Bookkeeping may not be the most exciting aspect of your small business, but they are the most crucial. Not having the right bookkeeper or not having one at all can lead to a lack of cash flow, the absence of the right team, pricing and cost issues, and a lack of a business model. If that was not enough to convince you that your small business NEEDS a bookkeeper, consider the following arguments.
In order to budget effectively, income and expenses must be properly organized. With a budget, you can plan for future business expenses and more accurately anticipate and allocate costs.
Analysis
Financial statements are the result of bookkeeping; by using these statements, you can gain a better understanding of the financial health of your business. Permitting you to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your business so that you can capitalize on the strengths and improve the weaknesses.
Determination
Following analysis is decision making. To make the most informed and accurate business decisions, you must have access to the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Planning
To plan for the future of your business, you must examine its historical performance. Bookkeeping will provide a clear picture of what has and has not worked in the past for your business Not only will it assist with planning, but also with tax planning. For things you may want to do in the future if there is a potential tax benefit at tax time.
Reporting to Shareholders
If you have investors in your business, they must be aware of its financial performance in order to determine the return on their investment. Providing investors with current financial statements enables them to make more informed and prudent decisions about where and how much money to invest. In addition, keeping your investors satisfied is essential; providing them with this information not only keeps them satisfied, but also may encourage them to invest more or bring in other investors to help you realize your vision of expanding your business.
Monitor Profit and Expansion
Bookkeeping reveals the profitability of a business. The income statement is one of the documents contained within the financial statements your bookkeeper provides. This allows you to track whether your business is actually profitable and how that compares to previous years. With these months’ and years’ worth of income data, you will be able to identify patterns and gain a deeper understanding of your business cycles.
Improved Cash Flow
Your bookkeeper will categorize your expenses as one of their many duties. Labeling them with terms such as revenues, expenses, liabilities, and receivables. Overall, displaying the money that is coming in and going out. Permitting you to view any outstanding balances and the period in which they occurred. Which can enhance your business processes and work execution.
Internal Revenue Service Audit
Lastly, the law requires you to maintain separate financial records for your business and your personal life. If the government receives a red flag on a tax return you have filed, they may audit your company. If you do not maintain up-to-date financial records, this process will be lengthier and more difficult. If you maintain accurate and up-to-date records, you may prevent the IRS from requiring an audit of your business.
Last but not least
Keeping your business’s financial records up-to-date may be the most important factor in ensuring its survival. As stated previously, the four primary reasons small businesses fail are a lack of cash, an insufficient team, price and cost issues, and an absence of a business model.
If you have a bookkeeper, you have a better understanding of incoming and outgoing cash, allowing you to make the appropriate decisions to avoid running out of money. Having a bookkeeper on your team enables you to discuss the financial aspects of your business, as well as reevaluate your team based on how much you are spending in specific categories. With this information, you can also gain a better understanding of what you are spending on items, allowing you to better price your products and, hopefully, illuminating any pricing or cost issues. Having a firm grasp on the financial aspect of your business enables you to create a more comprehensive business plan.
Consequently, bookkeeping is of the utmost importance. UptoDate Bookkeeping can assist you in all of these areas. Let us be a member of your team and we will bring your company’s finances under control.
