Running a business takes a lot of effort and the rewards can be tremendous when it’s successful. But it takes discipline and tireless business management of every detail to get the margins maximized. Having an accountant will help you keep track of your finances but to really understand where you need to make changes and where you need to focus, a business owner needs to keep track of the business operations and its financial reports. There are several different types of financial reports and they all have something special to offer.
Business management with accurate reports
Cash flow forecast
A cash flow forecast is going to help you plan ahead for the upcoming quarters by estimating the cash flows coming in and going out. Knowing how much capital you will have available in the coming quarters will help you plan better. Every business has cash flow problems from time to time but being able to forecast them and know when the accounts will be low and when they will be high is the best way to smooth out the cash flow waves.
Profit/loss statement
The profit and loss statement will give you a very real picture of how your company is performing by showing you what your margins are and where you are making profits or not. Knowing where you are making the highest and lowest margins will allow you to focus on how to increase those profits.
Aged debtors report
An aged debtors report is a report that helps you keep track of payments that you have yet to receive. Knowing where your money is and knowing who owes you that money can help you track down those funds and keep a close eye on problematic payers. If those debtors haven’t been paying or if they seem like they’ve neglected to pay, having a detailed aged debtors report will help in creating a substantial case for invoice disputes against them.
Balance sheet
Having a detailed balance sheet is critical to business management. The balance sheet gives you a summary of your assets and liabilities so you know what you own and what you owe. Having a comprehensive look of all of your assets and liabilities are crucial to daily business management and performance.
When it comes to business management, having the right tools makes a difference and financial reporting is possibly the most helpful tool any business owner can have in their arsenal. Use these tools to help your business grow and you will be able to keep track of exactly how great your business is and how great it can be in the future. However if you’re in need of business finance, speak to your trusted financial consultant and find out what type of business loans will suit your business goals.