Running a restaurant isn’t just about creating great food and serving happy guests—it’s about managing a business with tight margins, high overhead, and constant moving parts. As a professional bookkeeper and restaurant CFO, I’ve worked with countless small business owners who love their craft but feel overwhelmed by the numbers behind the scenes.
At The Active Ledger, we specialize in helping restaurant owners gain clarity, control, and confidence in their finances. Whether you run a food truck, a fine dining spot, or a multi-location concept, avoiding these three common mistakes can make a huge difference in your profitability and peace of mind.
1️⃣ Not Tracking Prime Costs (Food + Labor)
Your prime costs—food, beverage, and labor—make up the largest chunk of your operating expenses. If you’re not watching these numbers closely, they can quietly eat away at your profit.
What we do:
At The Active Ledger, we help you build systems to track your cost of goods sold (COGS), manage inventory efficiently, and calculate labor costs weekly—not just at the end of the month. When you know your prime cost percentage, you can price smarter, schedule better, and increase your bottom line.
2️⃣ No Cash Flow Planning
Many restaurant owners operate based on what’s in their bank account today—not what’s coming in or going out tomorrow. This leads to financial stress, unpaid bills, and missed opportunities for growth.
What we do:
As your CFO, I provide real-time cash flow reports and future projections so you can make confident, proactive decisions. Together, we plan for seasonal dips, big purchases, and expansion goals—so you’re never caught off guard.
3️⃣ Doing It All Alone
Wearing every hat in the business—chef, manager, bookkeeper, HR, marketing—is exhausting. And when the financial side gets pushed to the back burner, problems pile up fast.
What we do:
You don’t have to do it alone. My role is to be your financial partner—handling your books with accuracy, guiding you with data-driven strategy, and helping you build a more profitable operation. Think of me as your financial sous-chef—making sure the back of house runs just as smoothly as the front.
About Me
I’m Kellie Crain, the founder of The Active Ledger Bookkeeping and a dedicated partner to small business owners—especially those in the restaurant and hospitality world. With a degree in accounting, years of hands-on experience, and certifications in QuickBooks and payroll, I specialize in turning financial chaos into calm, one plate at a time.
From restaurant bookkeeping to virtual CFO services, I offer custom solutions that help you:
- Track your numbers in real time
- Make smarter, more profitable decisions
- Spend more time doing what you love (and less time worrying about money)
Ready to Turn the Tables on Your Finances?
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start growing, I’d love to chat.
Let’s cook up a strategy that leads to more profit and less stress.