when the inbox is empty and the budget is tight. 🎙️💼

🔹 Mindset Matters – Stop telling yourself you can’t afford to grow. Think abundance, not limitation. 🧠

🔸 Visibility is Currency – Speak at local clubs, write LinkedIn articles, volunteer, or just strike up conversations—every interaction is a potential lead. 📢

🔹 Show Up Everywhere – YouTube, forums, Upwork, and yes—even the tire shop. The more people you meet, the more magic happens. 🪄

 🔸 Referrals Come Later – Clients often come back years later after one helpful moment. Plant seeds now; the harvest will come. 🌾

🔹 Training ≠ “Small” Client – Even one-time training clients add credibility, referrals, and impact. Don’t overlook their value. 💡

🔸 Be Human – Clients remember how you made them feel, not just what you taught. That’s where the real loyalty lies. 🤝

🔥 Stay visible. Stay kind. Stay fiery.
   If you're in this stage too, you're not alone! You're building something amazing, one "no" at a time. 💼🔥

🔥 Join our Bookkeepers On Fire Community to connect 🤝, collaborate 💬, and thrive 🚀 with like-minded professionals who are passionate about bookkeeping, accounting and business growth. Join us here: Bookkeepers On Fire Community   Bookkeepers On Fire is proudly ad-free and 100% listener-supported, so we can bring you unfiltered conversations without outside agendas. If you enjoy the show, consider donating to help keep our mics hot and our mission independent. 🔥Donate with Venmo🔥    🔥Donate with PayPal🔥
 #BookkeepersOnFire #MarketingStruggles #SmallBusinessGrowth #ClientHunt #QuickBooksPros #KeepGoing

🎧 "What does a cleanup consist of? Categorizing transactions and reconciliation of banks accounts or is there more to it?"

Bookkeepers On Fire - Debra & Donna recorded a quick audio sharing their thoughts, what they have learned so far, and still figuring out.

🔍 Categorizing Transactions – Every dollar needs a label! Accurate categorization = financial clarity.

🏦 Reconciling Accounts – Matching the books to the bank isn’t optional — it's essential.

🧩 Digging Deeper – Unapplied payments, miscategorized expenses, duplicate entries... yep, they’re all part of the puzzle too.
👉 If you’re new to bookkeeping, don’t worry — we all start somewhere. But spoiler alert: categorizing and reconciling is just the beginning!

🎙️ Listen in and let us know what you think.

🔥 Join our Bookkeepers On Fire Community to connect 🤝, collaborate 💬, and thrive 🚀 with like-minded professionals who are passionate about bookkeeping, accounting and business growth. Join us here: Bookkeepers On Fire Community  

Bookkeepers On Fire is proudly ad-free and 100% listener-supported, so we can bring you unfiltered conversations without outside agendas. If you enjoy the show, consider donating to help keep our mics hot and our mission independent. 🔥Donate with Venmo🔥    🔥Donate with PayPal🔥  

#BookkeepingLife #CleanupCrew #WaitTheresMore #BookkeeperHumor #SmallBizTips

🎙️ Client Storage Conundrum – A common question with a dash of humor!

🎧️This is probably a silly question, but I will ask anyway. I am finally getting more clients and was wondering if I should save each one to their own flash drive, or have one for all of them?

Bookkeepers On Fire - Debra & Donna recorded a quick audio sharing their thoughts, what they have learned so far, and still figuring out.

💾 How cloud storage options stack up against physical drives for client files.

🧠 The mental clutter of juggling too many drives vs. keeping it streamlined.
🤯 Why there's no one-size-fits-all answer—it's about your workflow and peace of mind!

Even "silly" questions can open the door to smarter systems. Keep asking!

🎙️ Listen in and let us know what you think.

🔥 Join our Bookkeepers On Fire Community to connect 🤝, collaborate 💬, and thrive 🚀 with like-minded professionals who are passionate about bookkeeping, accounting and business growth.

Join us here: Bookkeepers On Fire Community   Bookkeepers On Fire is proudly ad-free and 100% listener-supported, so we can bring you unfiltered conversations without outside agendas. If you enjoy the show, consider donating to help keep our mics hot and our mission independent.

🔥Donate with Venmo🔥    🔥Donate with PayPal🔥  

#Bookkeeping #ClientManagement #BusinessTips #Productivity #TechHumor #FlashDriveFiasco

✨ Feeling like throwing in the towel as a solo bookkeeper? You’re not alone — but you are in the right place.

In this episode of Bookkeepers on Fire, Debra and Donna tackle one of the most honest questions we’ve received, and we’re dishing out real talk and support. 🙌

👩‍💻 Here are a few 🔥 takeaways for every discouraged bookkeeper out there:

📺 YouTube is your free mentor – 5 Minute Bookkeeping & Hector Garcia’s channels are goldmines for QBO help (watch from your car, we won’t judge).  

💼 Get paid to learn – Find a job with a firm that uses QBO and grow your skills on their dime 💰

🎧 Conferences change everything – Attending just one event could help you find your people, your mentors, and your motivation (plus, people who get excited about a good bank rec 👀).

🤝 Support groups > solo stress – Being alone in business doesn’t mean you have to feel alone. A strong community can be the difference between burnout and breakthrough.  

💬 Been there? Going through it now? Listen in and Let’s support each other in the comments!

Drop your favorite tip or just a 🙋‍♀️ if you’ve ever questioned your career during a client call. You’re not crazy — just a bookkeeper on fire. 🔥

🔥 Join our Bookkeepers On Fire Community to connect 🤝, collaborate 💬, and thrive 🚀 with like-minded professionals who are passionate about bookkeeping, accounting and business growth.

Join us here: Bookkeepers On Fire Community   Bookkeepers On Fire is proudly ad-free and 100% listener-supported, so we can bring you unfiltered conversations without outside agendas. If you enjoy the show, consider donating to help keep our mics hot and our mission independent.

🔥Donate with Venmo🔥    🔥Donate with PayPal🔥

#BookkeepersOnFire #QBO #BookkeepingCommunity #MentorshipMatters #YouGotThis #QuickBooksOnline

Ever had a discovery call turn into a 50-minute TED Talk that had nothing to do with your services? Yeah, same.   In this episode of Bookkeepers On Fire, Debra & Donna explore a real life situation sent in by a listener.

 We're getting real about those consultations that waste your time and energy.
💼 Key Takeaways:

🚫 Not every inquiry is a potential client — and that’s okay. 

⏳ Set boundaries upfront to protect your time (and sanity).

🧛‍♀️ Spot the time vampires early — and politely close the curtain.

🎧 Listen now and reclaim your consultation power!

🔥 Join our Bookkeepers On Fire Community to connect 🤝, collaborate 💬, and thrive 🚀 with like-minded professionals who are passionate about bookkeeping, accounting and business growth. Join us here: Bookkeepers On Fire Community

Bookkeepers On Fire is proudly ad-free and 100% listener-supported, so we can bring you unfiltered conversations without outside agendas. If you enjoy the show, consider donating to help keep our mics hot and our mission independent. 🔥Donate with Venmo🔥    🔥Donate with PayPal🔥

 #BookkeepersOnFire #ClientBoundaries #BookkeepingBusiness #TimeManagement #ConsultationTips

🎧 "Do You Offer Fractional CFO Services? and What Do Those Include?"

Bookkeepers On Fire - Debra & Donna recorded a quick audio sharing their thoughts, what they have learned so far, and still figuring out.

 👉 What does that really include?

 👉 How is it different from bookkeeping or tax work?

 👉 Am I ready for that next level? 

If you’re a bookkeeper, accountant, or business owner who's been curious about CFO services—this one’s for you.

🎙️ Listen in and let us know what you think.

🔥 Join our Bookkeepers On Fire Community to connect 🤝, collaborate 💬, and thrive 🚀 with like-minded professionals who are passionate about bookkeeping, accounting and business growth.  

Join us here: Bookkeepers On Fire Community

Bookkeepers On Fire is proudly ad-free and 100% listener-supported, so we can bring you unfiltered conversations without outside agendas. If you enjoy the show, consider donating to help keep our mics hot and our mission independent. 🔥Donate with Venmo🔥    🔥Donate with PayPal🔥

#FractionalCFO #BookkeeperToCFO #SmallBusinessFinance #FinanceStrategy #LearningInPublic #CFOsForRent #MoneyTalks

🔥 Join our Bookkeepers On Fire Community to connect 🤝, collaborate 💬, and thrive 🚀 with like-minded professionals who are passionate about bookkeeping, accounting and business growth.

Join us here: Bookkeepers On Fire Community

Bookkeepers On Fire is proudly ad-free and 100% listener-supported, so we can bring you unfiltered conversations without outside agendas. If you enjoy the show, consider donating to help keep our mics hot and our mission independent.

🔥 Join our Bookkeepers On Fire Community to connect 🤝, collaborate 💬, and thrive 🚀 with like-minded professionals who are passionate about bookkeeping, accounting and business growth.

Join us here: Bookkeepers On Fire Community

Bookkeepers On Fire is proudly ad-free and 100% listener-supported, so we can bring you unfiltered conversations without outside agendas. If you enjoy the show, consider donating to help keep our mics hot and our mission independent.

🔥 Bookkeepers, Let’s Talk About That “Personal” Credit Card Used for Business 🧾💳

In this sizzling episode of Bookkeepers on Fire, we tackle a classic hot mess:

A client uses personal credit cards mainly for business expenses—and pays them from the business bank account. Sound familiar? 😅
Here’s what we covered:
📌 Don't Call It Owner’s Draw – If it’s a business expense, treat it like one. The credit card payment should reduce the liability, not become an equity withdrawal.

🧠 Track It Like Business – Set up the card as a liability in your chart of accounts. Call it “Personal - AMEX” if that helps, but treat it like any other business card.

 📊 Debits & Credits Rule – A little T-account action never hurt anybody. Follow the trail: Expense → Liability → Payment. That’s how you avoid the mess.

💥 If you’re sweating over how to categorize payments like these, this episode is your fire extinguisher.

📬 Drop your burning bookkeeping questions in the comments!

🔥 Join our Bookkeepers On Fire Community to connect 🤝, collaborate 💬, and thrive 🚀 with like-minded professionals who are passionate about bookkeeping, accounting and business growth.

Join us here: Bookkeepers On Fire Community  

Bookkeepers On Fire is proudly ad-free and 100% listener-supported, so we can bring you unfiltered conversations without outside agendas. If you enjoy the show, consider donating to help keep our mics hot and our mission independent. 🔥Donate with Venmo🔥    🔥Donate with PayPal🔥  

#BookkeepersOnFire #SmallBusinessAccounting #OwnerDraw #QuickBooksTips #BookkeepingHumor #CreditCardChaos #AccountingTips #DebitsAndCredits