---
title: "Small Business Bookkeeping Guides | MCC Solutions"
description: "Plain-language bookkeeping guides for small businesses: QuickBooks ProAdvisors, reconciliation, catching up, sales tax, payroll, 1099s and more."
url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/bookkeeping/guides"
---

Bookkeeping guides

# Plain answers to small business bookkeeping questions

## Overview

Short guides from the MCC Solutions desk for New Jersey business owners. General information, not tax or legal advice.

[![Intuit ProAdvisor Gold tier badge](/img/credentials/intuit-proadvisor-gold.png)](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)Gold tier in Intuit's ProAdvisor program. [See my Intuit listing](https://proadvisor.intuit.com/app/accountant/search?searchId=matthew-coleman77)

Keeping your own books? Tallyfinch does invoices, bank import and reports on your computer. [See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software)

[GUIDE ### What is a QuickBooks ProAdvisor? What a QuickBooks ProAdvisor is, what certification does and does not mean, how to find one, and the questions to ask before you hire a bookkeeper. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/what-is-a-quickbooks-proadvisor)[GUIDE ### Bookkeeper vs. accountant vs. CPA: who do you need? The difference between a bookkeeper, an accountant, a CPA and an enrolled agent for a New Jersey small business, and when each one is worth paying for. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/bookkeeper-vs-accountant-vs-cpa)[GUIDE ### How to set up bookkeeping for a new New Jersey LLC A step-by-step setup for a new NJ LLC: business bank account, accounting software, chart of accounts, sales tax and payroll registration, and monthly habits. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-set-up-bookkeeping-for-a-new-nj-llc)[GUIDE ### How to catch up when your books are months behind A practical plan for catching up on months or years of unreconciled bookkeeping: gather statements, reconcile in order, and fix the problems that cause delay. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-catch-up-on-behind-books)[GUIDE ### How to reconcile a bank account (and why it matters) A plain-language walkthrough of bank reconciliation in QuickBooks, Xero and other software: what it is, how to do it, and what to do when it will not balance. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-reconcile-a-bank-account)[GUIDE ### New Jersey sales tax for small businesses How New Jersey sales tax works for small businesses: when to register, what is taxable, how to collect and file, and how to record it in your books. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/nj-sales-tax-for-small-businesses)[GUIDE ### New Jersey payroll taxes and filings for small employers An overview of the federal and New Jersey payroll taxes a small employer pays and files, with the reports that follow each quarter and year. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/nj-payroll-taxes-and-filings-for-small-employers)[GUIDE ### 1099 contractors: a checklist for New Jersey businesses A practical checklist for paying independent contractors: W-9 collection, 1099-NEC filing, worker classification and what to track during the year. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/1099-contractors-checklist-for-nj-businesses)[GUIDE ### NJ LLC Annual Report: Due Date, Cost & How to File Online How the New Jersey LLC annual report (the yearly renewal) works: who must file, the due date, what it costs, how to file online and what happens if you miss it. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/new-jersey-llc-annual-report)[GUIDE ### Chart of accounts for a small business: how to set one up What a chart of accounts is, how many categories you actually need, and a clean starting structure for a small business. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/chart-of-accounts-for-small-business)[GUIDE ### What business records to keep, and for how long A practical retention guide for small business tax and accounting records, with the general IRS time limits and what to keep forever. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/how-long-to-keep-business-records)[GUIDE ### How to switch accounting software and keep your history How to move from one accounting program to another (Wave, QuickBooks, Xero and others): what carries over, what does not, and how to pick the cutover date. Read the guide →](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-switch-accounting-software)

## More guides

- [Separating personal and business money: why and how](/bookkeeping/guides/separating-personal-and-business-finances)
- [What to send your bookkeeper each month: a checklist](/bookkeeping/guides/what-to-send-your-bookkeeper-each-month)
- [A monthly bookkeeping close checklist for small businesses](/bookkeeping/guides/monthly-bookkeeping-close-checklist)
- [Cash vs. accrual accounting: which fits your business?](/bookkeeping/guides/cash-vs-accrual-accounting)
- [How to read a profit and loss statement](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-read-a-profit-and-loss-statement)
- [How much does small business bookkeeping cost?](/bookkeeping/guides/how-much-does-bookkeeping-cost)
- [Double-Entry Bookkeeping Explained Simply](/bookkeeping/guides/double-entry-bookkeeping-explained)
- [Debits and Credits Cheat Sheet for Owners](/bookkeeping/guides/debits-and-credits-cheat-sheet)
- [How to Read a Small Business Balance Sheet](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-read-a-balance-sheet)
- [Statement of Cash Flows: A Plain-English Guide](/bookkeeping/guides/statement-of-cash-flows-for-small-business)
- [What Is a General Ledger and Why It Matters](/bookkeeping/guides/what-is-a-general-ledger)
- [How to Write a Journal Entry Step by Step](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-write-a-journal-entry)
- [Accrued Expenses and Accrued Revenue Explained](/bookkeeping/guides/accrued-expenses-and-revenue-explained)
- [Prepaid Expenses and Deferred Revenue Basics](/bookkeeping/guides/prepaid-expenses-and-deferred-revenue)
- [Depreciation Basics for Small Business Owners](/bookkeeping/guides/depreciation-basics-for-small-business)
- [Accounts Receivable Basics: Track What You're Owed](/bookkeeping/guides/accounts-receivable-management-basics)
- [Accounts Payable Process for Small Businesses](/bookkeeping/guides/accounts-payable-process-for-small-business)
- [Invoicing Practices That Get You Paid Faster](/bookkeeping/guides/invoicing-practices-that-get-you-paid-faster)
- [How to Collect Late Payments From Customers](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-collect-late-customer-payments)
- [Expense Categorization Rules of Thumb](/bookkeeping/guides/expense-categorization-rules-of-thumb)
- [Petty Cash: How to Set Up and Control a Fund](/bookkeeping/guides/petty-cash-fund-setup-and-rules)
- [Bookkeeping for Business Credit Cards](/bookkeeping/guides/business-credit-card-bookkeeping)
- [Owner Draws vs Salary: How to Pay Yourself](/bookkeeping/guides/owner-draws-vs-salary)
- [How to Record a Business Loan in Your Books](/bookkeeping/guides/recording-a-business-loan-in-your-books)
- [Owner Equity and Capital Contributions Explained](/bookkeeping/guides/owner-equity-and-capital-contributions)
- [Inventory Costing: FIFO, LIFO and Average Cost](/bookkeeping/guides/inventory-costing-methods-fifo-and-average)
- [Inventory Counts and Shrinkage: Keeping Stock Honest](/bookkeeping/guides/inventory-counts-and-shrinkage)
- [How to Keep a Fixed Asset Register](/bookkeeping/guides/fixed-asset-register-how-to-keep-one)
- [How to Build a Small Business Budget From Scratch](/bookkeeping/guides/small-business-budget-how-to-build)
- [13-Week Cash Flow Forecast for Small Businesses](/bookkeeping/guides/13-week-cash-flow-forecast-for-small-business)
- [Financial Ratios Small Business Owners Should Know](/bookkeeping/guides/financial-ratios-small-business-owners-should-know)
- [Month-End Adjusting Entries Every Owner Should Know](/bookkeeping/guides/month-end-adjusting-entries-checklist)
- [Year-End Bookkeeping Close: Steps Before Tax Time](/bookkeeping/guides/year-end-bookkeeping-close-steps)
- [What Is an Audit Trail in Bookkeeping?](/bookkeeping/guides/audit-trail-in-bookkeeping)
- [Simple Internal Controls for Small Business Money](/bookkeeping/guides/internal-controls-for-small-business-money)
- [Employee Fraud Red Flags for Small Business Owners](/bookkeeping/guides/employee-fraud-red-flags-in-small-business)
- [Common Bookkeeping Mistakes and How to Fix Them](/bookkeeping/guides/common-bookkeeping-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them)
- [How to Hire a Bookkeeper: What to Ask and Check](/bookkeeping/guides/how-to-hire-a-bookkeeper)
- [Managing Your Bookkeeper: Reviews and Communication](/bookkeeping/guides/managing-your-bookkeeper-after-you-hire)
- [Bookkeeping for a Side Hustle: Start Simple](/bookkeeping/guides/bookkeeping-for-a-side-hustle)
- [Tracking Mileage and Vehicle Expenses for Business](/bookkeeping/guides/tracking-mileage-and-vehicle-expenses)
- [Keeping Records for a Home Office Deduction](/bookkeeping/guides/home-office-expense-records)
- [Uncategorized and Suspense Accounts: Clear Them Out](/bookkeeping/guides/uncategorized-and-suspense-accounts)
- [Bank Feeds and Rules: Automate Without Losing Control](/bookkeeping/guides/bank-feeds-and-rules-automation)
- [Bad Debt and Write-Offs: Recording Uncollectible Invoices](/bookkeeping/guides/bad-debt-and-write-offs)
- [Customer Deposits and Retainers: How to Book Them](/bookkeeping/guides/customer-deposits-and-retainers-in-the-books)
- [Recording Customer Refunds, Credits and Chargebacks](/bookkeeping/guides/recording-refunds-credits-and-chargebacks)
- [Reconciling Stripe and Square Deposits to Sales](/bookkeeping/guides/reconciling-payment-processor-deposits)

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## Bookkeeping by type of business

- [Bookkeeping for notaries and loan signing agents](/bookkeeping/for/notaries-and-loan-signing-agents)
- [Get your books ready for a mortgage](/bookkeeping/self-employed-books-for-a-mortgage)
- [Bookkeeping for short-term rental hosts](/bookkeeping/for/short-term-rental-hosts)
- [Bookkeeping for small landlords](/bookkeeping/for/small-landlords)
- [Bookkeeping for online sellers](/bookkeeping/for/online-sellers)
- [Bookkeeping for process servers and field contractors](/bookkeeping/for/process-servers-and-field-contractors)
- [Years behind on your books? Start here](/bookkeeping/help/years-behind-on-books)
- [Books that won't reconcile](/bookkeeping/help/books-that-wont-reconcile)
- [Your bookkeeper left a mess](/bookkeeping/help/previous-bookkeeper-left-a-mess)
- [A tax notice arrived and your records are a mess](/bookkeeping/help/tax-notice-need-records)
- [Payroll records that have gone sideways](/bookkeeping/help/payroll-tax-trouble)
- [Sales tax records that don't add up](/bookkeeping/help/sales-tax-catch-up)
- [Get your books ready for a bank or SBA loan](/bookkeeping/help/books-for-a-bank-or-sba-loan)
- [Books for selling (or buying) a business](/bookkeeping/help/books-for-selling-your-business)
- [Partners disagree about the numbers](/bookkeeping/help/partner-or-owner-dispute)
- [Switching accounting software without losing your history](/bookkeeping/help/switching-accounting-software)
- [Cash flow crisis? Find out where the money goes](/bookkeeping/help/cash-flow-crisis)
- [In-depth bookkeeping for restaurants, contractors and the trades](/bookkeeping/help/restaurants-contractors-and-trades)
- [Bookkeeping for Jersey Shore seasonal businesses](/bookkeeping/for/jersey-shore-seasonal-businesses)
- [Bookkeeping for New Jersey farms and farm stands](/bookkeeping/for/nj-farms-and-farm-stands)
- [Bookkeeping for medical, dental and therapy practices](/bookkeeping/for/medical-dental-and-therapy-practices)
- [Bookkeeping for landscaping and snow removal companies](/bookkeeping/for/landscaping-and-snow-removal-businesses)
- [Bookkeeping for trucking and delivery owner-operators](/bookkeeping/for/trucking-and-delivery-owner-operators)
- [Bookkeeping for salons, barbershops and booth renters](/bookkeeping/for/salons-barbershops-and-booth-renters)
- [Bookkeeping for small nonprofits and community groups](/bookkeeping/for/small-nonprofits-and-community-groups)
- [Bookkeeping for New Jersey consultants with New York clients](/bookkeeping/for/nj-consultants-with-new-york-clients)
- [Bookkeeping for freelancers and solo service providers](/bookkeeping/for/freelancers-and-solo-service-providers)
- [Bookkeeping for contractors and trades](/bookkeeping/for/contractors-and-trades)
- [Bookkeeping for restaurants, caterers and food businesses](/bookkeeping/for/restaurants-and-food-businesses)
- [Bookkeeping for small law firms](/bookkeeping/for/small-law-firms)
- [Bookkeeping for auto repair shops and garages](/bookkeeping/for/auto-repair-shops-and-garages)
- [Bookkeeping for cleaning companies](/bookkeeping/for/cleaning-companies)
- [Bookkeeping for food trucks](/bookkeeping/for/food-trucks)
- [Bookkeeping for child care centers](/bookkeeping/for/child-care-centers)

Unsure of a term? Browse the [bookkeeping glossary](/bookkeeping/glossary). Not sure where your books stand? Take the [free bookkeeping health check](/bookkeeping/health-check). Looking for help with a specific program? See [bookkeeping by software](/bookkeeping/software). Want a monthly view of your numbers, including 1099 contractors? See [bookkeeping dashboards](/bookkeeping/dashboards).

Reach small business owners, freelancers and bookkeepers who read this guide: [advertise here](/advertise#bookkeeping).

## Related

- [Pet care business records in New Jersey](/bookkeeping/guides/pet-care-business-records-new-jersey)
- [Income records for personal trainers and fitness instructors](/bookkeeping/guides/personal-trainer-and-yoga-instructor-income-records)
- [AI rules for small businesses: which state and city laws may apply](/bookkeeping/ai-rules-for-small-business)
- [QuickBooks Online setup for a new or small business](/bookkeeping/quickbooks-online-setup)
- [Just became the PTA or booster club treasurer?](/bookkeeping/pta-booster-club-treasurer)
- [Pass the SIE exam](/courses/sie-exam-prep)
- [What we use and recommend: tools for notaries, small businesses and families](/resources/recommended)
- [AI workflows for small businesses: ready-to-run procedures by trade](/bookkeeping/guides/ai-workflows)
- [Booth rent or commission: records, tips and sales tax for stylists, barbers, nail and lash techs](/bookkeeping/guides/booth-rent-or-commission-stylist-records-and-tips)
- [Content creators and influencers: platform payouts, 1099s, products for posts, gear and FTC disclosures](/bookkeeping/guides/content-creator-income-brand-deals-and-ftc-disclosures)
- [Small business bookkeeping basics for owners](/courses/small-business-bookkeeping-basics)
- [Online courses from MCC Solutions](/courses)

Tallyfinch

### Books you keep on your own computer

Tallyfinch does invoices, bills, bank import, reconciliation and the main reports, in a file you own. $99 once, then $5 a month for updates; the app keeps working if you stop the plan. It does not do payroll or sales tax filing. The free download records up to 60 entries.

[See Tallyfinch](/bookkeeping/mcc-books-downloadable-bookkeeping-software) [Download it free](/tools/pro/trial/mccBooks) [Compare the three apps](/software)

## Rather have us keep the books? Ask for a quote.

[Get a Quote](/bookkeeping/#interest)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)