
You can learn a lot about accounting just by educating yourself. If you've got access to the Internet, you've got a world of financial literacy at your fingertips. If you'd like it all in one easy-to-read package, try a generalist book like John Tracy's "Accounting for Dummies."

Be sure to check all your banking, billing, and accounting statements as soon as you receive them. Fraud (especially check fraud) is all too common these days, and even if you're protected from that, errors can still affect your bottom line. The closer an eye you keep on everything, the better.

If you create your own financial accounting system for keeping track of your money, don't make it too complex; the simpler the better. This will benefit not only you but also anyone you bring in to help, and it'll be easier for someone else to understand if something should happen to you.