ServicesControlling Finances

Managing money is more than counting your pennies.  We help small businesses grow by helping them set goals and measure results. Many answers are already there — they are in your books and financials.

Financial analysis

How am I doing? Get answers you can use to improve your business. We can use your financials to answer critical questions. We can also compare your financials to similar businesses to see if you are competitive.

  • When are you making money? When aren’t you?iStock_ProfitLossl
  • How do you compare to similar businesses?
  • Can you pay your bills in the long-term?
  • Can you meet your immediate obligations?
  • Can you maintain your business in the long run?

Take profits, for example. Are your profits too low? Also, see What Profits? to compare different types of profits. Then contact us to find out how you are doing.

Budgeting

Budgets are financial strategies that help you meet your goals. It’s not just numbers–every budget needs a plan. Most companies budget a year at a time because it’s easier to manage by the month than by the year. Review monthly and year-to-date budgets each month. Keeping costs under control requires discipline.

  • Is your business seasonal? What do you need for the slow time?
  • You want to increase sales by 10%. What will it cost to do it?
  • Will you need to hire some help to meet a goal? How will you pay them?
  • You want to cut costs by 10%. Will this affect customer service?
  • Do you expect sales to go up/down? How will you manage the changes?
  • What happens to your costs as sales volume changes?

Is there more than one way to meet your goal? Absolutely! Workable plans and budgets include scenarios for likely critical  or sensitive situations. Life doesn’t always behave but you will have some arrows in your quiver.  We can help you develop alternatives.

Protect yourself with financial controls

Financial controls are key process for handling and recording the money that flows in and out of your business. They help you set up back-off procedures that reduce mistakes and discourage mischief.

  • Do you always open your bank statements?
  • Do you have a mandatory vacation policy?
  • Do you keep petty cash receipts?
  • How do you handle cash payments?

Your focus is on making money. What else is happening in the meantime? Contact us for a checkup.