Small Business Owners, Accounting/Bookkeeping Question

[hourofthenow]

Hello all,

I hesitate to post this thread as I don't want to be the guy who didn't use the search, but I did and found some sorts of helpful info. However I thought instead of bumping a very old thread to get answers for my specific situation it might be less annoying to just post what I'm looking for exactly and see if anyone can help.

Basically, I've started a small cleaning company two months ago. I've had two mailings out so far and I've gotten a handful of calls, more than I expected which is nice. The problem is, now that I'm out and getting paid, I need some software to keep track of everything. I want to deduct literally everything that I can within the confines of the law. However I know NOTHING about budgeting, or bookkeeping, or accounting.

This is sad, I know. So for my personal finances, I decided back in Oct. (before I started my business up) to begin keeping track of every transaction in my bank register. Two weeks ago I began importing into a monthly google excel spreadsheet broken down weekly so I can see whether I'm on track or not and where my money is really going.

For business, I am intermixing my profits/expenses into/from my personal account, marking them in the register of my personal bank account, but keeping the receipts separate in a little box. This is for any and everything that has to do with my business:

-Site creation
-Hosting
-Marketing (printing, postage, editing, paper)
-Uniforms (cost of shirts and embroidery, shoes)
-Supplies
-Gas and Mileage
-Phone
-Internet
-Meals while out

I know I need a business bank account very soon. I will do that as soon as I get my llc from state dept. But, I wanted to just get some WORK first before I worried about that, and I have. So that will take care of commingling the monies from personal and business use.

That said, are there any suggestions on what software to use to keep track of all these expenses, as a business entity, and services provided, etc.? What I described above is pretty much the extent of my business so far. Small but I plan to make it grow as fast as I can and I don't want the finances getting away from me. The excel spreadsheet seems to do the trick for my personal finances and my business isn't all that much different I suppose. I just would prefer something more tailored to a small business?

Thanks in advance.

 

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