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Sales and profit are two very different things – as a business owner, you can find yourself without the cash to pay bills despite making sales you knew were profitable. You may also be startled to discover that strong cash flows from sales deliver little profit. What exactly is cash flow? A cash flow forecast tracks cash flowing in and out of your business. The timing of these flows enables…  Read more

Financial models are invaluable tools designed to help you understand and project the financial health of your business. By simulating different scenarios and examining potential outcomes based on various inputs like sales growth, margins, and cash flow, these models provide a comprehensive picture that aids in informed decision-making. Practical steps for leveraging financial models: 1. Planning and forecasting Start by creating a base financial model incorporating your current financial data.…  Read more

If you’re like many business owners, you may find yourself struggling to understand what your finances mean or how you can use your financial information to make decisions for your business. Often we get into business because we love a product or service we want to provide. It’s not as common that we love managing the financial aspects of our business.  As a business owner, you have your best chances…  Read more

When you run your small business, you have a lot on your plate. That makes it tempting to let some tasks slide, especially tasks that are related to finances, which can be challenging and is often outside your preferred skill set or experience. There are some tips you can follow that keep your finances healthy and enable you to thrive. Here are some financial best practices for managing your business,…  Read more

For small businesses in today’s competitive market, outsourcing can offer a range of advantages. Not only does it reduce costs and free up valuable time for owners to focus on growing their business, but it also provides access to skills and expertise that may be unavailable in-house. By working with external professionals or firms who work in certain areas, small businesses have the opportunity to streamline operations, increase productivity and…  Read more

As a business owner, have you ever been caught short of cash? What if I told you that the solution to your cash flow woes might be hiding in plain sight? Yes, you heard it right. Your business may already possess the funds you need, locked up in assets, stock, or your debtors. In this post, we’ll break down three areas you can check to free up funds within your…  Read more

In the world of business, one constant factor you are likely to encounter is change, particularly in the financial landscape. One such change that bears significant implications for small businesses is rising interest rates. Understanding how this impacts your business and identifying solutions to counteract these effects can be key to sustaining and growing your business. The implications of rising interest rates for small businesses Interest rates have a ripple…  Read more

Starting a new business can be incredibly exciting, the passion for what you are wanting to achieve driving you forward.  It is important to thoroughly evaluate your business idea before taking the plunge to ensure you’re creating a sustainable and successful venture. To get started, here are 9 questions to consider as part of an overall evaluation process. Save yourself money, time, and heartache down the line by investing a…  Read more

For a small business owner, managing finances can be a daunting task. Keeping track of expenses, payments, and cash flow can be overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with debt too. A business loan, line of credit or a business credit card can help your company hire new employees, purchase inventory, purchase equipment, and finance growth, but too much debt can become an unsustainable expense. Debt management is vital to the…  Read more

It seems like the perfect storm has hit, with rising interest rates and inflation soaring. As a result, households are dealing with higher borrowing costs, leaving them with less disposable income to spend. And that means businesses are feeling the pinch. To make matters worse, staff shortages are adding to the pressure. Retail sales decline affects all businesses. Almost every sector is experiencing a downturn. Building companies, property companies, retailers,…  Read more

Finding money for the essential assets you’ll need to run your business efficiently can be a challenge. You’ll need to decide whether leasing or buying is best for your business. Is borrowing money essential? Whether you need to purchase a vehicle, some computer equipment, or a bigger warehouse to expand your business or to operate more effectively, take the time to consider how each purchase might impact your operating capital.…  Read more

Once your business is up and running, it’s important not to rest on your laurels. Successful business owners are always looking at ways they can grow their business and maximize their profits. We’ve put together this a guide and checklist that can help you identify ways to get the most out of your business. 1. Grow your sales Contact your best customers to buy more One of the easiest ways…  Read more

As a small business owner, you know that managing your finances is crucial to the success of your business. But with so many accounting principles and practices out there, it can be challenging to know where to start or to understand what they mean. That’s where we come in! In this guide, we’ll break down the essential accounting principles that every small business owner should know. We’ll discuss how these…  Read more

When it comes to running a small business, maintaining a healthy cash flow is essential for sustainability and growth. Your business can be incredibly profitable but still ultimately fail because of improper cash flow management. To prevent that from happening, here are some best practices that can help you better manage your cash flow and maintain the financial health of your small business. Remember, the key to success is to…  Read more

You’ve likely heard the phrase “in the black” or “in the red”.   Your balance sheet is the tool that shows you whether your business is indeed “in the black”, or on the right side of the ledger, and is therefore the most important report to read and understand.   It is a snapshot in time of your business up to the point of the date of the report, where a profit…  Read more

ACC is one of the most confused topics we discuss in our client meetings.  So lets see if you can help clarify what its all about. When you are receiving wages and having PAYE deducted, there is a portion of this that relates to ACC Earner Levy cover – that is the cover for all non work related injuries, and everyone getting a wage pays this portion within their IR…  Read more

Applications for Cyclone Gabrielle business recovery grants are now open says David Templeton from Northland Inc. CYCLONE RECOVERY FOR BUSINESSES If you own a business in Taitokerau Northland and your cashflow has been affected as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, you can apply for support to help you recover. Grants of between $5,000 – $40,000 are available to businesses in the Taitokerau Northland region who have been impacted by Cyclone…  Read more

Annual inflation remains stubbornly high, at 7.2 percent. The main drivers are household costs, such as rent and maintenance, higher food prices, and building costs. Inflation has really ballooned worldwide, and there’s no question that small businesses are feeling the pinch. Supplies cost more, employees are hard to find, and your profits are shrinking. It’s undoubtedly challenging, but you can weather the storm with the following tips. 1. Study your…  Read more

The holiday season is without a doubt the busiest time of year for many retail businesses. It’s a great opportunity to showcase all that you have to offer and bring in new products to see how they do. But, the excitement probably wears off when you think about managing all that inventory. Don’t despair. With a bit of preparation you can manage your inventory during the holiday season, and glide…  Read more

Whether it’s for personal use or for your business, cash flow is important. The movement of money in and out keeps everything running smoothly, and you have to know where you stand. But what if it seems that your cash flow isn’t really, well, flowing? If it seems that you’ve tightened your belt in every area and still coming up short, you might have cash flow issues. Here are some…  Read more