The Really Big Something about something

Spreadsheets work—until the process depends on memory

A spreadsheet can be enough for a new business with a small number of transactions. The warning signs appear when receipts live in several places, bank activity is entered long after the fact, invoices are difficult to track, or you cannot answer basic cash-flow questions without rebuilding the file.

Choose software for the workflow, not the logo

The right system should connect to your bank, support your invoicing and sales-tax needs, and produce records your accountant can review. It should also be simple enough that the process actually happens every month. More features are not useful if they make the workflow harder to maintain.

Move before cleanup becomes the project

A clean transition is easiest at the start of a month, quarter, or fiscal year, but you do not need to wait if the current process is creating risk. Agree on a cutoff date, reconcile opening balances, and keep the old records accessible. The goal is a dependable monthly routine, not simply new software.