Tag: finance

  • How to Research a Business Customer’s Creditworthiness

    How to Research a Business Customer’s Creditworthiness

    Extending credit to business customers can be an effective way to build goodwill and nurture long-term buyers. But if you extend customer credit, it also brings sizable financial risk to your business, as cash flow could grind to a halt if these customers don’t make their payments. Even worse, they could declare bankruptcy and bow…

  • Is It Time to Hire a CFO or Controller?

    Is It Time to Hire a CFO or Controller?

    Many business owners reach a point where managing the financial side of the enterprise becomes overwhelming. Usually, this is a good thing — the company has grown to a point where simple bookkeeping and basic financial reporting just don’t cut it anymore. If you can relate to the feeling, it may be time to add…

  • Is Your Accounting Software Living Up to the Hype?

    Is Your Accounting Software Living Up to the Hype?

    Accounting software typically sells itself as much more than simple spreadsheet or ledger. The products tend to pride themselves on being comprehensive accounting information systems — depending on the price point, of course. So, is your accounting software living up to the hype? If not, there are a couple of relatively simple steps you can…

  • Be Vigilant About Your Business Credit Score

    Be Vigilant About Your Business Credit Score

    As an individual, you’ve no doubt been urged to regularly check your credit score. Most people nowadays know that, with a subpar personal credit score, they’ll have trouble buying a home or car, or just getting a reasonable-rate credit card. But how about your business credit score? It’s important for much the same reason —…

  • Are Your Employees Ignoring Their 401(k)s?

    Are Your Employees Ignoring Their 401(k)s?

    For many businesses, offering employees a 401(k) plan is no longer an option — it’s a competitive necessity. But employees often grow so accustomed to having a 401(k) that they don’t pay much attention to it. It’s in your best interest as a business owner to buck this trend. Keeping your employees engaged with their…

  • Financial Statements Tell Your Business’s Story, Inside and Out

    Financial Statements Tell Your Business’s Story, Inside and Out

    Ask many entrepreneurs and small business owners to show you their financial statements and they’ll likely open a laptop and show you their bookkeeping software. Although tracking financial transactions is critical, spreadsheets aren’t financial statements. In short, financial statements are detailed and carefully organized reports about the financial activities and overall position of a business.…

  • Does Your Supply Chain Have a Weak Link?

    Does Your Supply Chain Have a Weak Link?

    In an increasingly global economy, keeping a close eye on your supply chain is imperative. Even if your company operates only locally or nationally, your suppliers could be affected by wider economic conditions and developments. So, make sure you’re regularly assessing where weak links in your supply chain may lie. Three common risks Every business…

  • Blockchain May Soon Drive Business Worldwide

    Blockchain May Soon Drive Business Worldwide

    “Blockchain” may sound like something that goes on a vehicle’s tires in icy weather or that perhaps is part of that vehicle’s engine. Indeed it is a type of technology that may help drive business worldwide at some point soon — but digitally, not physically. No matter what your industry, now’s a good time to…

  • Could Your Next Business Loan Get “Ratio’d?”

    Could Your Next Business Loan Get “Ratio’d?”

    We live and work in an era of big data. Banks are active participants, keeping a keen eye on metrics that help them accurately estimate risk of default. As you look for a loan, try to find out how each bank will evaluate your default probability. Many do so using spreadsheets that track multiple financial…