Bookkeeping Made Simple

She mentioned it in passing. One sentence, somewhere in the middle of a quarterly review call. Casual. Like it wasn't important. "Oh, and my partner took out a $40,000 loan against the business last year." Donna Harris wrote it down. Asked a few questions. And found three separate problems hiding inside that one sentence — overstated income, a missing liability on the balance sheet,...

What does a court-appointed receiver see when he walks into a company that's about to go under? Robert Stevens has done it over 30 times. As president of Somerset Capital, Rob steps in when companies are in crisis — replacing management, doing forensic housekeeping, and figuring out what can be saved. What he almost never finds is fraud. What he almost always finds is denial, ego, and financia...

What would a buyer actually pay for your business today? Most small business owners don't know — because nobody has explained the number buyers use to make that calculation. That number is called Seller's Discretionary Earnings, and once you understand it, you'll never think about your books the same way again. In this solo episode, Donna Harris walks through SDE from the ground up: wh...

What does it take to build one of the oldest hemp THC beverage brands in the country — starting from zero knowledge of cannabis, in the middle of a pandemic, with a Pepsi chemist and a phone call from Jim Belushi? In this episode, Donna Harris sits down with James Hunter, founder of Highbridge Premium, to talk about how a venture capital and legal background became the foundation for a nationally...

A perfect 5.0 rating isn’t a green light — it’s often a redflag. In this solo episode, Donna Harris gets personal about the real cost of online reviews — including a prospect who canceled a consultation because of negative reviews that weren’t even from real clients. She breaks down what ahealthy review profile actually looks like, how to read negative reviews like a professional, why Google doesn...

He ran a multi-million dollar company. Every month hereceived clean, accurate financial reports. And in an entire year of working together, he never once opened a single one. Not one email clicked. Not one PDF downloaded. In this solo episode, Donna Harris digs into the real reason smart, capable business owners avoid their own numbers — and why the answer isn’t better reports, more reports, or fe...

Most small business owners pay for monthly bookkeepingwithout really knowing what they’re paying for. Is it just data entry? A reconciliation report? A phone call once a quarter? In this solo episode, Donna Harris breaks down exactly what professional monthly bookkeeping should include — and more importantly, what it should make possible. If your bookkeeper sends you a PDF and disappears until nex...

SHOW NOTES Episode Summary: The accounting profession is in crisis — and if you're a small business owner, that affects you directly. In this episode, Donna Harris, MBA, MAcc and CEO of Bookkeeping Made Simple breaks down the accountant shortage, what's driving it, how AI is changing the landscape, and what smart business owners should be doing right now to protect themselves. Topics Cover...

The conversation explores the complexities of cannabis legislation, focusing on the political challenges, public health implications, and future policy directions. It highlights the disconnect between political narratives and the realities of cannabis use and regulation. Kim Prince can be reached through her website, https://www.provenmedia.com/ Donna can be reached through her website, https://My...

Episode Overview In this episode, Donna sits down with June Johnson — founder of Collective High and The Weed Doula — for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, advocacy, cannabis education, and the power of intentional community. June brings a wealth of knowledge about the cannabis space, the importance of destigmatizing its use, and what it means to build a business around a...

In this conversation, Samuel Anderson discusses the challenges of balancing work and personal life as an entrepreneur. He reflects on the constant pressure to work to ensure financial stability while also recognizing the importance of living life and defining what success means to him. The dialogue highlights the struggle of knowing when enough is enough, especially when family responsibilities ar...

In this episode of the Books and Backbone podcast, Donna Harris interviews Krysta Jones, a seasoned professional in the cannabis industry. They discuss Krysta 's journey from cultivation to marketing, the benefits of cannabis, and the challenges faced in the evolving market. The conversation highlights the importance of community, networking, and education in advocating for cannabis, as well a...

In this episode of the Books and Backbone podcast, Donna Harris interviews Sean Ford, COO of Dr. Fossum's Pet Care, about the importance of natural solutions for pet health. They discuss the rise of CBD products for pets, the challenges of veterinary care costs, and the shift towards holistic approaches in pet care. Sean shares insights on customer education, the transition from finance to pet...

In this episode of Books and Backbone, host Donna Harris welcomes Guy Rocourt, a veteran of the cannabis industry and owner of Guy Rocourt Consulting. They discuss the evolution of cannabis from its legacy market roots to its current challenges and opportunities in the legal landscape. Guy shares insights on creating clean cannabis products, the impact of systemic bias, and the potential of hemp a...

In this episode of the Books and Backbone podcast, Donna Harris interviews David Pittman, the owner of ICI Bioscience, who discusses the medicinal properties of cannabis and the dangers of petroleum in personal care products. David shares his journey of creating a plant-based alternative to petroleum, the accidental discoveries he made while testing his products, and the efficacy studies that demo...

Ever wonder why your accountant seems harder to reach in the summer? It’s not laziness—it’s strategy. In this video, we break down why many accountants take the summer off, how interruptions affect your financial workflow, and—most importantly—how you can keep your business running smoothly year-round. 📊 Learn: Why summer is a slow season for accountants How interruptions impact bookkeeping, payr...

Ever wonder why your accountant seems harder to reach in the summer? It’s not laziness—it’s strategy. In this video, we break down why many accountants take the summer off, how interruptions affect your financial workflow, and—most importantly—how you can keep your business running smoothly year-round. 📊 Learn: Why summer is a slow season for accountants How interruptions impact bookkeeping, payr...

Confused about how tax brackets work? Wondering what the difference is between your marginal tax rate and your effective tax rate? In this video, we break it all down so you can better understand your taxes and make smarter financial decisions. 💡 What you'll learn: How tax brackets work in the U.S. The difference between marginal and effective tax rates Why knowing your tax rates is crucial f...

Not all debt is created equal. In this video, we break down the difference between good debt and bad debt, helping you make smarter financial decisions. Learn when it’s appropriate to take on debt, how to use it as a tool for growth, and the best strategies to pay off debt effectively. Discover actionable tips like the Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche methods, as well as how to avoid falling into...

Thinking about a debt consolidation loan to simplify your finances or lower your interest rates? In this video, we’ll break down the pros and cons of debt consolidation loans to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you. Learn how consolidation can save you money, when it’s a smart financial move, and situations where it might do more harm than good. Don’t miss these key insights before mak...

Your money mindset can either hold you back or propel you toward financial success. In this video, we explore the importance of developing a positive money mindset and shifting from a scarcity mentality to one of abundance. Learn how your beliefs about money impact your financial decisions and discover practical tips to reframe your attitude toward wealth. Whether you're a small business owner, en...

Are you a small business owner trying to figure out if you need an accountant? Spoiler alert: the answer is YES! In this video, we break down what an accountant really does—and it’s so much more than just crunching numbers at tax time. Discover how hiring an accountant can transform your business by: ✅ Giving you the financial insights you need to make smarter decisions. ✅ Helping you define and...

Fraud can strike small businesses in unexpected ways, putting your finances and reputation at risk. In this video, we’ll guide you through actionable steps to safeguard your company from fraud, covering: ✅ Common types of fraud targeting small businesses. ✅ How to identify potential fraud risks in your operations. ✅ Effective internal controls to prevent fraud. ✅ Warning signs to watch for and...

What if your life insurance could help you while you’re still alive? Al and Tanya Welch with Welch Insurance Partners explain life insurance with living benefits, the policy that supports you financially when life throws unexpected challenges your way. Whether it’s a critical illness, chronic condition, or terminal diagnosis, this type of life insurance is designed to provide peace of mind when yo...

The rules have changed for inherited IRAs and other retirement vehicles. Find out what's changed and how to talk to your wealth manager with this video! To have Bookkeeping Made Simple LLC do your books, schedule a free consultation at ⁠⁠https://MySimpleBookkeeping.com/contact⁠⁠ or call 801-692-0032 To schedule a call with Donna, get on her schedule at ⁠⁠https://MySimpleBookkeeping.com/contact...