Back-to-Business Basics: Clean Books, Clear Mind

August may not feel like a big month on the business calendar—but it’s the perfect time to get your financial house in order before the fall rush begins. Summer tends to throw small business owners off rhythm. Between travel, slow client response times, and unpredictable sales patterns, bookkeeping often takes a back seat. That’s exactly why August is so valuable: it gives you breathing room to reset before the final quarter.

Start with a reconciliation of your July books. Are all your transactions categorized correctly? Have you matched your bank statements to your books? Reconciling accounts monthly helps catch errors, prevent fraud, and ensures you’re working from accurate financials. If your numbers aren’t current, your decisions won’t be either.

Next, review your operating expenses. This is a good time to audit recurring subscriptions, software tools, or vendors you may have outgrown. Cancel what you’re no longer using. Renegotiate contracts if your needs have changed. Even small monthly expenses can add up over time and eat into your margins.

If you’ve been behind on tracking receipts, now is the time to get digital. Use your accounting software’s mobile app—or tools like Dext or Hubdoc—to snap and store receipts on the go. This makes month-end close faster and audit prep far less painful.

Also, check in on your payroll setup and tax filings. Are you in compliance with state and federal requirements? If your business has grown or your team structure has shifted, your payroll or tax approach may need to be updated.

Finally, use this slower window to revisit your financial goals. What’s working? What needs to shift? A quick reset in August can save you time, stress, and missed opportunities as you head into Q4.

Think of August as your chance to tune up your financial engine before the road gets busy again. Clean books aren’t just about staying organized—they give you the clarity and control to make better business decisions every day.