Just the Books

06/30/2026

No time for bookkeeping?

Don't fall behind! Calendar it.

We make time for our clients, customers, co-workers, collaborators, etc. We can ALSO make time to keep our books.

Put it in your calendar. (No less than every two weeks so you're not spending all your time digging for answers when you get stuck).

Then show up. Just like you show up for the parts of your business you really enjoy (like the clients, or your product!)

06/24/2026

Pivot!!

As we reach our three-year anniversary, we've decided it's time to pivot our branding to match our evolving business.

When we first launched our business in 2023, we planned for our focus to be on property accounting. As we've taken on clients and learned more about what we can offer and what small businesses need, we've found that property accounting isn't where we're going to find success.

Instead, we focus on small-business bookkeeping: set-ups, process adjustments, and on-going support. As well as providing general business consulting and accountability, each client has a tailored consulting plan. Our "do-it-together" approach is helping us engage with clients so they can gain confidence and get back in control of all aspects of their business, including bookkeeping.

The small business journey is always evolving, thank you for being along for the ride!

05/31/2024

Recently, two members of the BiggerPockets 👛 staff faced the same decision - whether to keep their existing home as a rental when purchasing a new home. One of them sold 🤑, the other one held 💪(and then wrote the blog post below about why he was right).

I have some questions about the 197%+ ROI calculated, but I think this line is a perfect summary of why people in the same situation makes different choices:

"Every investor is unique in the way that they invest in real estate. They have unique goals, unique variables in their local markets, unique personal financial circumstances, and so much more that ultimately factor into the decisions we make." -Noah Bacon

Do you have a primary residence that you want to start renting? Let us help you set up bookkeeping system to prepare for your first Schedule E filing 📩

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/brian-took-the-easy-way-out-why-im-never-selling-my-properties

05/28/2024

Check out this helpful guide from Rentec Direct on navigating pet-friendly rentals.

Pet deposits used to be industry standard. Tenant protection laws have now capped deposits at one-month's rent in many states, including Pennsylvania and New York.

As a result, many landlords now charge a monthly fee rather than an upfront deposit, since the pet deposit would push the deposits on hand past the legal limit.

Some states have also elected to consider Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) to have many of the same protections as Service animals - including a prohibition on both fees and deposits.

Using an accounting system specifically designed for real estate allows these laws to be considered when setting up a property - a safeguard against accidentally violating local laws. Are you looking to hand your bookkeeping off? Let's connect!

https://www.rentecdirect.com/blog/pet-screening-for-landlords-and-renters/

05/23/2024

We love this detailed guide from Zego on reviewing and selecting property management software.

We especially like the diagram: What Type of Tech Structure is Right for You?

Are you ready to level up your response to "Do you have someone in charge of software training & adoption?"? We have experience with Zego and many other platforms and integrations. Whether you want one-time setup support or you need an on-going resource, we are ready to help!

https://www.gozego.com/articles/buying-property-management-software/

05/20/2024

During my decade+ of experience in property accounting, I learned that the most common answer to questions is "it depends."

The author of this op-ed states treats his anecdotal experience as fact, and he lost me in the third sentence when he shares that he is an attorney. Contract Law is one of the first classes taken in law school, but that doesn't mean this is good advice for everyone.

Should you fire your Realtor? It depends. We think the better advice would be to make sure that, if you do hire a Realtor, that you vet them well!

https://www.yahoo.com/news/bought-first-home-without-agent-095901274.html

05/16/2024

Gallup released an annual survey showing more Americans think Real Estate is the best long-term investment than any other type of investment. Real Estate has been ranked #1 every year since 2014.

Are you considering investing in property this year? If so, we'd love to help you with the accounting.

Even if you haven't closed, expenses related to acquisition can be rolled into your basis. Let's connect!

Americans continue to rank real estate as the best long-term investment, while stocks have gained in attractiveness and gold has waned.

04/19/2024

When interest rates are high, investors & individuals like are forced to decide whether to buy now and lock in a price, or to wait till rates cool down. For an investor, this may mean accepting a lower return until it's possible to refinance at a lower rate.

When it's time to apply for that refinance, having good records often makes a substantial difference in the valuation of the property and how easily an investor can secure better terms.

Let us help you document which repairs are repairs and which added value. Should updates be capitalized or expensed? It depends on your investing and tax goals.

Visit our website to book a free Q&A to discuss our services!

Jessica Lautz, NAR Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research, reacts to mortgage interest rates rising above 7%.

03/28/2024