Bookkeeping for Busy Mums and Dads
Keeping a solid record of your business accounts is widely considered good practice, no matter the industry or size of your operation. Whether you’re running a brand new business from home or managing a side hustle between school drop-offs and mealtimes, bookkeeping matters.
But let’s be honest: when you’re juggling family life and business responsibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You might come from a background in education, the creative arts, or other fields where budgeting wasn’t a big focus. That’s okay. It doesn’t mean you can’t learn — just that you might make a few mistakes along the way without proper support.
Here are some common consequences of poor bookkeeping, especially relevant to busy mums and dads, along with some practical advice on how to avoid them:
Improper or Irregular Payroll
If you’ve hired help — whether it’s a part-time assistant or someone managing your website — keeping payroll records in order is essential. Late payments, missing tax info, or unclear leave balances can lead to frustrated employees. And let’s face it, when you’re trying to manage kids and a business, the last thing you need is unhappy staff. Without a consistent record, it’s harder to tell when something has actually gone wrong. That makes audits a nightmare and leads to hours spent searching for paperwork you thought you had.
Fraud Accusations
This is one of the more serious consequences. If your financial records don’t add up, or money is moving between accounts without a clear explanation, it can raise red flags. Even when you’re doing nothing wrong, poor record-keeping can make things look suspicious from the outside. If you’re ever in a situation where you’re being questioned, you’ll want everything to be crystal clear. Scrambling to find receipts or explain months-old transactions is stressful — and could escalate into needing to speak with a fraud solicitor. Having your books in order protects not only your reputation but your peace of mind.
Invoice and Payment Delays
With so much on your plate, it’s easy to lose track of who owes you money. Maybe a client paid you weeks ago, but you forgot to record it, so now you’re chasing them unnecessarily. Or perhaps you’ve done the work but haven’t found the time to invoice at all — only to later wonder why your cashflow is looking tight. These things can happen to anyone, but they’re especially common when business and family life are constantly overlapping. Late payments on your end can also affect relationships with suppliers or freelancers.
What You Can Do
You don’t need to become an accounting expert overnight, but setting up a basic system can work wonders. Use accounting software or simple spreadsheets to track income and expenses. Schedule a weekly “admin hour” when the kids are napping or at school to update your records. If you’re struggling, speaking to an accountant, even just once, can help get things on track.
You don’t have to do everything perfectly, but staying on top of your books will make everything else feel more manageable. With a bit of structure and support, you can protect your business, reduce stress, and keep your focus where it matters most — on both your family and your future.
