the JOURNAL
the JOURNAL
Practical insights on law firm bookkeeping, trust bookkeeping, and running a practice with numbers you can trust.
Law Firm Profitability: The Complete Guide to Measuring and Improving Your Margins
Law firm profitability depends on more than revenue. Learn how to calculate profit margins, benchmark against real data, and fix the hidden drains killing your bottom line.
Law Firm Startup Costs: The Complete Budget Breakdown
Complete law firm startup costs breakdown: one-time expenses, monthly operating costs, and budgets for virtual solo, traditional solo, and small firms.
QuickBooks for Law Firms: How to Configure It Correctly
QuickBooks works for law firms when configured correctly. Here's how to set up trust accounting, chart of accounts, and legal-specific reporting in QBO.
7 Trust Accounting Red Flags That Trigger Bar Audits
These seven trust accounting red flags signal compliance problems before they become bar complaints. Here's what auditors look for and how to catch it first.
Law Firm Financial Reports: What Your Numbers Should Actually Tell You
See the 7 things your law firm financial reports should actually show - with red flags for each and practice-specific priorities. Includes what to ask your bookkeeper.
Legal Accounting Software for Lawyers Isn’t Enough
Law firms that depend solely on software are just one error away from catastrophe. Uncover the blind spots that legal tools overlook - and why having a professional bookkeeper is crucial.
Law Firm Financial Benchmarks: The Complete Reference Guide
Law firm financial benchmarks with real data: profit margins, utilization rates, overhead ratios, and revenue per lawyer. Compare your firm to industry standards.
Outsourced Bookkeeping for Law Firms: What's Actually Included and How It Works
Complete guide to outsourced bookkeeping for law firms: what's included, monthly workflow, pricing ($800-$2,500/mo), ROI calculations, and how to choose a provider.
The Essential Guide to Monthly Account Reconciliation for Business Owners
You KNOW you should be reconciling your accounts every month, but you might not know exactly what that means…
📌 Save this step-by-step guide to refer back to at month-end to lead you through the account reconciling process.
If you’re WAY overdue on reconciling (I’m talking a few months or more) it’s time to think about hiring a bookkeeper. If you’re going to wake up panicking about your business in the middle of the night, don’t let it be over your bookkeeping!
Smart Business Investments: A Guide to Making Informed Decisions
Have you ever bought a new coaching program or a new task management software and seen 0 return on your investment?! Part of making good business investments means being honest with yourself. It's SO frustrating to spend money improving your business and see no increase in your bottom line, spending time on this due diligence can help!
Exploring Outsourcing: A Strategic Move to Accelerate Business Growth
It all begins with an idea.
5 Key Financial Reports for Business Success
Unlock the secrets to business success with our guide on the top 5 financial reports every entrepreneur should track. Learn how balance sheets, income statements, and more can drive informed decisions. Expert QuickBooks guidance awaits.
The Ultimate 2024 Tax Season Survival Guide for Businesses
Master the 2024 tax season with our comprehensive guide. From key deadlines to detailed checklists, learn how to organize, prepare, and file your business taxes effectively. Get expert tips and resources for a stress-free tax experience.
Law Firm Bookkeeping Cleanup: How to Fix Messy Books
Law firm bookkeeping cleanup fixes trust account gaps, reconciliation backlogs, and compliance issues. Here's what cleanup involves and what it costs.
Taming the Financial Mane: Top 5 Challenges for Hair Salons & How to Overcome Them
As a hair salon or aesthetic practice owner, chances are you’ve come to terms with the fact that taming the financial mane comes with its own unique set of challenges. From inconsistent cash flow to keeping up with modernizing technology while staying compliant - there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to managing your business effectively. Whether you’re looking into expanding services and hiring new employees, or simply just trying to understand how best to manage finances in your current operation – having an understanding of how other businesses have encountered and overcome similar obstacles can be invaluable for making informed decisions about your enterprise. In this blog post, we'll take a look at 5 common financial issue topics faced by salon owners today and ideas on how they might tackle each one!
The Best Accounting Software for Small Business in 2023
QuickBooks is an excellent tool to help you make better decisions about your business and stay on top of your finances. With its easy-to-use interface and powerful features, QuickBooks can help you become more efficient and profitable. Get started today and take control of your business with confidence!
The High Risk of Business Ownership: Why 1 in 12 Businesses Close Every Year
Starting a business is one of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences a person can have. But it’s no secret that the odds are stacked against entrepreneurs. According to research, nearly one in every twelve businesses close each year due to an array of factors. From insufficient capital to lack of customer traction, there are numerous reasons why a business may not make it. So, let’s take a look at some of the major factors that can cause your business to fail and strategies for mitigating risk and ensuring success.
Identifying and Monitoring Your Business Drivers + KPIs
Knowing your business drivers and key performance indicators (KPIs) is essential for any entrepreneur or business owner. Business drivers are the factors which determine the success of a company. They can be both internal, such as sales, cash flow, employee retention, and client retention; or external, such as market conditions or customer demand. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are actionable metrics that measure progress towards goals related to each driver. In other words, they show how well your company is doing at achieving its objectives. Having the right KPIs in place allows you to track your performance over time and make adjustments as needed to ensure continued success. Let’s look at some of the ways you can identify and monitor these important business drivers and KPIs.
Outsourced Accounting Services: An Essential Investment for Small Businesses
For small businesses, the challenge of staying afloat in a competitive market can be daunting. With limited resources and time, it can be difficult to keep up with the demands of running a business while still having enough energy to focus on growth and success. Investing in outsourced accounting services is one way small businesses can gain a significant advantage over their competition. Let’s take a look at what outsourced accounting services are, why they are important for small businesses, and how to choose the right service provider for your needs.
Increasing Profitability in Your Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
Do you want to know how to increase profitability in your business? Making a plan and tracking progress is key. But there are also other steps you can take, such as focusing on processes rather than scaleable solutions alone, that can help you reach your desired profit levels. In this blog post, we will discuss the steps for increasing profitability in a business.