Many people have the skills and talent to start good businesses, but they lack the accounting knowledge or passion to keep those businesses profitable. For instance, an enthusiastic lawn care company might create beautiful landscapes. Then they avoid things like tracking tax-deductible mileage to customers’ homes and so crucial financial savings are lost.

Other common numbers blunders small product and service companies procrastinate on are:

• Paying bills, debts and vendors
• Delivering invoices and friendly reminders
• Collecting on due and past due accounts
• Handling employee benefits and salary matters
• Tabulating expenses, profits and losses

Put numbers first.

It is stressful to catch up once receipts, bills and invoices pile up. Then, time cleaning up the big mess takes over. The core service your business provides suffers and customers may get shortchanged.

When you put numbers first, they never stop priorities later. You can get them out of the way to go on with your day, week and month.

• Just 20 minutes before your real work starts can help you review important mail, emails and bills.
• Block off Mondays and the first days of every month to tie up accounting loose ends.
• Give numbers space on your desk. A neat inbox will do to keep business accounting paperwork in one place.

Delegate a numbers whiz.

Every small business owner wears many hats, so finances can go awry quickly on their watch. Forbes suggests many businesses fail within the first five years because they do not build the right teams. If your team does not include a business accounting or systems manager, then it is not quite right yet.

One of your drivers or cleaners and even the receptionist could be the numbers whiz you need. Ask around and you could be surprised. Give an existing employee a raise to be your financial matters partner and save money in the long run with their business help.

You have other options if your staff is small or no one is comfortable handling numbers.

• Offer a college student or retiree part-time work to manage the books, track bills and pursue customer payments.
• Find a budget-friendly numbers virtual assistant online.
• Ask a family member to join the business for this role.
• Hire a business or financial manager.

Avoid, erase or lower debt.

Finally, the best entrepreneurial goal to have with your numbers is to reduce and eliminate debt. Credit card bills, loan payments and debt-related fees are stressful black holes for businesses.

They don’t just eat into company profits. They steal time and focus to manage.

Becoming debt-free takes time, but you must start now. You can never fall in love with numbers when they remind you of more than you can pay or help you needed in the past.

• Talk to your banker as soon as possible about debt consolidation.
• Do not take on any more debt.
• Work harder and build business to avoid bankruptcy.
• Raise prices slightly. Do this with a friendly notice to loyal customers to explain you want to keep your quality and standards high.
• Hold off on employee raises and bonuses until you pay debt down or off. Do this gently and explain it’s your only option besides layoffs.

Yes, numbers may not be a thing you love most or reason you went into business. However you will feel so much better when you get them under control. It will be an accomplishment to be proud of, just as running a great business is.