Why is record keeping important for small businesses?

September 13, 2022

What does every successful small business have in common?

The answer: good record keeping!

Running a small business is no walk in the park. While your operations mightn’t be as large as other businesses out there, that doesn’t make it any easier. In fact, in many ways running a small business is even harder – especially if you’re doing everything by yourself!

Keeping on top of your financial records is one of them. Good record keeping is essential for anyone running a business – needless to say, it’s a pretty big deal!

If you find yourself struggling to maintain accurate records, Maximum Business Solutions is here to help. We offer small business bookkeeping in Melbourne and Bayside.

This week, we look into the importance of record keeping for small businesses and some tips that every small business should consider.

Why is record keeping important?

It’s essential that businesses big and small maintain accurate records… and in particular, it’s important you keep accurate financial records.

Why?

Well firstly, because the law says so!

All businesses in Australia are required by law to hold on records for a period of five years for legal and tax purposes.

Furthermore, business owners like yourself are obliged to keep these records even after you close or sell your business. Failure to keep the right tax records, and you could incur severe penalties.

Records help you run your business

More importantly however, accurate records help you run your small business.

Cash flow, overall financial health, expenses, margins… how are you supposed to make the right decisions for your business without these records?

The art of the deal

Here’s a question: would you work with a supplier that’s close to bankruptcy?

Probably not!

If you want to prove to suppliers and lenders that your business is worth partnering up with, you’ll need the records to prove it. Accurate records quickly demonstrate your business’s financial health to potential partners or investors.

Record keeping tips for small businesses from our bookkeepers in Melbourne

If you’re like most business owners, the thought of record keeping makes your eyes glaze over.

Yes, financial records aren’t exactly at the top of every business owner’s list of hobbies.

Many even choose to ignore it, which is exactly what leads to so many bookkeeping-related problems!

To avoid your business running into any financial pitfalls or tax compliance issues, try implementing these record keeping tips at your small business. Not only will they make record-keeping easier, but they can make it painless to boot!

Set-up a good accounting and bookkeeping systems

If you want to keep accurate records of your business’ finances including your tax records, you’ll need a good system. This is where a good accounting and bookkeeping system comes into the picture.

Not only do they record your finances accurately, but best of all they do it automatically!

Both MYOB and Xero sync with your bank accounts, POS terminals and inventory systems, ensuring accuracy.

Need help getting started? Talk to a team of expert small business bookkeepers like Maximum Business Solutions to record, track, and manage your financial records.

Keeping source documents

Like we mentioned before, the ATO requires all businesses in the country to keep financial records for five years.

While keeping physical copies of these records for an extended period doesn’t sound very practical, there’s a solution: keep copies online or use online reporting tools.

Make sure you keep records of the following documents for future when the taxman comes around:

  • Receipts or proof of all sales and purchases
  • Tax invoices
  • Salary and wage records
  • All GST-related documents
  • Any records of sales and purchase of business assets
  • Records of tax returns, fringe benefits tax (FBT) returns and employee super contribution

Avoid backlogs and stay updated

No-one likes entering financial records. It’s mind numbing work, not to mention it can take up hours of time you could be spending on the things you do best.

So many businesses just don’t. Many put it off thinking “I’ll get around to it later.”

Next thing you know, one receipt can snowball into a filing cabinet full of unprocessed records!

Clearing backlogs can take just as much (if not more) time – and we haven’t even got started on the delays and inaccuracy it can cause in your reporting.

To ensure that this doesn’t happen, it’s important to make a habit of updating your records  and keeping accounts clean.

Don’t have time to input data? Fortunately, cloud bookkeeping systems can help you avoid backlog by updating all your records automatically. Talk to us about getting set up with Xero or MYOB systems today!

Does your small business in Melbourne need help with record keeping?

Let Maximum Business Solutions help!

As professional bookkeepers in Melbourne, we understand the importance of accurate record keeping for your business.

We also understand how difficult it can be to keep on top of your records, especially with everything else on your plate!

If you’re looking for support, explore our small business bookkeeping services. From simple invoicing to complete clean-up, we help businesses all over Melbourne’s southeast fix their record keeping problems – no matter how big or small.

If you want to learn how we could help you, don’t hesitate to give us a ring: call (03) 9589 0128 today or fill in this form and let’s catch up.

You can also visit us for bookkeeping service in Melbourne: pop into our office at 13 North Concourse, Beaumaris 3193.