Mary Girsch-Bock

Mary Girsch-Bock is a former accountant and non-profit development specialist who began her freelance career reviewing software and never stopped. Mary estimates she’s written more than 500 reviews, and her writing has appeared in The CPA Practice Advisor, Law Office Computing, PropertyManager.com, Albuquerque Business, Legal Assistant Today, and Advisor Websites. When not working on the next article or review, Mary spends time working on her first novel in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, where she lives with her family, two dogs, and two birds.

Recent Articles

QuickBooks Online Tutorial: A Beginner's Guide

Not sure how to use QuickBooks Online? This QuickBooks tutorial provides easy step-by-step instructions to help you get up and running quickly.

eSmart Tax Review

A lesser known tax software, eSmart Tax from Liberty Tax is great for small businesses. The Blueprint provides an in-depth review so you can decide if it's right for you.

A Beginner's Guide to Small Business Bookkeeping

Every business should have a system to properly manage your business budget. The Blueprint covers how you can get started with your small business bookkeeping.

TaxAct Self-Employed Online Review

TaxAct Self-Employed Online is part of TaxAct’s suite of tax preparation applications. The Blueprint provides an in-depth review of TaxAct's prices, features, and benefits.

TaxSlayer Self-Employed Review

TaxSlayer is an excellent online tax preparation software with four plans. The Blueprint provides an in-depth review of its features, ease of use, and benefits.

H&R Block Review

H&R Block offers both a downloadable app and an online tax preparation program easy for anyone to use. The Blueprint reviews this platform to see if it's a fit for you.

How to Create a Business Budget for Your Small Business

Budgets are useful for controlling spending and growing revenue. The Blueprint breaks down how to create a business budget while strategizing for long-term success.

How to Categorize Business Expenses

Wondering what business expense category that bill you just paid falls into? The Blueprint takes a look at business expenses and how you should be categorizing them.

How to Manage the Accounts Payable Process

If you’re unsure about the correct accounts payable process and what it entails, be sure to read on for an in-depth explanation to help your accounting process.

How to Track Business Expenses: 7 Steps for Success

If you own a small business, you'll have to know how to track business expenses. The Blueprint breaks down the steps to start tracking your expenses.

Top Accounting Ratios to Help Manage Your Business

All businesses should understand how to apply accounting ratios to calculate business profitability, analyze cash flow, and even calculate your market value.

What Are the 8 Different Types of Accounting?

From financial to forensic, there are different types of accounting fields. Find out what they are, how they differ, and the one similarity they all share.

25 Basic Accounting Terms for Small Business Owners

If you can't separate an asset from liability, you need to learn the basic accounting principles. Check out 25 accounting terms business owners should know.

ZipBooks Review

ZipBooks provides a decent feature suite for small business accounting. The Blueprint takes an in-depth look at this accounting software in our ZipBooks review.

TurboTax Self-Employed Review

TurboTax is one of the biggest names when it comes to filing your yearly taxes. The Blueprint breaks down whether their tax solution is right for you.

OneUp is an easy-to-use, accessible accounting software for small businesses. The Blueprint takes a look at whether this is the right tool for you.

The 8 Best QuickBooks Alternatives for Small Businesses

QuickBooks Online is one of the most popular accounting software applications. If it isn’t right for you, check out some of the best QuickBooks alternatives.

How to Process and Run Your Own Payroll

Running payroll is arguably one of your most important tasks as a business owner. The Blueprint breaks down how to do payroll with our step-by-step instructions.

How Managerial and Financial Accounting Differ

Managerial accounting is used for internal purposes, while financial accounting provides financial information based on accounting standards.

How to Prepare Your Closing Entries

The accounting experts at The Blueprint walk you through what closing entries are and how to close your books properly with a step-by-step guide.

The Beginner's Guide to the Accounting Cycle

The accounting cycle is completed at the end of the month, culminating in the close of that month’s books. The Blueprint breaks down the steps in the accounting cycle.

Paycor is a payroll software solution for small- to mid-size businesses. The Blueprint helps you decide whether this is the right tool for you.

Paychex Flex Review

If your company is planning on expanding, Paychex Flex may be the perfect payroll software for you. The Blueprint takes a look at this option.

Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll Review

QuickBooks Online Payroll not only provides a full-service payroll experience but allows you to connect other Intuit products for a comprehensive financial experience.

OnPay's payroll service offers businesses an impressive list of payroll and HR features. The Blueprint breaks down whether it's the right tool for you.

RUN Powered by ADP Review

RUN Powered by ADP is a payroll solution for companies with less than 50 employees. Learn whether it's the right payroll software for your team.

Patriot Payroll Review

Looking for a simple and affordable payroll solution for your business? The Blueprint takes an in-depth look at whether Patriot Payroll is the right tool for you.

Gusto Payroll Review

Gusto Payroll combines well with its HR functionality to provide a well-rounded tool for small businesses. The Blueprint takes an in-depth look at Gusto.

SurePayroll Review

SurePayroll lets you run payroll quickly for 10 employees or less. Learn whether this is the right payroll solution for your small business.

Payroll4Free Review

If you're looking for a free payroll solution, Payroll4Free could be a great tool. Read The Blueprint's review to find out if it's right for your business.

Payroll Mate Review

Looking for a payroll solution for your small business? The experts at The Blueprint take an in-depth look at Payroll Mate, including features and pricing.

How to Calculate and Use Accounting Cost and Economic Cost

Is accounting cost sufficient for small businesses, or should you also incorporate economic cost? The Blueprint takes a look at which you should use.

How to Use Double-Entry Accounting

Double-entry accounting can help track your finances and keep your books in balance. Learn how your business can utilize this financial technique.

Accounting 101: The Basics You Need to Know

Do you understand double-entry accounting? Struggling to recall debits vs. credits? The Blueprint takes you through accounting 101.

What are Financial Projections and Why Do You Need Them?

If growing your business is part of your plan, you’ll need to prepare financial projections. Find out what financial projections are and how to prepare them.

Bookkeeping Basics for the Small Business Owner

Is cash an asset? What’s the difference between a liability and an expense? Learn the bookkeeping basics with our in-depth guide.

How to Create Your Own Expense Report

Need help creating an expense report? The accounting experts at The Blueprint break down what you need to know, including templates to use.

How to Write an Invoice

If you’re a new business owner, you may be unsure how to write an invoice. We’ll guide you through the invoice process with our easy-to-follow steps.

Zoho Books Review

Zoho Books offers affordability and easy online access. A good entry-level accounting application with two plans available, Zoho is great for sole proprietors and freelancers.

AccountEdge Pro Review

AccountEdge Pro is a scalable, on-premise accounting program that offers all the features a growing business needs. Learn whether it's the right solution for you.

Sage Business Cloud Accounting Review

Formerly Sage One, Sage Business Cloud Accounting offers anytime, anywhere access, and with two plans available, it’s a perfect fit for sole proprietors and freelancers alike.

Sage 50cloud Accounting Review

Sage 50cloud Accounting is a hybrid accounting application designed to be installed on a desktop or workstation computer, but it also offers remote access using Microsoft Office 365.

Accounting by Wave Review

Wave accounting offers double-entry accounting in an easy-to-use application. Designed for small businesses and freelancers, learn whether it's right for you.

Kashoo Online Accounting Review

Kashoo is a cloud-based accounting application for small businesses with an affordable price tag. Read and discover if it's right for your needs.

FreshBooks Review

FreshBooks is an intuitive application dressed in an easy-to-use interface. Even computer novices will feel comfortable navigating FreshBooks, and the product offers a ton of features usually found in more robust (and more expensive) products.

QuickBooks Online Review

QuickBooks Online brings the best of its original desktop application into an easy-to-use online accounting application that continues to improve with each version.

GnuCash is free, open source software that offers both personal financial management and professional accounting capability. Learn whether it's the right fit for you.

Xero is an easy-to-use online accounting software that offers a ton of great features and the convenience of a mobile app. Learn if it's the right tool for you.