Got multiple businesses under your belt? Maybe you’re running a consulting LLC while also operating a separate product business? Here’s the golden rule that’ll save you major headaches: each business entity gets its own set of books.
If you have multiple businesses with different EINs (Employer Identification Numbers), they need completely separate bookkeeping systems. Think of it like this, each business is its own legal entity, so it needs its own financial records.
The IRS sees each EIN as a separate business entity. Mixing their finances creates a mess that can trigger audits, complicate tax filings, and potentially pierce your corporate veil (potentially losing your liability protection).
Plus, you need clean books for each business to track profitability, make informed decisions, and maintain proper legal separation.
Each business needs its own:
- Bank accounts
- Credit cards
- Accounting software or files
- Expense tracking
- Revenue recording
Review each business’s books separately every month. Each entity should have its own profit and loss statement, balance sheet, and cash flow tracking. This isn’t just good practice, it’s legally required.
When tax season arrives, each business files its own return. Having completely separate books makes this straightforward instead of a nightmare of untangling mixed transactions.
Got questions about managing your books? Schedule a call and let me know what you’re struggling with, we’re here to help!
