Riley’s Bookkeeping & Payroll Services

04/11/2026

04/06/2026

Your bookkeeper should be annoying. Let me explain:

A good bookkeeper understands that guessing to save time now can lead to inaccuracies later. If you only hear from your bookkeeper once a month with reports, they may be relying on guesswork. They might make assumptions based on purchases and categorize expenses without thorough verification. This can lead to confusion when questions arise later, leaving both you and your bookkeeper without clear answers.

Good bookkeepers proactively reach out to clients to verify transactions. They will ask for receipts and explanations regarding the business purpose of unclear transactions. The best bookkeepers do this in the moment, ensuring that everything is fresh in everyone's mind, rather than waiting until a month later during reconciliation or years later during an audit.

If your bookkeeper has been annoying you with persistent emails every few days to verify multiple transactions, consider yourself fortunate - you’ve got yourself a good one!

03/13/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18AgGRkYxR/

It’s almost tiiiiime!!! 🍦✨

Our Opening Day for the 2026 season is set for Wednesday, April 1st (no joke!) We are SO excited to see all your smiling faces! Cross your fingers and toes for some beautiful sunny weather! 🤞🏼☀️🌸

03/05/2026

Teaching my daughter about payroll withholding

She did chores all week so I owe her $10

I hand her $7

> this isn't $10

"right, I withheld the rest"

> what does that mean

"I kept $3 of your money"

> but it's my money

"It was your money"

> what are you even doing with it?

"Funding household infrastructure"

> what

"The roof over your head. The hallway you walk through to get to the bathroom. The door locks that keep strangers out"

> you're charging me for the hallway

"I'm charging you for access to the hallway. The hallway itself was a capital expenditure"

> you're my dad. you're supposed to---

"I'm also your government"

> what if I don't want to pay for the hallway

"Then I can't guarantee the hallway"

> it's a hallway. It's already there

"For now"

She asks what else the $3 covers

"Meals, dispute resolution, nightlight maintenance"

> dispute resolution?

"When your brother takes your toys and I make him give them back. That's taxpayer funded"

> that's just parenting

"That's the Department of Justice"

> what about meals. You already feed me

"That's a social program. Not everyone qualifies"

> I'm your daughter

"Which is why you're currently enrolled"

She wants to see where the money goes

I tell her that would require a FOIA request

> what's that

"A form asking me to show you what I do with your money. Processing time is 6 to 8 weeks"

> 6 weeks to see where my $3 went?

"Could be longer. We're understaffed"

> there's two of you

She asks how she gets any of it back

"It's already spent"

> you spent my money already?

"We had a budget shortfall"

> you just took it 20 seconds ago

"And the deficit existed 30 seconds ago. The timing worked out"

> so I'm not getting it back

"I didn't say that. You might qualify for a refund"

> of my own money

"Correct. You just have to fill out a form telling me how much you made"

> you know how much I made. You paid me

"Right but I need you to tell me how much I paid you"

> so you already know the answer

"The point is compliance"

She asks what happens if she gets the number wrong

"Penalty"

> from the money I don't have because you already spent it?

"We could set up a payment plan"

> I'm 8

"Monthly installments. Very manageable"

> you're going to penalize me for getting wrong a number you already know and then make me pay you back with money you took from me

"Now you're getting it"

> I want to talk to mom

"Mom's not a qualified representative. She can't help you here"

She stormed off to her room saying how this is extortion

Slammed the door

That's my little citizen

I've never been more proud

02/06/2026

1. Mixing personal and business money
This is the fastest way to confuse your books, overpay taxes, and lose financial clarity.

2. Ignoring cash flow
Profit looks good, but cash pays rent, salaries, and suppliers.
Never assume profit = money available.

3. Poor record keeping
Missing receipts, unclassified expenses, and delayed entries create inaccurate financial reports.

4. Not reconciling bank accounts monthly
If you don’t reconcile, you are running your business blind.

5. Treating accounting as an end-of-year task
You should be tracking numbers weekly, not leaving everything for your accountant in December.

6. Not understanding financial statements
Your accountant can prepare them, but YOU must interpret them.
Decisions come from interpretation, not preparation.

7. Not planning for taxes
Late planning leads to penalties, interest, and cash shortages.

9. Underpricing products or services
Many small businesses price emotionally, not mathematically.

10. Not separating revenue from profit
Revenue feeds your ego.
Profit and cash flow feed your business.