Sandy’s Wake-Up Call — When Growing Fast Means Financial Confusion
How a local cleaning business owner got clarity and saved thousands in taxes.
Sandy started her residential cleaning company in Northwest Arkansas with hustle, heart, and a few loyal clients. Within a year, word-of-mouth referrals had doubled her customer base. Business was booming—but her books? A total mess.
Like many solopreneurs, Sandy wore all the hats: scheduling, customer service, marketing... and, unfortunately, bookkeeping. She set up QuickBooks Online, but beyond connecting her bank account, she didn’t know how to properly categorize income or expenses. Payments came in through Venmo, checks, and Square—but many of those were being counted twice.
The Financial Fog:
Sandy assumed her software was “handling it.” What she didn’t realize was:
Some deposits were duplicated between Square and the bank feed
Loan payments on her company vehicle were being fully expensed rather than split into principal and interest
Unused and redundant categories in her Chart of Accounts were making reports nearly unreadable
She hadn’t reconciled any accounts in over a year
She wasn’t sure how much she was really making—or how much she owed in taxes. She just knew it didn’t feel right.
The Turnaround:
Sandy booked a call with DBR Bookkeeping. After an initial consultation, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work:
Cleaned up 12 months of transactions
Reclassified miscategorized entries
Broke down loan payments correctly to avoid overstating expenses
Reconciled all accounts
Created a simplified Chart of Accounts tailored to her business
Implemented a monthly workflow Sandy could follow without overwhelm
The Result:
By the end of the project, Sandy had clean books, accurate financial reports, and peace of mind. Her CPA estimated she had been overstating her income by tens of thousands due to duplicate deposits and interest not being properly recorded—leading to an estimated $10,000+ in tax savings.
Why It Matters:
Sandy’s story is a perfect example of how fast growth can cause financial confusion. You don’t have to be a finance expert—but you do need accurate books if you want to grow sustainably and make smart decisions.
✅ Ready for your own bookkeeping breakthrough?
Book a call with Dr. Bryan Raya, QuickBooks ProAdvisor and founder of DBR Bookkeeping.
👉 Schedule your consultation now
FAQ: How to Stay on Top of Business Finances
Q: What’s the biggest mistake new business owners make?
A: Not reconciling accounts regularly and relying on bank balances instead of reports.
Q: How often should I review my financials?
A: At least monthly—especially your Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet.
Q: Can I fix old bookkeeping mistakes?
A: Absolutely. A good clean-up can save you on taxes and help you move forward with confidence.
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