I’ve been helping small business fix their accounting problems for over 25 years and during this time I’ve picked up a few nuggets of wisdom about how the accounting job works. Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Every business needs a strong accounting function in order to be successful.

2. QuickBooks isn’t an accounting system, it’s a piece of software.

3. Your accounting software is only as good as the person who’s using it.

4. It’s not a sale until the cash register rings.

5. Net 30 means net 60 in real life.

6. Running a business without looking at your financials is like driving in the dark without headlights.

7. Behind every successful business is an accountant silently preventing disaster.

8. Every expense is deductible until the auditor shows up.

9. The secret to great accounting is repetition.

10. I’m not arguing, I’m just explaining why the numbers are right.