How to Use Your Bookkeeping Insights to Grow Your Business

Alright, let’s get real for a moment. We all know bookkeeping is important for keeping our taxes in check, but the real magic happens when you actually use that data to make decisions and grow your business.

So how do we do that?

Step 1: step away from the numbers for a second

Grab a pen and paper (or open a fresh doc) and ask yourself:

 “What do I actually need to know about my business to keep it sustainable or help it grow?”

It’s easy to fall into the trap of tracking everything just in case. But the truth is, the best insights come from focusing on the questions that actually matter to you.

Here are a few examples to get your wheels turning:

• Which of my services or products are the most profitable?

• How much am I spending on contractors vs. tools or software?

• What’s my average profit per client?

• Are there some client types that are consistently more valuable than others?

You don’t need fancy software to ask these questions. A notebook and a quiet moment will do just fine.

Step 2: define your key metrics

Once you have your questions, it’s time to figure out what you need to track in order to answer them. These become your key metrics.

For example, if you want to know how profitable each client is, you’ll need to compare the revenue they bring in against the expenses and time it takes to serve them. If you want to know whether a subscription is worth keeping, look at how often you use it—and whether it’s actually helping you make or save money.

None of this has to be fancy. A good ol’ spreadsheet will do just fine.

Step 3: look at your numbers regularly

This part doesn’t have to be scary—or even time-consuming. I usually tell clients to set aside time once a month (or at least quarterly) to check in on their numbers.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating space to:

• See what’s working

• Catch red flags early

• Celebrate your wins

• And most importantly, make decisions

Step 4: connect the dots

If you notice a gap between where you are and where you want to be, that’s where action comes in.

For example:

If your average client profitability is low, maybe it’s time to raise your rates—or trim back services that aren’t pulling their weight.

If your expenses have crept up, review what’s actually essential. Maybe there’s a tool you forgot you’re still paying for (we’ve all been there).

If your revenue is climbing but your bank account isn’t, it might be time to revisit your pricing or streamline when and how you get paid.

Data on its own doesn’t change anything—but what you do with it absolutely can.

Quick Reference:

Questions to Ask	Metrics to Track	Possible Actions
Which services or products are most profitable?	Profit margin per service/product	Focus on high-margin offers, cut low-margin ones
Am I overspending in any area?	Expenses by category	Trim or renegotiate costs, cancel unused subscriptions
Who are my most valuable clients?	Revenue vs. time/expenses per client	Prioritize high-value clients, reevaluate lower ones
Am I hitting my income goals?	Net income vs. monthly/annual targets	Adjust pricing, streamline operations, increase sales
Do I have enough for taxes and savings?	Net income, taxes owed, cash in bank	Set aside monthly, build in buffers