Purpose
Business decisions are based on facts and not on guessing.
Bookkeeping reports turn daily transactions into useful business information. They show what the business earned, what it spent, who still owes money, which bills need to be paid, whether the business is profitable, and whether the business has enough cash to grow.
This page presents two decision tables:
- QuickBooks Bookkeeping Business Decision Table — based on Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, Accounts Receivable Aging, Accounts Payable Aging, Transaction Detail, and Bank Reconciliation Summary.
- Excel Bookkeeping Business Decision Table — based on income, expenses, mileage, monthly summary, platform summary, and dashboard reports for a delivery driver business.
QuickBooks Bookkeeping Business Decision Table
This table connects QuickBooks report findings to practical decisions a business owner can make using financial facts.
| Report | Key Analysis | Result | Business Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit and Loss | Income is $10,200.77, cost of goods sold is $405.00, gross profit is $9,795.77, expenses are $7,621.70, other expenses are $2,916.00, and net income is -$741.93. | The report shows that the business generated sales but ended the period with a net loss after operating and other expenses. | Review the $2,916.00 Miscellaneous expense, confirm whether it belongs in that account, reduce non-essential spending, and focus on services or jobs with stronger profit margins. |
| Balance Sheet | Total assets are $21,611.91, current liabilities are $6,991.34, long-term liabilities are $25,000.00, total liabilities are $31,991.34, and equity is -$10,379.43. | The business has more liabilities than equity, which shows financial pressure even though the balance sheet is balanced. | Avoid taking on additional debt until cash flow improves. Prioritize collecting customer balances, controlling expenses, and reducing liabilities before planning expansion. |
| Accounts Receivable Aging | Customer balances total $5,281.52, including $3,756.02 current, $1,128.50 in 1–30 days, $241.00 in 31–60 days, and $156.00 in 61–90 days. | The business can see which customers still owe money and which invoices need follow-up first. | Follow up with the oldest balances first, especially the 61–90 day and 31–60 day invoices. Send reminders for 1–30 day balances before they become older. |
| Accounts Payable Aging | Vendor balances total $1,602.67, including $755.00 current, $761.23 in 1–30 days, and $86.44 in 31–60 days. | The business can identify which vendor bills need payment planning and which balances are already aging. | Schedule payments based on due date and available cash. Pay older vendor balances first to avoid late fees and maintain good vendor relationships. |
| Transaction Detail Report | The report shows activity by account, including Checking, Mastercard, Automobile, Dues & Subscriptions, Equipment Rental, Meals and Entertainment, Office Expenses, and Job Expenses. A1 Rental activity includes -$1,200.00 and $800.00, and Equipment Rental totals $1,800.00. | The detailed transaction view helps verify how report totals were created and whether transactions were assigned to the right accounts. | Review high-value and unusual entries such as Equipment Rental and A1 Rental to confirm account accuracy before relying on the financial reports. |
| Bank Reconciliation Summary | The Checking account was reconciled on 05/22/2026 with a statement ending balance of -$623.38, a register balance of -$623.38, and a $0.00 difference. | The bank activity agrees with the statement, so the reconciled balance can be trusted for reporting and cash review. | Use the reconciled balance before paying bills or making cash flow decisions. Review why the checking balance is negative before scheduling additional payments. |
Detailed screenshots for these QuickBooks reports are available on the QuickBooks report screenshot page.
Excel Bookkeeping Business Decision Table
This table shows how Excel bookkeeping reports can help a delivery driver business understand income, expenses, mileage, platform performance, net earnings, and profit decisions.
| Report | Key Analysis | Result | Business Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Report | Total income for 3 months was $13,006.80 from Walmart Spark, DoorDash, Uber, and Lyft. March had the highest monthly income at $4,479.15. | The owner can see how much money came in and which month performed best. | Study what worked in March and repeat that schedule, platform mix, or delivery strategy to keep income strong. |
| Expense Report | Total expenses for 3 months were $2,863.77. Expenses included gas, insurance, phone, car maintenance, tolls, parking, and supplies. | The owner can see how much money went out and which costs reduce earnings. | Monitor gas and vehicle-related costs weekly because they directly reduce profit. Look for ways to reduce unnecessary driving, parking, tolls, and supplies. |
| Mileage Report | Total business miles were 7,245 miles over the 3-month period. January had 2,410 miles, February had 2,395 miles, and March had 2,440 miles. | The owner can understand how much driving was required to earn income. | Compare miles driven to income earned. If mileage is high but income is low, adjust delivery routes or reduce time on weaker platforms. |
| Monthly Summary Report | Total net earnings were $10,143.03 after expenses. January net earnings were $3,370.85, February was $3,259.58, and March was $3,512.60. | The owner can see the real profit after expenses, not just gross income. | Use net earnings to decide if the delivery business is profitable. March was the strongest month, so review March’s work pattern and repeat it. |
| Platform Summary Report | Walmart Spark produced the highest income at $4,291.05, followed by DoorDash at $3,454.55, Uber at $2,818.30, and Lyft at $2,442.90. | The owner can see which platform generated the most income. | Prioritize Walmart Spark and DoorDash because they produced the strongest earnings. Review Uber and Lyft to decide if they are worth the same working time. |
| Dashboard Report | The dashboard shows total income of $13,006.80, total expenses of $2,863.77, net earnings of $10,143.03, total business miles of 7,245, and best income platform as Walmart Spark. | The owner gets a quick summary of business performance in one place. | Use the dashboard monthly to decide where to work more, where to cut costs, and whether the business is improving or needs changes. |
These Excel reports show how organized tracking can support budgeting, tax preparation, platform selection, and profit improvement.