Books That Don’t Scare Investors: Bookkeeping, Statements & Software Setup

Sep 23, 2026 12pm to 1pm

Messy books cost founders time, money, and credibility — often at the exact moment an investor or lender asks for numbers. This session covers bookkeeping setup, the three core financial statements, and choosing software that fits your stage, so your financials are clean, current, and able to hold up under outside scrutiny.

**What We’ll Cover**

* Building a chart of accounts that fits your business
* Bookkeeping fundamentals: cash vs. accrual, categorization, and monthly close
* The three statements demystified — P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow
* What each statement tells you and what investors look for first
* Choosing accounting software for your stage and avoiding over-buying
* Separating personal and business finances, and common cleanup issues

**Who Should Attend**
Missouri founders setting up their books for the first time, working from spreadsheets, or heading into a raise or loan application with financials that need tightening.

**What You’ll Leave With**

* A chart of accounts and bookkeeping setup
* The three statements demystified
* The right software for your stage

Part of the Show-Me Founders Series.

*This project is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SSBCI-21031-0104 awarded to the State of Missouri by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.*