The Hidden Challenges of Business Accounting (and How to Solve Them)
Starting your own business is exhilarating—you’re finally working on your terms, serving clients you love, and building something meaningful. But behind the scenes, there’s one challenge that catches almost every entrepreneur off guard:
👉 Managing the finances.
Whether you’re just getting started or deep in the day-to-day, financial confidence for entrepreneurs doesn’t come naturally. From messy books to mysterious reports, understanding your numbers—how to track them, read them, and make decisions with them—can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re wearing every hat in the business.
At Hunter House, we see it all the time: smart, capable founders stuck in financial fog, unsure how to read a P&L or reconcile their accounts—and silently hoping their accountant will just “take care of it.”
In this post, we’re breaking down the two biggest financial phases of business and showing you how the right support and systems can help you move from stress to clarity.
Phase 1: The Startup Struggle — “What Do I Even Need?”
In the early days, it’s easy to assume you don’t need much in the way of finance systems. After all, you’re focused on building a brand, finding clients, and staying afloat.
But here’s what often gets skipped in this phase:
- Opening a dedicated business bank account
- Tracking income and expenses properly
- Setting up a chart of accounts
- Separating personal and business spending
- Choosing the right bookkeeping software
Before long, receipts are scattered, your Stripe and PayPal accounts are a mess, and you’re not sure how much money you’ve actually made. Tax time hits—and with it, panic.
The Real Cost of Avoiding Systems Early
Financial confidence for entrepreneurs can take time. It takes hitting the challenges head on. Systems are certainly a challenge but skipping proper setup might save time in the beginning, but it costs more later in late fees, accountant cleanup charges, and missed insights.
Without clean books, you can’t:
- Apply for a business loan
- Make informed hiring or pricing decisions
- Understand where your business is profitable—or not
Phase 2: The Growth Fog — “Now I Have Money Coming In… What Next?”
Here’s what happens once your business starts gaining traction:
- You’re making more money, but unsure where it’s going
- You don’t know how much to save for taxes
- You’re unsure how much you can pay yourself
- You avoid looking at your numbers—because it stresses you out
This is the moment when business owners need more than just bookkeeping. They need financial systems strategy.
At Hunter House, we bridge the gap between basic bookkeeping and high-level financial visibility. We help clients stop guessing and start leading with their numbers. By helping you bridge this gap, we build financial confidence for entrepreneurs.
Want a quick and simple cash flow tool? This is one I use for personal cash flow needs but it’s adaptable for a business as well.
Common Challenges in Phase 2:
❌ No financial dashboard
You log into your bank account to see if you can “afford” something, instead of relying on real-time reports.
❌ No clarity on profitability
You’ve launched offers, raised prices, or hired help—but don’t know if it’s actually increasing your bottom line.
❌ No tax planning
You’re stuck with a surprise tax bill (again), unsure how to set aside the right amount.
❌ No monthly close process
Books are done when you remember—or not at all. You don’t know what your income or expenses looked like last month.
This can all feel heavy. But with the right systems, it’s fixable.
What You Really Need: Bookkeeping + Financial Systems Support
Let’s be clear—bookkeeping is not just data entry. It’s the foundation of every smart decision you’ll make as a business owner.
At ericaoldham.com, we take a unique, controllership-level approach to bookkeeping through Hunter House. That means we go beyond reconciling your bank accounts. We help you build systems that support your growth.
Here’s What We Help With:
✅ Clean and Organized Books
We start by bringing clarity to chaos. Whether you’re months behind or already using QuickBooks Online, we’ll set up (or clean up) your chart of accounts, categorize transactions, and get everything ready for consistent reporting.
✅ Monthly Bookkeeping + Reports
Each month, we reconcile your books, prepare financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow), and deliver them in a way that makes sense to you—not just your CPA.
✅ Customized Financial Systems Strategy
Need help tracking different revenue streams? Struggling to monitor client payments or run payroll? We map out the backend systems that keep your business running—automated, repeatable, and documented.
✅ Tax Readiness
No more surprises. We help you set aside money, track deductible expenses, and get your financial house in order well before April.
✅ CEO-Level Insight
We don’t just show you the numbers—we help you understand what they mean. We support clients in setting revenue goals, managing cash flow, and planning for seasonal shifts or major investments.
Why This Matters
When you understand your business finances, you:
- Stop making emotional, reactive decisions
- Know exactly what’s working—and what’s not
- Gain confidence to hire, invest, and scale
- Sleep better at night (yes, really)
We’re not here to judge your books. We’re here to build your confidence and your financial clarity—with empathy, strategy, and simple tools you’ll actually use.
Ready to Get the Support You Deserve?
If you’re just getting started or if you’re already in business and want your financial systems to finally match your ambition, we’re here to help.
👉 Visit ericaoldham.com to learn more about:
- Monthly bookkeeping services
- Financial templates and tools
- Systems strategy for scaling smart
Ready to talk? Head over to my calendar and let’s chat.
Let’s make the second half of the year the season you finally own your numbers—and lead like the CEO you are.
comments +