What to Review Monthly With Your Bookkeeper (Even If You're Super Busy)

Let’s be real: if you’re running a growing business in Denver, you’re probably juggling clients, emails, team drama, and maybe even your dog’s daycare pickup. So sitting down to review financial reports with your bookkeeper? Probably not top of your "fun things to do this month" list.

But here’s the truth — carving out just 30 minutes a month with your bookkeeper can save you hours of stress (and potentially thousands of dollars) down the road. Whether you’re working with an in-house bookkeeper or using an affordable bookkeeping service in Denver like Clearbookz, a monthly check-in can keep your finances on point and your goals in sight.

So what should you review monthly — especially when you're short on time? Let’s break it down:

1. Your Profit and Loss (P&L) Statement

Why it matters: It’s your business report card. Are you making money or bleeding it? Your P&L will tell you.

What to ask:

• Are revenues trending up or down?

• Any surprise expenses this month?

• Are we hitting our gross margin goals?

Denver bookkeeping tip: Seasonal business? Compare this month to the same month last year, not just last month. That’s a local-savvy move.

2. Cash Flow Snapshot

Why it matters: Profitable businesses still go under due to poor cash flow. Don’t let that be you.

What to ask:

• What’s our cash balance today?

• Any big outflows or slow-paying clients?

• Do we have enough to cover next month’s expenses (plus a buffer)?

Pro tip: Set up a weekly or monthly cash flow forecast — your Denver bookkeeper can build one that works for your biz.

3. Expense Categories

Why it matters: Your expense categories drive your tax deductions and your business insights. Messy categories = messy taxes = expensive CPA bill later.

What to ask:

• Are there expenses that need to be reclassified?

• Any subscriptions we’re paying for that we don’t use? (Looking at you, random SaaS tools...)

• Are owner draws or reimbursements recorded properly?

4. Accounts Receivable (A/R) — Who Owes You Money

Why it matters: If your clients aren’t paying, you’re not getting paid. Let’s fix that.

What to ask:

• Who’s late on payments?

• What’s the total outstanding A/R?

• Are we following up effectively (without sounding like a robot)?

Bonus: A great bookkeeping service in Colorado (like, say, Clearbookz) can automate those “gentle nudge” emails.

5. 📥 Accounts Payable (A/P) — Who You Owe

Why it matters: Avoid late fees and maintain vendor relationships.

What to ask:

• Do we have any bills due soon?

• Are we taking advantage of early-pay discounts?

• Is our A/P aging report healthy?

6. 📅 Upcoming Tax Deadlines

Why it matters: The IRS doesn’t accept “I was super busy” as an excuse.

What to ask:

• Are we caught up on sales tax, payroll filings, and estimated taxes?

• Do we need to make any upcoming payments?

• Are we tracking deductible expenses correctly?

PSA: A qualified bookkeeper in Denver will help you prep, but your CPA will love you forever if your books are clean come tax time.

7. ✅ Open Questions or Red Flags

Why it matters: Your bookkeeper might spot weird stuff — double charges, unexpected revenue drops, or potential fraud (yes, it happens!).

What to ask:

• Anything look off this month?

• Any accounts not reconciling?

• Any recommended process improvements?

Final Thoughts (Because We Know You're Busy)

If you skimmed this post (no judgment), here’s your takeaway: meet with your bookkeeper once a month for 30 minutes. That’s it. Just block it off. Zoom it. Coffee it. Whatever it takes.

And if you're still stuck doing your own books, let’s be honest — it's time to bring in a pro. Clearbookz offers affordable bookkeeping in Denver for service-based businesses that want clarity, not chaos.

Book a free consult today, and let’s make your next monthly review quick, painless, and maybe even a little fun.