In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis explain why learning QuickBooks the right way can transform how you run your business. They share why self-teaching often leads to frustration and costly mistakes, and how hands-on, personalized training helps business owners gain confidence and control.

You’ll learn what quality training looks like, how to choose the right trainer, and why understanding your numbers is one of the most important investments you can make in your business.

Listeners will gain clarity, encouragement, and practical strategies they can begin using right away.

1. Proper QuickBooks training saves time, money, and frustration
2. Hands-on learning builds confidence in your financial reports
3. Accurate data leads to better business decisions
4. Training reduces dependence on outside help
5. Good trainers focus on real-world application, not memorization

1. Am I confident that my QuickBooks setup is correct?
2. Do I understand where my numbers come from?
3. What mistakes might I be making without realizing it?

Free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks

Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com

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00:02 - Introduction to QuickBooks Mastery01:57 - The Importance of QuickBooks Training

11:05 - Real World Benefits of QuickBooks Training

14:49 - Choosing the Right Training for QuickBooks

20:57 - The Importance of Training in QuickBooks

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Download our free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to get started with QuickBooks the right way.

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Getting ready for your accountant doesn’t have to be stressful. In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis share the simple steps to prepare your books before tax season (or a quarterly review) so you can save time, money, and frustration.

They explain why being prepared helps your accountant work faster (and helps you avoid missed deductions), then walk through a practical checklist you can use to get everything ready: reconciling accounts, clearing uncategorized transactions, organizing receipts, prepping payroll and loan documents, pulling key reports, updating invoices and bills, tracking major purchases and mileage, and making sure your personal tax documents are in order.

They also cover how to communicate with your accountant—what to ask for, what deadlines to confirm, and what not to send—so you can have a smoother process and fewer surprises.

1. Preparation reduces stress, prevents missed deductions, and saves money on cleanup work.
2. Reconcile bank and credit card accounts and keep personal and business transactions separate.
3. Clear uncategorized transactions and organize receipts/documents (ideally attached inside QuickBooks).
4. Pull key year-end/quarterly reports and review A/R and A/P—especially old balances that may become bad debt.
5. Communicate early: confirm deadlines, ask what format they prefer, and summarize major changes in writing.

1. If my accountant received my file today, what would they flag as “missing” or “messy”?
2. Do I consistently keep personal and business transactions separate—and what needs to change if not?
3. What are 3 business changes this year that my accountant should know in advance?

Free QuickBooks Prep Checklist (PDF): Download Check list here

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1. Schedule C- Click here to check it out

00:02.080 - Episode 11: Preparing for Your Accountant

03:20.110 – Why preparation matters (save stress, time, money, deductions)

07:42.000 – The checklist: what you should have ready

09:38.315 – Reconcile bank + credit cards (and keep personal/business separate)

10:25.143 – Categorize everything (clear “uncategorized” + clean coding)

12:52.724 – Organize receipts, documents, payroll + loan statements

15:06.329 – Pull/export key reports + update invoices/bills (A/R + A/P)

17:29.313 – Major purchases + mileage/home office/personal business expenses

21:14.000 –...

In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis break down how to choose the right QuickBooks plan based on your business size, structure, and complexity. They explore why so many business owners overbuy software, the most common mistakes when selecting a plan, and how to confidently match your QuickBooks version to what you actually need today — not where you hope to be someday.

Listeners will gain clarity, confidence, and a simple framework they can use immediately to choose (or adjust) their QuickBooks plan.

1. The real differences between QuickBooks Online and Desktop
2. Who QuickBooks Solopreneur is designed for — and when it makes sense
3. How the Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced plans compare
4. Why matching your plan to complexity (not ambition) saves money
5. How to upgrade confidently as your business grows

1. Do I track inventory or projects in my business?
2. How many users truly need access to my books?
3. Do I need budgets, classes, locations, or custom reports?

Free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks

Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com

Send Us Your Questions:

support@leedavisandcompany.com

1. Free 3-Part Quick Start Guide – www.leedavisandcompany.com
2. Quickbooks Check list (Questions to ask yourself) - Download Here

00:53.477 – Intro: Which QuickBooks plan fits your business?

01:17.522 – QuickBooks Desktop vs Online (what’s changed)

02:56.495 – QuickBooks Solopreneur (who it’s for + key features)

05:12.044 – QuickBooks Online plans overview (Simple Start → Advanced)

05:51.543 – Simple Start

06:53.382 – Essentials

07:36.673 – Plus

08:28.281 – Advanced

09:20.811 – Pro tips (inventory, projects, users, budgeting)

10:04.530 – 4-question decision framework (how to choose fast)

11:08.430 – Promotions and why not to overbuy

11:35.668 – Checking integrations with your industry software

12:07.517 – Key takeaway: match complexity, not ambition

12:46.299 – Recap + teaser for next episode

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Have a QuickBooks...

In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis break down one of the most common small business questions: “How do I pay myself?” They explain why the answer depends on your business structure and financial goals, and they walk through the three main legal methods of paying yourself—owner’s draw, salary, and distributions/dividends.

They also cover how to decide what’s right for you, why your business plan matters, how to avoid common IRS issues, and how QuickBooks can help you track owner pay properly with reports, payroll, and bank rules. This conversation will help business owners avoid tax surprises, protect cash flow, and build a clean system that supports both the business and the owner.

1. The right way to pay yourself depends on your business structure (LLC/sole prop vs S-Corp/corporation).
2. Owner’s draw is not an expense—it shows on the balance sheet (equity), not the P&L.
3. Salary requires proper payroll setup and payroll tax compliance—don’t run payroll for an LLC owner like an employee.
4. Disability insurance taxation depends on who pays the premium (owner vs company).
5. QuickBooks helps track owner pay with reports, bank rules, and payroll tools—keeping everything clean for tax time and lending.

1. Am I paying myself based on what I need, or what the business can actually afford right now?
2. Do I understand which payments are deductible business expenses vs personal spending?
3. Is my QuickBooks set up so owner pay is categorized correctly and easy to explain at tax time?

Free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks

Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com

Send Us Your Questions:

support@leedavisandcompany.com

Chapters:

01:16.514 - Why paying yourself the right way matters

04:46.009 - Method 1: Owner’s Draw (LLCs, sole props, partnerships)

9:32.848 - Method 2: Salary (S-Corps / corporations)

11:10.325 - Method 3: Distributions / Dividends

12:07.942 - How to choose the best method (income, risk, goals)

15:11.774- How QuickBooks helps (reports, payroll, bank rules)

16:58.036- FAQ: How much should I pay myself?

17:58.784 - FAQ: 401(k) and retirement priorities

18:40.693 - FAQ: Disability insurance—who should pay?

19:49.045 - FAQ: Paying yourself in an LLC (frequency + structure)

21:53.270 - FAQ: Deductions and what you can/can’t write off

22:53.672 - Common mistakes to avoid (payroll errors, mixing accounts)

24:10 - Payroll tax warnings and why payroll services matter

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Have a QuickBooks question? Send it to...

In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis break down the most important QuickBooks reports every business owner should review each month—and why they matter.

Too many business owners rely on their bank balance instead of their financial reports. In this episode, Erica and Lee explain how reports tell the real story of your business, help you spot trends early, and give you confidence when making financial decisions.

They walk through where to find each report in QuickBooks, what to look for, and how to use the information to guide growth, manage cash flow, and avoid costly mistakes.

Listeners will walk away with clarity, confidence, and a simple monthly reporting routine they can start using right away.

1. Why reviewing reports monthly is essential for business growth
2. The 5 core QuickBooks reports every business owner should run
3. How to read Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow reports
4. How reports help you make better decisions around spending, hiring, and growth
5. Why reports act as your business “report card”

1. Am I reviewing my financial reports consistently—or just checking my bank balance?
2. Do I understand what my numbers are telling me about my business health?
3. Which report could give me the most clarity right now?

Free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks

Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com

Send Us Your Questions:

support@leedavisandcompany.com

Youtube Link for Episode Video: https://youtu.be/IMGDXiC_hUY

Timestamp | Chapter Title

00:00.000 | Welcome & Introduction

01:25.558 | Why Reports Matter

04:16.674 | #1 Profit & Loss Report

06:06.738 | #2 Balance Sheet

07:47.920 | #3 Cash Flow Statement

09:17.570 | #4 Sales by Customer Summary

11:09.933 | #5 Budget vs Actual

14:16.513. | Bonus & Advanced Reports

17:08.872 | Using Reports to Make Better Decisions

20:26.454 | Practical Reporting Habits

20:26.454 | Outro & Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and stay connected with us at leedavisandcompany.com.

Download our free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to get started with QuickBooks the right way.

Have a QuickBooks question? Send it to support@leedavisandcompany.com — your question may be featured in a future episode.

Episode Title:

Episode 7: Outsourcing Bookkeeping — When & How to Hand Off QuickBooks

In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davisbreak down one of the biggest growth decisions business owners face: when to stop doing it all themselves and outsource bookkeeping. They explore why entrepreneurs hold onto their books for too long, the hidden costs of DIY bookkeeping, and how outsourcing can free up time, reduce stress, and support smarter financial decisions.

You’ll learn how to recognize the signs that it’s time to delegate, what bookkeeping tasks can be safely outsourced, what should always stay in your control, and how to choose a bookkeeper who fits your business. This episode is designed to help you hand off QuickBooks with confidence — without losing visibility or control.

Key Takeaways

1. Why holding onto bookkeeping too long leads to burnout, errors, and missed opportunities
2. Clear signs it’s time to outsource your books
3. Which bookkeeping tasks you should outsource — and which to keep in-house
4. How to evaluate and choose the right bookkeeper for your business
5. What a smooth QuickBooks hand-off process actually looks like

Questions to Reflect On

1. Is bookkeeping taking time away from revenue-producing work?
2. Do I fully understand my financial reports — or avoid looking at them?
3. What could I do with the time I’d gain by outsourcing bookkeeping?

Mentioned in This Episode

Free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks

Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com

Send Us Your Questions:

support@leedavisandcompany.com

Chapters:

1. 00:02 - Introduction to QuickBooks Mastery
2. 04:59 - Outsourcing Bookkeeping: Signs and Benefits
3. 09:48 - Outsourcing Bookkeeping: Essential Tasks to Delegate
4. 15:23 - Choosing the Right Bookkeeper
5. 17:40 - Key Questions to Ask Your Bookkeeper
6. 21:44 - Transitioning to Professional Bookkeeping

Call to Action

If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and stay connected with us at leedavisandcompany.com.

Download our free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to get started with QuickBooks the right way.

Have a QuickBooks question? Send it to support@leedavisandcompany.com — your question may be featured in a future episode.

In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davis walk listeners through the full process of creating a budget in QuickBooks Online. They explain why budgeting is essential for small business owners, how budgeting improves cash flow, and the biggest mistakes business owners make when trying to manage expenses without a plan.

Listeners learn how to use QuickBooks’ built-in budgeting tools, how to analyze Budget vs. Actual reports, and how budgeting creates confidence, clarity, and better decision-making throughout the year.

This episode provides simple, practical, actionable steps every business owner can follow — whether you’ve never created a budget before or you want to strengthen the structure you already have.

• A budget is a forward-looking plan that helps control expenses, assess profitability, and prepare for seasonal changes.
• QuickBooks Online offers built-in tools to create, edit, and track your budget with actual financial data.
• Monthly budgets provide far more clarity than annual-only budgets, especially for seasonal businesses.
• The Budget vs. Actual report helps identify overspending, revenue gaps, and opportunities to reallocate funds.
• Budgeting doesn’t need to be perfect — it simply needs to be active and reviewed regularly.

• Where is my money actually going each month?
• Which expenses consistently exceed expectations?
• What income patterns or seasonal trends should I prepare for?

Free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to Getting Started with QuickBooks

Download at: www.leedavisandcompany.com

Send Us Your Questions:

support@leedavisandcompany.com

QuickBooks Online Budgeting Tool Overview – https://quickbooks.intuit.com

Chapters:

• 00:02 - Introduction to QuickBooks Mastery
• 00:54 - Creating a Budget: Essentials for Small Businesses
• 09:13 - Introduction to Budgeting with QuickBooks
• 14:04 - Analyzing Budget Reports
• 19:23 - Common Mistakes in Budgeting
• 23:35 - Budgeting Basics: Keeping Personal and Business Finances Separate

If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe and stay connected at leedavisandcompany.com.

Download our free 3-Part Quick Start Guide to get started with QuickBooks the right way.

Have a QuickBooks question? Email support@leedavisandcompany.com — your question may be featured in a future episode.

In this episode of QuickBooks Mastery for Small Business Success, father-daughter team Erica Northrup and Lee Davisdig into one of the most overlooked foundations of a healthy business: the business plan.

They start with a real story from Lee’s week—a potential client who reached out before jumping in—and contrast that with the many owners who launch with nothing but an LLC, an EIN, and a handful of credit cards. From there, they unpack why a business plan doesn’t need to be a 30-page document full of jargon—but it does need to be clear, simple, and actionable.

Lee shares how his own business started with an SBA-backed loan, a strong credit score, and a well-thought-out plan that covered structure, legal setup, and an operating agreement. Erica brings in her marketing perspective—especially around defining your ideal customer, niching down, and using both online marketing and old-fashioned word of mouth to build a sustainable client base.

Together, they walk through the 5 core sections every simple business plan should have and a 7-step framework you can use to build or refresh your plan—whether you are just starting or expanding an existing business. The episode closes with a 90-day action challenge and a free one-page business plan template to help you get started right away.

Listeners will gain clarity, encouragement, and practical steps they can put into motion immediately, plus a clear link between business planning now and budgeting in next week’s episode.

• A business plan isn’t busywork—it’s your roadmap so you lead your business instead of just reacting.
• The best business plans are short, specific, and focused on what you do, who you serve, and how you make money.
• Every business plan should cover 5 core areas: business overview, goals, products/services, marketing, and financials.
• Defining your ideal customer and your niche makes marketing easier and helps you say “no” to the wrong clients.
• Listing your revenue streams and key expenses gives you realistic numbers to bring to the bank—and keeps you out of the 14-credit-card trap.
• Word of mouth plus genuine relationship-building is still one of the most effective low-cost marketing strategies.
• Your business plan is a living document—review it at least annually (or quarterly) and adjust as you grow.
• A clear plan today sets you up for a smarter budget tomorrow, which Erica and Lee will walk through in Episode 6.

• Do I have a written business plan—or has most of my planning been in my head?
• If I had to explain my business in 2–3 sentences, who I serve, and how I help them, what would I say?
• What are the three biggest “rocks” that would truly move the needle in my business over the next year?
• Do I clearly understand my main revenue streams, pricing, and top 5–6 expenses?
• When was the last time I revisited my business plan or goals and adjusted them based on what’s actually happening?

• Free Business Plan Template
• Use this simple, guided template to map out your mission, ideal customer, goals, revenue streams, expenses, and marketing snapshot for the next 12 months.
• 👉