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.
Tea on the Ledger Blog Categories:
Tax Deductions You’re Probably Missing in Your Business
When you’re starting or growing a business, you may find yourself reaching for your personal debit card more than you'd like to admit. But is using personal money for business expenses a smart move - or a slippery slope?
The answer depends on your goals, your legal setup, and how you manage the money trail.
In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of using personal funds to support your business, what it means for your taxes and legal protection, and how to do it the right way if you choose to go that route.
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.
Can You Afford to Scale Your Business? Use This Finance Formula
Dreaming of scaling your business? Hold up - let’s make sure the numbers make sense first.
Here’s the truth: Scaling without a solid financial plan is like building a house without a blueprint. You might get lucky, but chances are, you’ll end up with a mess, and a whole lot of regret.
So before you hire, invest, or launch that new product, let’s answer the big question:
Can you afford to scale your business?
Here’s how to calculate business scalability finance - using a simple formula that any freelancer, side hustler, or small business owner can apply today.
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.
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.
Is Your Business Financially Healthy?
Let’s be real, running a small business without checking its financial health is like driving a car without a fuel gauge. Sooner or later, you’ll stall.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to be a CPA to keep your business finances in check. You just need a simple system - a Small Business Financial Health Checklist—to help you spot problems early, avoid cash flow crunches, and make smart decisions with confidence.
Let’s break it down:
What to Include in a Business Financial Plan
If you’re a freelancer, consultant, or small business owner, you’ve probably wondered: “How do I actually create a financial plan for my business?”
It’s a smart question because let’s face it - winging your finances is a recipe for stress. A solid financial plan helps you make smarter decisions, avoid cash flow disasters, and actually build the business you want (not just the one that keeps you busy).
Here’s exactly what to include in a business financial plan, plus a simple breakdown to help you get started today.
Should You Use Personal Funds for Business? Pros & Cons
When you’re starting or growing a business, you may find yourself reaching for your personal debit card more than you'd like to admit. But is using personal money for business expenses a smart move - or a slippery slope?
The answer depends on your goals, your legal setup, and how you manage the money trail.
In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of using personal funds to support your business, what it means for your taxes and legal protection, and how to do it the right way if you choose to go that route.
How to Set Financial Goals That Actually Stick
Setting financial goals sounds like something you should do - but for many small business owners, it’s often vague, rushed, or simply forgotten in the day-to-day hustle.
But here’s the truth: when done right, setting financial goals for small business growth is one of the most powerful ways to stay focused, increase profitability, and build long-term success.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to set financial goals that are clear, motivating, and (most importantly) achievable.
What Investors Really Want to See in Your Finances
So you're ready to pitch your business to investors? Great. But before you talk valuations and big visions, there’s one thing investors will ask to see first: your numbers.
That’s where business finance preparation for investors comes in. Your ability to present clear, accurate, and compelling financials can be the difference between a quick “yes” and a polite “pass.”
Here’s what investors are really looking for - and how you can prepare your finances to impress them.
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.
How to Track Business Expenses Like a Pro
You’re working hard to grow your business, but if you’re not tracking your expenses properly, you could be leaving money on the table - or worse, heading for a financial mess.
Whether you're just starting out or scaling fast, knowing how to track small business expenses is a skill every entrepreneur needs. The good news? You don’t need to be an accountant to do it well - you just need the right system.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to track expenses like a pro, using simple steps and tools that fit your business.
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.
How to Create a Financial Dashboard for Your Business
As a small business owner, you wear many hats, but your decision-making should always be grounded in real numbers. That’s where a financial dashboard for small business comes in. It’s not just another spreadsheet or report - it's your real-time snapshot of business health.
In this post, you'll learn why a financial dashboard matters, what to include, and how to build one that helps you make faster, smarter financial decisions.
Are You Ready for a Bookkeeper? Here’s How to Tell
You didn’t start your business to spend hours sorting receipts or panicking over spreadsheets. But if you’re losing track of your finances, or just your sanity - it might be time to ask the big question: When should I hire a bookkeeper for business finances?
If you're unsure whether you’re ready, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through the signs that it’s time to bring in a pro - and what you gain when you do.
What Reports Should You Be Reviewing Monthly?
Running a small business is like steering a ship, you need a clear view of where you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re heading. That’s where monthly financial reports for small business owners come in. These reports aren’t just paperwork - they’re your financial compass.
If you're unsure what you should be reviewing every month, you're not alone. In this post, we’ll break down the essential financial reports that keep your business on track and thriving.
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.
How to Fix Messy Business Finances Before Tax Season
Let’s be honest - running a small business means wearing many hats. But when it comes to tax season, one hat no entrepreneur can afford to ignore is financial cleanup. If your books are a mess and receipts are scattered, you're not alone. The good news? Cleaning up small business finances for taxes is totally doable and can even save you money, stress, and time.
Here’s how to get your finances in order before the IRS/HMRC (or your accountant) comes knocking.
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.
How to Hire Financial Help Without Blowing Your Budget
Running a small business means wearing a lot of hats, but the finance hat?…..That one can feel a little too tight.
You know you need help with your numbers: whether it’s organizing your books, getting ready for tax season, or just making sense of your cash flow. But you also don’t want to break the bank just to get your finances in order.
The good news? Affordable financial help for small business owners does exist - you just need to know where to look, what to prioritize, and how to avoid overpaying for services you don’t actually need.
Let’s walk through how to hire the right kind of financial support, without blowing your budget in the process.