Lawley Bookkeeping & Accounting

01/08/2026

The announced Monday, January 26, 2026, as the opening of the nation’s 2026 filing season. You will have until Wednesday, April 15, 2026, to file your 2025 tax returns and pay any tax due. Don’t forget that IRS.gov has online tools and resources you can use before, during and after filing your federal tax return. For a list of filing season tools, reminders and resources, read: https://ow.ly/1yqq50XTweL

10/13/2025

FOR THE DIY FOLKS (and curious biz owners):
Ever notice how your bank says it’s crediting your account when you deposit money… but in your books, you record that as a debit?

Or how your bank says a debit means you spent money… but you book that expense as a credit?

I remember how confusing this was when I first started bookkeeping. The terms are totally flipped between banks and your accounting system.

Here’s a quick reel that explains why it works that way.

It’s a bit confusing because it deals with debits and credits, but it definitely a weird thing you come across in the the bookkeeping world.

10/02/2025

✨ Separating Personal vs. Business Expenses: Why It Matters ✨

Mixing personal and business expenses doesn’t just blur these lines, it will create extra work, and extra bookkeeping costs.

Personal charges run through your business account = more transactions to untangle.

Business charges paid from your personal account = expenses that may never make it into your books unless you track them down.

And remember: every transaction in your business account has to be accounted for. There’s no “delete” button.

This all adds up to more effort, more time, and potentially higher costs to keep your books clean. It can also snowball into IRS compliance issues and increase your personal risk if your business ever faces legal trouble.

Here’s how to keep things simple and seamless:

✔️ Pay business expenses from your business account.
✔️ Pay personal expenses from your personal account.
✔️ If you mix them, tell your bookkeeper right away.
✔️ Keep receipts or jot a quick note to explain transactions.

👉 Clear separation = accurate books, reliable reports, and easy tax processing

09/29/2025

So what exactly is bookkeeping?

At its simplest, bookkeeping is the process of recording, organizing, and tracking a business’s financial transactions. But to me, it’s more than that.

It’s about having a partner who helps you understand what those numbers mean. Someone who can meet you where you’re at, explain things clearly, and give you the tools you need to make business decisions based on your true financial picture.

This post takes you through the history of bookkeeping, how the role has evolved, why it can feel confusing today — and what steps you can take to get control of your books no matter where you’re starting from.

👉 You can read the full post on my blog, and if you’re curious, I’ve got a few other articles there you might enjoy too.

Bookkeeping has evolved fast. Learn what it really includes today, why it matters, and how clean books can help you grow your business with clarity.

08/03/2025

08/01/2025

Ever thought about bartering?

Bartering is when you trade services for something of equal value—no money exchanged, but still real income and real expense that should be captured on your books.

Bartering is a great way to support fellow business owners you know and trust. It can strengthen relationships and help everyone get what they need, but there are some accounting nuances that are easy to miss if you're not sure what to watch for.

✅ It’s income
✅ It’s an expense
✅ It belongs in your books
✅ And it’s easier to track than you’d think

My latest blog explains how to record barter properly—and how to protect yourself by putting the terms in writing. plus there’s a free 1-page tip sheet if you want it.

👉 Read the blog or email me for the cheat sheet: [email protected]

Barter sounds old-fashioned, but it’s alive and well in the world of small business. Maybe you traded logo design for headshots. Or social media coaching for

04/10/2025

Bookkeeping might not be the most exciting part of running a business—but staying financially organized can make everything else a whole lot easier.

Whether it's tax time, making big decisions, or just figuring out where the money went, having up-to-date books brings real peace of mind.

What’s the toughest part for you when it comes to keeping your finances organized?

• Tracking receipts?
• Categorizing bank transactions?
• Understanding your reports?
• Something else?

Let me know—I'm always happy to share a few tips that can make a big difference (without overwhelming you).

03/28/2025

FinCEN just issued an interim final rule that exempts U.S.-based businesses from the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).

While this decision isn’t set in stone, it’s a huge step forward in preserving the privacy of American business owners. After months of legal challenges, deadline extensions, and a fair amount of confusion, this interim rule brings some long-overdue relief for small business compliance.

That said, it’s not a done deal—because this is still an interim rule, things could shift again depending on future legislation, lawsuits, or public comment.

I broke down what this means, who’s still affected, and what to watch for next in my latest blog post:
https://lawleybookkeeping.com/2025/03/28/major-update-fincen-exempts-u-s-companies-from-boi-reporting-requirements/

Stay informed, stay compliant—and let’s hope this is a step toward more clarity and less red tape.

If you’ve been tracking the ongoing developments around Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), there’s been a big shift—and it’s good news for …

03/14/2025

Happy 3.14159265358979… Day!!!
Pi was first calculated by Archimedes and named for the Greek symbol π, the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. The first three digits are 3.14 and it is celebrated every 3/14 on

03/12/2025

Quick Bookkeeping Tip for Small Business Owners

Are you mixing personal and business expenses on the same bank account?

One of the easiest ways to keep your books clean (and make tax time stress-free) is to use a separate business bank account and credit card for all business transactions.

✅ Why?
✔️ Clearer financial records
✔️ Easier tax deductions
✔️ Saves time when reconciling your books

If you've been swiping the same card for both personal and business expenses, today’s the day to make the switch! Your future self (and your bookkeeper 😉) will thank you.

What’s one bookkeeping habit that has helped your business? Let’s share and learn together!

03/10/2025

FinCEN has announced that no fines or penalties will be issued for missed BOI reporting deadlines until further notice. An interim final rule with new deadlines is expected by March 21, 2025. This provides businesses additional time to comply without penalty.

Learn more in our latest blog: https://lawleybookkeeping.com/2025/03/05/fincen-update-extension-of-boi-reporting/
For official details, visit: https://fincen.gov/boi

Beneficial ownership information reporting requirements are now back in effect, with a new deadline of March 21, 2025, for most companies. Prior to March 21, 2025, FinCEN will assess its options for further modifying deadlines. For more information, see our website https://fincen.gov/boi.

03/03/2025

Happy Monday!
Are you ready for your week? Let me know in my poll!