Blog
Plain-text accounting insights, tutorials, and updates from the Beancount.io team. Browse by tag.
How to Pay Yourself as a Small Business Owner: Salary vs. Owner's Draw
Learn the difference between owner's draw and salary, which method to use based on your business structure, IRS rules for reasonable compensation, and tax optimization strategies to pay yourself the right way.
How to Choose the Right CPA or Accountant for Your Small Business
Learn how to choose the right CPA, accountant, or bookkeeper for your small business. Compare credentials, costs ($150-$450/hr for CPAs), fee structures, and get interview questions to find the perfect financial professional.
How AI Is Transforming Small Business Accounting in 2026
The AI accounting market has hit $10.87 billion in 2026 and 68% of U.S. small businesses are already using AI. Learn how automated categorization, intelligent reconciliation, cash flow forecasting, and agentic AI are saving business owners 5+ hours a week — plus a practical 5-step roadmap to get started.
Estate Planning for Small Business Owners: Protect Your Legacy and Your Business
A complete guide to estate planning for small business owners. Covers trusts, buy-sell agreements, the 2026 estate tax exemption changes, tax-smart transfer strategies, succession planning, and a practical estate planning checklist.
EBITDA: What It Is, How to Calculate It, and Why Your Business Needs It
Learn what EBITDA is, how to calculate it with step-by-step examples, and why this key financial metric matters for business valuation, investor comparisons, and operational performance analysis.
Double-Entry Accounting: The Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
Learn how double-entry accounting works, why every transaction needs two entries, and how this 500-year-old system helps small businesses maintain accurate financial records. Includes practical examples, common mistakes, and tips for getting started.
DeFi Accounting: A Practical Guide to Tracking and Reporting Decentralized Finance Transactions
DeFi protocols won't report your transactions to the IRS — but you're still required to. Learn how token swaps, staking, yield farming, and liquidity pools are taxed, plus a practical record-keeping system to stay compliant.
Cybersecurity Essentials for Small Businesses: How to Protect Your Financial Data
Learn 8 essential cybersecurity practices to protect your small business financial data from phishing, ransomware, and data breaches—plus free resources and a guide to building a security-first culture.
Construction Accounting: A Complete Guide for Contractors and Small Builders
Learn the essentials of construction accounting including job costing, revenue recognition methods, WIP schedules, retainage tracking, and change order management. A practical guide for contractors and small builders.
Business Succession Planning: A Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
Learn how to create a business succession plan that protects your legacy. Covers the five main succession options, buy-sell agreements, business valuation, tax planning, and a step-by-step timeline for small business owners.
Business Insurance: The Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
Nearly 75% of small businesses are underinsured. Learn about the essential types of business insurance, average costs in 2026, and the 6 most common coverage mistakes to avoid protecting your company.
Business Insurance: Essential Coverage Every Small Business Needs
Nearly 40% of small businesses carry no insurance. Learn about the essential coverage types—from general liability to cyber insurance—average costs, common mistakes to avoid, and how to choose the right policies for your business.