Table of Contents
Article Key Takeaways:
- Potential causes for cash flow mistakes
- Solutions business owners can seek for their cash flow mistakes
- How to avoid cash flow mistakes
Owners of small businesses may often find themselves suffering shortfalls or an inability to pay bills when sales are low. This is the reality of many companies, and CEOs may frequently feel stuck trying to gather money while still meeting ongoing financial obligations.
If you run a small business and end up facing a shortage of money, you may be going through a small cash flow. In this article, we have highlighted five cash flow mistakes small businesses tend to make and the solution for each one of these issues.
Top 5 Cashflow Mistakes Small Business Owners Make
In case you are wondering what the potential causes for your small cash flow problem are, here are some of these causes – and the solutions business owners can resort to:
Spending a Lot of Money in a Short Amount of Time
Business owners regularly oversee this cash flow issue – more often than not, you may think you need to invest in all of the necessary things for your business to grow as quickly as possible. On many occasions, spending too much on a better office space, better products or services, or more staff is an indication of forced growth.
The issue is that you might quickly decrease your budget and take a long time to recover it. This negative cash flow problem is especially common in new businesses.
The Solution: make a list of the more urgent investments for your business and separate your needs from your wants.
Not Making Any Investments
If you only have one source of income, you have a higher chance of facing a negative cash flow much sooner. With investments, you have the financial security of not running out of money so fast and so often.
Business owners must invest early on to generate some passive income – especially in the early stages of a business. If you have a small business and are wondering about how to invest, try diversifying your options as soon as possible.
The Solution: invest early on in the stock market, in real estate, or other businesses, and try to generate as much positive passive income as possible. You can also use your Retirement Savings Plan to invest tax-free.
Not Monitoring Cash Flow on a Weekly Basis
Monitoring the cash flow of your small business stops you from being caught off guard when facing any financial problems. If you fail to monitor your business’ cash flow or financial statements every week or every month, you fail to see the bigger picture of exactly where your business is more profitable.
The Solution: by constantly monitoring your money, you can see what product or service works best for specific clients; this way, you can create more tailored solutions for them and become more profitable.
Not Maintaining Cash Reserves
Ups and downs are common in businesses – you may face seasonal instability related to the nature of your business and the services or products you offer, or you may have late payments, contracts that are not signed, or partnerships that fail.
Resorting to your personal savings is tempting on such occasions, but doing so can create a vicious cycle.
The Solution: you can easily solve this cash flow problem with cash reserves. You can combine cash reserves and investments to sustain your small business during slower months without worrying about too many expenses down the road.
Not Contacting an Accountant
Profitable businesses, big or small, benefit from the help of a professional accountant to handle their finances. A skilled accountant and tax specialist will keep your business finances in order and analyse your statements every month to showcase where you are most profitable and file your taxes so you can save on your returns and not pay any fines.
The most efficient solution for having your small business finances organized and for you to have a positive cash flow every month is by hiring the services of a professional accountant.
Contact FShad CPA for Assistance With Your Business Cash Flow Today!
Are you a small business owner struggling with low cash flow in your company? If so, rest assured that FShad CPA Professional Corporation can help. Our competent team of accountants and tax specialists has extensive experience assisting small businesses in a variety of fields, ramping up their sales and recovering their money.
If you need assistance, reach out to us at 844-982-4700 today!
This publication is produced by FShad CPA Professional Corporation as an information service to clients and friends of the firm, and is not intended to substitute for competent professional advice. No action should be initiated without consulting your professional advisors. Your use of this document is at your own risk.
FAQ
What can result in a small business having a low cash flow?
Business owners can end up spending too much too soon, not investing correctly or enough, not monitoring their statements, and so on.
Is cash flow the same as profit?
No – profit is the money that remains in a business after operating expenses, and cash flow is the income that comes in and goes out frequently. Businesses can be profitable and still have a negative cash flow or have a positive cash flow and a low profit.
What is the best way to deal with negative cash flow?
Keeping close attention to monthly business expenses, investing, and organizing invoices correctly are all excellent ways to avoid a low cash flow. The best tactic is, however, to hire an expert accountant.
Related Articles:
- How to Open a Corporation in Ontario?
- Can I Deduct My Home Office Expenses?
- Why Outsource Your Small Business Accounting in Toronto