Argo Books

Argo Books Guides

Guides for small businesses.

Plain-language guides for people who do their own books: getting invoices out the door, scanning receipts and tracking expenses, the bookkeeping basics for your trade, and picking software that fits without overpaying.

  1. How to invoice clients: a step-by-step guide How to invoice clients without missing anything: what to charge, what to put on the invoice, when to send it, and how to get paid on time. 8 min read Step by step
  2. How to send an invoice for free How to send a professional invoice for free, step by step: what to include, how to get paid faster, and which free tools actually work. 8 min read Step by step
  3. What to include on an invoice What to include on an invoice: the 9 fields every invoice needs, plus extras for products, taxes, regulated countries, and bonus fields for faster pay. 8 min read
  4. Invoice numbering: best practices Invoice numbering best practices: how to pick a starting number, format your invoice IDs, avoid gaps, and keep a clean trail your accountant can follow. 7 min read Step by step
  5. Net 30 vs Due on Receipt: which to use Net 30 vs Due on Receipt explained in plain language. When to use each, how to write the term on the invoice, and what to set as your default. 7 min read
  6. Late fees: when and how to charge them Late fees on invoices, in plain language: what is a reasonable rate, when to start the clock, what to put on the invoice, and when to waive the fee. 8 min read
  7. How to make an invoice in Excel (with a faster way) How to build an invoice in Excel or Google Sheets from scratch, with the real formulas, then an honest look at when a spreadsheet stops keeping up. 9 min read Step by step
  8. Tax on invoices: country guide Tax on invoices by country: how sales tax, GST, HST, and VAT work in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and India, and how to set the rate in the generator. 9 min read
  9. How to follow up on unpaid invoices How to follow up on unpaid invoices without scaring off a good client: a six-step sequence with sample emails, phone scripts, and a final-notice template. 8 min read Step by step
  10. Invoice vs receipt: what's the difference? Invoice vs receipt made simple: an invoice asks for payment before you're paid, a receipt proves payment after. Here's what goes on each and why you keep both. 8 min read
  11. How to take a deposit on an invoice How to take a deposit on an invoice: how much to ask for, how to word it, two ways to invoice it, and when tax applies. You will get paid before you start. 8 min read Step by step
  12. What to do when a client does not pay A calm, step-by-step plan for when a client hasn't paid the invoice. What to send on day 1, day 8, day 22, day 45, and what to do at day 60 and beyond. 9 min read
  13. How to write a receipt for a small business How to write a receipt that holds up: what it must include, which format to use, and why cash jobs still need one. Plus a copy-and-paste layout. 7 min read Step by step
  14. Recurring invoices: when to use them Recurring invoices in plain language: when they fit, when they don't, the two patterns to run them, the terms to include, and the common mistakes. 8 min read
  15. Free vs paid invoicing tools: an honest comparison When a free invoice generator is genuinely enough, when paid software pays for itself, and how to pick between the main options on the market. 9 min read
  16. How to track business expenses without spreadsheets A simple system for tracking business expenses without a spreadsheet: what to record, how to capture receipts, and how to be ready at tax time. 9 min read
  17. Best free AI receipt scanner apps in 2026 The free receipt scanner apps that actually read receipts well, what each one limits on the free plan, and how to pick one for taxes and expenses. 9 min read
  18. Small business tax deductions you might be missing (2026) The business tax deductions small businesses most often miss, the difference between an expense and an asset, and how to keep records that hold up. 9 min read
  19. Business expense categories: a complete list Every business expense category explained, with what belongs in each, a real example, and a deductibility note. Here's how to sort your spending so tax time is easy. 10 min read
  20. What counts as a business expense (and what doesn't) What counts as a business expense and what doesn't: the ordinary-and-necessary test, a clear yes and no list, and how to split mixed personal and business use. 9 min read
  21. How long to keep business receipts and records How long to keep business receipts and records in the US, Canada, UK, and Australia, what to save, and why scanning beats a shoebox that's fading. 8 min read
  22. How to scan and organize receipts Here's how to scan and organize receipts so nothing fades or goes missing: capture the same day, pull the details, categorize, and back them up. 8 min read Step by step
  23. How much to set aside for taxes when self-employed How much to set aside for taxes when you work for yourself: why 25 to 30% of profit is the safe rule, and the buckets you can't forget. 9 min read
  24. Small business bookkeeping basics: a beginner's guide Bookkeeping basics for a new small business, in plain language: what to track, how to start, cash vs accrual, and a simple monthly routine that works. 10 min read
  25. Bookkeeping for contractors: a simple guide A plain guide to contractor bookkeeping: tracking jobs, materials, mileage, and subcontractors, and getting ready for tax time without the stress. 9 min read
  26. Bookkeeping for freelancers: a practical guide A plain guide to bookkeeping for freelancers: separate accounts, irregular income, chasing invoices, home-office deductions, and setting aside tax. 9 min read
  27. How to do bookkeeping without an accountant A practical playbook for doing your own bookkeeping: a simple system, the tools that help, what to still hand an accountant, and when to hire one. 9 min read
  28. Bookkeeping for rental businesses: a simple guide A plain guide to rental bookkeeping: deposits vs income, tracking which items earn, maintenance costs, depreciation, and getting ready for tax time. 9 min read
  29. Bookkeeping for online sellers: a practical guide Bookkeeping for online sellers on Etsy, eBay, Shopify, and Amazon: fees, payouts that don't match sales, inventory, sales tax, shipping, and returns. 10 min read
  30. Bookkeeping for Etsy sellers and handmade businesses Bookkeeping for Etsy sellers and handmade businesses: your true cost per item, Etsy fees, materials inventory, pricing, craft-fair cash, and sales tax. 10 min read
  31. Inventory tracking for small businesses: a simple guide A plain guide to inventory for small businesses: cost of goods sold, stock value, reorder points, shrinkage, and what it all means for your taxes. 9 min read
  32. Bookkeeping for photographers: a simple guide A plain guide to bookkeeping for photographers: handling deposits, pricing per shoot, gear deductions, travel costs, and setting tax money aside. 9 min read
  33. How to forecast cash flow for a small business A plain method for forecasting small business cash flow: the four inputs you need, why timing decides everything, and where doing it by hand falls apart. 9 min read
  34. How to forecast your revenue and predict next month's sales How to forecast your small business revenue: three simple methods, how to use last year as a baseline, and how to tell if your forecast is any good. 9 min read
  35. How to spot seasonal trends in your business Most businesses have a hidden busy-and-slow rhythm. Here is how to find your seasonal pattern in your own numbers and plan around it instead of being surprised. 8 min read
  36. Free cash flow forecast template (and when to outgrow it) Build a free cash flow forecast template in Excel or Google Sheets today: exactly what to include, how to fill it in, how to keep it current, and when to switch. 9 min read
  37. Bookkeeping for cleaning companies: a simple guide A plain guide to cleaning business bookkeeping: recurring clients, supplies, mileage, paying cleaners, and getting ready for tax time without the stress. 9 min read
  38. Cash basis vs accrual accounting, explained simply Cash basis vs accrual accounting in plain English: what each one means, a worked example, who uses which, and how to switch. No jargon, just the difference. 9 min read
  39. What is cost of goods sold (COGS)? A plain-English guide Cost of goods sold explained in plain English: what counts, what doesn't, the formula with worked examples, and simple ways to track COGS in a small business. 12 min read
  40. Bookkeeping for food trucks: a simple guide A plain guide to food truck bookkeeping: tracking daily cash sales, food cost and spoilage, fuel and permits, staff pay, and protecting thin margins. 9 min read
  41. Year-end bookkeeping checklist for small businesses A step-by-step year-end bookkeeping checklist for small businesses: gather transactions, check against your bank, chase invoices, count stock, and run reports. 11 min read Step by step
  42. How to track GST/HST for your small business (Canada) A plain-language guide to GST/HST for Canadian small businesses: the $30,000 rule, charging the right rate, input tax credits, and a simple tracking routine. 12 min read
  43. Bookkeeping for landscapers: a simple guide A plain guide to landscaping bookkeeping: job costing, the seasonal cash-flow swing, equipment and mileage, paying crew, and getting ready for tax. 9 min read
  44. What is a profit and loss statement? A profit and loss statement shows what you earned, what it cost, and what you kept. Here's how to read one, build one, and run it every month. 9 min read
  45. Bookkeeping for auto detailing businesses Bookkeeping for auto detailing: track product usage and supplies, price packages for real margin, handle cash and card at the car, mobile costs, and sales tax. 10 min read
  46. Bookkeeping for repair shops Practical bookkeeping for repair shops: split parts from labor, track parts inventory and COGS, handle deposits, warranty redos, payments, and sales tax. 10 min read
  47. Bookkeeping for electricians Bookkeeping for electricians: quoting vs invoicing, deposits and progress billing, van stock and materials, job costing, deductions, and a monthly routine. 10 min read
  48. Bookkeeping for plumbers Bookkeeping for plumbers in plain language: parts vs labor, call-out fees, van stock, deposits on installs, job costing, and a simple monthly routine. 14 min read
  49. What is a balance sheet? A plain-English guide A balance sheet is a snapshot of what your business owns and owes. Here's the equation, a worked example, and why it always balances. 9 min read
  50. Gross profit vs net profit: what's the difference? Gross profit vs net profit, explained with real numbers: the two formulas, how to work out each margin, and why the sales tax you collect isn't profit. 8 min read
  51. How to track sales tax for your small business Sales tax isn't your money, it's the government's. Here's how to charge it, track what you collect against what you pay, set it aside, and file on time. 9 min read Step by step
  52. How to pay quarterly estimated taxes If no one withholds tax from your income, you probably owe it four times a year. Here's who pays, the due dates, how to estimate, and how to avoid a penalty. 9 min read Step by step
  53. How to separate business and personal finances A practical guide to keeping business and personal money apart: the accounts to open, how to pay yourself, and what to do if you've been mixing them. 8 min read Step by step
  54. How to set up bookkeeping for a new business A from-scratch checklist for setting up bookkeeping for a new business: bank account, method, system, categories, receipts, and a weekly rhythm you can keep. 9 min read Step by step
  55. How to price your services as a freelancer How to price your services as a freelancer: the three pricing approaches, your true hourly cost, billing models, and when to raise your rates. 9 min read Step by step
  56. How to convert an Excel spreadsheet to accounting software How to convert an Excel spreadsheet to accounting software step by step: tidy your sheet, export it, import with column mapping, and check the totals match. 9 min read Step by step
  57. How to move from spreadsheets to bookkeeping software A calm migration plan for moving from spreadsheets to bookkeeping software: when to switch, how to get your data out, what to import, and how to verify it. 10 min read Step by step
  58. Free profit and loss template (Excel and Google Sheets) Download a free profit and loss template for Excel or Google Sheets, then learn how to fill in each section, avoid the two big mistakes, and read the result. 12 min read
  59. How to import bank transactions from CSV into accounting software How to import bank transactions from a CSV into accounting software: download a statement, understand the columns, map them, categorize, and match the total. 9 min read Step by step
  60. How to turn a spreadsheet into a profit and loss statement How to turn a spreadsheet into a profit and loss statement step by step: list income, group expenses, total each side, and read your real profit. 10 min read Step by step
  61. Excel bookkeeping template vs accounting software An honest head-to-head of an Excel bookkeeping template vs accounting software: cost, setup, automation, error risk, reporting, and when each one wins. 9 min read
  62. Why your bookkeeping spreadsheet stops working Why your bookkeeping spreadsheet stops working: rising volume, silent formula slips, version chaos, missing receipts, painful tax time, and the fix for each. 12 min read
  63. Excel vs accounting software for small business Excel vs accounting software for small business: an honest comparison of cost, learning curve, automation, error risk, and when each one is the right call. 9 min read
  64. Is it OK to do bookkeeping in Excel? Is it OK to do bookkeeping in Excel? An honest yes with caveats: what is legal, what you must get right, the real risks, and when to move on. 9 min read
  65. Google Sheets bookkeeping: pros and cons Google Sheets bookkeeping pros and cons: free, cloud, and shareable, but no bank feeds and weak audit trail. Honest guidance on who it actually suits. 9 min read
  66. Free bookkeeping spreadsheet templates: what to use and how to set one up A practical guide to free bookkeeping spreadsheet templates: what a good one contains, the exact columns to use, where to find them, and how to set one up. 9 min read
  67. Best free accounting software for small business The free accounting software worth using for a small business, what each one limits on the free plan, and how to tell when free stops being enough. 10 min read
  68. Free accounting software for Canadian small businesses The free accounting software that actually works in Canada: GST, HST and PST handling, CAD reporting, and CRA-ready records, with honest trade-offs for each. 9 min read
  69. Best QuickBooks alternatives in 2026 The strongest QuickBooks alternatives for small businesses, what each one does better, where each falls short, and how to pick the right replacement. 10 min read
  70. How much does QuickBooks cost in Canada? QuickBooks Online costs $360 to $2,640 CAD a year in Canada depending on the plan. See every tier, the add-ons that raise the real bill, and worked examples. 9 min read
  71. Best accounting software for small business A plain-language buyer's guide to the best accounting software for small business: the criteria that matter, the landscape, and how to match a tool to you. 11 min read
  72. Is QuickBooks worth it for a small business in 2026? An honest answer to whether QuickBooks is worth it for a small business: where it earns its price, where it's overkill, and a clear worth-it-if verdict. 9 min read
  73. QuickBooks price increases: how much it has gone up, and why QuickBooks prices have risen roughly 50 to 90 percent in five years depending on the plan. See the price history, why it keeps climbing, and your options. 8 min read
  74. Cash flow forecasting software: do you need it, and what to look for When a spreadsheet stops keeping up: what cash flow forecasting software adds, native vs add-on vs all-in-one, and how to pick the right tool for your business. 9 min read
  75. Best invoicing software for small business The best invoicing software for small businesses, what each option does well, where it falls short, and how to pick the right one for how you bill. 10 min read
  76. Predictive analytics for small business: is the "AI" actually real? Nearly every tool claims to be AI-powered. Here is what predictive analytics genuinely is, the real methods behind it, and how to tell a real forecast from a slogan. 9 min read
  77. QuickBooks Desktop discontinued: what it means and your options QuickBooks Desktop is being wound down. What Intuit has stopped selling, the support end dates, what stops working, and your real options including a free local alternative. 10 min read
  78. How much does accounting software cost in 2026? What accounting software actually costs in 2026: free tiers, entry and mid plans, the hidden fees to watch for, and what to expect to pay by business size. 9 min read
  79. How to switch from QuickBooks: a step-by-step guide How to switch from QuickBooks step by step: what data to bring, which reports to save as a permanent archive, when to start, and how to check the numbers. 11 min read Step by step
  80. QuickBooks Self-Employed is discontinued: what to do now QuickBooks Self-Employed is discontinued. What actually happened, what it means for your account, and your three realistic paths forward, explained plainly. 12 min read
  81. Cheapest accounting software for the self-employed (2026) The cheapest accounting software for self-employed people and sole proprietors, free tiers first, with honest trade-offs and how to pick what actually fits. 9 min read
  82. One-time purchase vs subscription accounting software One-time purchase vs subscription accounting software: what each really costs, the trade-offs in updates and lock-in, and why a free tier can be the middle ground. 9 min read
  83. The best accounting software for freelancers The best accounting software for freelancers isn't the one with the most features. Here's what you actually need, what to skip, and how to choose. 9 min read
  84. Best accounting software for Etsy sellers and makers A plain, honest buyer's guide to accounting software for Etsy sellers: what makers really need, why almost nothing auto-syncs with Etsy, and how to choose. 10 min read
  85. Best accounting software for photographers How photographers should pick accounting software: deposits and retainers, gear expenses, travel, seasonal income, and tax-ready reports, compared honestly. 10 min read
  86. Accounting software for people who hate accounting Dread bookkeeping? Here is what makes accounting software actually painless, what to ignore, and how to set up a near-zero-effort system you will keep up with. 9 min read
  87. Best accounting software for ecommerce and online sellers How to choose accounting software for ecommerce: handling payouts, platform fees, inventory and COGS, sales tax, and selling across Shopify, Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. 13 min read
  88. The best accounting software for contractors What contractors really need from accounting software: deposits, progress billing, on-site receipts, and profit per job. Here's how to choose the right tool. 9 min read
  89. Offline accounting software: keep your books on your computer Offline accounting software keeps your books on your own computer. Why people want it, the honest trade-offs, and what to look for in a desktop app. 10 min read
  90. Accounting software for Windows: a buyer's guide Accounting software for Windows: why the classic desktop programs are winding down, how cloud and native apps compare, and what to check before you commit. 15 min read
  91. Accounting software for Mac: a buyer's guide Accounting software for Mac users: your real options now that QuickBooks dropped its Mac desktop app, what to look for, and how offline and cloud tools compare. 13 min read
  92. Accounting software for Linux: a buyer's guide Accounting software for Linux: which tools actually run natively, why Wine and virtual machines are a trap, and how cloud and desktop options really compare. 15 min read
  93. Wave accounting alternatives: how to pick the right one A fair guide to Wave accounting alternatives: what Wave does well, why people switch, what to look for, and the free, desktop, and big-name options. 10 min read
  94. FreshBooks alternatives: an honest guide to switching A fair guide to FreshBooks alternatives: what FreshBooks does well, why people switch, what to look for, and the cloud, free, and desktop options to compare. 10 min read
  95. Xero alternatives: an honest look at your options A fair guide to Xero alternatives: what Xero does well, why people move on, what to compare, and the cloud, free, and desktop options worth a look. 13 min read
  96. Rewriting a 91,000-line WinForms app in Avalonia What changed when a production Windows-only WinForms accounting app was rebuilt on Avalonia: 1,873 hardcoded colors gone, 20,305 lines of generated code gone, three platforms gained.