A plain monthly bookkeeping plan for small starts
Starter Bookkeeping is built for businesses that are just getting going and do not yet need a full finance department. It suits sole proprietors, small partnerships and close corporations that issue a limited number of invoices, make a manageable number of supplier payments, and want proper records without paying for more than they use. For many owners in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban and Gqeberha, the main need is simple monthly control, not a complicated accounting setup.
Our base is in Bryanston, Johannesburg and we work with micro businesses across South Africa. The plan keeps the numbers tidy each month so you can see what came in, what went out and what still needs attention. That makes it easier to stay ready for tax filings, apply for funding, or show a landlord or lender that your records are in order. It is practical support for real trading conditions, including stop start cash flow, load-shedding interruptions and late-paying customers.
What is included in Starter Bookkeeping
The plan covers the core monthly tasks a small business needs to stay organised. Affo processes your transactions, checks the bank balance against your records and prepares simple reports that show how the business is moving. We keep the work focused on the essentials so there is less room for confusion and less time spent chasing paperwork.
- Monthly bank reconciliation
- Cashbook and transaction capturing
- Supplier and expense categorisation
- Customer invoice tracking
- Basic monthly management report
- Outstanding item follow-up
- Support with record organisation for tax season
If your business also runs payroll for one or two staff members, this plan can sit alongside our payroll support. That is useful for small teams that need payslips, leave tracking and deduction handling but do not yet need a larger finance system. We keep the service personal and straightforward, with clear communication and no unnecessary extras.
Who Starter Bookkeeping suits best
This plan suits micro businesses with low transaction volumes and owners who want to keep admin under control from day one. It works well for consultants, small traders, home-based businesses, service providers, and owner-managed companies that mainly need clean records and a monthly check-in. If your business is still testing demand, pricing and repeat orders, this is a sensible place to start.
It also suits entrepreneurs who handle most day to day operations themselves and only need a bookkeeping team to keep the records accurate. That means fewer surprises at month-end and less stress when the bank statement, invoices and supplier slips do not match. For businesses operating across South Africa, it is especially helpful when the owner is in one city and customers or staff are spread across another, because the books stay centralised and easy to follow.
- Best for low volume invoicing and payments
- Suitable for businesses with simple stock or no stock at all
- Useful for owners who want monthly oversight rather than weekly reporting
- Ideal where cash flow changes from month to month
Set-up requirements and what we need from you
Getting started is straightforward. We need access to your bank statements, invoices, receipts and any payroll information if you have staff. We also need to know how your business is structured, what you sell, and whether you use cash, card or electronic transfers. Once that is in place, we can set up your monthly bookkeeping process and agree on the reporting format that suits your business.
There is no heavy installation requirement, because this is a service not a physical product. What matters is that your records are stored safely and shared on time each month. A reliable internet connection helps, but we also understand that small businesses in South Africa deal with load-shedding, data limits and busy trading hours. If you keep your documents in one place and send them consistently, the process stays smooth even when the month gets hectic.
- Bank statements for the month
- Sales invoices and till records
- Supplier invoices and expense slips
- Payroll details if staff are paid
- Any loan, lease or asset purchase documents
Where it works best and when to choose a bigger plan
Starter Bookkeeping works best where the business is still small enough to keep records simple. If you are trading from Bryanston, Sandton, Randburg or Midrand, or operating further afield in Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban or Gqeberha, the same monthly process applies. The service is shaped around small teams and owner-led businesses, so it is a good fit when you do not yet have a finance manager or in-house admin staff.
As your business grows, the bookkeeping load may increase. More suppliers, more staff, stock movement or more than one trading account can mean you need a bigger monthly service. If that happens, we can help you move to a more detailed arrangement without losing your records. The aim is to keep the numbers useful from the start, then adjust as the business grows, not force you into a plan that is too large or too expensive for your current stage.
Care, servicing and month-end routines
Good bookkeeping depends on regular care. The most effective routine is to send documents in once a month, keep business and personal spending separate, and flag unusual items early. That makes month-end faster and prevents avoidable cleanup later. A little consistency now saves a lot of sorting out later, especially when receipts go missing or supplier payments do not match the bank feed.
Affo manages the monthly servicing side by reconciling records, checking for gaps and making sure the books remain usable. If something looks unusual, we will query it before it becomes a bigger problem. This is especially important for micro businesses that trade in busy periods and then slow down, because quiet months can hide errors just as easily as busy ones. We keep the process practical and steady, with clear feedback on what still needs attention.
- Send documents on the same dates each month
- Keep receipts legible and sorted by month
- Separate personal and business accounts
- Report staff changes or new suppliers promptly
What to check before you order
Before signing up, check that the plan matches your trading volume and the level of support you actually need. If you only have a handful of monthly transactions, Starter Bookkeeping should be enough. If you already have payroll, stock movements or several bank accounts, ask whether a more detailed service would be better. The right fit saves time and keeps the fee sensible.
You should also check what reports you want each month, who will send the source documents and whether you need payroll support as well. Affo can assist with monthly payroll, weekly wage payroll, payslip processing, leave tracking, timesheet capture, new employee setup, termination pay, deduction support, payroll reporting, holiday payroll cover, small team payroll and payroll cleanup. If you are unsure, send an enquiry through our contact page and we will guide you on the best starting point for your micro business.
- Confirm your monthly transaction volume
- Check whether payroll is needed
- Decide who will send documents each month
- Make sure you want basic reporting rather than detailed management accounts
Key facts
| Plan type | Monthly bookkeeping support for micro businesses |
|---|---|
| Best for | Low transaction volumes and owner-managed startups |
| Coverage | Bank reconciliation, transaction capture and basic reporting |
| Service area | Bryanston, Johannesburg and across South Africa |
| Onboarding need | Bank statements, invoices, receipts and payroll details if applicable |
| Typical fit | Sole proprietors, small partnerships and close corporations |
