You might have heard the terms “cash basis accounting” or “accrual accounting.” Your net income number can change depending on which method your books are set up for. Here’s a simple explanation of the difference, with a little help from one of the most famous cartoon characters in history. Popeye and Wimpy You might recognize Popeye the Sailor Man from the television cartoons or other media. His sidekick, Wimpy, was the one who was always…
Read MoreWhen you hear the word “budget,” what do you think about? Most people would say something similar to “Ugghh!” If you would rather do just about anything besides create a budget, you’re not alone. The word “budget” brings up connotations of endless numbers, constraints, the opposite of freedom and creativity, and hard work, none of which are very desirable. Yet, the benefits of a budget are huge. Budgets can help you with cash flow improvements,…
Read MoreCash flow improvement is a hot issue for small businesses; in many businesses, it seems like there is never enough cash when you need it. The last thing a business owner wants is to reduce their cash balance unnecessarily. To help you preserve or increase your cash, here are five cash management leaks to avoid. 1. Bloated Bank Fees Some banks are more business-friendly than others. We recommend you assess the fees you are currently…
Read MoreIt’s always a good idea to be on the lookout for ways to increase your profits, and luckily, there are many ways to do that. One way is to focus on cost-cutting, and here are five places that are good to periodically review for cost-cutting possibilities. Telephone Re-negotiating with the phone company every one to two years is a really good idea. Many telecommunications companies will often bargain with you or offer you a new…
Read MoreAccording to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), over $3.5 trillion is projected to be lost to fraud worldwide in 2011 alone. The typical organization loses 5 percent of its revenues each year. While we have a lot to think about as entrepreneurs, we do need to take time to educate ourselves about this unfortunately common business loss. The Fraud Triangle An easy way to understand fraud is to learn about the Fraud Triangle. …
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