Having QuickBooks Does Not Make You an Accountant

I have always found it curious that the focus on financial management for childcare business owners is learning to use QuickBooks (or any accounting software) to manage and improve the business’s financial performance. So, it would appear that folks think all I have to do is learn how to use QuickBooks – because learning to use QuickBooks will make me an accountant – well, at least teach me enough about accounting that I can do the accounting for my childcare business. I’ve got news…

“Just as having a scalpel will not make you a surgeon, having QuickBooks will not make you an accountant.”

Given the number of responsibilities you as a childcare business owner must manage to operate your business effectively each day, adding the burden and time required to learn QuickBooks (and keep up with all the software changes and updates) is not how you need to spend your time.

Learning to use QuickBooks will do little to help you improve the financial performance of your business. To manage your childcare business financially, instead of trying to learn QuickBooks, you need to spend whatever time you have to work on its financial performance (which is often limited) doing things that will improve it—NOT learning how to use QuickBooks (or any other accounting software).

Work with a knowledgeable accounting firm that specializes in childcare businesses and provides specialized accounting services for childcare owners. Then, spend time improving your business’s financial performance—not learning how to use QuickBooks.