- What Is Accumulated Depreciation and How Is It Recorded?
Accumulated depreciation is a crucial part of financial analysis. It helps to ascertain the true value of an asset over time, influences purchasing decisions and plays an essential role in tax planning. Here’s a breakdown of how accumulated depreciation is calculated, the recording process and examples of practical applications. A financial advisor can help you… read more…
- What Is Financial Accounting and Why Is It Important?
Financial accounting is the practice of documenting and analyzing all financial transactions of a business. This back-office function, often brushed aside as mundane, plays an exceptionally pivotal role a role far more critical than it usually gets credit for. It can often serve as the pulse of an organization, providing vital indicators of financial health,… read more…
- What Is a Discretionary Expense?
Achieving financial stability often requires a blend of judicious planning, disciplined spending and clever investment approaches. An essential ingredient in this mix is understanding and managing discretionary expenses – those costs we often deem non-essential. These expenses may not appear significant on the surface but can shape your financial trajectory. Here’s a deeper look into… read more…
- What Are Intangible Assets?
Unlike physical assets such as machinery or real estate, intangible assets lack a physical presence. They include things like brand recognition, customer loyalty, patents, copyrights and business methodologies. These assets often stem from innovation, creativity or a company’s strategic initiatives which make them unique and hard to replicate. Ignoring these assets can result in a… read more…
- How Is Solvency Ratio Used for Company Credit?
If you’re a business owner looking for a loan, your lender will be looking for your solvency ratio. Of course, if you have a startup and are new to running a business, you may not know what a solvency ratio… read more…
- Do I Need a CPA for My Small Business?
As a business owner, you might find yourself asking, “Do I need a CPA for my small business?” This is because It’s often not required to hire a certified public accountant (CPA) for your small business. But in many cases,… read more…
- How to Use a ROBS 401(k) to Finance a Business
It takes money to start and keep a business running, and access to capital is one of the major roadblocks to business ownership for many would-be entrepreneurs. However, there are several ways individuals can use their retirement funds to finance… read more…
- What Is a Certified Business Exit Consultant (CBEC)?
When owners of privately held companies are considering how to transition out of their businesses due to planned retirement, health concerns or other reasons, they often get expert help with the process. Valuing, marketing and preparing for sale can be… read more…
- Guide to Writing a Financial Plan for a Business
When writing a business plan, it’s important to put together a financial plan that projects future income, cash flow and changes to the balance sheet. The financial plan section often consists mostly of spreadsheets. It’s where the business owner presents… read more…
- What Is the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program?
The 8(a) Business Development program is a Small Business Administration initiative designed to level the federal government contracting playing field for small business owners who are socially and economically disadvantaged. Qualifying businesses can compete for contracts that are set aside… read more…
- What Is Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A)?
Financial planning and analysis (FP&A) is the process businesses use to prepare budgets, generate forecasts, analyze profitability and otherwise inform senior management decisions of how to implement the company’s strategy most effectively and efficiently. The FP&A functions can be accomplished… read more…
- How Equipment Financing for Businesses Works
Financing the purchase of essential equipment lets businesses preserve cash for working capital, hiring staff, expanding marketing efforts or other purposes. Equipment financing can be done with term loans, SBA-backed loans, lines of credit and credit cards. Equipment loans are… read more…
- Guide to Small Business Loans for Women
Women-owned businesses have more difficulty getting loans than companies that are majority-owned by men. Female-led firms applying for loans are more likely to get turned down and less likely to get all they requested. While there are no lending programs… read more…
- Guide to Small Business Startup Loans
It takes money to make money and virtually any small business will require some startup capital to get up and running. While the personal savings of the founders is likely the most common source of startup funding, many startups also… read more…
- What Is a Serial Entrepreneur?
The term “entrepreneur” is essentially synonymous with being a business owner. However, a serial entrepreneur takes things to the next level, as they often start many businesses in a row, regardless of if they’re successful or not. Some highly successful… read more…
- S Corp vs. LLC: Which to Consider for Your Business
So you own a business and you’re looking to incorporate. Two of the most popular business structure are the S Corp and the LLC. Which is best for your business can depend on many factors, such as what you do… read more…
- How to Buy a Business
An existing business typically has customers, vendors and branding already in place. A good company will also have an adequate amount of inventory. That means you can take the key and continue the business without having to build supplier relationships… read more…
- Why You Need a Support Network for Your Small Business
As a small business proprietor, you probably enjoy moving to the beat of your own drum. But doing everything on your own might not get you very far. Some of the most successful business owners have strong support systems. Regardless of… read more…
- What Is a Silent Partner?
A silent partner is an individual who provides capital to a business partnership. This person generally doesn’t engage in the day-to-day operations of the business, which is why the term is also called limited partner. However, the silent partner can… read more…
- The 10 Components of a Business Plan
Whether you’re planning to open a shop that makes the best coffee or you want to sell eco-friendly office supplies, you’ll need to explain why your business is necessary and how it’ll differ from its competitors. That’s where your business plan… read more…
- 10 Qualities to Look for in a Business Partner
Picking the right business partner is crucial. If you choose the wrong person, your journey as a business owner could be much more difficult than it needs to be. On the other hand, if you can find someone who’s experienced… read more…
- Are You Ready to Be an Entrepreneur?
The landscape of the American economy has changed dramatically over the last several years, resulting in near record-high unemployment and a shrinking job market. While companies are opening their doors to new employees once again, millions of workers are choosing… read more…