It’s true—accounting may be the least fun part of running a small business. Despite its reputation, accounting remains to be one of the most vital ways to keep a business financially healthy.
But why is accounting important, really? Accounting is the process of recording financial information indicative of business performance. It’s kind of difficult to know if your business is surviving or thriving without it.
From creating a budget to preparing for tax season, we’ll show you all eight ways accounting best practices can benefit your business.
1. Accounting helps you create and manage your budget
Creating a budget that is easy to manage is essential to keeping your small business financially sound. Here are a few accounting practices for successful budgeting:
- Expense tracking: Tracking how much your business regularly spends
- Monitoring operating costs: Monitoring what it costs to run your business
- Calculating asset depreciation: Calculating how much value your assets lose
- Preparing for tax season: Preparing tax forms and scouting for deductions
- Bookkeeping: Recording and maintaining important financial records
Budgeting may not seem glamorous, but it can help you achieve long-term financial goals and maintain a cash-flowing business.
2. It can facilitate decisions for your business
Why does a business need accounting information? Accurate accounting records can facilitate data-based decision-making for your business.
Payroll accounting, for example, can show you how much you can compensate your employees and how much to withhold for taxes.
When you use accounting formulas, you take the guesswork out of running a small business and allow the numbers to do the talking.
3. Accounting helps organize financial statements and records
Financial statements report on the performance of your business and are necessary for tax purposes. They take the form of three accounting documents:
- Balance sheet: Provides a simple recap of your financial situation
- Income statement: Shows your profits, losses, and net income
- Cash flow statement: Tracks the money that flows in and out of your business
Keeping your financial statements organized is important for when unexpected situations arise. From interest investors to surprise audits, having your financial documents nearby can make tackling any challenge or opportunity easier.
4. It provides evidence of your success
Customers and stakeholders love to see your success. Show them the facts and figures that prove you are worth investing in.
When you have an actionable accounting plan, you can add your recent financial wins to your next marketing strategy. Here are some examples of how to accomplish this:
- Incorporate the number of worldwide sales into marketing collateral.
- Share gross income earnings since your founding with stakeholders.
- Forecast your projected earnings for the year based on last year’s profits.
5. It shows where you could improve
Employing basic accounting skills can quickly show you areas where you need to improve business performance. Here are some takeaways that a regular accounting practice could show you about your business:
- Spending habits: Learn where you may need to reduce spending.
- Asset depreciation: Identify assets that will require replacement soon.
- Inventory costs: Stay alert to increasing inventory costs.
For this technique to work, it’s important to record your financial transactions regularly. As a result, you’ll have the most accurate data at your fingertips.
6. Accounting helps satisfy legal requirements
Not only is accounting a great way to manage your small business finances, but it is also a legal requirement. Take a look at how accounting helps satisfy the following legal requirements:
- Legal disputes: It’s common to show financial documents in a legal dispute.
- Registrar filings: Businesses must file with their registrar.
- Tax audits: Receipts may be necessary during a tax audit.
Skip the headache of satisfying legal requirements by having your financial documents neatly organized and ready for inspection anytime.
7. It prepares your business for tax season
Tax season is perhaps the most important time to flex your accounting skills. Having a firm grasp on the inflow and outflow of cash within your business can clarify which:
- Tax forms are relevant to your business.
- Deductions your small business qualifies for.
- Tax filing deadlines that apply to your business type.
Since the overall purpose of accounting is to simplify and organize your finances, consider using a tax preparation checklist during your next filing period.
8. An accountant can provide an unbiased perspective
With the help of their financial expertise, accountants utilize technology to provide a nuanced and unbiased perspective on your business performance.
If you struggle with important business decisions based on your accounting data, an accountant could serve as an objective advisor.
It’s easier than ever to get an accountant’s professional opinion when you need it most. Live accounting services can connect you with a financial professional in minutes.
Streamline your accounting and save time
Accounting is the basis of a healthy financial plan and can help you make big decisions about the future of your small business. With accounting software, you can keep track of your business performance with just a few clicks.
Now that you’re comfortable with accounting basics, consider utilizing our small business accounting checklist to prepare for next year’s tax season and beyond.
This article originally appeared on the QuickBooks Resource Center and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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18 loans for Hispanic-owned businesses
There are nearly 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S., making this the fastest-growing segment of U.S. small businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Yet, despite these big numbers, Hispanic and Latinx business owners frequently face challenges accessing capital and, as a result, often can’t successfully scale their businesses.
Fortunately, a number of organizations and government agencies in the U.S. are stepping up to address this unmet need, offering loans, grants, and other financing options to Hispanic and other minority entrepreneurs. These minority business loans may have lower interest rates and be easier to qualify for than some traditional loans. Here are 18 financing options that are worth checking out.
(Learn more: Personal Loan Calculator)
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To qualify as a Hispanic-owned business, more than 50% of the company must be owned by people of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or other Hispanic origin. Currently, nearly one in four businesses are Hispanic-owned.
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A minority business loan is a small business loan designed to provide financing options for underserved communities. While minorities are free to apply for any business loan, minority business loans may offer more competitive rates and have less stringent qualification requirements.
Groups that are considered minorities in the U.S. include African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans. Women are also considered minorities for many types of loans, as well.
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The following lenders offer different types of small business loans to Hispanic and minority entrepreneurs and were chosen based on our analysis of search volume.
1. Accion
Accion is a nonprofit financial institution that invests in underserved communities and offers low-cost lending opportunities to Hispanic- and minority-owned businesses. The Accion Opportunity Fund provides loan amounts from $5,000 to $100,000, and is quick and easy to apply for online.
Accion offers two types of small business loans — the Southern Opportunity and Resilience (SOAR) Fund and the Small Business Progress Loan. SOAR is geared toward those in the south and southeast who experienced economic hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic and have been in business since September 2019 or earlier. The Small Business Progress Loan, on the other hand, is open to all minority-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs, and is partnered with American Express.
Accion also offers online resources, events, and networking opportunities (in Spanish and English) to help minority business owners learn and grow their companies.
(Learn more at: Home Affordability Calculator)
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The Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), which is part of the U.S. Treasury, gives funds to companies and organizations that help underserved people and communities. Minority business owners can reach out to local banks and nonprofit groups that have received CDFI funds to discuss and apply for low-cost business loans.
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The owners of Camino Financial were inspired to start their lending business in order to help people like their mother, who lost her Mexican restaurant business when they were children. To that end, they offer simple and affordable loans to small businesses who find it difficult to borrow through banks. They offer bad credit loans, secured and unsecured loans, microloans, and working capital loans up to $35,000. To qualify, your business must have been in operation for at least nine months and generate annual sales of $30,000 or $2,500 a month.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers several financing programs that can help minority-owned businesses get access to the funding they need. Here are two programs you may want to check out to find a Hispanic small business loan:
Microloans
The SBA microloan program is administered by an intermediary network of nonprofit community-based lenders, rather than traditional banks. Through these lenders, the SBA aims to reach lower-income communities and minority-owned businesses that are often overlooked by traditional lenders. These loans come with low interest rates, six-year terms. and loan amounts up to $50,000.
Community Advantage Loans
The SBA’s Community Advantage loan program provides up to $350,000 in capital and is specifically designed to meet the needs of business owners in underserved communities. To qualify for an SBA community advantage loan, business owners need to have good credit and a strong business plan. However, the business’s balance sheet and amount of collateral will not affect eligibility.
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By offering crowdfunded loans with 0% interest, nonprofit Kiva is working to lift barriers to capital often faced by entrepreneurs from underserved communities. To apply, you need to market your Hispanic business to the community of 1.9 million individual lenders. These lenders can then choose to lend your company as much as $15,000 and you’ll have up to three years to repay them.
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CDC Small Business Finance is a nonprofit whose mission is to provide access to affordable and responsible capital to underserved entrepreneurs, including minority, veteran, and hispanic business owners. CDC offers loan amounts of $20,000 to $350,000 with five- to 10-year terms. They also offer SBA 504 commercial real estate loans of $250,000 to $40 million.If you are looking for advice to rebuild your credit, develop your business strategy, or manage financial reports, you’ll appreciate having access to small business advisors through CDC.
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Grameen America strives to achieve racial and gender equity by providing microloans of up to $2,000 to female and minority business owners. As part of their program, borrowers can open free savings accounts with commercial banks and build personal credit as they pay off their microloans. Grameen also offers training and support to women who want to start businesses and rise out of poverty.
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The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) offers Hispanic small business loans of $500 to $250,000 that can be used to purchase equipment, expand a business, hire staff, or purchase inventory. The three types of loans offered by the LEDC are as follows:
- LEDC Growth Loan: Loan amounts up to $250,000 for established small businesses that have been in operation for a minimum of two years.
- LEDC Startup Loan: Loan amounts up to $20,000 for new businesses with less than two years of business history.
- LEDC Seed Loan: Loan amounts up to $5,000 for businesses with less than one year of experience and with plans to launch a company within three months of funding.
LEDC also offers free business advice and credit-building services, as well as a directory of latino-owned small businesses.
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The National Association of Latino and Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) provides funding to a network of over 200 nonprofit organizations that serve diverse Latino communities throughout the U.S. With NALCAB support, these partner organizations offer Hispanic loans, grants, professional training, and support.
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Hispanic small business loans aren’t the only way for your business to get funding. There are also minority business grants that can provide capital that you don’t have to repay. These grants are offered by federal and local government agencies, corporations, and nonprofits.
10. Grants.gov
Grants.gov is the largest database of federal grant opportunities. While most grants are not specifically targeted to Hispanic small business owners, awards are available for all types of entrepreneurs, especially those focused on healthcare, U.S. defense, and environmental protection.
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digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program (powered by JPMorgan Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways) offers $5,000 grants to Black and Hispanic women in the Dallas, Texas area. digitalundivided also provides training and resources to help businesses understand their customers, find financing, and choose the right business model.
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The National Association of the Self-Employed (NASE) works to provide resources for all self-employed individuals, including Hispanic business owners. They offer Growth Grants of $4,000, which can be used for a variety of business expenses, including marketing, advertising, hiring employees, and expanding facilities.
Besides access to grants, becoming a NASE member allows you to connect with experts who can advise you on subjects like finance, healthcare, strategy, law, and marketing. NASE membership also gives you access to discounts on healthcare, software, tax filing, and business travel.
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Hispanic businesses located in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenue may want to consider applying for a Rural Development Grant from the USDA. Grants vary in size and can be used for a variety of projects that aid business development in rural areas, including training, technical assistance, acquisition or development of land, building construction or renovations, equipment purchases, and pollution control.
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The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are government grants from five different federal government agencies. These competitive grants are focused around tech and science and offer up to $1 million in capital (divided into two phases) to qualified small businesses.
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You may be able to find funding for your Hispanic small business through Candid.org’s Foundation Directory Online, which contains information on over 240,000 grantmakers in the U.S. Access to the directory requires buying a monthly subscription, but you can cancel at any time.
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Comcast RISE, which stands for Representation, Investment, Strength, and Empowerment, is a grant designed for businesses that were hit hardest by COVID-19. The grant is worth $5,000 and is given to small business owners hoping to expand and recover from the effects of the pandemic. Awards go to those looking to uplift their communities with a focus on diversity, inclusion, and community investment.
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The Entrepreneurial Spirit Fund by SIA Scotch Whiskey awards $10,000 in grants to small businesses owned by people of color in the food and beverage industry. Created by Hispanic entrepreneur Carin Luna-Ostaseskis, one of SIA’s goals is to provide funding, mentorship, and community to small businesses.
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If you’re a woman entrepreneur, consider applying for the Amber Grant, named after Amber Wigdahl, who passed at the age of 19 and never got to fulfill her business dreams. Each month, at least $30,000 is given in Amber Grant money. Applying takes just a few minutes and winners are announced by the 23rd of the following month.
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In addition to the grants and loans, there are organizations that can provide technical assistance, training, workshops, and networking opportunities to Hispanic businesses. Below are some you may want to check out.
digitalundivided
With a focus on assisting Black female and Latinx business owners, digitalundivided offers virtual training and a fellowship program for entrepreneurs. It also offers a pre-accelerator program for tech-enabled startup founders who have already begun to build their startup, are pre-revenue, and need assistance in developing their business model, marketing, and strategy.
Minority Business Development Agency
The Minority Business Development Agency is an advocate for Hispanic and other minority-owned businesses, and offers research, conferences, and resources to help entrepreneurs. Its Enterprising Women of Color Initiative is aimed to help minority women succeed in business through various offerings.
USHCC
The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce actively promotes the economic growth, development, and interests of Hispanic-owned businesses. Members have access to events and business resources to support them in their growth. In addition, members get listed in the Chamber’s online Hispanic business directory.
SCORE
SCORE is a national organization that connects business owners to free mentors to help them learn and grow their companies. SCORE also offers free workshops and a robust online database of useful business content.
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Looking for — and applying for — a Hispanic business loan can feel like an overwhelming task. Here are some ways to simplify the process.
Consider Your Options
Before applying for a small business loan, it’s a good idea to take a look at your credit profile and business financials, as this will give you an idea of what type of loan you might qualify for. If you have excellent credit, solid revenue, and have been in business at least two years, you may be able to qualify for a long-term, low interest loan from a bank or SBA lender. If not, you may want to look into financing offered by lenders and grantmakers listed above, as well as online lenders (who often have less strict qualification requirements for loans).
Determine How Much Money You Need
To figure out how much of a loan you need to start or grow your Hispanic business, consider how you would like to use the funds from a loan, then create a detailed budget for your project, adding in some padding to account for unexpected expenses.
Consider the Best Location for Your Business
If you haven’t yet launched your business, consider what might be the best environment for doing so. You may want to explore the best metros for minority businesses, since they may have established communities of hispanic business owners and resources to help you.
Gather All Your Paperwork
Whatever type of funding you decide to pursue, you will likely need to supply an extensive amount of information about your business in order to apply. This often includes:
- Business EIN
- Industry
- Entity type
- Business license and permits
- Annual business revenue and profit
- Bank account statements (personal and business)
- Personal and business tax returns
- Balance sheet
- Proof of collateral
- Accounts receivable and payable reports
- Existing debt
- Commercial lease
- Purpose of the loan/grant
- Business plan
This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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