Trust But Verify

In the world of business and bookkeeping, attention to detail is not just a helpful skill—it is a critical necessity. Every decimal, date, and document matters, and small oversights can snowball into costly errors or compliance issues. Whether you’re reconciling bank statements, tracking inventory, or preparing financial reports, precision ensures accuracy and builds trust with clients, partners, and auditors.

A superior of mine in the Navy, a woman I greatly respected, had a saying she repeated every day: “Trust, but verify.” That mindset has stuck with me throughout my professional life and serves as a powerful reminder that accountability and diligence go hand-in-hand. Human error is inevitable—we all make mistakes—but attention to detail is what helps us catch those mistakes before they become problems. It’s the safety net that ensures accuracy and upholds the integrity of our records. For bookkeepers especially, this mindset is the backbone of the job.

In today’s fast-paced environment, slowing down to double-check figures and review documentation is a competitive advantage, not a bottleneck. Ultimately, businesses that foster a culture of thoroughness and care tend to make better decisions, maintain cleaner books, and earn greater credibility over time.