Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Bookkeeping Tasks: A Simple Checklist for Business Owners

Bookkeeping is one of those tasks that’s easy to put off—until things get messy, numbers stop adding up, and tax season becomes overwhelming. But with a little consistency and structure, bookkeeping can be manageable, efficient, and even empowering.

At STP Accounting, we believe the key to clean books is creating a regular routine. Here’s a simple breakdown of daily, weekly, and monthly bookkeeping tasks that will help you stay organized, make better business decisions, and avoid surprises when it’s time to file.

Daily Bookkeeping Tasks

These quick daily habits help you stay on top of your finances and prevent small errors from turning into major issues.

1. Record Sales and Income

Log any revenue you received that day—whether it came from cash, card, bank transfer, or e-commerce.

2. Track Expenses and Save Receipts

Update your expense records and upload digital copies of receipts. Use apps or accounting software to streamline this process.

3. Monitor Bank and Cash Balances

Check your account balances daily so you can spot any discrepancies or unexpected charges immediately.

Daily tasks typically take 10–15 minutes but can save hours of catch-up later.

Weekly Bookkeeping Tasks

Set aside time once a week to review activity, reconcile data, and ensure your books reflect reality.

1. Reconcile Transactions

Match bank transactions with your internal records to ensure nothing is missing or duplicated.

2. Categorize Expenses Properly

Assign accurate categories (such as office supplies, advertising, or fuel) to each expense for clean reporting and maximum tax deductions.

3. Send or Follow Up on Invoices

Ensure your invoices have been sent and follow up on any that are past due.

4. Review Outstanding Bills

Keep an eye on upcoming payments to manage cash flow and avoid late fees.

Monthly Bookkeeping Tasks

Monthly reviews help you understand your financial health and make informed decisions moving forward.

1. Reconcile All Bank and Credit Accounts

Make sure your statements match your books, and investigate any discrepancies.

2. Review Profit and Loss Statement

Check if your business was profitable for the month and see which categories are driving your revenue or increasing your costs.

3. Check Cash Flow

Look at how much cash entered and left your business. Are you building a healthy buffer or cutting it close?

4. Backup Financial Data

Store a secure copy of your bookkeeping data in case of system failure or audit.

5. Prepare for Tax Remittances

If you owe tax on a monthly basis (GST/HST, payroll, etc.), prepare and remit on time to stay CRA-compliant.

Bookkeeping doesn’t have to be overwhelming—it just needs structure. By breaking your responsibilities into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, you’ll stay organized, reduce financial stress, and always be ready for what’s next.

At STP Accounting, we help business owners streamline their financial systems, stay compliant, and build confidence in their numbers.

Need help managing your bookkeeping routine? Let’s simplify it together. Contact us today.