06/18/2026
🧾 Just set up QuickBooks Online? Here are a few things to get right from the start!
Starting your bookkeeping journey in QBO is exciting — but what you set up first makes a big difference down the road. Here are some insider tips from a bookkeeper who sees these mistakes all the time:
📋 Chart of Accounts
Don't just accept the default chart of accounts QBO gives you! It's a great starting point, but your business is unique. Take a few minutes to customize it to match how your business actually operates. The cleaner your COA, the easier your reports will be to read — and the easier tax time becomes! 🙌
🏦 Connect Your Bank Accounts
Link your business bank account and credit cards directly in QBO as soon as possible. This pulls in your transactions automatically, saving you hours of manual entry. Pro tip: make sure you're using a separate business account — mixing personal and business spending is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes we see new business owners make!
⚠️ Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
✔️ Don't skip reconciling your accounts monthly
✔️ Don't categorize everything as "Other Expense" when you're unsure — ask!
✔️ Don't wait until December to start cleaning things up 😅
Setting up QBO correctly from day one saves you serious time, money, and stress later on. And if it all feels a little overwhelming — that's exactly what we're here for! 💼
📩 JPurcell Bookkeeping LLC is here to help small business owners get set up right and stay organized all year long. Drop us a message or visit our website to learn more!
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