The guide to business finances

A financial management resource for new and experienced business owners and finance professionals who are looking for simple, straightforward information about how to better manage their business finances. Let’s get started.

Business capital: Acquire resources to grow your business

Business capital is often used interchangeably with cash, but the real meaning is broader than that. Once you know the definition, you’ll have a better understanding of how to use capital to build a successful, profitable company. So what is capital in business?

Budget management: Structure your financial plan

Budgeting can help you streamline your business processes, allocate funds where they are needed most, and make financial decisions with confidence. Once your master budget is in place, the way you handle cash flow, spend limits, and other elements of budget management can make a big impact on how well you are able to meet your business goals. 

Expense management: Control your business finances

As a business owner, managing your business expenses can be the difference between success and bankruptcy. Even the most inspired, talented business endeavors can fall short if they cannot navigate the basics of cost management.

Tax and accounting: Get clarity and maintain compliance

Although accounting and taxes are unavoidable, there is a silver lining. Armed with the most essential concepts around keeping the books, you can become familiar with the intricacies of your business’ tax accounting so that the numbers work for you—and not the other way ‘round.

Business capital

Link to business loans page.

How to make business loans work for you

Whether you want to start a new business or grow your current organization, loans can help give you the business capital you need to make it happen.

Link to types of business budgets page.

How to attract investors and make smart investments as a SMB

Understand how to make your business attractive to investors and what to look for when you’re ready to expand your capital by making your own investments.

Link to business loans page.

How business grants can impact business

If you’re looking for ways to take advantage of grant funding programs, here’s what you need to know about applying for business grants and how you can use them to build wealth.

Link to business funding page.

The ins and outs of business funding

It’s important to understand how to raise additional business capital to always have enough to cover expenses and invest in growth for your business.

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Revolving credit explained: What it is and how it works

Revolving credit is an open line of credit a business can use whenever it is needed.

Budget management

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Budgeting methods: Five ways to manage your business budget

Learn how to choose the best business budgeting method for you and your organization.

Link to content on value proposition budgeting.

Value proposition budgeting: Is it right for your business?

Value proposition budgeting is all about analyzing and justifying the value of every single item on an expenditure list.

Link to content on zero based budgeting.

What is zero-based budgeting?

Zero-based budgeting (ZBB) is a budgeting method that allows you to start fresh each fiscal period.

Link to content on cash flow budgeting.

Creating a cash flow budget

A cash flow budget helps you time your income and expenses to ensure you’ll have enough money from week to week.

Link to content on how to deal with a budget surplus.

What to do with a budget surplus

Budget surpluses can be very positive since you can save, spend, or reinvest that extra money back into your business.

Link to content on activity-based budgeting.

How activity-based budgeting can help trim costs

The activity-based budgeting method is laser-focused on cost reduction. As a data-driven process, the ABB system scrutinizes every cost incurred to uncover ways to create efficiencies.

Link to content on incremental budgeting.

Is incremental budgeting right for your business?

Incremental budgeting is one of the most accessible business budgeting methods because it’s so easy to use.

Link to content on cash flow statement page.

A closer look at cash flow statements

As a business, understanding what money you have available and how it’s being spent is key.

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Business forecasting: Why it’s important

The more clarity you have over your financial situation, the more empowered you are to make intelligent business decisions.

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The benefits of business finance software

Automating the financial planning process enables small business owners to reduce human error when generating financial reports.

Link to content on the financial statements page.

The financial statements your business relies on

The more clarity you have over your financial situation, the more empowered you are to make intelligent business decisions.

Link to types of budgets page.

Types of business budgets

All companies need to track their spending habits, cash flows, and sales performance

Expense management

Link to expense tracking page.

Expense tracking 101

Here’s what you need to know about expense tracking, including why it matters and how you can do it efficiently.

Link to expense reporting page.

What is expense reporting?

Creating expense reports enables businesses to track spending over time and categorize expenses for tax filing, auditing, and budgeting purposes.

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What is an invoice and why do you need one to accept payments?

An invoice tells a client how much they owe and also includes payment terms, invoice date, and available payment options.

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Make reimbursements easier

The expense reimbursement process allows employers to pay back their employees who spent their own money on business-related expenses.

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What is a cost-benefit analysis?

A  cost-benefit analysis or a benefit-cost analysis, compares projected costs to projected benefits (or outcomes) of a significant decision.

Tax and accounting

Link to content on using a balance sheet.

Utilizing a balance sheet in business

If you want to find the value of your business, start by looking at your balance sheet.

Link to cash basis accounting page.

All you need to know about cash basis accounting

Cash basis accounting is a straightforward method of accounting that makes reporting financial statements and tax reporting an easy task for business owners.

Link to content on income statements.

What can you learn from your income statement

You can utilize an income statement alongside balance sheets and cash flow statements to create a fuller picture of your financial and business performance.

Link to cash flow statements page.

Profit and loss statements (P&L) for small businesses

Understanding this document will give you greater insight into your company’s overall financial health. Learn how P&L statements work and why they matter.

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Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)

Generally accepted accounting principles are standardized rules and principles that dictate how all U.S.-based, publicly-traded companies report their financial health.

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A guide to financial accounting

Without a firm grasp of financial accounting, it’s difficult for business owners to use these insights to create long-term strategies that drive organizational growth.

Link to accounting principles content.

Basic accounting principles

Adhering to accounting principles makes it easier for all stakeholders to have a full-fledged picture of your company’s financial health.

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What are retained earnings?

Retained earnings are the portion of profits a company keeps and doesn’t pay to shareholders.

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Overhead costs vs. operating expenses: What’s the difference?

Overhead costs and operating expenses are categorized differently because it’s easier to gain clarity on where you’re spending your money.

Link to content on break-even analysis.

What is a break-even analysis?

A break-even analysis determines the production level where a venture makes neither a profit nor a loss.

Link to content on bank reconciliation.

What is a bank reconciliation statement?

With bank reconciliation, you can ensure your financial records are accurate, and there are zero unexplained inconsistencies in your day-to-day transactions.