Running a business without solid financial systems is like driving with your eyes closed. It’s risky, stressful, and unsustainable. This checklist covers the non-negotiables every small business owner must have in place to avoid the chaos and keep things on track.

Whether you’re in your first year or five years in, these seven financial must haves are what I make sure every client of mine is across, because they’re the difference between winging it and running a profitable, compliant business.

This isn’t a scare tactic. It’s a practical guide to help you stay in control, avoid costly surprises, and make smarter money moves with confidence. You don’t need to know everything, but you do need a solid handle on the essentials or the right expert in your corner.

If you're unsure whether your financial setup is working for you or against you, this episode is your starting point.

Here’s what’s covered:

• The two business bank accounts I consider non-negotiable (yes, two)
• The mistake I see far too often when it comes to GST
• Why staying “sort of” up to date with your numbers won’t cut it
• What should always be on your invoices, and when it’s missing what it says about you and your business
• The smartest move you can make, even if you're not a finance person

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Previous Podcast Ep: 78 Is Your Tax Invoice Giving Me a Headache?
• Bookkeeping Matters Learning Hub
• Blog post: The 6 Bank Accounts Every Business Needs

Pricing is one of the trickiest parts of running a business, and it’s also one of the easiest ways to watch your profit disappear. If you’re working non stop, but cash still feels tight, chances are your pricing strategy is the problem (whether you realise it or not).

In this episode, I’m breaking down the exact mistakes I see female-led businesses making with their pricing. It's the same traps I’ve seen with my own clients, and even faced myself. From guessing your prices and forgetting hidden costs, to relying on outdated models or chasing competitors’ rates, these issues chip away at your profit fast. The good news? Once you know what to look for, you can turn things around.

I’ll walk you through the practical steps to review your pricing properly. So you can make sure it covers all your true costs (including those sneaky ones like admin time, taxes, and overheads), supports your goals, and keeps your business sustainable. No fancy spreadsheets needed, just simple, actionable advice to get you back on track.

If pricing has ever felt overwhelming or you’ve been putting off a proper review, this is your reminder small changes can make a massive difference to your bottom line.

Here’s what’s covered:

• Why “set and forget” pricing is a recipe for profit loss, and how often you should review your prices
• The danger of hourly pricing when your business evolves (and how one client turned things around by switching models)
• What happens when you copy competitors’ pricing, and why it usually backfires
• The true costs you need to build into your pricing to avoid accidentally working for free
• Why discounting feels like a quick win but can seriously damage your brand and long-term profit
• How to set clear pricing boundaries and focus on value instead of dropping your prices

Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Free Tool Pricing Calculator
• Previous Podcast Ep: 19 Pricing for Profit (and Mistakes to Avoid)
• Previous Podcast Ep: 82 Beyond Profit: Why Adding Value Matters Most
• Watch this episode on YouTube

Running a small business often means wearing many hats, but when it comes to bookkeeping, trying to DIY can hold you back more than help. If you’re serious about growth, it’s time to stop thinking of a bookkeeper as someone who merely clicks buttons in Xero. The right bookkeeper becomes part of your team, helping you make confident, informed decisions and setting your business up for sustainable success.

Bookkeeping goes beyond data entry, it plays a key role in your business growth. From cleaning up messy accounts to setting up smarter systems and giving you the financial clarity you need to scale, this episode is packed with insight. Whether you’re overwhelmed by overdue invoices or unsure how much to set aside for BAS, after this episode you’ll walk away understanding exactly how a proactive bookkeeper can help move your business forward.

Here’s what’s covered:

• How a great bookkeeper helps you see the full picture of your business
• The unexpected ways they can support your decision making and strategy
• Why you don’t need to have it all figured out before working with a bookkeeper
• How they help you stay focused on what matters
• What it looks like when your numbers finally start working for you

Links + Resources :

• Podcast Episode 09: Bookkeeper vs Accountant
• Podcast Episode 36:Hiring a Bookkeeper? Here’s What You Need To Know
• Podcast Episode 10: Should You Outsource or DIY your Books?
• Watch this episode on YouTube
• Learn more about working together with Accounted For You