There are many reasons why a small business needs to have quality accounting, and it isn’t just about the cash. Especially when a business is small or growing, a strong financial management and reporting process will benefit the business in a number of important ways. Managing the cashflow and keeping money in the bank to cover payroll and inventory is critical, but good accounting data helps support better decision-making for more than just cash management.
Accounting and financial systems help small businesses keep track of their financial performance. This includes monitoring income and expenses (money in and money out) and creating financial statements. By having accurate and up-to-date financial information, small businesses can make informed decisions about how to allocate resources and grow the business.
Tax compliance is another area where good accounting data is essential. Small businesses are required to file taxes just like larger ones, and proper recordkeeping helps small businesses stay compliant with tax laws and regulations and to avoid penalties and fines.
Securing funding for operations and growth is another area where quality accounting data is critical. Banks and investors usually require financial statements and other financial information before providing any funding. By having accurate and well-organized financial records, small businesses can demonstrate their financial health and increase their chances of securing funding.
Knowing more about the business is always helpful, but being able to look at trends and understand what the numbers indicate is the real power. From budgeting and forecasting to identifying and reducing areas of risk, accounting data is the foundation for developing a true understanding of business activity and performance and finding ways to improve.
Track business performance, remain compliant with taxes, and get funding or investment when it’s needed. With good and proper accounting supporting management decisions, decisions become more informed and relevant and are likely to bring a better result.
Mendelson Consulting has the team to help business owners get the most from their financial software and systems by improving efficiency through automation, connecting systems to reduce errors and increase speed of processing, and developing the reporting to provide the information a business owner needs in order to balance performance with growth.