How To Avoid A Financial Muddle In Your Business

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Do you run your own business? If so, we hope it’s going well and that your finances are as good as they can be.

But if you are struggling with your finances, or if you need a few tips on how to manage them, we have some advice for you. It can be very easy to get into a financial muddle, especially if you’re not a financial whizkid, but there is much you can do to make life easier for yourself.

#1: Hire an accountant

If managing money really isn’t your thing, don’t take on the burden alone. A business accountant could save you a lot of time and effort so consider outsourcing the financial aspect of your business. By doing so, you will have somebody available to help you balance your books. You will have somebody who will file your taxes on time. And you will have somebody who will ensure your business complies with all statutory regulations. In short, you will have the ideal person to rescue you from a financial muddle, which is handy if your financial management skills are poor. 

Hiring treasury management services to help manage your company’s financial services can be beneficial. As your company expands, having the right expert manage your working capital by using the latest technology can increase your growth.

#2: Think twice before getting a loan

Do you need to take out a loan for your business? It might sometimes seem like a good idea, especially when you need to raise capital, but consider the alternatives. Instead of getting into debt, you could consider crowdfunding, family lending, or any government grants that you may be eligible for. These money-raising options will better set your business up for success, as you won’t be burdened by monthly payments that could derail your business finances. If you do decide to take out a loan, use a regulated bank and not a dodgy loan provider. Be sure to opt for lenders with the lowest interest rates too as this will reduce your monthly payments.

#3: Separate business and personal finances

Don’t use one bank account for both your business and personal finances. You could endanger both aspects of your life if you do, as you might spend more than you should and find yourself running short in one particular area. It will make it much easier to manage your finances if you open a separate US bank account. You will have a clearer idea of what you have coming in and what you have going out, so budgeting will be less of an issue for you.  It will also make your life easier during tax season as you will get into less of a muddle when preparing your finances for your tax forms.

Also, remember to keep business expenses separate from your own. Don’t go putting the company car on your private insurance, especially if you have employees that will be driving from time to time. It’s easy enough to get a fairly cheap motor trade insurance policy and have peace of mind, rather than dealing with a whole financial fiasco aftermath if an accident were to happen. Be smart and be safe.

#4: Set up an emergency fund

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You will already understand the importance of a savings account for your business. With something in place, you will have money on standby to help you buy any essential purchase your business needs. That money will also cover those things you need for business growth, such as new hires or rent for a bigger building. However, you will lose your savings if an emergency situation arises. It might be when you get a larger-than-expected tax bill or when a piece of equipment breaks down. If you have to dip into your savings to cover these expenses, you won’t have the money you need to grow and improve your business. 

So, our advice is this: Put money aside into an emergency fund. Be it another bank account or a safe in your office, you will reduce any risks to your business if you have that extra money available to help you. 

#5: Don’t buy what you don’t need

There are things you will need for your business. A desk, an office chair, a computer, and an internet connection are just some of the essentials. But then there will be things that are nice to have but not really necessary. We are thinking of wall decor for your office or an extra cellphone to manage your business calls. You can purchase such things when your business is making a clear profit. But if money is tight, it’s better to curb your spending, as money is much better spent on the things that will make a difference to your business. 

#6: Compare prices on everything

Instead of paying over the odds for things your business needs, compare prices. You should compare business insurance prices, for example, as well as equipment costs, utility costs, and expenses related to the various services you use. If you can pay less and still get quality, then great. You will then have more money for your savings, emergency fund, and the various essentials your business regularly needs. 

To take an example from the above, let’s look specifically at utility costs. There are many things you can do to bring your utility costs down, of course. But the fact remains that the best way is usually to simply compare prices from various providers and different tariffs. Just doing that will usually mean that you end up paying much less for your utility bills than you might have thought you would. This is well worth doing and could save you a huge amount of money in the long run.

Finally

The more money your business has the better, as you will have more room for growth and increased savings for your business essentials. So, consider these tips to better improve your finances and to avoid the chances of a future financial muddle. 

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.