Tips to Help Control Your Small Business Finances

There’s no way to get around some of the challenges that come with being a small business owner. But the proper tools and support can help you navigate the world of debits and credits more smoothly.  Here are a few financial challenges you may face and some small business finance tips for managing them.

Small Business Finance Tips

Cash Management

Many small business owners can become overwhelmed by trying to manage their cash flow. Of course, you know you need accurate and timely data to line up the resources to handle crucial transactions – such as payroll – when needed. And the longer you wait to sort out your cash flow, the greater the risk for a mistake or oversight that can potentially damage your financial reputation.

Accurate and timely financial statements are a must because they help you make important decisions and manage your fiscal obligations. They’re also a critical component to getting extra capital through a loan if needed. Unorganized financial records can be a red flag to lenders and may convey the wrong impression about the company’s fiscal health.

Accounting

Having a modern, often cloud-based, accounting system is a staple of many well-run small businesses. In fact, helpful accounting apps have become quite popular because they integrate into a lot of other services for easier and more efficient use.

For example, if a sale is recorded in one department, a well-integrated accounting app can almost serve as a virtual employee and immediately make the necessary income or balance sheet adjustments to manage the transaction accordingly.

Small businesses should consider utilizing financial/accounting apps offered through their business bank or business credit card to help them keep their finances in check.

A Company Credit Card

Is a company credit card the right choice for your small business?

Naturally, there are pros and cons.

For example, a business credit card such as Ink from Chase helps keep personal and business expenses separate. The card also rewards spending. And those reward points are capital that can be easily re-invested into the business.

Burgeoning businesses can benefit from a business credit card too; this is a great way to establish credit and build financial stability.

Meeting the Challenge

Even the smallest of companies today have access to financial and accounting tools and resources that can rival those of a business twice their size. These technological advances are narrowing the accounting and financing gap for small businesses.

“Small businesses are strapped for time,” said Laura Miller, president of Ink from Chase. “The more we can bring together useful tools, the more we can help them be successful.”

In the absence of a fully-staffed financial department — or even a single dedicated person — a small business owner can rely on the numerous services offered by their financial institute or business cards to help navigate any financial management challenges they may have.

Do you have additional small business finance tips to share?

Source: http://smallbiztrends.com/
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Theresa Todman, Managing Partner/CEO of B&M Financial Management Services, LLC . Theresa specializes in bookkeeping, accounting, QuickBooks solutions, small business tax issues and consulting.