As a business owner, getting paid for your work should be a simple, stress-free process. But for many small businesses—especially service-based professionals like plumbers, contractors, and technicians—billing and collections often fall to the bottom of the to-do list. And that means missed revenue, delayed payments, and unnecessary stress.
A Real-World Example of a Common Problem
Recently, we had some plumbing work done at our commercial property. The service was routine, the plumber did a great job, and everything was completed as expected. But as they packed up and left, I noticed something odd—they didn’t give me an invoice.
Days passed.
Weeks passed.
I called to follow up, thinking they might need to send me something to pay. I left three voicemails. Still, no response. No invoice.
Now, months have passed, and I can only assume that this plumbing business is either so successful that they don’t need the money (highly unlikely) or, more realistically, they’re struggling to keep up with their invoicing and collections.
The truth is, this is not an uncommon problem. Many small business owners are handling everything themselves—scheduling jobs, doing the work, sending invoices, following up on payments—and eventually, something falls through the cracks. More often than not, that “something” is invoicing.
The Impact of Poor Cash Flow Management
Think about this:
- How many jobs have you completed but never billed for?
- How much faster could you grow if payments came in on time every time?
- How much time and stress would you save if you didn’t have to chase down unpaid invoices?
For small businesses, cash flow is king. If you’re not getting paid on time, you’re constantly playing catch-up—struggling to pay vendors, make payroll, or invest in growth.
But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be this way.
How an Outsourced Accounting Team Can Help You Get Paid Faster
If this plumbing business had a streamlined system in place, they wouldn’t be leaving money on the table. That’s where an outsourced accounting team (like ours!) can step in and help.
The key to fixing this problem? QuickBooks Online App.
Here’s how we help service-based businesses improve their invoicing and cash flow:
- Automated Job Tracking: We set up QuickBooks Online on your phone so that after each job, you log time, materials, and expenses directly into the app.
- Seamless Invoicing: Our team downloads these entries daily or weekly and converts them into invoices that can be emailed to clients with clear payment terms (e.g., 10-15 days).
- Faster Payments: We set up electronic payment options so your customers can pay easily and quickly—eliminating delays and manual follow-ups.
Want to take it a step further? Set up payment authorizations ahead of time! With this system, new clients provide payment details before the job begins, and once the work is completed, their card is automatically charged.
Does this sound unfamiliar? Maybe.
But think about it: How many customers are going to refuse to provide payment info in advance when they’re in a situation where they don’t have running water or can’t flush a toilet? Probably not many.
Don’t Let Your Hard Work Go Unpaid
If you’re a Plumber, Contractor, or Service Technician, and you’re tired of:
✅ Chasing down payments
✅ Dealing with unpaid invoices
✅ Struggling with cash flow
✅ Wasting time on accounting instead of growing your business
Then outsourcing your accounting might be the smartest move you make this year.
Think about it this way—how many unpaid jobs would it take to cover the cost of having someone handle all of this for you? The answer? Probably just a couple.
With an outsourced accounting team, you can:
✔ Get invoices out faster
✔ Reduce outstanding receivables
✔ Improve cash flow
✔ Focus on running and growing your business
You work hard for your money. Make sure you’re actually collecting it.
Let’s Talk About Fixing Your Cash Flow
At Universal Bookkeeper, we specialize in helping service-based businesses take control of their finances—so they can get paid faster, reduce stress, and grow with confidence.
If you’re ready to stop chasing payments and start focusing on what you do best, we’re here to help.
📩 Contact us today to learn more!
