How to Review your Business Expenses Each Month

Running a business comes with a steady stream of expenses, and it is easy to pay them without taking a closer look. We often help clients who are surprised to discover they are spending more than expected in certain areas, or missing opportunities to reduce costs.

A simple monthly review can help you stay in control of your finances and make better decisions. Here are a few simple steps to review your business expenses each month.

• Review your bank and credit card transactions. Make sure every expense is related to your business and that there are no duplicate charges or unexpected payments.
• Review your recurring subscriptions. Ask yourself if you are still using each service and whether it is providing value to your business. Cancel anything you no longer need.
• Group your expenses into categories. If you're using bookkeeping software like QuickBooks or Xero, review your expense categories to make sure transactions have been recorded correctly. If you're using a spreadsheet, organize your expenses into categories such as software, marketing, office supplies, travel, and utilities. This gives you a clearer picture of where your money is going each month and helps identify areas where you may be be able to reduce costs.
• Compare your spending to previous months. If one category has increased significantly, take a closer look to understand why. Sometimes the increase is expected, but other times it highlights an area where you can save money.
• Check that every expense has supporting documentation. Make sure you have receipts or invoices for your business purchases. Keeping organized records throughout the year makes tax time much less stressful and helps support your deductions if needed.
• Ask yourself if each expense is adding value. Every dollar you spend should have a purpose. Consider whether it helps your business generate more revenue, save time, improve efficiency, or better serve your customers.

If you would like help reviewing your business expenses, keeping your bookkeeping up to date, or understanding where your money is going, we would love to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services.