When an asset generates some income or revenue, it is considered a Performing Asset (PA). When that asset stops generating income, it is considered a Non- Performing Assets (NPA).
A Non-Performing Asset is a loan asset that stops generating any income, either in fee commission, interest, or other costs. There is always a debate amongst economists that an ideally working financial process allows smooth regulation of investments and savings, leading to economic growth.
What is a balanced financial system?
A well-maintained financial system helps to accomplish a well-organized distribution of resources over time by eliminating the inadequacies taking place due to other market resistances and socio-economic factors. In a well-operating financial system, managing Non-Performing Assets is a crucial part. Non-Performing Assets, after a certain point, are a cause of concern for every firm, as they affect the smooth flow of credit. Credit is the most important aspect for any business as it helps in the growth of the company.
In the highly competitive banking world, daily customer service progress is the most helpful instrument for better growth.
Categories of Non-Performing Assets
On knowing which assets are Non-Performing Assets, the banks should divide them into three categories depending on the period they stayed non-performing:
Substandard Asset
Doubtful Asset
Loss Assets
Substandard Assets
A substandard asset is the one that has stayed Non-Performing Asset from less than or equal to 12 months. In this case, the security charge’s present value is not enough to guarantee full due recovery to the bank. In simple words, this type of asset will include the asset’s highly defined weaknesses, which threatens the debt’s liquidity. Furthermore, such assets are ranked according to the loss they will incur to the bank if the insufficiencies aren’t corrected.
Doubtful asset
Doubtful assets are the ones that have been in the substandard category for full 12 months. A loan becomes doubtful when it inherits all the qualities defined in substandard assets along with traits of lacking liquidity. Based on present known conditions, facts, and values, such assets get highly questionable.
Loss asset
Loss assets are the ones where internal or external auditors or banks notice a loss, but that amount is not stated completely. In simple words, an asset is thought unredeemable and of such little importance that it is not included as a bank’s asset. In such assets, the guarantee of getting back the value is so little that even with having a bit of hope of recovery, the banks don’t consider paying attention to them.
Why do Non-Performing Assets occur?
The reason behind the occurrence of Non-Performing Assets is bad loans. Generally, it is the failure to complete the financial commitments, state it as a non-ability to pay the loan. Such loans can come due to the given reasons:
General banking procedures, including bad lending systems
Overhang components usually occur due to natural disasters, environmental issues, diseases, business cycles, etc.
A banking crisis that recently occurred in Japan, South Asia, and the USA
Incremental components caused due to internal bank management, including terms of credit, credit policy, etc.
Non-Performing Assets are not restricted to bad impressions on account books only, but they have a massive effect on the national economy. Here are some of the impacts of Non-Performing Assets:
For the compensation of the Non-Performing Assets losses, banks increase interest rates on some of their products and services
Loss of uninsured deposits happen, thus the depositors don’t enjoy the complete returns
Bank shareholders get affected badly
Funds are redirected from good to bad projects that result in bad investments, which adversely impact the economy
No or low repayment of loan and interest lead to liquidity problems
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
Before the COVID-19 crisis began, the United States enjoyed the longest period of economic growth in its history, with an annual growth rate of 2.3% in 2019. This growth was reflected in low unemployment and inflation rates and the solidity of trust.
The arrival of COVID-19 has had a strong impact on the nation, although it has not affected businesses for every city or state. New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut account for almost half of the nation’s deaths. In general, the number of infections and hospitalizations is decreasing, but new hotspots are emerging daily or weekly.
Most states have already defined guidelines to follow for the reopening of the economy. The guidelines vary from a careful de-escalation in phases to a total return to normal. It is important to note that the United States is highly decentralized and has four government levels: federal, state, county, and city council. Because of this government breakdown, it is not surprising to see that two neighboring cities have different rules.
New York and New Jersey have been hit hard with the effects of COVID-19, and there are significant delays for all transportation. In other areas, such as the city of Houston (the largest port in the US), it seems that all transportation is operating as normally as possible. These variants are directly due to how the government in those cities and states are handling the issues created by COVID-19.
Government aid
The government has taken measures at three levels: for individuals, SMEs, and large companies. Government aid has been coming from the federal level when it has come. Further aid is expected going forward. However, this aid’s amount and availability are hotly debated by the federal government and slow to roll out to those who need it.
For individuals
The federal government has already distributed financial aid to each person making under a certain amount; for example, $3,400 for a family with two children. It also has extended unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks and adds another $600 per week to state benefits, which in many cases are scarce. The second wave of checks has gone out along with an extension of unemployment benefits. There are more funds expected within a few months.
For SMEs
Businesses with fewer than 500 employees are eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a loan designed to pay wages for two months. If the money received is used for that purpose, the loan is forgiven, and it will not need to be repaid. This program has generated a lot of controversies because it has become known that large companies have applied for loans and have been granted them even though many large companies have easily survived.
For large companies
The federal government grants billions of dollars of bailouts to selected industries to keep jobs and avoid bankruptcies: airlines, hospitals (which are private in the US), the automotive and aerospace sectors, tourism, etc.
All of these grants are for US companies, regardless of whether they are part of a foreign entity or not. Also, there are additional local measures and aid for all American companies in each state and even in large cities.
Economic forecasts
It is still early to understand all the implications of COVID-19 at the macroeconomic level. GDP will decline, the record economic growth the United States has enjoyed in recent years is over, and unemployment has exploded. Before the virus, the United States’ unemployment rate was 3.5%, the lowest in 50 years.
However, it is important to note that most of the lost jobs are in the service industries such as restaurants, hotels, shops, etc. As the economy slowly reopens, these jobs are expected to return. When? No one knows, but the US has often shown its ability to bounce back quickly.
Business Opportunities in the United States
The United States will continue to be a very large and stable market for companies around the world. We do not expect this to change. As we adapt to the challenges posed by COVID-19, new ideas and new solutions are needed in the way we interact, shop, eat and travel, so business opportunities in the United States are in these sectors. The medical/health sector must also adapt, and new technologies in telemedicine, for example, are very interesting.
We will likely see the effects of Covid-19 for years to come in the way we work and go to school. Will people who can work from home prefer to continue like this instead of going to a crowded office and wasting time in traffic? Will children continue to go to traditional schools, or will we see the emergence of a new system that is more flexible? It will be interesting to follow these trends in the coming months and years to identify business opportunities.
Doing Business
The way we are doing business has already changed completely. Since we cannot meet in person, businesses have successfully used technology to continue to conduct business remotely. This will continue for the foreseeable future. Of course, this is not possible in all situations, so travel and personal meetings will eventually resume. We are used to working remotely in the US and will likely carry this way of doing business for years to come.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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 mortgage allows a creditor, who is not paid within the agreed time, to obtain the building’s seizure. It subsists in full on all the buildings affected by it, on each portion of these buildings and their improvements, until the debt’s full repayment.
What is the best mortgage for me? Financial opportunities play an important role and the willingness to manage possible changes in expected interest rates. Often, the combination of different types of mortgages is the best solution.
Types of Mortgage
Valid for all three types of mortgage
In all types of mortgages, the interest rate level depends on the size of the credit and its duration, the rate of the market, and the credit health of the debtor. In general, the debtor should opt for a combination of the three types of mortgages. In this case, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a specialist.
Fixed mortgage
The most popular variant is the fixed mortgage. In this type of mortgage, the rates and maturities are fixed at the time of the contract’s finalization and remain unchanged for a period ranging from one to 15 years.
For people who wish to predict their budget accurately without having to deal with fluctuations in interest rates, the best solution is a fixed mortgage. However, a fixed rate can also become a disadvantage: even if the interest plummets, one remains bound to the fixed interest rate.
The variable mortgage
Variable mortgages have no fixed maturity. Most of the time, they can be terminated within three or six months. The interest rate varies in relation to the general interest level, which makes the variable mortgage rather attractive when the interest drops and is freely adapted by the bank. However, banks are reluctant to pass on the benefits of falling interest rates.
A variable mortgage can also be a transitional solution for a homeowner, who may require short-term financing because he wishes to sell the property soon and needs the flexibility.
The money market or LIBOR mortgage
The money market mortgage exists for a fixed term of three to 12 months. The interest rates of these types of mortgages are subject to strong fluctuations. Against the excessive oscillations upward, it is possible to protect oneself via an upper limit of interest (cap); however, this has the disadvantage of not being free. It is also possible to define a minimum interest, which makes the mortgage cheaper. If you rely on lower rates but can manage any fluctuations, you should opt for the money market mortgage.
The legal effects of mortgages
Unless the sale of the mortgaged property continues in accordance with the terms of the civil enforcement laws by which the mortgage agreement may not derogate, the unpaid mortgage creditor may: claim that the immovable remains in payment to him, unless the immovable constitutes the principal residence of the debtor. In this case, the buyer may enter into a mortgage agreement in which he will become the mortgaged property owner unless the property is the principal residence of the debtor.
In these two cases, the building must be estimated by an expert who is appointed amicably or judicially. If its value exceeds the amount of the secured debt, the creditor will owe the debtor an amount equal to the difference. If there are other mortgage creditors, he must then record it. The mortgage follows the property in the hands of which it passes, to be paid according to their claims or registrations’ order.
If the third-party holder does not fulfill the formalities established to purge his property, by the effect of registration alone as the holder, all the mortgage debts remain, and the owner enjoys the terms and deadlines originally granted to the debtor. In the same case, the third-party holder is obliged to pay all the interest and capital payable or abandon the mortgaged property without any reserve.
If the third-party holder fails to comply with one of these obligations, each creditor who holds a resale right in the immovable has the right to the seizure and sale of the immovable under the conditions legally provided for that purpose.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
Before the age of social networking and recruitment agencies, it was commonplace to secure a job right out of college and remain there for the rest of your career. People valued this security and were reluctant to switch their jobs or fields. Many professionals have vibrant careers in multiple workplaces in modern-day business and prefer to switch their jobs after two or three years.
Today, many frequently changing jobs is considered ideal by many because having work experience at multiple companies cultivates more work exposure. It is also thought that this allows for developing a more diverse skillset by experiencing different work environments and ethics.
Additionally, professionals are becoming more conscious of their career choices these days and take care to conduct solid research before deciding on a career path. No one wishes to be forced into a career path that they are not fulfilled in. To avoid this, people begin contemplating their dream job at a very early age. Due to the ever-increasing competition, an individual entering the professional field must be proactive with their approach when looking for exciting new job opportunities.
Here are a few effective strategies that can help you quickly find your dream job and continue cultivating your career path.
Referrals
Many employers reward their existing employees with handsome incentives if they refer a quality hire to their company. Referrals are one of the best sources to provide people with relevant jobs. In fact, it is common among organizations to have internal employees advise their friends or relatives for a position at their office. However, great care should be taken to ensure that the person they are advising can adequately handle the job’s required duties.
Many employment vacancies are filled, and employers gain talented and competent employees for their offices due to the referral technique. Many potential candidates are connected with suitable jobs that complement their career interests and goals via this referral strategy.
Networking
With the increasingly competitive nature of the current job market, networking has become more important than ever before. Many people get jobs based on their connections and affiliations. Networking is a great way to learn about job vacancies and company culture.
Additionally, it is crucial to stay active on job searching portals by monitoring opportunities that best match your qualifications and goals. Checking these sites regularly will also allow you to stay current on market trends.
Another tip to keep in mind when networking is to give consideration to freelancing or contract/project-based opportunities, as these often lead to full-time opportunities.
Job fairs
Typically, there are two types of job fairs: ones that are focused on a particular industry and others that offer opportunities in a particular field. Job fairs provide an excellent platform for ambitious individuals to become connected with suitable jobs in any industry.
Career websites
Various career websites advertise job opportunities that are geared towards a target audience. These websites are another convenient way for candidates to secure the job of their dreams. Catering to a wide variety of industries and fields, career sites are an efficient way to narrow your search to find a job suitable to your desired career path.
Cold calling
Cold calling provides job opportunities to ambitious candidates. In this method, companies find profiles online and approach the potential hire via call or email to alert them of the vacancy. Cold calling is particularly effective when a company finds a promising and competitive profile.
Company websites
Many candidates consider company websites to be the best way of finding employment opportunities. Typically, organizations provide an online portal where candidates can apply for a vacant position.
There are many quick and effective ways to search and apply for a job. It is crucial to connect the right person to the right job vacancy to decrease turnover rates and improve company culture.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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 find yourself struggling to make ends meet and are stressfully living paycheck to paycheck, it might be time to consider a new profession. When accepting a new position, consider these questions and learn how you can enjoy the advantages of having a stable job, experience financial freedom, and live life to the fullest.
Preparing for a stable job
Most people spend years in school and work hard to pursue a solid education. Understandably, they have a positive return on years and years of stressful studying. When moving to advanced education such as college or trade school, make sure you are researching the job market and the future of the career you are working towards. There are plenty of online resources and advisors who can help estimate certain jobs’ profitability in the future.
Does my salary align with my budget?
One of the first and most obvious ways to achieve financial freedom is to find a job so that you have a source of income. A stable job means a stable income. Before accepting the position, make sure that your take-home pay will be in line with your budget. Create a budget and look at your living expenses such as rent, mortgage, child care, electricity, phone, and groceries. Determine if your salary will cover these basic needs from day to day. Make sure to leave room for savings in case of emergency and leisure activities. Having a budget and allowing room for unforeseen expenses means you can have less stress and more fun.
Does my job provide benefits and professional growth?
Ensuring your job has good benefits and room for advancement can also ensure your chances for success. A stable company will always offer their valued employees benefits in return for their services. This may be in the form of compensation, such as a percentage of the company’s profits, a pay increase, or can include other things like medical insurance and vacation time. Your advanced skills, reliability, and enthusiasm should always be rewarded.
A major benefit that a stable company will provide its employees is paid time off and job security. Is your company lenient, and is your boss understanding of days you may need to take off for being sick? And even better, are you still going to be compensated? Make sure to consider this when negotiating benefits.
Invest in your future
Being able to set aside money for the future is important and helpful to provide for your family and your children. Some jobs will contribute to an employee’s retirement fund or match a 401K. There are many ways to invest a percentage of your income into stocks or financial opportunities to create wealth. Short-term and long-term investment opportunities are available with calculated risks and a guarantee to create more income for yourself. Having enough disposable income to invest instead of living paycheck to paycheck is a good indicator that you have a stable job.
Is the stress worth it?
An unstable job is very stressful. Several studies show that financial strain can result in increased anxiety and depression at home and in the workplace. Typically those who are unhappy at work are less productive and less reliable because they are constantly worrying. So many people today are forced to work too many hours.
This combination can lead to overall health issues and ultimately lead to more expensive doctor bills.
A stable job allows you to balance work with your home life. Being satisfied with your purpose and time away from home is another great advantage of job stability. It will allow you to enjoy financial freedom, have memorable experiences with friends and family and live life to the fullest!
Bottom Line
Work Hard! Play Hard! Worry Less and Enjoy Success!
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
Businesses require constant effort to run smoothly. Whether they are regular advancements or new marketing strategies, entrepreneurs have to keep tuning their business strategies to stay competitive and save themselves from losses during a crisis.
Nonetheless, as the world recently witnessed a global pandemic, all business owners were met with challenges. There have been constant changes and some losses as the businesses are forced to reorganize at an accelerated pace. The outbreak of the COVID19 has served as a time of reflection for business owners to sit back, observe, and figure out how to adapt to the changes.
Spontaneity is effective, yes. But when going through challenging times like these, business owners need to align the with strategies to serve clients and save the business from completely shutting down. Now that we can see that you can go from stability to tragedy in the blink of an eye, it is best to have strategies to handle both the good times and the bad. Here are seven strategies for doing business during times of crisis.
Show Compassion and Authenticity
When it comes to running a business, most business owners are more focused on their marketing, increased profits, and strategies to follow in the future. Now, who doesn’t want to boost revenues in their business? Everybody does. Putting your soul into your businesses and keeping clients first and profits second is a strategy that you should be implemented, whether in a crisis or business as usual.
Build A Crisis Plan with Your Team
It is always ideal to create guidelines for your business and incorporate them into a manual to help in operations. When a crisis strikes, it is always better to have things on your checklist that need to be addressed. When in business, teamwork is essential. Therefore, making a crisis plan with your team will aid in thinking clearly in case of emergency.
Allow Flexibility
When a business undergoes a disaster, a little flexibility is required to emerge from the ground. In most cases, crisis-driven reorganizations fail to deliver as planned. Companies that allow a certain amount of flexibility to recover the losses and get back on track get back up much faster than those who are stubborn about their checklist. It is always better to reason.
Hold Tight to Your Integrity
Newsjacking is one of the most common practices adopted by businesses these days. During Covid19, many clothing brands were seen taking advantage of the global lockdown, offering “lockdown sales.” Taking advantage of a disaster that has managed to take lives or completely turn the lives of individuals upside down is straight unethical. Unless there are real-time and relevant products or services for your business, newsjacking should never be a marketing tactic for your business.
Be Adaptable
In an entrepreneurship field, the first and foremost tip to remember is adapting to changing environments. Circumstances don’t always remain the same. Therefore, it is essential to be prepared to adapt to situations you earlier used to think of as “impossible.” Especially in times of crisis, adapting to challenging conditions will help you mentally as well as in terms of business incentives.
A Positive Feedback Loop
Crisis-driven reorganizations are more likely to be successful due to their formal mechanisms for feedback. Staff surveys and regular formal reviews are a few of the many beneficial channels that could be adopted. Without transparent processes for rising issues, it is tough for businesses to get back up on their own feet.
Take A Break from Pre-Scheduled Online Interventions
Automated emails for promotions, tweets, blogs, and article updates, and Facebook posts are some of the most used online activities utilized by businesses for their marketing purposes. It is always best to press the pause button during tragic times, take a break, and let people breathe for a while. In case you intervene during a crisis, it will not just be ethically incorrect but will also give a wrong impression for your company.
Living in a difficult time like this, nobody can ever claim when things will get better. As the pandemic completes its first year, it is safe to say that the power of a global crisis is immeasurable. As a result, the best way to run a business is always to remember the above-stated seven strategies that could help you minimalize the losses during crisis times.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
Essential Modern Bookkeeping Guide: Simplify Your Finances
A modern bookkeeping guide provides the framework to automate, organize, and future-proof your business’s finances with smart tools, real-time reporting, and compliance-first practices. This approach delivers accurate records, healthy cash flow, and sustainable growth through proven technology and strategic processes that eliminate manual errors and save countless hours each month.
I’ve spent over 20 years as CEO of Complete Controller working with businesses across every industry imaginable—from tech startups to family restaurants to professional service firms. One statistic that still surprises me: 42% of small business owners start their companies with limited or no financial literacy. That gap creates real pain when tax deadlines hit or cash flow tightens unexpectedly. This guide bridges that knowledge gap with practical strategies I’ve refined through thousands of client success stories, showing you exactly how to leverage cloud technology, automation, and smart outsourcing decisions to transform bookkeeping from a dreaded chore into a competitive advantage.
What is a modern bookkeeping guide and how do you simplify your finances?
A modern bookkeeping guide is a practical roadmap that combines automation, cloud tools, and current best practices to deliver clear, accurate, and actionable business finances.
It helps set up the right tools, define your bookkeeping method (cash vs. accrual), and automates routine tasks for time savings and reliability.
The guide maintains proper separation of business and personal finances while creating key reports that drive smart decisions.
It supports proactive planning through forecasting and cash flow management to prevent common pitfalls.
Modern approaches leverage tech and expertise to reduce errors and boost confidence, whether you handle bookkeeping yourself or outsource to professionals.
Why Modern Bookkeeping Matters More Than Ever
Bookkeeping technology has transformed dramatically in recent years. Where business owners once spent weekends hunched over paper ledgers, today’s digital bookkeeping systems handle transactions automatically while you sleep. This shift matters because accurate, real-time financial data drives every major business decision—from hiring your next employee to securing that crucial business loan.
The numbers tell the story clearly. Sixty percent of business data now lives in the cloud, with 96% of companies using public cloud services. This massive adoption happened for good reason. Cloud-based bookkeeping delivers instant access to your numbers from anywhere, automatic backups that protect against data loss, and seamless collaboration with your accountant or financial advisor. Traditional desktop software simply can’t compete with these advantages.
Modern bookkeeping also fuels business growth in ways manual systems never could. Real-time data means you spot cash flow issues before they become crises. Automated reporting shows exactly which products or services generate the most profit. Integration with payment processors and banking platforms eliminates hours of manual data entry each week. When SeatGeek implemented automated bookkeeping, they compressed their monthly closing process from 22 hours down to just 2-3 hours—a transformation that freed their finance team to focus on strategic planning instead of paperwork.
Getting Started: Building Your Modern Bookkeeping Foundation
Your first major decision shapes everything that follows: choosing between cash and accrual bookkeeping methods. Cash accounting records income when you receive payment and expenses when you pay bills—simple and straightforward for most small businesses. Accrual accounting records transactions when they occur, regardless of payment timing—providing a clearer picture of financial health but requiring more complex tracking. The IRS guidelines help determine which method works best for your business structure and revenue level.
Setting up your bookkeeping system requires several essential steps:
Open a dedicated business bank account to maintain clear separation from personal finances
Create a chart of accounts that categorizes every type of income and expense
Establish a routine for recording transactions weekly or daily, not monthly
Implement a filing system for receipts and invoices, whether digital or physical
Choose accounting software that fits your business size and complexity
Small businesses typically invest $15-$100 monthly in accounting software, with options ranging from basic invoice tracking to comprehensive financial management platforms. Popular choices include QuickBooks (which commands 62.23% market share), Xero, FreshBooks, and Wave. Each platform offers different strengths—some excel at inventory management, others at project tracking or payroll integration.
Smart Automation: How Technology Streamlines Your Finances
Bookkeeping automation transforms tedious manual tasks into effortless background processes. Modern AI-powered tools categorize expenses, match bank transactions, and flag unusual activity automatically. This technology already serves 56% of small business owners, with another 33% planning adoption within two years. By 2026, Gartner predicts 90% of finance teams will use at least one AI solution.
Automation delivers several key benefits:
Bank feeds sync transactions automatically, eliminating manual entry
Receipt scanning apps capture and categorize expenses from your phone
Recurring invoices generate and send themselves on schedule
Anomaly detection alerts you to unusual patterns or potential errors
Modern Bookkeeping Guide: Best Practices Every Business Owner Should Know
Maintaining separation between business and personal finances stands as the most critical bookkeeping practice. Mixed accounts create tax nightmares, audit risks, and clouded financial visibility. The FTC’s data protection guidelines emphasize this separation for both financial clarity and legal protection.
Monthly reconciliation catches errors before they compound. Schedule a specific day each month to match bank statements against your bookkeeping records. This process reveals duplicate entries, missing transactions, and bank errors that automated systems might miss. Modern software streamlines reconciliation but still requires human oversight to catch context-specific issues.
Digital document management protects against audits and saves physical storage space. Cloud storage maintains accessibility while automatic backups prevent data loss. The SBA recommends keeping financial records for at least three years, though some documents require longer retention periods.
Consistency in bookkeeping routines prevents small issues from becoming major problems:
Review financial reports monthly to track trends and variances
Set aside tax funds with each deposit, not just quarterly
Update your chart of accounts as your business evolves
Back up data regularly, even with cloud systems
Train any team members who handle financial tasks
Choosing the Right Support: DIY, Hiring, or Outsourcing?
The decision between handling bookkeeping yourself versus professional help depends on complexity, available time, and growth stage. DIY bookkeeping works well for solopreneurs and simple service businesses with straightforward transactions. Once you add inventory, multiple revenue streams, or employees, professional support often pays for itself through accuracy and time savings.
Consider these factors when evaluating bookkeeping solutions:
DIY Approach ($15-$100/month for software):
Works for simple businesses with under 50 transactions monthly
Requires 5-10 hours monthly for maintenance and reporting
Provides full control but demands continuous learning
In-House Bookkeeper ($48,000-$62,000 annually):
Offers dedicated support and institutional knowledge
Handles complex transactions and daily financial tasks
Requires benefits, training, and management overhead
Outsourced Bookkeeping ($250-$2,500 monthly):
Delivers 40-60% cost savings versus in-house hiring
Provides scalable expertise without employment obligations
Includes built-in backup coverage and updated knowledge
Unlocking Growth: Insights, Forecasting, and Real-World Experience
Modern bookkeeping transcends basic compliance to become a strategic growth tool. Real-time financial data reveals which customers generate the most profit, which services drain resources, and where cash flow bottlenecks hide. This visibility enables proactive decisions instead of reactive scrambling.
Financial forecasting transforms historical data into future planning. Even basic projections help anticipate seasonal fluctuations, plan for major purchases, and identify growth opportunities. Modern software makes forecasting accessible without advanced accounting knowledge—automated tools analyze trends and generate projections based on your actual business patterns.
I’ve watched countless businesses transform through better bookkeeping. One client discovered they were losing money on their supposedly profitable flagship service—the true costs were hidden across multiple expense categories. After implementing proper cost tracking and automated reporting, they adjusted pricing and doubled their profit margin within six months. Another client used cash flow forecasting to time a major equipment purchase perfectly, avoiding costly financing charges. These aren’t exceptional cases—they’re natural results of having clear, current financial information.
Conclusion: Your Next Steps to Simple, Stress-Free Bookkeeping
Modern bookkeeping combines smart technology with proven practices to deliver financial clarity and confidence. Start small—pick one area from this guide to implement today. Perhaps you’ll automate bank feeds, schedule your first monthly financial review, or research outsourcing options. Each step builds momentum toward a streamlined financial system that supports rather than hinders your business growth.
When you’re ready for expert guidance tailored to your specific business needs, visit Complete Controller for trusted support and custom solutions. Our team brings decades of experience helping businesses transform their bookkeeping from a source of stress into a strategic advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Modern Bookkeeping Guide
What exactly does a modern bookkeeping guide include for small businesses?
A comprehensive modern bookkeeping guide covers cloud-based software selection, automation setup, proper categorization methods, reconciliation procedures, tax preparation strategies, and financial reporting best practices designed specifically for today’s digital business environment.
How much time does modern bookkeeping actually save compared to traditional methods?
Businesses typically save 10-20 hours monthly through automation and cloud tools. Companies like SeatGeek reduced their closing process from 22 hours to 2-3 hours, while most small businesses cut bookkeeping time by at least 50% after implementing modern systems.
What’s the real cost difference between DIY bookkeeping and hiring help?
DIY costs $15-$100 monthly for software plus 5-10 hours of your time. Outsourced bookkeeping runs $250-$2,500 monthly but saves 40-60% versus hiring in-house staff at $48,000-$62,000 annually, while providing expert knowledge and scalability.
Can modern bookkeeping tools really prevent IRS problems and penalties?
Yes, automated systems reduce human error, maintain proper documentation, and generate audit trails automatically. They also send deadline reminders and flag potential compliance issues before they become costly penalties or trigger audits.
When should a small business upgrade from spreadsheets to professional bookkeeping software?
Upgrade when you have regular monthly transactions, multiple income sources, any employees, inventory to track, or need real-time financial reports. Most businesses benefit from professional software once they exceed $10,000 in monthly revenue or 30 transactions.
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.
Social networks are constantly evolving, all the more so since COVID-19. Their goal is to keep their place among the most popular channels of modern marketing. They are, therefore, far from being static. What worked a few months ago may not give the same results today. Habits change, platforms evolve. New ones are created. With Covid-19, all of these dynamics were accentuated.
All of this influences the way people use and respond to social media marketing. Marketers must, therefore, adapt their strategy to reach their audiences. According to statistics from eMarketer, the number of social media users worldwide exceeded 3 billion in 2020.
80% of internet users are on social networks. These social platforms are an integral part of consumers’ daily lives. To be effective, it is strongly advised that marketers regularly update their social media marketing strategy.
The growing popularity of Instagram stories
Instagram has grown enormously in recent years. It is a network that continues to broaden its horizons and to introduce innovations that are a hit. Stories are a global trend, regardless of age or culture. Over 400 million Instagram users share stories every day.
Story growth occurs both with consumers and businesses. Marketers use this tool to generate leads and generate interest through inbound marketing and influencer marketing. According to Hootsuite’s survey of social trends, 64% of marketers have already started to integrate Instagram stories into their social media content or plan to do so after Covid-19.
But why are stories so popular?
They offer real-time updates and content.
They are always up to date since their content is available for 24 hours. No obsolescence.
They help to create innovative and fun messages.
They allow sharing the publications of other users. It’s easy to connect to other accounts, other companies. This offers increased visibility for marketers.
With Instagram’s new business features, including “Instagram Insights” and “Stories About You,” you can expect to see more Stories in the future. Instagram Insights is a new analysis tool available for each Instagram commercial account. It provides data on content, subscriber demographics, and engagement. This information allows you to track and measure your Instagram marketing efforts to help you improve constantly.
Stories About You is also a new feature that is only available to Instagram users with a business account or a creator account. With this feature, users are notified whenever they are mentioned in “a Story.” Stories About You strengthen user engagement by making it easier to respond and share Instagram stories that mention your account.
The rise of alternative platforms
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn are the leading platforms used by B2C brands. LinkedIn is also vital for B2B companies. However, Twitter and Facebook are less and less attractive to young people who prefer other social platforms, including TikTok. TikTok has around 800 million monthly activeusersworldwide. It has been downloaded over 2 billion times.
Marketers and business leaders whose target audiences are mainly young people should consider TikTok as a winning platform. Since 41% of TikTok users are between 16 and 24 years old.
Another platform that is on the rise: Pinterest. Especially for e-commerce via social networks. Pinterest currently has over 320 million active users. Although this figure is not as high as that of other social networks, it remains substantial, especially when you consider the exceptional sales power of Pinterest.
With 48%, shopping is one of Pinterest users’ main activities, ranking just after viewing photos (57%). It is, therefore, evident that Pinterest can be a marketing power for online stores. Users buy the products they discover on Pinterest organically at a much higher rate than the average social platforms. This is because Pinterest users proactively search for things to buy rather than scroll through a feed reactively.
Using these alternative platforms allows you to get in touch with an audience that may not be on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. They also offer different ways to share your content.
Additional tools that are worth considering in your social media marketing strategy.
Increased adoption of augmented reality
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality are interactive experiences that integrate virtual objects into the real world or imagined. For example, the user can superimpose sounds, videos, or graphics on the world around him. Studies say that by 2022, this market is expected to reach $ 209.2 billion.
This technology is progressively evolving, with an increased application for e-commerce and sales. With an augmented reality headset, it is now possible to visit your next home and choose your parquet. In recent years, social media platforms have found exciting ways to use this technology.
Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok use augmented reality through their filters. Users can have fun. Brands can take advantage of augmented reality to provide a better shopping experience for their customers. For example, Sephora offers a unique shopping experience through its Sephora Virtual Artist application. Just upload a photo of the face to the application to test several makeup products before going to the checkout. The cosmetic brand recently launched this technology on Facebook.
Influencer marketing soars
Influencer marketing is not a new trend, but it will grow even faster in the future. Social networks are now dominated by influencers who promote brands. It is, in fact, sometimes much cheaper to invest in an influencer than to run an advertising campaign. With just as much, see more, good results.
Influencers also help marketers to achieve various goals. Like increasing engagement, lead generation, number of followers, and of course, return on 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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
Empowering Your Children: Parents as Financial Consultants
Parents as financial consultants represent a transformative approach where mothers and fathers develop professional-level expertise to provide comprehensive, ongoing financial guidance to their children throughout their developmental years and into adulthood. This consulting relationship goes beyond basic money lessons to encompass strategic financial planning, investment guidance, and wealth-building mentorship that rivals traditional advisory services.
As someone who has spent over two decades helping businesses navigate complex financial landscapes through Complete Controller, I’ve witnessed firsthand how early financial education shapes lifelong success patterns. When parents embrace their role as financial consultants, they create a foundation that no external advisor can match—one built on trust, intimate knowledge of family values, and unconditional commitment to their children’s long-term prosperity. This article reveals how to develop consultant-level expertise, implement age-appropriate wealth strategies, and build decision-making confidence that transforms your children’s financial future.
What does it mean for parents to serve as financial consultants?
Parents as financial consultants develop structured expertise to provide professional-level financial guidance, investment advice, and wealth planning for their children from early childhood through adulthood
They create systematic approaches combining emotional support with technical and financial knowledge, offering personalized strategies that external advisors cannot match
This consulting relationship evolves from basic money concepts in early childhood to sophisticated investment strategies and wealth management in teenage and adult years
Parents gain specialized knowledge in areas like tax optimization, retirement planning, estate planning, and risk assessment to serve their children’s comprehensive financial needs
The approach emphasizes building financial confidence and decision-making skills while maintaining the trusted family advisor relationship throughout life transitions
The Foundation: Building Your Expertise as a Family Financial Consultant
Developing competency as a financial consultant for your children requires deliberate skill-building that goes beyond traditional parenting approaches to money. A 2023 study of a school-based financial education program in Peru found that when children received financial education, their parents experienced a 26% decrease in loan default risk, a 5% increase in credit scores, and a 40% increase in responsible debt levels—even though parents weren’t directly taught. This demonstrates the bidirectional nature of financial education between parents and children.
The transformation begins with parents acknowledging that effective financial consulting requires continuous learning and professional development. Unlike casual money conversations, serving as a financial consultant means staying current with investment trends, tax law changes, and financial planning strategies. Parents must develop proficiency in areas typically reserved for professional advisors, including portfolio theory, risk assessment methodologies, and comprehensive financial planning principles. According to investment research firm Nuveen, children who are introduced to their family’s financial advisor early in life have an 80% retention rate of continuing to work with that advisor as adults, compared to only 46% retention for those introduced as young adults or older.
Developing core consulting competencies
Building consultant-level expertise starts with mastering fundamental areas that traditional financial advisors study extensively. Parents need a working knowledge of investment strategies, understanding how different asset classes perform over time, and how to construct age-appropriate portfolios for their children’s goals. This includes familiarity with tax-advantaged accounts, compound interest principles, and risk management strategies that will serve children throughout their financial journeys.
Establishing your financial planning services framework
Creating a systematic approach distinguishes parents acting as consultants from those providing casual financial guidance. This framework should include regular financial check-ins, goal-setting sessions, and progress reviews that mirror professional advisory relationships. Parents can establish quarterly family financial meetings where they review children’s savings progress, discuss upcoming financial goals, and adjust strategies based on changing circumstances or life stages.
Age-Appropriate Consulting Strategies: From Toddlers to Young Adults
Research from Cambridge University reveals that children’s financial habits are largely set by age 7, and once formed, these habits are difficult to change later in life. This makes the early childhood years a critical window for parents to establish their consulting relationship.
For younger children aged three to seven, parents act as financial consultants, focusing on foundational concepts through experiential learning rather than abstract discussions. This involves creating structured opportunities for children to handle physical money, make spending decisions with guidance, and observe the connection between work and earning. The consulting approach at this stage emphasizes building positive associations with financial responsibility while introducing basic concepts that will support more complex learning later.
Budgeting and savings tips for elementary years
As children enter elementary school years, parents can introduce more structured budgeting and savings tips that mirror professional financial planning approaches. This includes helping children allocate allowances using the classical framework of save-spend-give categories, but with more sophisticated tracking and goal-setting than typical piggy bank approaches. Parents acting as consultants create visual tracking systems, celebrate milestone achievements, and introduce concepts like opportunity cost through real-world decision-making scenarios.
Personalized investment advice for teenagers
Teenage years represent the crucial transition where parents as financial consultants can provide personalized investment advice that builds genuine wealth-building skills. This involves opening custodial investment accounts, teaching fundamental analysis of stocks or mutual funds, and guiding teenagers through their first investment decisions with real money. The consulting approach includes regular portfolio reviews, discussions of market volatility, and connecting investment performance to long-term financial goals like college funding or first home purchases.
Wealth Management Strategies for Family Financial Success
A massive study of over 700,000 retail investors in Sweden found that investment portfolios managed for children (typically by parents) yielded at least twice the annual returns with lower volatility compared to portfolios managed by adults for themselves. This remarkable finding underscores the effectiveness of parent-guided investing approaches.
Professional wealth management encompasses far more than basic saving and budgeting, requiring parents to develop a sophisticated understanding of asset allocation, tax strategies, and multi-generational wealth transfer. When parents embrace their role as wealth management consultants, they create opportunities to build substantial family wealth while teaching children advanced financial concepts through direct participation rather than theoretical instruction.
The wealth management consulting approach involves parents learning about estate planning strategies, tax optimization techniques, and investment diversification principles that they can implement for family benefit while teaching children about wealth preservation and growth. This includes understanding how different account types work together to minimize tax burdens, maximize investment growth, and create flexibility for major life events and opportunities.
Retirement planning foundations for children
One of the most powerful wealth management strategies parents can implement involves starting retirement planning foundations for their children decades before traditional advisors would typically address this topic. This means opening and funding custodial IRAs for children with earned income, teaching about compound interest through real examples, and demonstrating how early contributions create dramatic wealth accumulation over time. Parents acting as consultants can show children how a few thousand dollars invested in their teenage years can grow into hundreds of thousands by retirement age.
Tax optimization for individuals and families
Advanced parent consultants develop competency in tax optimization for individuals within the family structure, understanding how to coordinate multiple family members’ tax strategies for maximum benefit. This includes knowledge of educational tax credits, dependent exemptions, and income-shifting strategies that can reduce overall family tax burden while funding children’s financial goals. Parents learn to evaluate whether Roth or traditional retirement accounts serve children best based on expected future income and tax scenarios.
Creating Your Family’s Financial Risk Assessment Process
Professional financial consulting requires systematic risk assessment that goes beyond simple safety versus growth discussions. Parents serving as financial consultants must develop frameworks for evaluating and managing various types of financial risks their children will face throughout their lives, from education funding uncertainties to market volatility impacts on long-term savings goals.
The risk assessment process involves teaching children to identify different categories of financial risk, including inflation risk, market risk, career risk, and liquidity risk, while developing strategies to mitigate each type appropriately. This educational approach helps children understand why diversification matters, how insurance fits into financial planning, and when to accept higher risks for potentially greater returns versus when stability should take priority.
Financial risk assessment methodologies
Parents can implement professional-level financial risk assessment methodologies by learning to evaluate risk tolerance through structured questionnaires and discussions, similar to what professional advisors use with clients. This involves understanding how age, income stability, family responsibilities, and personal temperament should influence investment allocation decisions. Parents create family risk assessment profiles that evolve as children mature and their financial situations become more complex.
Consulting for financial literacy development
The consulting approach to financial literacy development involves parents creating comprehensive curricula that address not just basic money management but advanced topics like credit analysis, insurance evaluation, and investment research techniques. This systematic approach to consulting for financial literacy ensures children receive consistent, progressive education that builds upon previous concepts while introducing new complexity at appropriate developmental stages.
Actionable Financial Insights: Building Decision-Making Confidence
At Da Vinci Schools in California, financial literacy teacher Andy Jackson has created a comprehensive program where every graduating senior opens a Roth IRA account when they turn 18, funded with $100 from an anonymous donor. The program has achieved remarkable success—three-quarters of Jackson’s students have opened retirement accounts, and one student, David Ortiz, has already opened two brokerage accounts and invests $400 monthly while running two businesses. David also started a financial investment club with over 30 members to help other students build financial literacy.
The ultimate goal of parents serving as financial consultants is to build children’s confidence in making independent financial decisions through guided experience rather than protective oversight. This requires parents to develop coaching skills that help children analyze financial choices, understand consequences, and build decision-making frameworks they can apply throughout their lives.
Actionable financial insights come from parents creating structured opportunities for children to practice financial decision-making with real consequences but appropriate safety nets. This includes gradually increasing financial responsibilities, from managing weekly allowances to handling monthly budgets to making investment decisions with college savings funds. The consulting approach emphasizes building analytical skills and confidence rather than simply providing correct answers.
Parents as financial consultants focus on developing their children’s independent financial decision-making skills through scaffolded experiences that build confidence over time. This involves teaching children to research investment options, compare financial products, and evaluate trade-offs between different financial choices using structured analytical frameworks. Children learn to consider short-term and long-term implications, risk factors, and opportunity costs when making financial decisions with parental guidance rather than parental control.
Conclusion
Embracing your role as your children’s financial consultant represents one of the most valuable gifts you can provide for their long-term success and security. Through my experience building Complete Controller and working with countless families navigating financial challenges, I’ve seen how early, professional-level financial guidance creates advantages that compound throughout children’s lives, often determining whether they achieve financial independence or struggle with money-related stress and limitations.
The journey from parent to financial consultant requires commitment to continuous learning, systematic approach development, and patience as both you and your children grow into this evolving advisory relationship. However, the investment in developing these consulting skills pays dividends not just in your children’s financial outcomes, but in the strengthened family relationships and shared values that emerge from working together toward common financial goals and mutual prosperity.
Ready to transform your family’s financial future? Discover how Complete Controller’s expertise in financial management and business consulting can support your journey as your family’s financial advisor. Contact our team at Complete Controller for more expert information and personalized guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parents as Financial Consultants
What qualifications do parents need to serve as financial consultants for their children?
Parents don’t need formal financial advisor licenses to guide their children, but should develop solid knowledge of investment basics, tax strategies, and financial planning principles through books, courses, and reputable online resources.
How early should parents begin consulting with their children about finances?
Financial consulting can begin as early as age 3-4 with basic concepts, but the formal consulting relationship typically develops around age 7-8 when children can understand more complex cause-and-effect relationships with money.
Can parents replace professional financial advisors entirely?
While parents provide invaluable personalized guidance, they should collaborate with professional advisors for complex estate planning, tax optimization, and investment strategies that require specialized expertise and regulatory oversight.
What tools do parent financial consultants need to be effective?
Essential tools include budgeting apps or spreadsheets, investment account access for educational purposes, financial planning software or calculators, and structured curricula for age-appropriate financial education.
How do parents balance financial consulting with normal parenting responsibilities?
Effective parent consultants integrate financial guidance into regular family activities rather than creating separate “financial lessons,” making money management a natural part of family decision-making and daily conversations.
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.
Starting a business can be an incredible adventure. You are allowed to share your creativity and passion with the world. It is important to hold on to that passion while creating and operating your business to ensure that you never lose sight of your goals. There are several “do’s and don’ts” to be aware of in the business world to save time and energy while operating at maximum proficiency.
Trying to be cool
Many new businesses put all their focus on image and public relations. While this is important, neglecting to emphasize proper operations and procedures can cause a business to fail quickly. Taking care to provide quality goods and services will do more for your brand’s image than any elaborate marketing campaign.
Boasting more than necessary
Many businesses feel their concept is revolutionary and life-changing. While this may be the case, being boastful can result in a false sense of confidence that may lead to failure. It is important to remain cautious and listen to suggestions while also taking pride in your work. Practice mindfulness and stay humble. There is much to be learned from colleagues who have already succeeded in the business world. Keep in mind; you will encounter failures on your journey. Humility will prevent the harsh crash when these occur.
To become wealthy
While becoming wealthy is attractive to almost everyone, this should never be the sole reason behind starting your business. Also, focusing on getting rich quickly will almost always end in disaster. Instead, strive for a steady inflow of cash to your business and remember that most business owners are unable to take a salary for the first 18 months. By consistently grinding and making thoughtful decisions, you have a greater chance of achieving wealth as a by-product.
Providing employment
While providing stable employment and salaries can be very fulfilling, this opportunity comes with great responsibilities. You must ensure that your staff is competent and well trained. You may also have to fire employees who are not meeting company standards. Creating jobs is great; however, it is important to take great care to ensure all your employees are assets rather than hindrances.
Freedom
The thought of spending most of their time stuck in the 9 to 5 workday, tucked away in a cubicle under those headache-inducing fluorescent lights, can be a nightmare for many people. Many people dream of breaking free from this system and gaining the ability to create their own schedules and work environments. However, while owning your own business may allow you more flexible hours, the effort needed to succeed is often 10 times greater. Those monotonous 40-hour workweeks you had so much disdain for may turn into 80 hours a week of strenuous and back-breaking effort that is needed to build your business from the ground up. Just because you are no longer obligated to punch in and out every day religiously does not mean you must not be disciplined and diligent with your time.
To get rid of the boss
One of the most attractive aspects of starting a business is getting to be your own boss. The freedom that comes with working for yourself and fulfilling your unique vision can be the main motivator for many entrepreneurs. However, this role comes with many serious obligations.
As a company owner, you are responsible for creating sales, production, generating revenue, and engaging in marketing for the company. The responsibility of business growth falls solely on your shoulders.
Additionally, you are responsible for ensuring your employees are contributing positively to the efficiency, productivity, and image of the business. Executing effective control over employees is no easy task. You must be compassionate and fair while also requiring respect.
When to start a business?
The best reason to start a business is to offer a solution. When your focus is on meeting the needs of the customer, everything else will fall into place. A business that offers a quality product or service will almost always see success, and all involved will be greatly fulfilled.
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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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-hosted desktop where their entire team and tax accountant may access the QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools in an efficient and secure 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.
