Common M-PESA Record-Keeping Mistakes
M-PESA is convenient, but poor record keeping can make a business owner believe the business is doing better or worse than it really is.
Mixing personal and business money
One of the biggest mistakes is using the same M-PESA balance for personal spending and business payments. This makes it difficult to know which money belongs to the business.
Not recording small expenses
Small payments for transport, airtime, packaging, delivery or staff meals can add up. If they are not recorded, your profit will look higher than it really is.
Only checking messages
M-PESA messages are useful, but they are not a business report. You still need to record what each payment was for and whether it was a sale, expense, transfer or customer payment.
Ignoring end-of-day checks
If you do not compare expected and actual balances every day, problems can build up for weeks before you notice them.
Good M-PESA records help you understand sales, expenses, cash movement and real profit.
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