A monthly bookkeeping routine for small businesses

Consistency matters more than complexity. Choose a regular date and complete the same checks in the same order.

Step 1: capture the paperwork

Upload sales invoices, supplier bills, expense receipts and relevant statements. Add a clear note to anything unusual while you still remember it.

Step 2: reconcile the bank

Match the accounting records to each business-bank transaction. Investigate duplicates, missing entries and transfers rather than forcing the balance to agree.

Step 3: review what is owed

Check unpaid customer invoices and supplier bills. This creates a more useful picture than looking at the bank balance alone.

Step 4: check tax-related items

Review VAT treatment where applicable, payroll postings and any personal payments made through the business. Flag uncertain items for your accountant.

Step 5: look at the business

Compare sales, costs and cash with the previous month. A short regular review makes changes easier to spot and decisions easier to explain.

This guide is general information. Record-keeping requirements depend on your business and tax position.