The Top Accounting Challenges Small Businesses Face

Here are 13 of the top accounting challenges entrepreneurs must deal with, and how to overcome them. 1. Managing cash flow Managing cash flow may be a big challenge for your small business. According to a U.S. Bank study, a whopping 82% of businesses that fail do so because of cash flow problems. Small business owners find it challenging to earmark funds to cover recurring costs and keep the business alive. To stay on top of cash flow, analyze your bills carefully and be thorough in chasing payments from customers. You should also pay close attention to your monthly expenses and cut costs wherever possible. Additionally, if you have any equipment you no longer use, consider selling it to quickly generate cash.


And it probably is, until an unexpected expense or emergency arises. For instance, let’s say one of your employees slips and falls at work, and you don’t have adequate insurance coverage. The medical costs and potential lawsuits could easily cost your business Algeria Telemarketing Data over $1 million. Even smaller expenses – like a one-time government tax on all businesses in a particular area or a rise in the cost of goods – can cause significant changes to the bottom line. Optimize your existing credit to manage your short-term expenses. It’s also essential to monitor your long-term profitability to ensure that cost changes don’t threaten your overall liquidity. 3.




Reporting finances For many businesses, one of the biggest challenges is keeping up with the financial disclosures required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. It can be hard to stay on top of the reporting requirements and ensure that you’re documenting this information correctly in case your company is audited. The best way to ensure you’re meeting your reporting requirements is to outsource some of the work. Hire a bookkeeper or accountant who specializes in working with small businesses to ensure your books are up to date.