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4 Ways to Streamline Expense Tracking and Make Better Business Decisions
March 2, 2021
By Ken Boyd –
Tracking business expenses can be a lengthy process — and it can get out of hand quickly. It’s easy to lose track of your expenses or forget to record a transaction here and there. But inconsistent or incorrect expense tracking leads to inaccurate data that can result in stressful financial audits.
Here’s the good news: Expense tracking doesn’t have to be a thorn in your side. It’s possible to create an expense tracking system that doesn’t eat up your time or cause financial stress. The first step towards building this system is understanding how the accounting process works.
Understanding the accounting cycle
In a nutshell, the accounting cycle begins when you make a financial transaction. Record the transaction using a journal entry and post it to the general ledger. Once all transactions are posted, generate a trial balance. You can then use the trial balance to produce financial statements, including a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. These statements help you determine the financial status of your business.
Let’s take a closer look at each step of the accounting cycle. (more…)