The 10 Best Small Business Bookkeeping Books of 2025 Reviews

best bookkeeping books for small business

One of the most important aspects of financial transactions is recording them accurately. This involves keeping track of all the money that comes in and out of a business. If you’re unsure which method to choose, start with cash accounting for simplicity, then switch to accrual as your business grows or as required by tax regulations. The accrual accounting method records financial transactions when they occur rather than when cash exchanges hands. Generally, your business is financially stable if your assets are greater than your liabilities.

Best for Tax support

This book is filled with real-world examples of salon owners who have used the formula to thrive and create incredible freedom for themselves and their teams. If you’re a salon owner looking to fall back in love with your business and fuel your passions, this book is your roadmap to get there. Are you a small business owner who feels lost when it comes to financial terms like EBIT or gross profit? If so, Finance for Nonfinancial Managers by Gene Siciliano is the book for you.

What is the difference between ERP and accounting software?

  • In this book, Piper breaks down essential accounting principles, from generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to reading financial statements.
  • Intuit QuickBooks Online is used by thousands of small businesses, and for good reason.
  • Examples include real estate, merchandise, equipment, intellectual property, and a human workforce.
  • Some say they have experienced delays in product functioning, specifically when working with large data sets.
  • Additionally, many outsourced bookkeeping companies use proprietary in-house software to keep their customers’ books.
  • If you’re running a one-person show, though — i.e., a wide variety of customizable reports is not a priority — this is likely the pick for you.
  • Its detailed reports and straightforward interface make it a good software option for non-bookkeepers.

We also appreciate that Quicken is built with the “right-sized” set of business features. These features strike a balance between usability and depth, giving independent professionals the essentials without unnecessary complications. Accounting software is your secret weapon for keeping your company’s finances in shape, from those early startup days to conquering growth and beyond.

Bookkeeping Essentials: How to Succeed as a Bookkeeper by Steven M. Bragg

You can add Square’s free team management app to track hours for invoicing. Square Invoices is ideal for freelancers and small teams needing time tracking. Want a good double-entry accounting solution that’s more robust than the options we discussed above?

best bookkeeping books for small business

What is Accounting Software?

  • With such a wide range of functionality, this tool provides just about everything you need to get control of your business finances now and keep control of them in the future.
  • Before investing, consider your investment objectives and the fees and expenses charged.
  • The chapters of this book are highly effective yet simple for every new business owner or business employee.
  • It covers the important aspects from Preparing Financial Statements, Tax Management, and Balancing your Books, to so much more.
  • Whether you’re a seasoned bookkeeper or just starting, this book offers valuable insights that simplify the often daunting world of financial recordkeeping.
  • You can also get generative AI business companion help from JAX (Just ask Xero) to assist your company in accounting tasks, personalized insights, creating invoices and modifying quotes.
  • All the important aspects from the other nine books are gathered beautifully in this book for better overall understanding.

A professional bookkeeper can save you even more time than software and ensure the level of accuracy you need to keep your small business running smoothly. Small business owners should look for an accounting book that is written to the level of their knowledge of finance and bookkeeping. Many titles are intended for people with minimal financial literacy, while others assume a baseline knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping.

It’s a must-read for anyone wanting to build a solid foundation in bookkeeping. At the end of each chapter, there are quizzes to help you gauge how much you’ve learned. These quizzes are super helpful for reinforcing the material and ensuring you’re ready to handle bookkeeping tasks in a business setting. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to get a solid grasp on bookkeeping. It’s one of the top 10 bookkeeping books every accountant should read.

best bookkeeping books for small business

best bookkeeping books for small business

Insert a good pop-up book here and there, and I was content with my reading plan. You’ll find practical tips and examples throughout the book, which help simplify the bookkeeping process. Whether you’re new to bookkeeping or looking to improve your skills, this book is a valuable resource for maintaining accurate financial records. If you’re looking to dive into bookkeeping quickly, Alpha Teach Yourself Bookkeeping in 24 Hours Suspense Account by Carol Costa is a fantastic choice. This book is designed for beginners and is laid out in a logical manner, making it easy to follow.

best bookkeeping books for small business

A lot of small business owners have a great passion for their products, but nearly zero background in accounting or bookkeeping. Most accounting software providers sync balance sheet with one or more popular payroll providers (Zoho Books, which doesn’t sync with most payroll software, is a notable exception). Xero, FreshBooks, and QuickBooks all sync with Gusto, our favorite payroll provider for small businesses. At $49 plus $6 per user per month, Gusto is also fairly reasonably priced.

best bookkeeping books for small business

Support & Tools

This is a highly recommended method because it tells the bookkeeping company’s financial status based on known incoming and outgoing funds. Because the funds are accounted for in the bookkeeping, you use the data to determine growth. Countingup is the business current account and accounting software in one app.