By Jack Perkins, Founder CFO hubWhich provides on-demand CFO, controller, accounting and HR services.
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The success of a company depends on its finances. While virtually every business must maintain a strong curb on its assets, liabilities, income and cash flow, these accounting processes are especially vital for small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) that operate on tight margins.
Properly managed, financial accounting allows business leaders to keep a finger on the pulse when they set budgets, monitor company spending and identify new growth paths, but it is a difficult task without a well-planned, implemented and effective accounting strategy. And although the smallness of each financial blueprint will look different depending on its place in business and industry, there are five universal best practices that you should apply.
1. Cover the basics
Are you a small business owner just starting your accounting? If so, there are some basic do’s and don’ts that you can apply to establish a strong accounting foundation. These include:
Select an accounting method. Most businesses will choose cash or savings accounting methods. There are several differences between the two approaches, for example, the method of earning while providing goods or services invests in revenue – not on a paid basis – to give the business more visibility into financial matters. In contrast, a cash-based method only accounts for the cash received.
Track cash flow. For proper control and transparency over your company and its growth, you must constantly monitor cash flow. All expenditure outflows and revenue streams should be recorded, categorized and labeled.
Separate personal expenses from business. In the early stages some businesses make the mistake of mixing personal and company money. Doing so makes it difficult to properly judge the financial health of the company and can damage your limited liability. Keeping the two separate improves cash flow tracking, tax filing and financial forecasting.
2. Use accounting software
Early in the business life cycle, you may be interested in limiting the cost of accounting using basic digital tools such as physical lasers or Excel. Don’t do it. Avoid temptation. This is not one of the places that a business should look for in order to save costs.
“But what if my books are really easy right now? “Still, getting started with accounting software will help you prepare for a time when things aren’t so simple. Cloud-based accounting programs can reduce the cost of manual errors. Always accurate and up-to-date, facilitate tax filing, speed up the completion of your month and – most importantly – provide you with powerful analytical tools capable of creating effective insights.
For just a few dollars a month, some investment, if any, will provide such a significant ROI. While there are dozens of accounting software to choose from, the top introductory options include QuickBooks, Xero and Gusto. Later, as your company scale, you can upgrade to a more capable enterprise-level suite, such as Netsuite or Sage Intact.
3. Master the three financial statements
The importance of maintaining accurate financial records and then reviewing them regularly goes beyond general tax preparation. It sets you up for long term financial health and success. And even if you still do not comply with GAAP, adhering to these principles early will prepare you for success when the time comes. By Come to perform financial reporting and modeling.
This brings us to the financial statements, which combine your financial data into actionable intelligence. Such as Inc. Note: “These are one of the most important elements of business information and stand as the main means of communicating financial information about an entity to outside parties.”
In particular, there are three financial statements that business leaders must master:
Balance sheet: It provides a snapshot of the net worth of the business at a given time. It measures assets, liabilities and shareholder equity.
Income statement: Also known as a profit and loss (P&L) statement, it refers to the increase or loss of a company’s net income over a period of time.
Cash flow statement: It measures cash flows and outflows over a period of time. It lets you know how much cash you have in that time.
4. Hire an expert
As a company scale, business leaders eventually reach a point of change where maintaining accurate accounting records becomes very complex and time consuming, even managing them with the help of accounting software. At that stage, it is necessary to bring in an expert whose sole job is to log, organize and analyze the financial records of the company.
By hiring an internal professional accountant or listing the services of an outsourced accountant, you can gain access to a knowledgeable professional who:
পরিচালনা Conduct compliance and financial audits
Prepare financial statements and reports
এবং Analyze and analyze the financial health of the company
Set achievable goals
করুন Gain weight and give advice on growth strategies
As the company grows, so will the accounting department. An accountant is two, three, etc. Finally, you need a financial regulator to oversee this team — or a CFO to guide the business financial journey. These are but healthy measures that a growing company must inevitably step on to improve.
5. Control your book
There are countless obstacles and questions on the way to building a prosperous business. Maintaining a strong grip on your accounting processes enables you to prepare, strategize, and thus weather any storm that appears on the horizon.
Following the tips above is the beginning of what you need to do. But it is Is A good start. The complexity of financial recording, analysis, compliance and reporting will only increase as your company scale. Mastering these best practices now ensures that such factors do not jeopardize your success down the road.
The information provided here is not investment, tax, or financial advice. You should consult your licensed professional for advice on specific situations.