logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2024
40m 53s

439: Real Estate Bookkeeping: A Crash Co...

BIGGERPOCKETS
About this episode

Real estate bookkeeping is one of the tedious but necessary tasks that comes with owning a rental property. Unsurprisingly, it’s one of the things that can make or break your real estate business. Can you do your own accounting? Should you hire a bookkeeper? It’s easy to become overwhelmed by your financials, which is why we’ve brought in a specialist to deliver a crash course on this crucial topic!

 

Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re joined by certified public account (CPA) Sarah Bratcher, who is going to share five things every investor should know about bookkeeping. Along the way, you’ll learn the differences between CPAs, bookkeepers, and financial planners so that you can make the right hire for your real estate business. Sarah also shares some of the biggest red flags to watch out for when hiring a CPA, as well as some telltale signs that it’s time to let your current CPA go!

 

But that’s not all! Commingling personal and business income is an issue that gets investors in hot water with the IRS, but fortunately, Sarah has a simple solution that will help you avoid legal pitfalls altogether. You’ll also learn how to set up software, systems, and accounts that make your life easier!


In This Episode We Cover

Five things every rookie investor should know about bookkeeping

How to choose an accounting software that best aligns with your investing goals

Red flags to look for when hiring (or firing!) a certified public accountant (CPA)

Why you NEED an investor-friendly tax preparer (and how to find one!)

Preventing liability issues by separating your personal and business income

The differences between CPAs, bookkeepers, and financial planners (and which one to hire!)

And So Much More!


Links from the Show

Ask Your Question on the BiggerPockets Forums

Join BiggerPockets for FREE 

Find Investor-Friendly Tax and Financial Experts

Buy “The Book on Tax Strategies for the Savvy Real Estate Investor”

Find Investor-Friendly Lenders

See Ashley at BPCON2024 in Cancun!

Real Estate Accounting for Newbies



(00:00) Intro

(00:58) Advice for New Investors

(07:44) Software & Business Accounts

(17:15) Systems & Chart of Accounts

(24:48) Hiring (and Firing!) CPAs

(30:04) HUGE Bookkeeper Red Flags

(33:06) Connect with Sarah!


Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-439

Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
This Lucrative “Rental” Strategy Brings in $800,000 Per Year
Buying a regular rental property can provide steady, predictable income, but if you're looking for something more lucrative, we’ve got the perfect strategy for you. Today’s guest used it to build a real estate business that brings in $800,000 in annual revenue. The best part? It ... Show More
52m 42s
Jul 7
$900/Month Cash Flow from His FIRST Rental ($0 Down!)
Could rental properties be your ticket to financial freedom? When today’s guest realized his “secure” corporate job wasn’t quite as secure as he thought, he plunged head-first into real estate investing and hasn’t looked back. In just three years, he’s built a real estate portfol ... Show More
42m 32s
Jul 4
Listen to This BEFORE Buying a Rental with Tenants (Rookie Reply)
Welcome to another Rookie Reply, where Tony J Robinson and Ashley Kehr answer questions from the BiggerPockets Forums and Real Estate Rookie Facebook group. This time, we’re covering questions like: Who should provide and maintain appliances in your rental What steps should you t ... Show More
34m 39s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
237: Asking For Bookkeeping Help Whether You Are Starting A Business Or Side Hustle, A Solopreneur, Entrepreneur, Mompreneur, Freelancer, Bookkeeper, Virtual Assistant, Owner, Or Self-Employed
Most business owners typically do their own bookkeeping when they first start their business, but a question I often receive is when should I be getting help with my bookkeeping.  The help that a business owner can get from a bookkeeper, accountant, CPA, or tax preparer can vary, ... Show More
19 m
Apr 2024
#170: Is It Time to Hire a Bookkeeper To Tackle Your Business Finances?
Most entrepreneurs are great at making money, but they aren’t always great at managing that money. Let’s be honest: you didn’t start a business because you were passionate about bookkeeping. But you know that managing your cash flow well is the fuel that keeps your business growi ... Show More
24m 17s
Mar 2025
287: How To Set Up A Loan In QuickBooks Whether You Are Starting A Business Or Side Hustle, A Solopreneur, Entrepreneur, Mompreneur, Freelancer, Bookkeeper, Virtual Assistant, Owner, Or Self-Employed
A common question I receive from clients is how they should be recording their loans in QuickBooks.  I often see clients set up their loans the wrong way.  They will sometimes appear on a report where they shouldn’t be, which can throw off any tax planning the client is trying to ... Show More
14m 53s
Aug 2024
535: Accounting & Taxes with Jessica Zoraida
Accounting and tax considerations for small business with Jessica Zoraida, the Founder and CEO of Big Picture Results. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/535-jessica-zoraida-accounting-tax/ Jessica shares her inspirational journey and tax and accounting tips and gu ... Show More
51m 41s
Oct 2024
239: Should You Outsource Your Bookkeeping Whether You Are Starting A Business Or Side Hustle, A Solopreneur, Entrepreneur, Mompreneur, Freelancer, Bookkeeper, Virtual Assistant, Owner, Self-Employed
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do everything in your business.  When you finish each project, you love that feeling of accomplishment.  But when you start to fall behind or know you are not doing something as well as you should, you may start wondering if it is something y ... Show More
19m 1s
Dec 2023
169: Stop Feeling Uneasy About Your Finances Whether You Are Starting A Business Or Side Hustle, A Solopreneur, Entrepreneur, Mompreneur, Freelancer, Bookkeeper, VA, Business Owner, Or Self-Employed
Understanding your numbers and keeping up to date on your finances is key to the success of your business.  When you actively keep a pulse on your business finances, you will certainly make better business decisions.  If you are thinking that you are just not a numbers person, yo ... Show More
25m 16s
Jun 30
314: How To Feel Good In Difficult Times Whether You Are Starting A Business Or Side Hustle, A Solopreneur, Entrepreneur, Mompreneur, Freelancer, Bookkeeper, Virtual Assistant, Owner, Self-Employed
If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I just want to feel better,” you’re not alone. When I ask my clients what they want to improve in their lives, no matter how they say it, whether they’re talking about stress, burnout, their business, their time, or their health, it almos ... Show More
5m 42s
Apr 1
Strategic Accounting: The Untapped Blueprint to Profit, Protection, and Peace of Mind
Timothy Wingate Jr., founder and president of G+F Business & Financial Consulting, is a licensed Enrolled Agent and construction accountant specializing in tax planning and financial consulting for construction companies. In today's conversation, Timothy discusses key accounting ... Show More
32m 39s
Mar 2025
I Am $750M In Debt & Pay NO Taxes —Here’s How
To purchase Eric Freeman's book on Tax Strategies for Everyone follow this link: https://amzn.to/3Dpnb3G  Ken McElroy and tax advisor Eric Freeman break down how real estate investors legally use tax strategies like depreciation, leverage, and 1031 exchanges to reduce or eliminat ... Show More
18m 35s
Nov 2024
UK mortgage expert: the key things you need to know
We get loads of questions about mortgages so we thought we’d ask an expert and cover some other key things you should know about. We're speaking to Anthony Emmerson, Director at mortgage broker Trinity Financial. Whether you’re getting a mortgage for the first time or looking to ... Show More
57m 26s