Welcome to Tea on the Ledger - your go-to blog for modern business finance advice with a side of sarcasm and spreadsheets.

Run by a former Big4 accountant (yes, I survived!), this blog is here to make business way less boring and way more doable. Whether you’re freelancing, consulting, side hustling, or running a full-blown small business - this space is packed with practical tips, bookkeeping hacks, tax talk, and cash flow tricks to help you DIY your business finances like a pro.

I’m all about modernizing money management so ditch the dusty old accounting rules and get the inside scoop on how to actually run your business finances smarter, not harder. From decoding your P&L to avoiding tax-time panic, I’m spilling all the tea (with spreadsheets, not judgement).

Because your business deserves financial clarity……and you deserve content that doesn’t put you to sleep.

Financial Mistakes New Business Owners Make—and How to Avoid Them

Starting a business is exciting. You’ve got your logo, your website, and a business plan scribbled on the back of a napkin. You’re ready to take on the world - until, a few months in, you realize your bank account looks like a sad meme and you’re asking yourself where did the money go?

Fear not, fellow entrepreneur. We’re diving into the financial mistakes new entrepreneurs make - so you can dodge them like a pro and keep your business (and your sanity) intact.

Let’s get into it.

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Cash Flow, Bookkeeping & Accounting Riyanna Gordon-Mark Cash Flow, Bookkeeping & Accounting Riyanna Gordon-Mark

How to Price Your Services Based on Your Finances

Ah, pricing. The eternal headache for every small business owner, side hustler, and “I swear I’m not winging it” entrepreneur. One minute you’re thinking, I’m worth a million bucks! and the next you’re Googling, Can I charge more than $5 for this service without scaring people off?

If you’ve ever wondered how to set prices that actually make you money (and not just “cover your coffee habit”), then you, my friend, are in the right place. Let’s talk about pricing services based on business finances - without making your brain melt.

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What to Do if Your Business Is Losing Money

Running a business isn’t always sunshine, rainbows, and yacht parties. Sometimes it feels more like a leaky boat with you frantically bailing out water using a teaspoon. If your business is losing money and you’re wondering how to recover from business financial loss, you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not doomed.

Let’s break down the steps you can take to stop the bleeding, turn things around, and even have a laugh along the way (because let’s face it, crying into your Excel sheet won’t help).

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How to Project Your Business Finances for the Year Ahead

Ever feel like you are guessing when it comes to your business finances?

You are not alone. Many small business owners and freelancers find forecasting tricky, but a good business finance forecasting guide can change everything.

When you forecast your income, expenses, and cash flow for the year ahead, you gain clarity, confidence, and control over your financial future. Let’s break down the process step by step - without the jargon.

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What Your Profit & Loss Statement Should Really Tell You

If you have ever stared at your Profit and Loss Statement (P&L) and thought, “What am I actually looking at?”, you are not alone.

Many freelancers, side hustlers, and small business owners struggle with understanding profit and loss statement details - yet this simple document can give you a crystal-clear picture of your business’s financial health.

Let’s break it down, step by step, so you can stop guessing and start using your P&L like a pro.

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Should You Open a Business Savings Account? Yes…..Here’s Why

When you’re running a small business, every dollar counts. You might already have a business checking account to handle day-to-day transactions, but here’s the question:

Should you open a business savings account, too?

The answer is a resounding yes - and here’s why.

Let’s break down the benefits of business savings account setups and how they can protect your business, fuel your growth, and keep you ready for whatever comes next.

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Financial Red Flags That Scare Away Investors

Picture this: you’ve got a big pitch meeting lined up. You’re ready to wow potential investors with your vision, your product, and your passion.

But here’s the catch - even the best ideas won’t get funded if your business finances throw up red flags.

Whether you’re a freelancer looking for a small capital injection, or a small business owner seeking a major investment, knowing the business finance red flags for investors is critical.

Let’s dive into the most common financial warning signs that can make investors hesitate, and how you can fix them before they kill your funding dreams.

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Understanding Business Credit Scores (And Why They Matter)

Ever tried applying for a business loan or credit card and wondered why you got denied or approved for way less than you needed?

Chances are, it had something to do with your business credit score.

Your personal credit score is important, sure - but for your business, building credit is a whole different ball game.

Let’s break down exactly what a business credit score is, why it matters, and how to build business credit score from scratch (even if you’re a freelancer, side hustler, or small business owner just getting started).

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Business Funding, Cash Flow, Financial Analysis Riyanna Gordon-Mark Business Funding, Cash Flow, Financial Analysis Riyanna Gordon-Mark

How to Build a Cash Reserve for Your Business

If you’ve ever had an unexpected expense hit your business - like a client paying late, an equipment breakdown, or a slow sales month, you know how quickly a cash flow crunch can turn into a full-blown crisis.

That’s why every business needs an emergency fund.

Whether you’re a solo freelancer, a side hustler, or running a small team, learning how to build a business emergency fund is a game-changer.

Let’s break it down step-by-step so you can protect your business from the unexpected - and sleep better at night.

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5 Signs You Need Help With Your Business Finances

Let’s be real, running a business is tough, and staying on top of your finances? Even tougher.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, unsure if you’re making a profit, or just winging it when it comes to taxes and cash flow, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: ignoring money problems won’t make them go away - it’ll just make them harder to fix later.

So how do you know when it’s time to stop DIYing your books and get some expert help?

Here are 5 clear signs your business needs financial help, and what to do about it.

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Bookkeeping & Accounting, Cash Flow, Taxes Riyanna Gordon-Mark Bookkeeping & Accounting, Cash Flow, Taxes Riyanna Gordon-Mark

The Best Way to Organize Your Business Receipts

Let’s face it: tracking down business receipts during tax season is the WORST. You know you bought that printer ink, but where’s the proof? That client lunch? Buried somewhere in your inbox.

Organizing business receipts for taxes isn’t just about staying neat - it’s about saving money, avoiding headaches, and keeping the IRS happy.

The good news? You don’t need a fancy system or expensive software. Just a simple, consistent method that works for you.

Here’s exactly how to organize your business receipts like a pro, without spending hours on paperwork.

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How to Separate Business and Personal Finances

Running a business is tough enough without the added stress of mixing personal and business finances. If you’ve ever wondered why your bookkeeping feels like a jumbled mess, or why tax season makes you want to pull your hair out - you’re not alone.

Here’s the thing: separating your business and personal finances is one of the smartest moves you can make. It’s not just about being organized (though that’s a huge bonus) - it’s about protecting your business, simplifying your taxes, and running your finances like a pro.

So, let’s break down exactly how to separate business and personal finances, step by step.

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Top 10 Business Finance Apps That Actually Save You Time

Let’s face it, running a business is hard enough without wasting hours managing your finances. The good news? There are apps built specifically to make money management faster, easier, and even kind of enjoyable.

Whether you're a freelancer, solopreneur, or small business owner, the best apps for business finances in 2025 help you stay on top of income, expenses, taxes, and more - with minimal effort.

Here are 10 apps worth checking out if you want to spend less time crunching numbers and more time growing your business.

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5 Budgeting Mistakes That Are Costing You Thousands

Every dollar matters when you’re running a small business. But even the most well-meaning business owners make budgeting mistakes that quietly chip away at their profits. The good news? Once you recognize these issues, they’re easy to fix.

In this article, we’ll break down five common small business budgeting mistakes - and how you can correct them before they cost you any more money.

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The Financial Checklist Every Freelancer Needs

Freelancing gives you freedom, but with that independence comes responsibility, especially when it comes to your finances. Whether you're a graphic designer, copywriter, or developer, staying on top of your money isn’t just smart - it’s essential for long-term success.

That’s why we created the ultimate Freelancer Business Finance Checklist to help you stay organized, compliant, and in control. No accounting degree required, just a commitment to financial clarity.

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Cash Flow, Financial Management Riyanna Gordon-Mark Cash Flow, Financial Management Riyanna Gordon-Mark

Profit Isn’t Cash: Here’s Why That Matters

You’ve just reviewed your profit & loss statement. It says your business made $8,000 in profit last month.

So why does your bank account feel like it’s gasping for air?

Welcome to the difference between profit and cash flow: one of the most misunderstood (and dangerous) concepts in small business finance.

If you’ve ever wondered why your books say you’re “profitable” but your wallet says otherwise, this blog is for you. Let’s break it down - no jargon, just real talk, and show you why knowing the difference can save your business.

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How to Read Financial Statements (Even If You Hate Numbers)

Let’s get one thing out of the way: you do not have to be a math person to run a successful business.

But if you want to keep your business profitable, tax-ready, and growing in the right direction: you do need to understand your financial statements.

We’re not talking spreadsheets filled with jargon or pages of numbers that give you a headache.
We’re talking about simple, clear insights that help you answer questions like:

  • “Am I actually making a profit?”

  • “Can I afford to hire help?”

  • “Why is there money in my account, but I feel broke?”

If you’ve been avoiding your financial reports, this post is for you. Let’s break down how to read financial statements for small business owners….even if you hate numbers.

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Bookkeeping & Accounting, Business Tools, Cash Flow, Taxes Riyanna Gordon-Mark Bookkeeping & Accounting, Business Tools, Cash Flow, Taxes Riyanna Gordon-Mark

Top Financial Tools Entrepreneurs Swear By in 2025

Running a small business in 2025 means wearing a lot of hats, and if you’re like most entrepreneurs, the finance hat often feels the heaviest.

From tracking expenses to getting paid faster to staying tax-ready year-round, the right tools can save you hours of stress and thousands of dollars. But with so many apps and platforms out there, how do you know which ones are actually worth your time?

We’ve done the digging for you. Here are the best financial software tools for small businesses in 2025 the ones real entrepreneurs (and bookkeepers like us) swear by to keep their money under control and their sanity intact.

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Business Tools, Cash Flow Riyanna Gordon-Mark Business Tools, Cash Flow Riyanna Gordon-Mark

The #1 Tool Every Small Business Needs to Control Cash Flow

Let’s talk about the thing that can make or break your business - cash flow.

You might be making great sales. Clients might love you. But if the money coming in doesn’t match the timing of the money going out? That’s when even the best businesses can hit a wall.

Cash flow problems are one of the biggest reasons small businesses struggle, especially in the first few years. But what if managing your cash flow didn’t have to be stressful or complicated?

The secret? Using the right tool.
And we’re not talking about a spreadsheet that collects digital dust.

So, what’s the number one tool we recommend at Breakspears Bookkeeping Services, LLC for managing cash flow?

Let’s break it down….

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