The Boutique Bookkeeper Show | Know Your Numbers & Prepare For Taxes

About The Boutique Bookkeeper Show | Know Your Numbers & Prepare For Taxes

Are you making sales in your boutique but still wondering where all your money is going? Do you panic at tax time because your books are a mess—or worse, nonexistent? Are you tired of feeling like you should understand your numbers, but no one ever taught you how? If you’ve ever felt confused, overwhelmed, or straight-up anxious about the money side of your boutique business, you are not alone. Running a retail business—especially online through platforms like Shopify—is no small feat. You’re juggling inventory, marketing, customer service, and social media… and somehow, you’re also supposed to be your own bookkeeper? Let’s be real: finances can feel intimidating. Maybe you’ve tried spreadsheets, downloaded bookkeeping software, or even hired someone—only to still feel totally in the dark. You just want to understand your business’s money and feel confident making decisions. You want freedom, not fear. I get it—because I’ve been there. Hi, I’m Megan Schmitke, host of The Boutique Bookkeeper Show. I have my Bachelor’s in Accounting and spent over seven years working in corporate accounting. But when I became a mom, I knew I wanted more flexibility—and I still had a passion for helping others with their finances. That’s when I started Finding Freedom Financial Services. What I discovered? So many boutique owners were struggling with their numbers—not because they didn’t care, but because no one had ever taught them how to manage their books. And while plenty of bookkeepers will do your bookkeeping for you, almost none will take the time to teach you how to do it yourself. That’s where this podcast comes in. The Boutique Bookkeeper Show is your go-to resource for breaking down the money side of your boutique in a way that actually makes sense. In each episode, you’ll get real-world, easy-to-digest education on topics like: ⭐ Understanding your Shopify reports ⭐ What numbers really matter in your business ⭐ How to stay organized month after month ⭐ How to prepare for tax season without the stress ⭐ And how to create systems that actually give you freedom—not more to do Whether you want to DIY your bookkeeping with confidence or just want to finally understand what your numbers are telling you, you’re in the right place. Let’s take the confusion out of your finances so you can step into the CEO role your boutique needs. 👉 Ready to connect and take the next step? Follow me on Instagram @findingfreedomfinancial for tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and updates on new episodes. Want to dive deeper or work together? Visit www.findingfreedomfinancial.com to learn more about how I help boutique owners just like you find financial clarity and peace of mind. Hit subscribe and let’s turn your confusion into confidence—one episode at a time.

Publisher

Megan Schmitke | Bookkeeper & Bookkeeping Coach for Boutique Retailers

Category

business · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Jun 2025

Latest episode

26 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

53 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Oct 2026

   052.Do You Need an Accountant If You Use Quickbooks Online?

   Do you need an accountant if I use QuickBooks Online? And on the flip side, do you need QuickBooks if you already have an accountant? I hear both of these questions all the time, so in this episode I'm answering them together. I'm sharing the story of one of my very first members, who handed her QuickBooks reports to her tax preparer and essentially heard, "I can't use this. Try again." We'll talk about what went wrong, what a poll of tax preparers told me about cleanup costs, and exactly what to hand your accountant this January so the whole process is faster and cheaper. Ready to take your learning a step further? Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you'll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system. Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass Other Ways to Work With Me: Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we'll get your books up to date and ready to hand off. Need some support as you do you own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long - no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership Are you a Shopify seller who's not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don't worry - I got you! I've created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode: https://www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/do-i-need-an-accountant-if-i-use-quickbooks-online Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned: Ep 20: Bookkeeper vs Tax Preparer (And Why You Need Both of Them) Ep 44: Why Your CPA Can't Help With Your Shopify Accounting (But It's Not Their Fault) Ep 16: Why You Shouldn't Use Your 1099-K to File Your Business Taxes Ep 11: How the 3 Retail Financial Reports Work Together Ep 6: The 3 Shopify Reports You Need for Your Bookkeeping & Taxes Ep 33: Your Shopify Payouts Are Not What They Seem

2. 

   19 Oct 2026

   051. What Quickbooks Features Should Boutique Owners Use?

   Logging into QuickBooks for the first time can feel like a LOT. Menus, tabs, apps, dashboards... but here's the truth: as a boutique owner, you only need a handful of QuickBooks features to keep your books clean and accurate. In this episode, I'm sharing the features I'd stop using tomorrow (like the Shopify and PayPal syncs that are quietly making a mess of your sales), the short list of screens that make up 90 to 95 percent of what I actually use for my clients, and which QuickBooks plan most boutiques really need. Plus, I'm sharing a lower-cost QuickBooks option I'm considering adding to my membership, and I want to hear from you if it sounds like a fit! In this episode, we cover: Why connecting Shopify or PayPal to QuickBooks causes duplicated and missing sales, and the 2-minute monthly alternative The QuickBooks features to skip: inventory tracking, auto-add bank rules, the sales tax center, invoicing, and dashboards The features to use instead: bank feeds, bank rules, recurring transactions, reconciliation, and your 3 core reports Why your P&L can show $5,000 in profit while your bank account shows $5 Simple Start vs. Essentials vs. Plus, and when it's actually worth upgrading QuickBooks Ledger: a lower-cost option for new QuickBooks users Interested in the QuickBooks Ledger + membership bundle for about $54/month? Email me at megan@findingfreedomfinancial.com and let me know! Ready to take your learning a step further? Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you'll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system. Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass Other Ways to Work With Me: Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we'll get your books up to date and ready to hand off. Need some support as you do you own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long - no more tax time scramble! Join us at findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership Are you a Shopify seller who's not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don't worry - I got you! I've created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode: https://www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/what-quickbooks-features-should-boutique-owners-use Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned: Ep 18: 3 QuickBooks Online Features That Will Save You HOURS Each Month (PLUS 1 Feature to Avoid) Ep 30: QuickBooks Subscription Comparison: Which Is Best for You? Ep 34: How to Record Your Shopify Deposits in QuickBooks Online Ep 17: How a Bookkeeping Reconciliation Can Find Your Missing Money Ep 11: How the 3 Retail Financial Reports Work Together Ep 3: How to Get Started with QuickBooks Online

3. 

   5 Oct 2026

   050. Stop Doing Business Alone: Lessons From My First Mastermind

   I just spent three days at my very first mastermind, and I walked in convinced I'd be the dumbest person in the room. The sessions were amazing, but the conversations in the hallways, over supper, and in the hotel lobby taught me just as much. In this episode, I'm sharing the three biggest lessons I brought home: why you need to get in the right room (even when it scares you), why you should grow into your next step instead of jumping into it, and how to stop letting worry steal your peace today. There's no QuickBooks talk this week, just a few lessons for the business owner BEHIND the books. Ready to take your learning a step further?Register for my Free Masterclass, Make Your Money Make Sense! Where you'll learn how to understand where your money is going, avoid costly bookkeeping mistakes, and set up an easy to follow bookkeeping system.Sign up now: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/masterclass Other Ways to Work With Me: Need to get your bookkeeping caught up or cleaned up? Sometimes you just need a clean starting point so you can take it over yourself. Apply to work with us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/contact and we'll get your books up to date and ready to hand off. Need some support as you do you own bookkeeping? Then I wanna invite you to join me inside of the Bookkeeping Made Simple for Boutiques Membership, where you can get trainings & support to help you feel confident as you manage the money-stuff yourself. Using Quickbooks Online, I walk you through through the exact setup & process you need to implement everything for accurate and EASY bookkeeping all year long - no more tax time scramble! Join us at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership Are you a Shopify seller who's not quite ready to invest in a bookkeeping software like Quickbooks? Don't worry - I got you! I've created a custom Shopify Seller Income & Expense Tracker that you can use to easily enter each transaction coming in and out of your business, along with your sales data coming directly from Shopify to put together a standard P&L (Income Statement) that you can hand over to your tax preparer. Download your copy at www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/spreadsheet Prefer to learn while you read? Check out the blog post for this episode:www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/stop-doing-business-alone Related Episodes & Resources Mentioned:Join the waitlist for the membership here: www.findingfreedomfinancial.com/membership

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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