Get Comfy with Numbers | Making Bookkeeping & QuickBooks Easy for Female Entrepreneurs, Bookkeeping for Small Business

Hey bestie! Welcome to the Get Comfy with Numbers podcast! I’m Erika Millard - Founder of Bookkeeping with Erika, Bookkeeping Expert, and your go-to gal for helping you finally feel confident about your business finances. Whether you’re here to set up, clean up, or take bookkeeping completely off your plate, you’re in the right place. And if you’re feeling a little sweaty and nervous just reading this? You’re definitely in the right place. 😉 This podcast is for female business owners who want to stop avoiding their numbers and start understanding them. You don’t need to become a spreadsheet whiz or love math - you just need someone to make it simple (hi 👋, that’s me!). Inside each episode, we’ll break down: - How to set up smart, streamlined bookkeeping systems - What it means to have “clean” books and how to get there - The most common QuickBooks mistakes (and how to fix them) - Real ways to prepare for tax time without tears - And how to use your numbers to make confident business decisions You’ll also hear stories from my clients and guests who have gone from overwhelmed to in control, with just a little help from their bookkeeping bestie. 🎧 Plus, don’t forget to grab my FREE QuickBooks Health Check - a simple way to spot issues fast and feel confident your books are on track. https://erikamillard.com/qbhealthcheck So grab one of the three drinks on your desk (because obviously), hit follow, and let’s take the stress out of your numbers, one episode at a time. Let’s connect: 🌐 www.erikamillard.com 📧 [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @erika_millard

129 5 Signs Your Books Need Help Before Year-End Gets Crazy 10/13/2026

129 5 Signs Your Books Need Help Before Year-End Gets Crazy Do you ever wonder if your books are okay... or do you just kind of hope they are? Maybe you think everything's fine because nothing feels broken. Maybe you have a hunch something is off but you don't know where to look. Or maybe you worry all the time that something's wrong, even if you can't say why. Wherever you are, you're not alone, and this episode is for you. Today we're playing a little game, and all you need is one hand. I'm walking you through 5 signs that your books need some help. Every time one sounds like you, put a finger up. By the end, you'll have a real number instead of a gut feeling. (Zero judgment zone, always. Nobody sees your hand but you!) In this episode, we talk about: Sign 1: Your bank app is how you check on your business. Why "there's money in the account" doesn't tell you what you really made Sign 2: Your business and personal money are all mixed together. The mess it makes at tax time, and why it matters even more if you're an LLC Sign 3: Your money is coming in from all over the place. Venmo, checks, PayPal, Stripe... plus the story of a business friend who paid thousands in penalties because her Stripe income never made it into her books Sign 4: You can't quite tell if your numbers are right. One simple check that shows you if your books and your bank agree Sign 5: You're always playing catch-up. How 15 minutes a week makes the pile a whole lot lighter What your number means and what to do next A few things to remember: A 5 is not a failing grade. It just tells us where to start. A 0 or a 1 means you get to stop worrying, and that's a win too! Not knowing this stuff is not a you problem. Nobody teaches us this when we start a business. It's October, so there's still time to fix things calmly. Progress over perfection! Did you count 2 or more? Send me a DM on Instagram with the word CLEANUP and your number. That's it! I'll ask you a couple of quick questions and tell you honestly what I think. If you need a cleanup, I'll tell you what that looks like and what it might cost. If you don't, I'll tell you that too. I've seen clients who were four and five years behind. I've seen the shoebox. Nothing you tell me is going to surprise me. Links: Not sure where to start with the podcast? Grab the free playlist: DM me on Instagram: @erika_millard Happy Bookkeeping! /episode/index/show/cfbf7502-de72-49ca-bcdc-5c54676d7e35/id/43186538

128 Catch-Up Receipts: What To Do With That Shoebox From 6 Months Ago 10/06/2026

127 Half the Year Is Gone and You Haven't Touched Your Books (You're Not Alone) 07/14/2026

126 The Boring Secret Behind 3 Clients' Best Revenue Months 07/07/2026

125 Summer School Session 4: How Your 3 Reports Actually Work Together 06/30/2026

124 Summer School Session 3: Cash Flow Statement for Small Business 06/23/2026

124 Summer School Session 3: Cash Flow Statement for Small Business You could be totally profitable on paper... and still feel like you're scraping by every single month. Sound familiar? That's exactly what we're digging into today! In this Summer School session, we're breaking down the cash flow statement (the report a lot of small business owners skip right over) and why that's a problem. By the end, you'll finally understand why your profit and your bank account don't always match, and what you can actually do about it. What We Cover What is the cash flow statement? Profit is what you've earned. Cash is what's actually sitting in your bank account. Those two numbers are often not the same, and the cash flow statement is what helps explain the difference. Why your profit and cash might not match: You billed a client but they haven't paid yet (hello, unpaid invoices!) You made a loan payment, but that cash is gone and it doesn't show up as an expense on your P&L You bought a big piece of equipment or a lot of inventory all at once, and recorded it as an asset instead of an expense The three sections of the cash flow statement: Operating activities: cash from the day-to-day running of your business Investing activities: cash spent on bigger purchases like equipment or long-term assets Financing activities: cash tied to loans, owner draws, contributions, and debt payments (Don't panic if you don't have an investing activities section. That's totally normal for newer or online-based businesses!) Cash basis vs. accrual basis: The gap between your profit and your cash can also depend on which method you use to record your books. If you're not sure what that means, go back to episode 67 where we break down the number one QuickBooks setting that most people miss. Do you really need this report if you already look at your P&L and balance sheet? Yes! The cash flow statement tells a story the other two can't. You can be profitable and asset-rich and still run out of cash if the timing is off. Common Questions Answered "My P&L says I made money, so why is my bank account so low?" Timing! Unpaid invoices, loan payments, and big purchases all hit your cash differently than they show up on your P&L. Profit and cash are not the same thing, and that's okay. "Is a slow cash month always a bad sign?" Not necessarily, but it is a warning sign. One slow month might not be a big deal. If it keeps happening, that's your cue to pay closer attention to your cash flow statement (and maybe even look into a cash flow management system). "Is cash flow the same thing as a budget?" Nope! Your cash flow statement shows what already happened. A budget is a prediction of what's going to happen. But they can work together and you can create cash flow forecasts to plan ahead. Resources Mentioned Episode 67: The #1 QuickBooks setting that gets missed (cash vs. accrual basis) Recent guest episode with Emily: How to manage cash flow and what it means for your taxes : Find out exactly where you are in your bookkeeping journey: Happy Bookkeeping! /episode/index/show/cfbf7502-de72-49ca-bcdc-5c54676d7e35/id/41728565

123 Summer School Session 2: Balance Sheet for Small Business 06/16/2026

122 Summer School Session 1: Let's Talk Profit & Loss 06/09/2026

122 Summer School Session 1: Let's Talk Profit & Loss Hey hey, friend! Welcome to summer school! All month long we're diving deep into financial statements and the foundations you actually need to understand your business. And we're kicking things off with the report you've definitely heard of but maybe never fully understood — the profit and loss. What We Cover in this Episode: What even IS a profit and loss report? You might know it as the income statement, the P&L, or just "that scary report." They're all the same thing! It's basically your business's scorecard for a specific period of time — what came in, what went out, and what's left over. Key terms you need to know: Revenue/Income — Every single dollar that came into your business (sales, services, affiliate income, referrals, all of it) Expenses — Everything you spent to run the business Gross Profit — What's left after you subtract your direct costs (cost of goods sold) from revenue Net Profit/Net Loss — The bottom line. What's actually left after ALL expenses come out Revenue is NOT profit (and why this matters SO much) A million dollar month means nothing if you spent $900k to generate it. We talk about why it's not always about the big income number — it's about how much you're actually keeping. A live walkthrough of your QuickBooks P&L Pull up your report and follow along! We walk through: The income section (and why you should separate your offers/services) Cost of goods sold — what it is and who actually needs it Operating expenses The net income line at the bottom Your midnight Google questions, answered: How often should I actually look at my P&L? (Hint: at least monthly!) My P&L says I'm profitable but I have no money — what's going on? My categories are a mess — does that affect my report? Action Steps from This Episode Pull up your QuickBooks profit and loss report for the current or most recently completed quarter Make sure your transactions are categorized before you run it Look at your income section — are your different offers/services separated out? Check out that bottom line — are you profitable? Does it match what you expected? Mentioned in This Episode Podcast Playlist Freebie — Not sure where to start with your bookkeeping? Grab the free playlist that meets you right where you are → [link in show notes] Summer School Series — This is part 1 of 4! Each session covers one big financial foundation topic. Stay tuned for the next session! /episode/index/show/cfbf7502-de72-49ca-bcdc-5c54676d7e35/id/41501570

121 Your Books Are Caught Up... Now What? Tax Strategy and Building Wealth with Emily Bowie 06/02/2026

120 Avoiding Your QuickBooks? Here's What's Really Going On and What to Do Next 05/26/2026

119 Is Doing Your Own Books Actually Working for You? 05/19/2026

119 Is Doing Your Own Books Actually Working for You? Is Doing Your Own Books Actually Working for You? 4 Honest Signs Every Small Business Owner Needs to Hear Be honest with yourself for a second... is your bookkeeping actually working? Not just kind of happening, but really working? There's a big difference between doing your own books and doing them well, and if you're a solopreneur or small business owner managing your own QuickBooks, this episode is for you. Today we're breaking down four honest signs to help you figure out where you actually stand with your bookkeeping, and what to do about it no matter where you land. Grab the free podcast playlist in the show notes — it's a curated starting point no matter where you are in your bookkeeping journey! The 4 Signs We Cover: Sign #1: Your Bookkeeping Isn't Getting Done Consistently Are your books only getting done when things slow down? Or is there a three-month pile of transactions waiting for you in QuickBooks? Consistency is the whole game with bookkeeping for small business owners, and if it's a struggle, it's usually a setup problem, not a you problem. We talk through some practical (and fun!) ways to actually make yourself sit down and do it. Sign #2: You're Not Sure Your QuickBooks Numbers Are Actually Right Your transactions are in QuickBooks... but do you actually trust them? If you have a quiet little voice wondering whether your profit and loss report is accurate, or you've been avoiding your reports altogether, this one's for you. We talk about what to look for and where to get support so you can actually use your numbers to make real business decisions. Sign #3: You've Been Avoiding QuickBooks Completely If QuickBooks is a tab you keep opening and closing without actually doing anything, that pit in your stomach is real information. Avoidance is almost never about laziness. For most small business owners doing their own bookkeeping, it's usually fear, shame, or confusion, and all of it is fixable. Sign #4: Doing Your Own Bookkeeping Might Not Make Sense Anymore Your business is growing. You're good at what you do. And bookkeeping keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list. There's no shame in reaching the point where DIY bookkeeping just doesn't make sense anymore. Outsourcing your books isn't failure. It's a smart business decision. Resources mentioned: Free Podcast Playlist: Monthly Support Club (membership): Happy Bookkeeping! /episode/index/show/cfbf7502-de72-49ca-bcdc-5c54676d7e35/id/41340780

118 3 Real Conversations About QuickBooks... And What I Actually Said 05/12/2026

118 3 Real Conversations About QuickBooks... And What I Actually Said Not everyone needs QuickBooks right now. And some people who already have it? They're using it wrong. In this episode, I'm walking you through three real conversations I had with business owners all asking the same question: Is QuickBooks right for me? Each one got a different answer, and here's why. What you'll hear in this episode: The Spreadsheet Girly -- She had a perfectly fine system, low transaction volume, and zero urgency to switch. So why did I still nudge her toward QuickBooks? Because setting up your foundation before the busy season hits can save you from learning too many new things at once. Plus, if you don't have a way to invoice clients yet, you might as well have it all in one place. The Guy Who Wasn't Sure It Was Set Up Right -- He had QuickBooks. He clicked through all the setup prompts. But something felt off. Sound familiar? Having QuickBooks and having QuickBooks set up correctly are two very different things. We did a full review of his chart of accounts, settings, and categorization, and now he's working through the course with a lot more confidence. The Paper Ledger Lady -- She had discipline, she had a system, and she had been doing her own books for years. The problem wasn't her capability; it was the language barrier. QuickBooks uses accounting terminology that can feel like a foreign language if you don't have a background in it. The good news? You don't need an accounting degree. You just need someone to show you what to do. The thing all three had in common? They weren't lost. They just needed someone to point them toward what actually made sense for their situation. If you heard yourself in any of these stories, your next step is the free podcast playlist. It will help you figure out exactly where you are in your bookkeeping journey and which episodes to start with, so you're not sifting through 100+ episodes wondering where to begin. Grab the free playlist here: Topics covered: When a spreadsheet is actually fine (and when it's not) Signs your QuickBooks setup might have gaps Why the language of accounting feels so overwhelming How to go from "I don't know what I don't know" to feeling confident The mindset shift that helps you stop overthinking and start taking action /episode/index/show/cfbf7502-de72-49ca-bcdc-5c54676d7e35/id/41231365

117 The Bookkeeping Era You're In Right Now (And What It Means for You) 05/05/2026

117 The Bookkeeping Era You're In Right Now (And What It Means for You) Are you Googling "how to do bookkeeping for my small business" and getting results that are either way too basic or way over your head? You're not alone, friend. In this episode, we're breaking down the three bookkeeping eras so you can figure out exactly where you are right now and what to do next. In this episode, you'll learn: The 3 bookkeeping eras every small business owner moves through How to identify which stage you're in right now The most common mistakes people make at each stage (and how to avoid them) What you actually need to move forward with confidence The 3 Bookkeeping Eras: Era 1: I Just Need to Get Started You're asking questions like: Is a spreadsheet good enough, or do I need QuickBooks? Which QuickBooks subscription do I need? Do I need a separate business bank account? This stage comes with a lot of fear, especially around making the "wrong" decision. The good news? You don't need to learn everything at once. You just need a clear plan to get started. Era 2: Things Got a Little Away from Me You've been doing bookkeeping for a while, but something feels off. Maybe you've been avoiding looking at the numbers, or you've Googled a QuickBooks problem and just... couldn't find the answer. This is super common. Most people are actually doing better than they think, but the overwhelm keeps them from finding out. Era 3: I Am So Done Doing This Myself Your time is better spent in your zone of genius, and bookkeeping just isn't it. If you keep waiting for the "perfect" time to outsource, this era is a sign that it's time to stop waiting and hand it off. Grab your free curated podcast playlist based on your bookkeeping era here: With 115+ episodes in the Get Comfy with Numbers library, the playlists are designed to cut through the overwhelm and give you the exact episodes you need for where you are right now. /episode/index/show/cfbf7502-de72-49ca-bcdc-5c54676d7e35/id/41123625

116 Starting or Running a Nonprofit? Listen to This with Lisa Avila 04/28/2026

115 Waiting Until You Feel Ready Is Keeping You Stuck 04/21/2026

114 She Knew Her QuickBooks Was Off…But YouTube Wasn’t Helping (Real Client Case Study) 04/14/2026

113 My Business Card Got Hacked…Here’s What I’m Doing Differently 04/07/2026

112 Which QuickBooks Plan Do You Actually Need? (Simple Guide for Business Owners) 03/31/2026

111 Stay Visible Without Posting Every Day: Introvert-Friendly Marketing with Madelyn Furlong 03/24/2026

110 QuickBooks Setup, Cleanup, or Monthly Bookkeeping: How to Know What You Need 03/17/2026

110 QuickBooks Setup, Cleanup, or Monthly Bookkeeping: How to Know What You Need Do you need help setting up your books… fixing them… or finally handing them off for good? If you’ve ever opened QuickBooks and immediately felt overwhelmed, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions business owners ask is: “Do I need a fresh start?” “Or are my books just a mess?” “Or honestly… can someone just take this off my plate?” In this episode, we break down the three core types of bookkeeping support—so you can finally understand what you need (and stop second-guessing yourself). Because while these services sound similar, they solve very different problems. 🏗️ Bookkeeping Setup: Starting From Scratch 🧹 Bookkeeping Cleanup: Fixing the Mess 🔄 Monthly Bookkeeping Support: Staying on Track We walk through a real client journey that perfectly illustrates this. She came in thinking she needed monthly bookkeeping support… But first: Her books needed a full cleanup from the previous year Before that, her system needed a proper setup to even begin fixing things Once those were done? Monthly bookkeeping became simple, smooth, and stress-free. 👉 The takeaway: It’s not about which service is better—it’s about where you are right now. 🎯 Quick Self-Check Ask yourself this one question: “When was the last time someone really reviewed my books and confirmed everything is correct?” Never? → You likely need Setup More than 3 months ago (or your CPA raised concerns)? → You need Cleanup Everything is accurate, but you’re still doing it yourself? → You’re ready for Monthly Support Take a second to write down your answer or record a quick voice note—clarity starts here. 🧠 Key Takeaway Setup gets you started right. Cleanup gets you back on track. Monthly support keeps you there. 🎁 Resources & Next Steps ✨ Free QuickBooks Health Check Not sure where you stand? Start here: 👉 erikamillard.com/qbhealthcheck ✨ Book a Free Next Steps Call Ready to hand this off or want expert guidance? Grab a call via the link in the show notes and we’ll figure out exactly what you need. 🔎 Keywords (SEO Boost) quickbooks setup, bookkeeping cleanup, monthly bookkeeping services, small business bookkeeping help, quickbooks help for entrepreneurs, bookkeeping services explained, fix messy books, outsource bookkeeping, small business finances, accounting basics for business owners 📣 Final Thoughts Wherever you are—starting fresh, cleaning things up, or ready to hand it off—you’re not behind. You just need the right next step. Be sure to subscribe and tune in next week for another conversation designed to make your business finances feel simpler and more manageable. Here are the ways we can connect: Happy Bookkeeping! /episode/index/show/cfbf7502-de72-49ca-bcdc-5c54676d7e35/id/40515865

109 The 5 Bookkeeping Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them) 03/10/2026

109 The 5 Bookkeeping Mistakes Beginners Make (And How to Fix Them) In last week’s episode, I talked to all of you who are doing your own bookkeeping without any formal training — because honestly, that’s how most small business owners start. Today I want to walk through the five bookkeeping mistakes I see beginners make all the time, so you know exactly what to watch for (and how to fix them). First, let’s normalize something: every small business makes bookkeeping mistakes. Truly. Even experienced business owners do. So if you’ve ever felt behind or unsure about your numbers, you’re not alone. In this episode I break down the five biggest ones I see: • Mixing business and personal transactions – this is probably the number one stress creator for small business owners. • Not reconciling your accounts monthly – think of this as simply “checking your math.” • Guessing categories or being inconsistent – bookkeeping doesn’t require perfection, but it does need consistency. • Waiting until tax season – which usually creates that familiar panic cycle. • Adding apps and automations before you actually have a workflow. The good news is you don’t need complicated tools to get started. You don’t need fancy dashboards, five connected platforms, or every integration available. What you really need is clarity first. In this episode I share a simple way to pause before adding new tools and ask three helpful questions: Where does the money start? Where does it get recorded? And who checks it each month? You’ll also get one simple fix for each of the five mistakes, so you can make a small improvement right away. Bookkeeping isn’t about being perfect — it’s about staying consistent and supported. And, depending on where you are in your business, that support can look different. Some people stay DIY with a little guidance. Some need help cleaning things up. And some decide they’re ready to fully outsource. All of those paths are valid — the goal is just making your bookkeeping feel a lot less overwhelming. Here are the ways we can connect: Happy Bookkeeping! /episode/index/show/cfbf7502-de72-49ca-bcdc-5c54676d7e35/id/40359730

108 Start Here: New to Small Business Bookkeeping Without Formal Training? 03/03/2026

108 Start Here: New to Small Business Bookkeeping Without Formal Training? If you’re helping with bookkeeping but were never trained for it — you’re not alone. Maybe you’re the spouse, sister, office manager, or the organized one who got handed the finances when the business started growing. One day someone said, “Can you just handle the books?” — and now you’re doing your best, hoping you’re not missing something important. Here’s the truth: you’re not behind. You were never taught. And this is a learnable system. Why So Many People End Up Here Small business bookkeeping rarely starts with a formal job description. It often grows out of trust and necessity: Family businesses where everyone pitches in Admin roles that slowly expand into finances Being “the organized one” who gets promoted to handling money Helping a partner or friend keep things running If you’ve ever thought: What if I mess something up? Will the CPA think I did this wrong? What actually matters here? You’re asking the right questions. Your Role Is Simpler Than You Think You do not need to become an accountant. Your job is to: Keep things organized Track money coming in and out Help the business owner understand reality That’s it. Bookkeeping isn’t about perfection — it’s about clarity. The 5 Things Every Beginner Actually Needs to Know 1. Clean records matter more than perfection Consistency beats complexity every time. 2. Separate business and personal money This single step prevents most problems. 3. Categorizing transactions is not guessing You’re telling the story of the business. 4. Reconciliation is your safety check This is how you know the numbers are real. 5. Reports help with decisions Your Profit & Loss report is your main friend. What Doesn’t Matter Yet (Deep Breath) You do not need: Advanced accounting knowledge To memorize tax rules Perfect books Fancy systems To understand everything immediately You’re learning. That’s allowed. Common Beginner Mistakes (Totally Normal) Most accidental bookkeepers: Wait until tax season to look at the books Avoid reconciliation because it feels intimidating Try to fix everything at once Stay silent when they’re confused These aren’t failures — they’re part of the learning curve. Why Your Work Matters Small businesses run because someone stepped up and helped. You’re helping a real person support their family, employees, and dreams. You’re not “just doing bookkeeping.” You’re protecting the business. You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone If this episode felt like someone finally explained things clearly, you’re in the right place. You can: Follow the show for beginner-friendly guidance Listen to the next episode for step-by-step support Reach out when you’re ready for extra help 🎧 Listen Next Next week: The three bookkeeping mistakes beginners make that cause the most stress — and how to avoid them. Here are the ways we can connect: Happy Bookkeeping! /episode/index/show/cfbf7502-de72-49ca-bcdc-5c54676d7e35/id/40286910

107 From Bookkeeping to Bigger Decisions: When to Bring in CFO Support with Geily Romero 02/24/2026

106 Break Up with These Money Habits (Before They Cost You) 02/17/2026

105 QuickBooks Red Flags: 5 Signs Your Books Are Quietly Falling Apart 02/10/2026

104 The Monthly Money Date for CEOs: A Simple Routine to Stay Connected to Your Numbers 02/03/2026

103 Set Realistic Money Goals for the New Year (That You'll Actually Hit) 01/27/2026

102 Is It Time to Switch to QuickBooks? Signs You’ve Outgrown Spreadsheets 01/20/2026

101 Your Podcast Can Pay Off Big Even If It Feels Small Right Now with Stefanie Gass 01/13/2026

100 We Hit 100 Episodes! Our Most Popular Episodes & Why They Matter 01/06/2026

Get Comfy with Numbers | Making Bookkeeping & QuickBooks Easy for Female Entrepreneurs, Bookkeeping for Small Business

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