#small-business
Small Business
Financial management strategies and tools for small business owners
15 Questions to Ask Your Accountant (And What to Do With the Answers)
A practical guide to 15 high-value questions every small business owner should ask their accountant — covering tax deductions, business structure, cash flow forecasting, and record-keeping, with guidance on what good answers look like.
What Is a General Ledger? The Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
A plain-English breakdown of what a general ledger is, how double-entry bookkeeping keeps it balanced, and how to set up and maintain GL records—including common mistakes, a step-by-step setup guide, and software options for small business owners.
What Is a Merchant Account — and Does Your Business Need One?
A merchant account is the intermediary that holds card payment funds before they reach your business bank account. Learn how merchant accounts work, what fees to expect (interchange, assessment, processor markup), when to use a PSP like Stripe instead, and what to watch out for in contracts.
Why You Should Never Mix Personal and Business Finances
Commingling personal and business funds can void your LLC's liability protection, trigger IRS scrutiny, and obscure true cash flow. Seven concrete steps to separate your finances and protect your assets.
What Is Accounting? A Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
A plain-English breakdown of accounting for small business owners—how the accounting cycle works, when to use cash vs. accrual basis, the three core financial statements, and the most common bookkeeping mistakes that derail otherwise healthy businesses.
Bank Reconciliation: What It Is, How to Do It, and Why Every Small Business Needs It
Your books say $18,450. Your bank says $16,200. Which is right? Bank reconciliation closes that gap—and it's the most effective way small businesses catch fraud before it compounds.
Bookkeeping Tips for Small Business Owners: What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know
Eleven concrete bookkeeping habits that reduce tax-season stress for small business owners — from separating accounts and categorizing expenses correctly to automating bank feeds and reviewing monthly financial reports.
Cash Flow: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How to Improve It for Your Small Business
Poor cash flow contributes to 82% of small business failures—not bad products or weak demand. This guide explains the three types of cash flow, why profitable businesses still run out of cash, and 10 practical strategies to improve liquidity, from shortening payment terms to building a 12-week rolling forecast.
Debits and Credits Explained: A Plain English Guide for Small Business Owners
A practical explanation of how debits and credits work in double-entry accounting — covering the five account types, the accounting equation, real-world journal entry examples, and the most common bookkeeping mistakes small business owners make.
How to Get a Business Loan: A Complete Guide for Small Business Owners
A step-by-step guide to securing a business loan—covering SBA loans, bank terms, online lenders, credit score requirements, and the most common application mistakes small business owners make.
Revenue vs. Profit: What's the Difference and Why It Matters for Your Business
Your business pulled in $500,000 last year—but did you actually make money? Learn the critical difference between revenue and profit, the three types of profit you must track, and how to improve your margins.
What Is APR? Annual Percentage Rate Explained for Small Business Owners
APR bundles a loan's interest rate and all lender fees into a single number, revealing the true cost of borrowing. Learn how to calculate APR, compare competing loan offers, and spot red flags in merchant cash advances and short-term financing.