Budgeting can indeed be a pain when you do not have the time to sit down and divide your money according to your requirements. A proper budgeting system is needed for every household to ensure that finances are used effectively rather than being mismanaged. Technology has evolved, and there has never been a better time to be alive. If you hate going through the hassle of sitting down, laying out all your finances, and then creating a budget, there is good news for you. There are now mobile phone applications in the market that do the deed for you. All you must do is find an application that works for you, then sit back and enjoy as you have one less thing to worry about in your life. Following is a list of applications that would cater to your needs of domestic budgeting.
Please ensure that you do your research before trusting an application with your financial data.
Mint
Mint is a free app available in the market for the sole purpose of budget creation. The purpose of the app is to allow you to keep track of your daily expenditure to stay within the limit while making everyday purchases. The app is extremely user-friendly, so it is one of the top-rated ones in the market. Mint suggests the option of connecting you to your bank account so all the transactions can be filed automatically. Those who do not wish to use this option due to privacy concerns could always manually add their transactions to the app. The only con this app has been the targeted advertisements that are a part of the app interface, although they are not that bothersome to a massive majority since the app is, after all, free!
PocketGuard
PocketGuard is your next go-to application if you want to cub your overspending habits. The app has been created with the primary purpose of curbing unnecessary spending by tracking all your transactions through your bank account. PocketGuard comes in two different variations; a free, basic version and a paid, premium version that goes by PocketGuard Plus. PocketGuard Plus costs its users $79.99 per year, which seems plausible according to the app’s services.
EveryDollar
EveryDollar is a budgeting app that caters to your budgeting needs as well as tracking all your purchases. The app has been created on the zero-based budgeting philosophy that focuses on creating equilibrium between expenses and income. The paid version of this application costs a whopping $129.99 per year, which may be a lot for some individuals, which is why it has the option of a free version. The central point that sets the two versions apart is that the user must manually add all the transactions to the app, which the paid version would do automatically.
You Need a Budget
You Need a Budget, or YNAB, is an application for those willing to invest some bucks to save some dollars.
The app, charging $84 annually, is one of the most acceptable applications for budgeting—the app sync to your bank account, which takes away your worry of manually adding each transaction. Due to the in-depth approach of the company towards budgeting, it has yielded excellent results in the past. It claims to save $600 in the first two months of usage. The app is known for being completely safe and strict on data protection as it uses high-level encryption. Those who may be concerned about paying a considerable amount could always avail of the 34-day free trial that the company offers. It would be enough time for you to realize if the app is for you.
If you’re looking for a free application to create a domestic budgeting plan for you, Mint should be your first option due to its remarkable results and user-friendly programming. But if you are ready to pay for the services, you should invest in YNAB because of the promising results with the application.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
If you’re starting a new business, you would likely require the help of investors to fund your venture. This monetary funding, of course, comes at a cost that is often a certain percentage of the business. But to get to that point, one must have the confidence to catch a big fish. Every investor would be willing to invest in your venture as long as they see potential in you and your pitch. It may not be that easy, but it is certainly not impossible. So, get ready and flash that smile because you are just about to get those investors to invest. Some tactics are helpful when one is trying to gain an investor’s confidence.
These seemingly simple steps could ultimately make or break your game.
Entice Them Through Your Results
The way your venture performs is what decides its fate. Investors need to, first, understand the product or company in which they are investing. If your company has performed well in the past, there is a high chance it would perform even better with a more significant investment onboard. While making your pitch, make sure to include the results of your previous sales; this will increase your confidence and leave a lasting impact on the investor. The mention of your past results would build an air of faith, increasing your chances of getting a fund to improve your venture. Let’s be honest! Everyone is in it for the money.
If you can show them that you have what it takes to make a business flourish, they would automatically trust you with their money.
Pitch Your Idea While Networking
Known as a “soft sell,” you could pitch your idea online to any potential investors. Such a pitch is always a great idea because it is not intrusive but gets the idea across conveniently. For this purpose, the social media marketing of your business must be immaculate. The picture you present of your business online is what the potential investors have to judge you on. Any lacking in this department may hinder your path in getting them on your side. If your business catches their eye, there is a chance that a proposal would get you the investment of your dreams.
Sound Confident
If you sound unsure about the pitch you are presenting, even for a second, a potential investor would not even think twice about the offer you are making. It’s natural to get jittery in such a situation, but you must put your best foot forward and present your pitch. If you have confidence in yourself, your investors will have confidence in you. The best tip in such a situation is to rehearse the pitch a few times, which would help you sound confident.
Make sure to add only the essential bits so their attention remains glued to the words coming out of your mouth.
Ask For Their Help
Rather than approaching a potential investor directly, take a more calculated route which may increase your chances of getting the fund. Understand their area of expertise and ask them for their guidance to get your business on a better track; this may work as a way to get the investor interested in your venture. If they take out the time to guide you, there is a high chance they will take out that money too. Such a technique would work great for you as it would allow you to pitch the plan without making it too obvious. It would also give the investor a chance to analyze the opportunities that your business may have. Getting an investment may not always be easy, but it indeed is crucial for the business. Be confident, know what your company stands for, realize why you need an investment, and convey your idea to potential investors. Ensure that your pitch makes you stand out in the room, which will get you to catch the eye of those investors. Now get out there and get your investment!About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
If you have recently been in action with the IRS, you may want to read about Partial Pay Installment Agreements and Offer in Compromise. These are two payment plans for the people who are under the radar of the IRS.
IRS is the Internal Revenue Service. It is a wing of the United States federal government that deals with the taxation department. The IRS is known for being adamant about the payments that business owners might owe them. If you have recently fallen under the radar of the IRS, ensure that you pay the dues promptly. There are two plans for people who would like some ease in the payments.
Please read below to understand which one would be the best possible option for you, considering your financial health.
Partial Pay Installment Agreements (PPIA)
A Partial Pay Installment Agreement is an agreement between the IRS and the business owner. In such a situation, the business owner makes monthly payments to the IRS to fulfill the payment plan as soon as possible. Despite being a complex deal to strike, a PPIA is an excellent plan for business owners who struggle to collect all the funds required to clear their dues.
The ease that the government provides in this situation is removing all the levies imposed on the organization to easily make the rest of the payments. The levies include all those placed on an individual’s bank accounts and properties. Garnering such a deal is considered impossible, which is why someone who finds themselves in a sticky situation should always try to get a lawyer to deal with the IRS. If they are interested in striking this deal, they would be able to.
Keep in mind that once you agree to a PPIA with the IRS, you practically allow the IRS to peep into your financial records every two years. The IRS snooping around is something that many business owners do not appreciate, which is why they often end up going for Offer in Comprise. Unaware of what that is? Continue reading.
Offer in Compromise (OIC)
An Offer in Compromise is an arrangement between the taxpayer and the IRS. When the taxpayer cannot pay off the debt, the IRS intervenes to develop a number that it thinks would be the most reasonable amount to acquire while keeping the statute of limitations in mind.
OIC’s often happen when the IRS is unsure whether the taxpayer would ever pay the total amount, which is why the IRS compromises on a comparatively lesser amount that they think would be paid by the taxpayer. People who often accept this deal believe it as compensation since they get to spend a lesser amount.
Working out such an agreement is always a great idea and is appreciated both by the taxpayer and the IRS. It is obvious why the debtor would think of this as a great idea. The IRS supports such a deal because it feels like this is a fresh start for the debtor. Letting them off at a significantly lesser payment package seems like a great idea, especially if the taxpayer struggles to make ends meet.
Payment Plan Installation Agreement (PPIA) or Offer in Compromise (OIC)?
Both the plans are brilliant ways out for those who are stuck in the business of unpaid taxes. The IRS has always struck up ways to ease people’s lives while ensuring they receive all the due payments.
A Payment Plan Installation Agreement (PPIA) is an excellent option for those looking for dividend payments. They would pay the total amount but in monthly installations. Monthly installations ease out the entire payment process for them. But those who do not wish to have the IRS peeking into their financial records every two years should not opt for this plan.
Offer in Compromise (OIC) is a comparatively more convenient option, although businesses must pay upfront, allowing you to pay a lesser amount and get done with the entire process.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Common Loan Application Denial Reasons and How to Avoid Them
Loan application denial reasons typically include insufficient collateral, poor credit history, high debt-to-income ratio, incomplete documentation, unverifiable information, insufficient income, and unstable employment history. Understanding these specific factors allows you to address weaknesses in your financial profile before applying, dramatically increasing your approval odds. Nearly half of all loan applicants face rejection, but each denial provides a clear roadmap for improvement when you know how to read the signals.
I’ve spent over 20 years as CEO of Complete Controller working with businesses across every sector imaginable, and I’ve witnessed firsthand how the right financial preparation transforms loan denials into approvals. Through our cloud-based bookkeeping services, we’ve helped thousands of entrepreneurs organize their finances, fix credit issues, and secure the funding they need to grow. In this guide, I’ll share the exact strategies our most successful clients use to overcome common denial reasons and get the capital they deserve—including a real case study of a father who turned his mortgage rejection into a financial comeback story.
What are the most common loan application denial reasons?
The most frequent denial reasons are insufficient collateral, poor credit history, high debt-to-income ratio, incomplete documents, unverifiable information, insufficient income or cash flow, and unstable employment.
Poor credit history reflects past payment problems and shows lenders you might struggle with future payments.
High debt-to-income ratio signals you’re already stretched thin financially and adding more debt could overwhelm your budget.
Incomplete documentation or unverifiable information creates doubt about your true financial situation.
Insufficient income or unstable employment suggests you may not maintain consistent payments throughout the loan term.
Reasons for Loan Application Denial: A Breakdown
According to Bankrate’s 2025 Credit Denials Survey, 48% of Americans who applied for loans in the past year faced rejection. This coin-flip probability affects younger borrowers disproportionately—65% of Gen Z applicants and 59% of millennials were denied, compared to just 30% of baby boomers.
Loan application rejection factors vary by loan type and lender requirements. Mortgage applications fail most often due to debt-to-income issues and documentation problems. Personal loans typically get denied for credit score deficiencies and income verification challenges. Business loans face additional scrutiny around cash flow statements and tax returns.
Auto loans: Credit score below 600, insufficient down payment
Personal loans: Recent bankruptcy, collections accounts
Business loans: Inadequate business plan, poor revenue history
Small business owners and individual borrowers face unique loan approval challenges. Many lack the sophisticated financial documentation larger companies maintain. Self-employed individuals struggle to prove consistent income without traditional pay stubs. First-time borrowers have no established lending relationships to leverage.
The Role of Credit Score and History in Loan Denial
Your credit score acts as a financial report card that lenders scrutinize before approving any loan. While consumer credit quality has improved significantly since the 2008 financial crisis—with 60% of Americans now having scores above 661 compared to just 52% in 2008—lenders have simultaneously tightened their standards.
Credit scores below 620 typically trigger automatic denials for conventional mortgages. Personal loan lenders often set minimums at 580-600. Auto lenders may work with scores as low as 500 but charge substantially higher interest rates. Each late payment can drop your score 60-110 points, creating a cascade effect that takes months to recover from.
Steps to improve your credit profile
Pull your credit reports from all three bureaus annually
Dispute any errors immediately—even small mistakes hurt
Pay down credit cards to below 30% utilization
Keep old accounts open to maintain credit history length
Set up automatic payments to prevent future late marks
The impact extends beyond just the numbers. Lenders examine the stories behind your credit history. Multiple recent inquiries suggest financial desperation. Maxed-out credit cards indicate poor money management. Collections accounts raise red flags about your commitment to obligations.
Debt-to-Income Ratio and Income Stability: What Lenders Want
Among mortgage denials, 48% stem from excessive debt-to-income ratios according to the National Association of REALTORS®. This single factor outweighs all others—even credit scores only account for 21% of mortgage rejections.
Lenders calculate DTI by dividing your total monthly debt payments by gross monthly income. Most prefer ratios below 43% for mortgages, though some government-backed loans allow up to 50%. Personal loans often require ratios under 40%. The calculation includes all recurring debts: mortgages, car loans, student loans, credit card minimums, and court-ordered payments.
Income stability requirements vary by lender
Traditional employment: 2 years in same field minimum
Self-employment: 2 years of tax returns showing profit
Contract work: 12-24 months of consistent contracts
Side income: Must document for 2+ years to count
Reducing your DTI requires either increasing income or decreasing debt. Paying off a car loan might drop your ratio by 5-10 percentage points. Adding a part-time job earning $1,000 monthly could improve your ratio by 3-7 points. Even small improvements can push you over the approval threshold.
Incomplete Applications and Unverifiable Information: Avoid Quick Pitfalls
More than one in five loan rejections result from incomplete credit applications or unverifiable data. Yet only 10% of denied borrowers request detailed explanations from lenders—missing crucial feedback that could guide their next attempt.
Missing documents create immediate red flags for underwriters. A single missing bank statement suggests you’re hiding something. Gaps in employment history require written explanations. Undisclosed debts discovered during verification can torpedo an otherwise strong application.
Essential financial documents for loan approval
Tax returns: Last 2-3 years for all borrowers
Bank statements: 2-6 months for all accounts
Pay stubs: Most recent 30-60 days
Investment statements: Current balances and account history
Understanding loan rejection letters provides your improvement roadmap. Federal regulations require lenders to specify exact denial reasons. “Insufficient credit references” means you need more credit accounts or longer history. “Excessive obligations” points to DTI problems. “Insufficient collateral” indicates your down payment or asset base needs strengthening.
Real-World Case Study: Turning Denial into Approval
Brandon N., an inventory control specialist and father from North Carolina, faced mortgage denial due to overwhelming debt and damaged credit. His $32,532 in various debts created unmanageable monthly payments that destroyed his debt-to-income ratio.
Instead of giving up, Brandon enrolled in a debt relief program through Beyond Finance. The program consolidated his debts and reduced his monthly payments by 62%—saving $776.20 each month. This freed cash flow went directly toward accelerating debt payoff and rebuilding credit.
Brandon’s systematic approach included:
Documenting all debts and creating a payoff timeline
Negotiating with creditors for reduced settlements
Redirecting saved money to emergency funds
Monitoring credit reports monthly for improvements
Maintaining perfect payment history going forward
Six months later, Brandon’s credit score had increased 75 points. His DTI dropped from 58% to 34%. While still working through the program, he’s positioned for mortgage approval once he graduates debt-free. His story proves that strategic action after denial creates better outcomes than simply reapplying blindly.
Pro Tips to Avoid Loan Denial: Insights from Complete Controller
After guiding thousands of clients through loan processes, I’ve identified patterns that separate approvals from denials. Success comes from preparation, transparency, and strategic timing.
Schedule a pre-application meeting with potential lenders. Many offer free consultations where loan officers review your situation informally. They’ll identify likely denial reasons before you waste a hard credit inquiry on a formal application. This intelligence helps you fix problems proactively.
Build financial buffers before applying. Pay all bills early for six months—even one late payment during underwriting can trigger denial. Maintain checking account balances above $5,000 to show stability. Keep creditcard utilization below 10% for three months before applying.
Apply early in the month when lenders have fresh quotas
Avoid major purchases 6 months before applications
Wait 3-6 months between applications to prevent inquiry damage
Time applications after annual bonuses or tax refunds boost assets
Shop intelligently across multiple lenders. Online marketplaces let you compare real offers with single credit pulls. Credit unions often have more flexible standards than big banks. Portfolio lenders who keep loans in-house can make exceptions algorithmic lenders cannot.
Financial Documents and Transparency: Your Approval Foundation
Complete financial transparency transforms borderline applications into approvals. Lenders fear surprises more than known challenges. Disclosing a past bankruptcy upfront allows underwriters to work with you. Hiding it until discovery guarantees denial.
Organize documents systematically before starting applications. Create digital folders for each category. Name files clearly: “2023TaxReturnJohnSmith.pdf” not “Scanner0439.pdf”. Include cover sheets explaining any unusual items. If you received a large gift for down payment, include the gift letter immediately.
Document preparation checklist
Tax returns with all schedules (2-3 years)
Bank statements for all accounts (6 months)
Investment account statements (current quarter)
Pay stubs showing year-to-date earnings
Employment verification letters
Explanation letters for credit issues
Proof of additional income sources
Divorce decrees or child support orders
Bankruptcy discharge papers if applicable
Professional bookkeeping services streamline this process dramatically. At Complete Controller, we maintain client documents in organized, lender-ready formats. Our systems track income and expenses meticulously, making verification simple. Clean books often make the difference between approval and denial for business loans especially.
Final Thoughts
Loan application denial reasons follow predictable patterns that you can address systematically. Nearly half of all applicants face rejection, but those who understand why denials happen position themselves for future success. Each rejection letter provides specific feedback for improvement.
Focus first on your debt-to-income ratio—it’s the leading denial cause for mortgages. Document everything meticulously. Request detailed feedback after any denial. Build your credit systematically over months, not days. Most importantly, view denial as data, not defeat.
Your next loan application can succeed where the last one failed. The key lies in addressing specific weaknesses lenders identified. Ready to organize your finances for loan success? Contact the experts at Complete Controller for professional guidance on building a lender-ready financial profile.
Frequently Asked Questions About Loan Application Denial Reasons
Why was my loan application denied even though I have good income?
High income alone doesn’t guarantee approval. Lenders evaluate your debt-to-income ratio, credit history, employment stability, and documentation completeness. You might earn well but carry too much existing debt, have recent late payments, or lack required documentation.
How long should I wait before reapplying after a loan denial?
Wait at least 3-6 months before reapplying, using this time to address the specific denial reasons. Fix credit issues, pay down debts, stabilize employment, or gather missing documents. Reapplying too quickly without changes wastes credit inquiries.
Can I get approved somewhere else if one lender denied me?
Yes, different lenders have varying approval criteria. Credit unions often have more flexible standards than large banks. Online lenders might approve borrowers traditional banks reject. However, address the original denial reasons first for better outcomes.
Will shopping around for loans hurt my credit score?
Multiple loan inquiries within 14-45 days typically count as single inquiry for credit scoring. This “rate shopping” window lets you compare offers without excessive credit damage. Space applications outside this window to avoid multiple hard pulls.
What’s the fastest way to improve my chances after denial?
Pay down credit cards for immediate DTI and credit utilization improvements. Correcting credit report errors can boost scores within 30 days. Gathering missing documentation takes just hours but solves many denial reasons instantly.
Beyond Finance Blog. (May 2025). “Client Exclusive: How We Helped Brandon N. Recover From Debt When a Mortgage Denial Became a Reality Check.” www.beyondfinance.com/blog/
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. (2024). “Lender-reported reasons for mortgage denials don’t explain racial disparities.” www.minneapolisfed.org
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Jennifer BrazerFounder/CEO
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.
An accounting statement is an insight into the company’s financial status, which would explain its rate of performance, future cash flow, and the company’s operations. These statements have become a necessity for companies because they serve as a preview for the world to see. Whether a company is on a small-scale or a huge industry, whether one has taken it upon themselves to develop accounting statements or has a whole team for it, accounting statements’ role is unmatched. The accounting statement is a statement of proof that would aid you in highlighting the financial health of your company to all the stakeholders involved.
Business owners often tend to overlook these statements, but that is where things start going downhill for them. Being aware of the financial complexities of the company and laying them out in a neat way would only make things better for the company. Listed below are a few reasons why you should pay more heed to your accounting statements:
As mentioned, the stakeholders involved in the business need to have constant assurance regarding the company’s financial health. Through these accounting statements, they would stay aware of what is going on behind closed doors.
Any potential investors you may approach for your business would ask to see your financial statements. It would allow them to judge the potential of your business.
The business’s managerial staff would inquire to see the financial records so they can plan all future endeavors for the company accordingly.
Any lender or bank needs financial statements to analyze the business before handing over a loan.
You could halt your supply of goods if the vendor does not see the potential in your company for payment, so you must show them your financial records.
It serves as a money trail for the government to track. It also helps in sorting your taxes.
The competition in the market uses these statements to analyze what they must deal with moving forward.
Your company’s financial statements may even help you build a rapport among the public, which would, of course, boost your business’s sales.
Accounting statements come in different shapes and forms. They all play the same role, but each focuses on another side of the financial situation. Mentioned below are three of the most common ways of presenting accounting statements.
Income statements:
Income statements are financial records that usually track the profits and losses that the company has gone through during a given period. These statements reflect the profits as well as the costs it had to sustain. Income statements would cover all economic activity and keep a clean record of it in a systemized manner. It would cover all expenses, from procuring goods for the company to the paychecks paid each month.
Balance sheets:
A balance sheet defines the financial situation of a business at a specific time. These sheets work as a financial summary to identify the liabilities that a company is prone to and the assets that it must preserve. Balance sheets are different from other accounting statements because they capture a specific time’s statistics rather than dealing with a prolonged period.
Cash flow statements:
As the name suggests, a cash flow statement covers the inflow and outflow of cash over a specified bookkeeping period. Cash flow statements cater to the monetary exchange and how it may affect the business in an aggregated form. It allows business owners to analyze the monetary situation by understanding the accumulation of funds. Cash flow statements also will enable the business owners to investigate the operations that a company is involved in at a given time.
Account statements are a necessity for all those people who wish to see their businesses succeed. If you haven’t paid much heed to it already, you can always start today.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
An accounting department of any business needs to be neatly tucked in and presented as a clean slate. Any business with a fine accounting department prospers because of the clarity in the financial statements. Having clean finances could serve many purposes for business owners and could have many advantages. Still, the most important one is that it gives the business owner a clear vision for the future.
Different individuals could work in the accounts department, but each department consists of differing positions. These positions vary by the duties the employee has to perform once they join your company. A competent accountant must be able to analyze your financial statement, clear out all your credit by the time the accounting cycle concludes, calculate profit and loss, as well as net income.
Now understanding these positions and then hiring the right person for your business can be challenging. We have broken down each class to help you know them better and then make sound decisions.
CFO (Chief Financial Officer):
A CFO sits on a high pedestal within the accounting department. They are the authority that is constantly in talks with the business owners as they report the financial findings to them. They oversee all the stakeholders and how they may be affected by the different decisions taken within the department. The chief financial officer combines the past data with the future statistics to come to plausible conclusions so that the company can make appropriate decisions. Preparing reports and strategies for risk management are also the jobs of a CFO.
A CFO has several bookkeepers, controllers, accountants, and clerks reporting back to them to know everything related to the business. They are also in charge of creating new policies for the organization that would affect its finances.
Only an extensive business should need a CFO because of the lack of financial affairs to manage in small businesses.
Bookkeeper:
A bookkeeper manages all the business’s financial records, including all purchases, due payments, loans, profit, losses, and income. A bookkeeper deals mainly with the numbers they receive.
A competent bookkeeper must cater to the needs of the business by tending to the journals and ledgers that carry all the financial data. Without the help of a bookkeeper, the business owner may not adequately complete this task, which could potentially affect the quality of business.
A business owner should start looking for a bookkeeper when they step foot into the world of business. A bookkeeper is necessary for even small companies because, unlike a CFO, a bookkeeper has to tackle all major and minor financial data of a business that is just as much part of a small business as a large corporation.
Controller:
A controller plays the role of a middle person because clerks and bookkeepers report directly to them while they have to document all their findings to a CFO.
The role of a controller is to supervise all the work of an accounting department. They could also play the role of a financial manager in an organization. They focus their energies on helping a CFO create different strategic game plans to increase the organization’s cash inflow.
Who to Hire?
This question often confuses a lot of business owners. While starting a business, they are often unaware of the hierarchy of the accounting department. Including the positions, they should be offering according to the company they run.
Before deciding, you should, first of all, assess the size of your business. The size of your business is what determines the financial data you would have to cater to once the company is up and running. Ensure that you make a thorough analysis to see how much your business can be affected by hiring the right person for it.
If your business is extensive and deals with a comparatively larger corporation, you should acquire a CFO and the rest of the subordinates. But if your company is limited and has a narrow approach in the market, a bookkeeper would be enough.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Responsibilities make you realize that your income is no longer to spend and enjoy according to your ease. Instead, it is a fund you must pay according to your necessities while also making sure you leave some behind as savings for the future and unforeseen circumstances.
Although it depends on an individual’s preferences, there has been a long-drawn-out debate about how money should be divided to allow one to cater to their needs and have some savings for the future.
Continue reading to understand how you should prioritize your needs and divide your income accordingly—making sound and correct choices today can help you live a quality life tomorrow.
Why Are Savings Important?
There is a plethora of reasons why savings can be life-changing overall. Mentioned below are two of the most important reasons you should start saving immediately.
Save for your future
If you have saved to your name, you can tackle any unforeseen expenditures you may face in the future. You might question why you are holding right now for a requirement that has not even risen yet, but you will understand why in the future. If you own a savings account, it can easily tackle a medical emergency, debt, or other emergency expense.
Save to take risks
Savings could allow you to take a risk. This risk may be of any type. You could build a business from the ground above if you wish to at a time in your life. You will be able to kick it off the ground with the money you have saved over the years.
You could also use it to fulfill lifelong dreams, such as taking a trip around the world or building a dream house.
The 50-30-15-5 mantra
Elizabeth Warren devised a savings plan to help you understand how the art of budgeting works. Warren deduced that a 50-30-20 plan would work excellently for those who wish to spend and save.
The 50-30-20 plan breaks down into three separate parts: 50% of your income is spent on necessary items for your everyday life, 30% is for your desires you wish to fulfill, and 20% is for savings. Although the plan works perfectly well, a tiny variation now allows you to prioritize your protection and spend further.
The 50-30-15-5 plan is a proposal with a similar division of your income, but it allows you to make a better choice while taking care of your savings.
The 50
A total of 50% of your income is supposed to be allotted to your immediate needs. It would include things that you could not survive without. It would include:
Rent
Food
Other utilities
The 30
30% of your income should be separated to cater to your spending, which may not necessarily be a priority. These could be called your “wants.” A person must also invest in their desires so that their interests in life stay alive. These desires could include:
Vacations
Fine dining
Other hobbies
The 15
The first 15% of the total 20% of savings should go to your savings account. These savings should be put aside as your long-term savings. They would contribute to the goals that you intend to fulfill in the long term.
The final 5
These savings, the mere 5%, are supposed to help you fulfill your short-term goals, needs, or wants. This money could also serve as a help in a financial emergency.
These are simply basic ideas to help you divide and create a budget that would cater to your everyday requirements, help you put the food on the table, assist you in fulfilling your desires, and allow you to set aside an amount for all your future requirements. This division could work as a foundation, based on which they form a plan that would suit their needs. One does not necessarily have to follow this plan and can always do as they understand better.
Spending and saving are both necessary if one wishes to live a sound and happy life.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Outsourcing refers to getting work done by acquiring the aid of an external source. There could be many reasons why someone would wish to outsource. They may be overworked, may not have the expertise to manage a task, or could be just looking for a helping hand. Whatever the reason may be, outsourcing could be a great help for those who need it. With a bright future ahead for outsourcing, it is important one understands it from all angles. But like everything else, the act of outsourcing comes with its own set of disadvantages that one must keep in their mind before they jump into this unfamiliar world. These disadvantages could potentially jeopardize one’s work, which may affect their authenticity in the market.
Pros:
Thoroughly understanding the positive impact outsourcing may have on your business will help you decide if it is your cup of tea. Following are three reasons why you should delve deep into the world of outsourcing:
Not an expert? Not a problem:
Being a jack of all trades is an art not everyone knows. Not being one yourself should not interrupt your journey towards progress. While running a business, you may encounter situations that would require a professional’s expertise and skill. You could always hire a skilled professional to cater to the need of the hour and get through the hurdle. It would allow you to do one-time business with the professional rather than employing someone to do it for you.
Low budget hiring:
Outsourcing allows you to find a professional to do the job for you at a comparatively lower price. All businesses wish to cut down on their costs so that they can enjoy greater profits. In such a scenario, it’s only plausible that you hire temporary help for your company. Doing this would bring the work of a skilled professional while you pay a low price for it.
Outsource help from any part of the world:
Many companies believe that outsourcing allows them to seek help from professionals from any part of the world without worrying about their distance. Hiring employees in a specified location may limit the company’s level of expertise, but outsourcing changes all of that. It allows companies to access individuals that are better suited for the job regardless of their location.
Cons:
While outsourcing certainly sounds like a magical genie lamp, there are a few things that one must keep in mind before they start acquiring help from freelancers. Given below are 3 points to help you uncover the uglier side of things:
Scammers are everywhere:
Scammers are now residents in the world of outsourcing. While it may look like an easy way out, outsourcing could potentially be a fraudulent scheme set up by someone out there. Scammers make empty promises, and they are never to be heard from again after receiving the payment. To avoid this, make sure you don’t send the payment to the freelancer before accepting the work.
Quality concerns:
The chances are that “professionals” may not be as skilled as they conveniently pretend to be. There is a massive trend in the outsourcing industry for individuals to miscommunicate their experience in a particular field that would inevitably raise the expectations of the outsourcer. You should set terms and conditions regarding the quality of the work upfront to avoid any inconvenience later.
Limited control:
Once you have acquired the aid of an external source, you somehow lose your command over the task. Trusting someone with your work is like handing over the baton. It happens because you cannot have the same amount of control over an external source as you may have over an employee.
Outsourcing is a wonderful idea for those who require help on a limited budget. The market is swarming with freelancers who are willing to work for you. But before you start outsourcing, make sure you go about the act tactfully to avoid any issues later. Be upfront, set terms and conditions, and share your expectations before you assign the task. Happy outsourcing!About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
A business is not legally allowed to run without a proper license issued by the governing authorities to vouch for the company’s authenticity. Business owners are often meticulous about getting one due to the confusing divisions in the jurisdictions. This confusion leads them to not get their business license in time, which causes problems for later.
A business owner should research getting a business license while they prepare their business plan. A business license would not only put things into perspective legally but would also authenticate your business plan.
A business license is necessary for all kinds of businesses under the sun. The governing authorities set general guidelines, while the specifications differ according to the local, state, and federal jurisdictions.
The purpose of this article is to help you understand this confusing topic and aims to assist you in acquiring your first business license.
What is a Business License?
A business license is a letter of certification that deems your business safe for society to indulge in. each company has a different right required to run the business – be it home-based or store-based. Each business owner must research the business license requirements needed according to the product or service they are dealing with.
Additional documentation is required to cater to the need for a license. These can only be specified through thorough research and inquiry.
Do You Need a Business License?
Each government ensures to state a set of codes that all business owners must abide by if they want to see their business stay afloat. Depending on the type of business being conducted, different licenses are available. For example, if you are selling some merchandise, then you would not require a permit. If the company is on a very (read as very, very) small-scale, you may not need to acquire a license.
On the other hand, if you have an extensive business, for example, a restaurant, you will have to follow a code of ethics that you would only have if you have the legal certification. All extensive businesses without a business license are considered illegal and can be shut down per government orders.
Some businesses require a license, while others do not depend on the level of risk they pose to society. Selling some merchandise will not be a huge problem, but the lack of quality food items would be huge. So, if your business may pose a threat to society if not authorized by the government, you should start looking into getting that business license.
Why Should You Get a License?
A license is your gateway to the smooth and effective functioning of your business in society.
A business license ensures that the business being run is safe for the people that may become customers of the company in the future. Food businesses must be clean and transparent regarding food quality, whereas healthcare workers should be professional in their service with proper certifications.
There are authorities to ensure the quality of the product or service your business is providing. After testing, these authorities can deem a business fit to be available to the people of the society. It allows the business owner to acquire a license for their business.
How to Get a License?
Getting a license is the easiest part. The tricky part, though, is the planning and effort to determine the permissions your business requires.
It would be best if you began by reaching out to the mayor’s office. You would get a clear direction from the point forward to help you in contacting the concerned authorities. Several organizations such as FDA and FAA have programs set in place to assist you in getting a license.
Now that you are at the end of the article, we hope you have gathered ample information regarding business licenses.
If you are ready to set up a venture, make sure to investigate the guidelines set by the governing authorities to understand whether you would need a license.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
What is the zero-debt certificate, and at what moment will they ask us? This document certifies that you no longer have mortgage debt with the bank. It is usually used when we have just paid a mortgage, requiring the certificate to proceed to the cancellation in the registry.
The dreamed moment, the daydreamed. The last payment arrives, the previous installment of the mortgage. At last, we took away that huge slab we have had for years or, instead, for decades. Finally, we cut that 30 or 40-year relationship with the bank. Finally, housing is ours and only ours. You already have zero debt; there are reasons to offer, right? You are right. But your prescribed debt is not the end, and there will still be a few steps before you take out the bottles to celebrate it.
What is the zero-debt certificate, and why do you use it?
The document stores the loan payment duration, fixed rate of interest, and the principal amount. Experts consider debt certificates as the safest investment than stocks and shares. No matter, who issues this certificate company, national government, or others, one can use it as per the duration before maturity.
When canceling a mortgage, the consumer must have a zero-debt certificate to save all the paperwork involving this management through a bank or a financial adviser. These procedures can exceed 200 euros. However, many choose to do all these efforts themselves and thus save that amount.
Many people want to cancel their mortgage from the registry when they manage to amortize it completely. Many of these people have come complaining about a standard banking practice: the bank intends to charge them for issuing the debt certificate. When going to the bank, it tells them that if you want to have this document, you must pay a commission, which in many cases can reach 120 euros. However, it is usually around 90 or 100 euros.
And not only that. Lenders put all kinds of obstacles. They tighten the rope alluding to the fact that they are complicated procedures. Insist the client that trying to convince him by all means, telling him that he will be charged for the declaration before a notary for the final extinction of the mortgage. It is an abusive commission. No bank is entitled to collect the debt certificate.
Is it mandatory to cancel the registration mortgage?
This question is important because many people do not know about it and, once their payment obligations are over, they relax and do not care. It’s not mandatory, and it’s practically a legal question. It should be done to save paperwork in the future if, for example, you want to make a transfer of a house or a farm or if you request another mortgage again.
Where can you get that certificate?
If you need a certificate that proves that you have zero debts, you must first go to the bank where you contracted the mortgage.
Once there, you must explain your situation and request the bank debt certificate. Once you have the zero debt document, you should go to a notary with it. After this, the bank representative must go to the office to declare extinction of the credit.
In this case, we emphasize again, and the bank must be obliged to make these arrangements. It would be billing a euro to its customers. It can happen when the Bank of the US itself has said that no entity is entitled to collect any amount for this type of procedure.
So that the bank can carry out the cancellation procedures of the mortgage registration, it is the client who has to give his consent. Consent must be prior and must be recorded utilizing their signature, including the permission to the bank to make the arrangements for them. But also the fact that the commissions are owed for that concept. But in those commissions, the issuance of the zero debt certificate can never be included.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
