How to Keep Simple Business Records Without Accounting Software

Your Shop Is Busy. But Where Is the Money Going?

You work hard every day. Customers buy products, money comes in, suppliers must be paid, and stock needs replacing.

But at the end of the week, can you explain exactly where your business money went?

Perhaps you have sales but very little cash left. Perhaps customers owe you money, or you regularly take money home without recording it.

You don’t need to become an accountant to take better control of your business money.

A Practical Guide for South African Small Business Owners

How to Keep Simple Business Records Without Accounting Software is Book 4 in the Township and Informal Business Quick Guides for South Africa series by Douw Steyn.

It explains how to build a simple, affordable record-keeping system without accounting software, complicated financial reports, or expensive equipment.

Using the fictional Nomsa’s Corner Shop, the guide demonstrates how ordinary business transactions can be recorded and checked.

What You Will Learn

• Record daily sales: Keep track of cash, EFT, card and credit sales without counting transactions twice.
• Track business payments: Record stock purchases, transport, packaging and other expenses.
• Separate business and personal money: Understand owner withdrawals and contributions.
• Check your cash: Compare the money in your cash box with your records.
• Manage stock and debts: Know what you have, what customers owe, and what you must pay suppliers.
• Review your finances weekly: Identify warning signs and make better-informed business decisions.
• Build a 30-day habit: Follow a manageable routine that you can continue using.

Practical Worksheets Included

Your purchase also includes a downloadable Simple Business Record-Keeping Toolkit, containing:

1. Daily Sales Record
2. Daily Expenses and Payments Record
3. Daily Cash Check
4. Stock and Money Owed Register
5. Weekly Business Money Summary
6. 30-Day Record-Keeping Checklist

The toolkit includes printable worksheets and an editable Word version so you can adapt the records to your business.

Who Is This Guide For?

This book is especially useful for:

• Spaza shop owners and prospective owners.
• Township and informal traders.
• Food sellers and home-based businesses.
• Small retailers and resellers.
• Salon owners and local service providers.
• Side-hustlers who want better financial control.

No accounting background is required.

What You’ll Receive

Digital eBook: Reedsy-formatted PDF, 168 pages.

Bonus Toolkit: Printable PDF worksheets, completed examples, and editable Word templates.

Delivery: Digital download after successful purchase.

About the Author

Douw Steyn is the founder of How To Books ZA and GigsZA. His work focuses on practical guidance, affordable resources, and better business decision-making for South African entrepreneurs.

Stop relying entirely on memory. Start understanding your business money.

Start where you are. Make it profitable. Build what works.

Please note: This guide provides educational information and practical tools. It does not replace professional accounting or tax advice.