Boost Your Cash Flow
Cloud Accounting Technology that Drives Independence in Entrepreneurship
It’s no secret that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. In fact, 98% of all U.S. employers are small businesses and they employ 54% of the workforce! That means there is a lot on the line for these entrepreneurs to make it work, but cloud-based apps can help them achieve their goals without breaking a sweat (or going broke).
From bookkeeping to cash flow forecasting, small business accounting software is helping small businesses across the world sleep easier at night and boost their cash flow.
Table of contents
- Small Businesses: Automate, automate, automate
- Optimize your operations and business plan to avoid hidden costs
- Cloud account software helps, but don’t forget the human touch
Small Businesses: Automate, automate, automate
Business leaders who are willing to embrace cloud technology can enhance their business efficiency by automating almost every possible admin task. The days of monolithic Excel spreadsheets being your only option to record expenses and invoices are, thankfully, a thing of the past.
Cloud accounting software, such as Xero and QuickBooks, integrates with your bank account via an API and updates daily, providing you with the information you need on what's coming in and what's going out. They also help with invoicing and bills letting you create a more accurate business plan for your organization.
Once cloud accounting software has got your books in order, you can use the output to start looking forward. Even if you run a very small business, cash flow forecasting will help you put together a business plan with the confidence to know you can afford what you're planning. Knowing the health of your business is vital and there is no better place to start than your cash flow forecast. Futrli is designed to make the process enjoyable – I know but trust us, it actually can be.
It automates the admin that would put you off in the first place, for example, it automatically syncs with your cloud accounting software, so you don’t need to manually update a spreadsheet. You can invest your time exploring several possible future scenarios. This means you are always up-to-date and ready to action changes whether that’ll lead to more profit or a crisis averted.
When you plan and look ahead, you’ll be ready for whatever life decides to throw your way. None of this is voodoo magic, it’s readily available cloud technology that business owners are taking ever more seriously (and you should too), because of the time-saving potential it affords. In essence, automation will allow you to allocate your time to other things that will drive your business forward.
Optimize your operations and business plan to avoid hidden costs
There are many tweaks that you can make to the business operations that can help save you money and boost your cash flows.
Something as simple as requesting that your clients pay with direct debit can make a big difference to being paid promptly. Stripe and GoCardless are simple to use and take any stress out of direct debit processing. They integrate with your cloud accounting software too and typically have low transaction fees around the 1% mark, providing a boon to your accounts.
If your business needs to transfer funds internationally, TransferWise is your friend. It has saved people and businesses £22m in hidden bank charges. Use this service and you’ll no longer be at the mercy of extortionate bank fees, and with just a 0.5% transaction charge and no hidden fees, you can save a significant amount.
Another great move is to switch your timetable around so that you do your payroll and accounts once a week, rather than once a month. This allows you to break up what is otherwise a heavy process into more manageable chunks and that will help you really keep you on top of your cash flow.
Cloud account software helps, but don’t forget the human touch
You can still influence a good collection process yourself. Checking your clients are happy with your work, invoicing them immediately, etc, all contribute to "good manners".
Sometimes just communicating what is going on and explaining why cash is so important to you as a business owner will be enough – most people are reasonable, after all. If they still aren’t able to pay, ask why and see what compromise can be made but be careful to remain firm.
The other human approach that you can turn to is other people in your industry. Reach out to a financial consultant or other business leaders in your industry for advice - most people will be more than happy to share what they know with other small businesses.