As a private practice owner, you’re passionate about serving your clients—but when it comes to bookkeeping, it’s easy to feel lost or overwhelmed. You might be wondering:

• Am I making enough to cover my expenses?
• Where is all my money going?
• Am I saving enough for taxes?

If you’ve ever had these questions (or avoided looking at your numbers altogether), you’re not alone. Many private practice owners struggle with financial clarity. That’s why implementing a simple, stress-free monthly financial check-in can be a game-changer for your business.

This guide will walk you through a 5-step process to review your finances each month, no accounting degree required!

Why Monthly Financial Check-Ins Matter

Think of your finances like a car: if you ignore regular maintenance, small issues can turn into big (and expensive) problems. The same goes for your private practice. A quick monthly financial review helps you:

Stay in control of your money – No more surprise expenses or cash flow crises.
Make better business decisions – Know when it’s time to invest, cut costs, or adjust pricing.

Reduce tax season stress – Keep your books organized so tax time is a breeze.

Now, let’s break down the steps to make this a simple habit in your business.

Step 1: Schedule Your Monthly Financial Review

First things first: put it on your calendar.

Set a recurring 30–60-minute appointment at the beginning or end of each month. Treat this time as non-negotiable—just like you would for a client session.

🔹 Pro Tip: Block out a quiet time with no distractions. Grab a cup of coffee and make it a part of your business routine.

Step 2: Reconcile Bank & Credit Card Transactions

To ensure accuracy, you’ll need to match your financial records with your bank statements. This process, called reconciliation, helps catch any errors, missing expenses, or fraudulent charges.

How to do it:
 Log into your accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Wave, or Xero).
 Make sure all bank and credit card transactions are entered.
 Categorize any uncategorized transactions (e.g., office rent, software subscriptions).
 Flag any charges that seem incorrect or need clarification.

Why this matters: If you don’t review transactions regularly, you might miss tax-deductible expenses or even overpay your taxes.

Step 3: Review Income vs. Expenses

Now, let’s answer the big question: Did your private practice make money this month?

Check your profit & loss (P&L) statement to see how much you earned versus how much you spent. Look for:

Revenue Trends – Are you bringing in more or less compared to last month?
Expense Patterns – Are there any unnecessary expenses you can cut?
Profit Margin – Are you charging enough to remain profitable?

💡 Action Step: If expenses are too high, identify at least one cost-cutting opportunity (e.g., switching to lower-cost software or renegotiating vendor contracts).

Step 4: Look for Financial Red Flags

Think of this as a mini financial audit for your practice. You’ll want to check for:

Duplicate charges – Sometimes vendors charge twice by mistake.
Recurring subscriptions you don’t use – Are you paying for software you no longer need?
Slow-paying clients or unpaid invoices – Follow up on outstanding payments.

🔹 Pro Tip: If you notice a lot of outstanding invoices, consider implementing automated payment reminders or requiring prepayment for sessions.

Step 5: Update Tax Projections & Savings

To avoid surprises at tax time, you should set aside a percentage of your income for taxes each month.

Review your tax savings account – Do you have enough set aside?
Adjust estimated tax payments if needed – If your income is increasing, you may need to save more.
Consider working with an accountant – If you’re unsure about tax estimates, an expert can help.

💡 Rule of Thumb: Set aside 25-30% of your income for taxes to cover federal, state, and self-employment taxes.

Making Your Financial Check-In a Habit

Now that you have a step-by-step process, the key is consistency. Here’s how to make this routine stick:

Set a recurring calendar reminder – Don’t rely on memory!
Use a checklist – Follow the same steps each month to stay on track.
Celebrate small wins – If your numbers improve, acknowledge your progress!

Ready to take control of your finances? Let’s make this the year you stop stressing about money and start growing a profitable, thriving practice.