Creative Ways To Reduce Cost By Piece

Posted on August 4, 2019December 19, 2023 by Jennifer Brazer

Make Business More Profitable by Reducing Per Unit Cost

Diminishing the per piece unit cost of merchandise makes a business more lucrative by expanding the margin between what costs to manufacture a product and what you charge for it. Decreasing the unit cost of products will help reduce the overhead cost per product manufactured.

Making fewer payments for lease and utilities or expanding production volume can reduce the average overhead cost per unit. It’s easier to diminish the cost per unit by using more affordable materials or raising production proficiency, lowering labor costs per unit.

Decrease the Overhead Cost

Decrease the overhead costs by discovering an area with a cheaper lease or affordable rent. Consider leasing your office during a recession, assessing service charges, and searching for ways to reduce costs. On the off chance that business is moderate in your general vicinity, you may likewise have the capacity to consult with your proprietor for a cheaper lease.

Increasing sales is one of the ideal ways to reduce cost per unit. Increasing sales would mean offering more products to help diminish unit costs because, while manufacturing more products, the averaging overhead expenses are divided between the extra units produced.

Affordable Raw Materials

Find more affordable materials to utilize. A good approach is using raw materials as an alternative to the more expensive ones. Purchase the products directly from their allocated suppliers to reduce the cost of purchasing them through an intermediary. Purchase in bulk volume if there is adequate storage space. With extra storage space, it’s possible to save the purchased goods inventory for manufacturing over time to reduce cost by piece.

Reduce Labor Costs

Assess the production methods and search for approaches that make the production process more proficient. Proficiency diminishes the cost of labor per unit. Search for bottlenecks in the manufacturing process where production efficiency is possible. Coordinating additional assets to ease these bottlenecks and directing all extra resources toward removing them is necessary. Take in the specialists’ skills and aptitudes with a specific end goal to schedule them for shifts that capitalize on their capacities.

Learn the ideal group estimate or the perfect add-up to produce on the double to accomplish economies of scale without creating any backlogs. Invest in technologies and assets that help improve manufacturing efficiency.

Keep definite and precise records to track and assess unit costs. Record your expenses and keep production logs itemizing production hours and exercises.

Reduce Overhead Costs

It’s essential to control the costs of running the processing plant – regularly referred to as overhead costs by storing, creating, utility, supply, travel expenses, and other administrative costs. These costs are audited and added to the overall overhead cost to reduce cost by piece in manufacturing. Set spending plans and audit them weekly, month to month, and yearly premises—research purchases cost and rental choices for cost investment funds.

It’s essential to reduce worker costs to those that advantage generation or increment deals. Keep the expenses and debt rate as low as possible. Audit and purchase for the most minimal worker advantage cost every year. Monitor tooling and supply costs and keep them in a protected zone to deter future losses.

Put Resources into Capital

Occasionally, the best approach to spare cash is to burn through cash. Putting resources into equipment that influences manufacturing to process faster can reduce the creation costs over the long haul for reducing per-unit cost.

Machinery that utilizes less material can bring down costs. Manufacturing companies must examine potential capital investment benefits versus costs required before buying new equipment. Determine the return on investment for reducing per-unit cost by calculating these investments’ profits. It’s essential to determine the return on investment, calculate the potential profit from the investment, and subtract the investment cost divided by the cost of the venture.

Control labor costs by monitoring productivity. Employees are the most productive when they have satisfactory time to complete their work and are approached with the best innovation and equipment to help them. Expanding productivity is a consistent procedure of discovering better methods for performing undertakings, preparing laborers in the most recent procedures, and assessing whether the average increment legitimizes the purchase of innovations and equipment in productivity. Ceaselessly enhancing productivity enables you to control unit costs.

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.

Smart Inventory Management

Posted on August 3, 2019December 19, 2023 by Jennifer Brazer

It’s on every entrepreneur’s mind. This question has them thinking hard. How exactly does one measure how much stock to have available and ready for delivery, and how much is too much? Having stock is essential in any business and depends on the activities necessary to run your business. If you want to grow, any business will first have to cater to the demand for an item and then start selling. Many companies need a specific stock level to keep up with that demand. Here are some examples of businesses that need to keep stock available, supply without delay, and deliver to demand.

These examples will better show what inventory levels must be kept. The whole concept of this question is what to have on hand to keep up with demand and not fall short of supply. By having enough, one is cost-effective and efficient. Planning out budgets, finances, and expenditures would be rendered meaningless if the proper stock is not maintained. Without stock, deliveries cease, which translates to business cessation. This, however, is foreseen in all business plans, and precautions are taken well in advance. With hard work and planning, results are guaranteed.

Restaurants

If you sell edible products at a restaurant, specific quantities of raw stock and semi-cooked items will be needed. Let’s say it’s a fast-food restaurant, and the burgers are trendy. Buns, sauces, raw veggies, patties, garnishes, etc., must be purchased on priority in a daily stock straight from vendors. You must coordinate daily with the bakery, meat market, and vegetable vendor to ensure smooth functioning. If an order of ten burgers is received and you have only had the ingredients for six, the odds are that the customer will not come back due to disappointment. Whatever you are selling, it’s got to be enough to meet the expected demands!

Retail Stores

With tight inventory control systems and proper handling of all artifacts, complete with model numbers, rows, and designated areas in stock, retail stores are hard work. For instance, a t-shirt would normally be kept in four regular sizes, ranging from small to extra-large, and different colors, which means different codes for each. Shoes should be kept in sizes for men and women, ranging from 6.5 to 10. It is the same with the codes, as different colors are for different codes. A particular stock level is needed for what you are selling to handle customers with grace to their satisfaction.

Pharmacies and Drug Stores

Drug stores have special POS software for their inventory and stock levels. This software helps them manage and monitor all inventory. When a drugstore is set up, this software is configured with a minimum-level warning system that tells the user what is in stock. Also, costly meds, like cancer treatment prescriptions, are in limited stock. But, commonly occurring meds, such as aspirin or flu-fighters, are stocked in high levels. If you sell medicine, you must have stock according to your location and area.

Considerations for Inventory Management

Trends or Seasons

A growing and thriving business must forecast each year’s sales season and prepare for upcoming influxes. To better prepare, stocks are essential to accommodate patrons and regular customers. Taking this action can easily determine what part of the year is most active and which is the slowest; thus, you can prepare accordingly with planning. This will help you envision cost-effective methods of stocking whatever you are selling.

Weekends and Weather

Some businesses thrive during the weekend while they are slow on regular weekdays. This prediction can help business owners arm their stocks before the weekend hits. Not just restaurants but also bars, clubs, and many other weekend leisure venues party until dawn on Fridays through Sundays. Their demands are all met successfully, paving the way for them to become the most popular joint. However, if stocks are not leveled according to predictions, businesses will be negatively affected.

Conclusion

Your need for the available stock should be set accordingly to understand your business type. It is a super-fast and hectic day, while others are lazy and relaxed. You are selling by recognizing clientele’s needs and preparing to meet their demands, so a solid stock must be kept in hand.

Qualify for HUD Housing Assistance

Posted on August 3, 2019August 22, 2025 by Jennifer Brazer

Unlock Your Path to Qualifying for HUD Housing Assistance

Qualify for HUD housing by meeting income requirements (typically 80% of area median income or below), providing proper documentation including citizenship status and Social Security numbers, and applying through your local Public Housing Agency, though expect waiting periods that can range from several months to over eight years depending on your location.

In 2024, homelessness increased by 18.1% nationwide, with family homelessness rising by an alarming 39.4%, making the need for affordable housing more critical than ever. As someone who has spent over two decades helping small business owners navigate complex financial systems at Complete Controller, I’ve witnessed firsthand how overwhelming government assistance applications can be—especially for families already struggling with housing costs. This article breaks down the exact steps to qualify for HUD housing, reveals insider strategies most applicants miss, and shows you how to navigate the system where only one out of every four eligible households actually receives help.

What does it mean to qualify for HUD housing, and how can you get started?

Qualify for HUD housing means meeting income limits (generally 50-80% of the area median income), citizenship requirements, and passing background checks for various federal housing assistance programs
Most applicants must earn less than $34,600-$79,400 annually, depending on family size and location, with extremely low-income families (30% of median) getting priority
You must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen with a valid Social Security number for all household members
Applications are submitted through local Public Housing Agencies, not directly through HUD
Success requires understanding the difference between Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and other specialized programs to choose the right fit

Understanding HUD Housing Programs and Your Options

HUD operates multiple distinct programs, each with different requirements, benefits, and application processes. The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly known as Section 8, represents the largest rental assistance program, helping over 5 million people in more than 2.3 million families as of December 2024. Unlike public housing, where you live in government-owned units, voucher holders receive subsidies they can use at any privately owned rental that meets program guidelines and has an owner willing to participate.

Public housing provides another pathway, offering government-owned rental units managed by local Public Housing Agencies. These properties provide safe and affordable rental housing specifically for low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities. The rent in public housing is typically set at 30% of your adjusted gross income, making it potentially more affordable than voucher programs in high-cost areas.

HUD-assisted rental housing has grown significantly over the decades, from 2.9 million units in 1980 to 5.3 million units by 2005. The tenant-based share (like Section 8 vouchers) increased from just 21% in 1980 to 42% by 2005, showing a major shift toward voucher programs rather than traditional public housing.

Specialized HUD housing programs worth exploring

Beyond the mainstream programs, HUD offers several specialized options that many applicants overlook:

National Housing Trust Fund – Serves very low-income and extremely low-income households, including families experiencing homelessness
Project-based rental assistance – Attaches subsidies to specific units rather than households, serving nearly 2 million people
Section 202 Housing – Specifically designed for elderly persons aged 62 and older
Section 811 Housing – Provides supportive housing for persons with disabilities

These programs often have shorter waiting lists than traditional Section 8 vouchers. Since 2017, more than 7,000 rental units have been built under the National Housing Trust Fund alone, with all assisted units required to remain affordable for at least 30 years.

Essential Eligibility Requirements You Must Meet

Income requirements form the cornerstone of HUD housing qualification, but the calculations prove more complex than simple gross income figures. HUD sets lower income limits at 80% of area median income and very low-income limits at 50% of the median income for your county or metropolitan area. For 2025, these limits vary significantly by location, with some areas seeing increases up to 9.2% due to HUD’s new national cap on annual increases.

There is a shortage of more than 7 million affordable homes for the nation’s 10.8 million extremely low-income families. Only 1 out of every 4 extremely low-income families who need federal housing assistance actually receive it, and 70% of all extremely low-income families pay more than half their income on rent.

The citizenship and documentation requirements extend beyond simple birth certificates. All household members must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens as defined by HUD, with the head of household required to have a valid Social Security number. Non-citizen applicants must provide specific documentation from the Department of Homeland Security and undergo verification through the SAVE system administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

How criminal history affects your application

Criminal background requirements have evolved significantly, particularly with HUD’s 2024 proposed rule changes. Under current guidance:

Housing authorities cannot deny applications based solely on arrest records
Blanket bans on anyone with a criminal record are prohibited
Only drug-related or violent criminal activity within a three-year “lookback” period can be considered
Individualized assessments must consider rehabilitation efforts and mitigating factors

This represents a significant shift from previous practices and creates opportunities for applicants who might have been automatically disqualified under older policies. Understanding these protections and preparing documentation of rehabilitation efforts can strengthen applications for those with past criminal involvement.

Income Requirements and Limits That Determine Your Qualification

HUD’s income calculation methodology extends far beyond simple wage reporting, incorporating complex adjustments and deductions that can significantly impact your qualification status. The agency uses Fair Market Rents and area median family incomes to establish income limits, with formulas that account for unusually high housing costs relative to median family income in specific markets.

Allowable deductions can substantially reduce your counted income for qualification purposes:

$480 for each dependent
$400 for elderly families or persons with disabilities
Medical expenses exceeding 3% of annual income for elderly/disabled families
Reasonable childcare expenses for working families
Full-time student status deductions

These deductions often make the difference between qualifying and exceeding income limits, particularly for families with multiple dependents or significant medical expenses. Texas provides an illustrative example of geographic variation, with income limits ranging from $20,800 for a one-person household at 30% of median income to $79,400 for larger households at 80% of median income.

Step-by-Step Application Process for HUD Housing Programs

The application process begins with identifying and contacting your local Public Housing Agency through HUD’s Program Offices. Due to high demand and long waiting lists, you should apply to multiple PHA waitlists simultaneously. The application itself must be written, either completed by you or with assistance from a PHA representative during the initial interview process.

New York City’s recent Section 8 lottery demonstrates the intense demand for housing assistance. In 2024, NYC opened its Section 8 waitlist for the first time in 15 years and received over 600,000 applications during just one week. They randomly selected 200,000 households (about one-third of applicants) to join the waitlist.

Documentation requirements typically include:

Names and Social Security numbers of all household members
Birth certificates for all family members
Current and previous landlord information
Income verification for the past 12 months
Bank statements and asset documentation
Citizenship or an eligible immigration status proof

What happens after application submission

Following application submission and eligibility determination, your name enters a waiting list unless the PHA can provide immediate assistance. Households that receive Housing Choice Vouchers wait nearly 2.5 years on average before receiving them. Wait times vary dramatically across the country – from 9 months in Nebraska and West Virginia to 8 years in Miami-Dade, Florida, where housing agencies are still processing applications received in 2008.

Maintaining your position on waiting lists requires ongoing attention:

Notify your PHA of address changes within 10 business days
Respond promptly to all PHA communications
Update family composition changes immediately
Check your status every 2-3 months
Keep copies of all correspondence

Many PHAs now offer online portals through the Housing Choice Voucher Program website for checking application status and updating information, streamlining this maintenance process.

Navigating Waiting Lists and Priority Systems

The waiting list experience varies significantly between PHAs, with some using lottery systems while others employ first-come, first-served approaches combined with preference categories. Understanding local preference systems can dramatically improve your position on waiting lists.

Common preferences include:

Elderly or disabled status
Working family status (minimum 20 hours weekly)
Veteran status (non-dishonorable discharge)
Foster youth transitioning out of care
Victims of domestic violence
Families displaced by natural disasters

Housing authorities may establish local preferences reflecting community-specific needs, provided these preferences align with fair housing requirements. Residency preferences may prioritize applicants who live, work, or have been hired to work in the jurisdiction, but PHAs cannot require residency as an absolute requirement.

Strategic applicants often apply to multiple PHAs to maximize their chances of receiving assistance sooner. You can apply to housing authorities in different jurisdictions even if you don’t currently live there, though some PHAs may require you to live in their area for the first 12 months of assistance if you lived outside their area when applying.

Final Thoughts

Successfully qualifying for HUD housing requires understanding the intricate details of multiple programs, income calculations, and application strategies that most online resources overlook. While the basic requirements seem straightforward—meet income limits, provide proper documentation, and apply through your local PHA—the reality involves navigating complex waiting list systems, strategic decision-making about program choices, and proactive management of your application status over potentially years-long waiting periods.

Throughout my career helping business owners navigate complex financial systems, I’ve learned that success comes from understanding both the official requirements and the practical realities of how systems actually work. The families who receive HUD housing assistance fastest are those who apply early, apply broadly, maintain meticulous records, and understand how to leverage preference systems to their advantage. If you need professional guidance managing the financial aspects of your housing transition or organizing your documentation for major life changes, the team at Complete Controller specializes in helping individuals and families get their finances in order.

Frequently Asked Questions About Qualifying for HUD Housing

What are the basic income requirements to qualify for HUD housing?

Most HUD programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income, with priority given to extremely low-income families earning 30% of the area median income or less. Exact amounts vary by location and family size, with current Fair Market Rents determining specific limits.

How long do you typically wait for HUD housing assistance?

Waiting times vary dramatically by location, with national averages around 28 months for Housing Choice Vouchers but ranging from 9 months in some states to over 8 years in high-demand areas like Miami-Dade, Florida.

Can you apply for HUD housing if you don’t live in that area?

Yes, you don’t need to be a resident of the jurisdiction where you apply, though some PHAs may require you to live in their area for the first 12 months of assistance.

What documents do you need to apply for HUD housing?

Required documentation typically includes identification for all household members, Social Security cards, income verification, bank statements, and citizenship documentation. Non-citizens need additional Department of Homeland Security documentation.

Does a criminal record automatically disqualify you from HUD housing?

No, HUD’s recent guidance prohibits blanket bans based on criminal history. Only drug-related or violent criminal activity within approximately three years can be grounds for denial, and individualized assessments must consider rehabilitation efforts.

Sources

Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2021, August 2). “Families Wait Years for Housing Vouchers Due to Inadequate Funding.” NLIHC.org.
CARH.org. (2025, April 1). “HUD Releases Income Limits for Fiscal Year 2025.” Council for Affordable and Rural Housing.
EndHomelessness.org. (2024, December 27). “HUD Releases 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report.” National Alliance to End Homelessness.
Gothamist.com. (2024, August 1). “NYC is notifying 200K households picked for Section 8 housing voucher waitlist.” Gothamist.
HUD User. (2025). “Methodology for Determining FY 2025 Section 8 Income Limits.” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
HUD.gov. (2025). “Housing Choice Voucher Tenants.” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
LocalHousingSolutions.org. (2025, August 8). “Federal Programs for Affordable Housing.” Local Housing Solutions.
NLIHC.org. (2021, September 23). “The Problem.” National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Thompson, L. L. (2007, March). “A History of HUD.” HUD.gov. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
HUD.gov. (n.d.). “Program Offices: Housing.” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing
HUD.gov. (n.d.). “Housing Choice Voucher Program.” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. https://www.hud.gov/topics/housingchoicevoucher
HUD User. (n.d.). “Fair Market Rents Dataset.” U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr.html

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Jennifer Brazer Founder/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.

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Startup Barriers: Overcoming Tips

Posted on August 3, 2019December 17, 2023 by Jennifer Brazer

Too many startup enthusiasts consider launching a new company a random walk into a business field. However, when turning the idea into concrete results, they encounter many barriers to initiating their business. Though rewarding, all of these challenges are complex. Well-versed people in business must also deal with them no matter how long they have been in entrepreneurial activities when starting an entirely new business.

Here are the four most common initial obstacles entrepreneurs face when turning their passion into a business activity.

Financing

Experienced entrepreneurs have a few advantages over newcomers but still lack sufficient resources to fund their new business. It is because you will be starting from scratch. Without money, you can hardly purchase the domain of your business website. Finance serves as the fuel to ignite your idea. Hence, it would help if you used it most often to turn the idea into a giant, fiery business.

Fortunately, there are many ways by which you can arrange finances to launch your new startup, including:

Crowdfunding: There are various crowdfunding sites, like Kickstarter, Fundable, and Indiegogo, that can help you generate hundreds and thousands of dollars.
Family and friends: Your family and friends always help and support your dreams. You can approach them to obtain a loan, often without interest payments.
Credit cards: Though helpful, a credit card provides a temporary solution between launching your business and receiving other funds, such as a bank loan.
Bank financing: A bank loan is one of the most common ways people adapt to raise their business capital.
Venture capital: When you have a robust business plan and a powerful vision, many venture capitalists are willing to invest in your business.
Business partner: You may have a potential idea but not enough reserves to put that into execution. You might know someone who believes in your idea, has a good relationship with you, and has enough funds to start a new business. Then, partnering with that person may be a good idea.
Second mortgage: Home equity lines of credit or a second mortgage should be your last resort when other options are not working out or aren’t enough to initiate the business.

Teambuilding

Teambuilding is the most challenging skill to nurture when you have never run or led a team. Moreover, even though you have good management experience, selecting the right pool of team members for your new business is often stressful and challenging. It is not simply about filling specific roles; you also have to bear their costs, effectively communicate your business goals to them, and make the most out of them. Such considerations are significantly complex when rushing to fill the positions as early as possible.

Here are some ways to build a great team in a shorter period for your business startup:

Offer stock options: When you cannot meet their salary needs, offer them equity in your business. It will boost motivation and will give you competent teammates.
Employ interns: When you can offer excellent work, mentorship, and guidance, hiring interns is an intelligent alternative to heavily paid team members.
Hire students, part-time employees, or contractors: When you cannot afford full-time workers, acquire contractors, part-time team members, or students instead.
Defer compensation: You must be very careful with the wording of your offer letters for hiring employees on deferred compensation. You also have to ensure that there is no breach of any laws.
Inspire others to join you: When you lack funds, then at the very least, you should have a compelling vision with extraordinary goals that will inspire and motivate others to be part of your startup and support you.

Cut-throat Competition

The corporate world is terrible with fierce competition, which poses one of the biggest hurdles for launching and surviving startup businesses. There is always some level of competition among businesses of the exact nature. And when you are a new online business, the competition gets more challenging. However, you can remarkably beat your competitors with an inspiring vision, an energetic team, unique service solutions, and outstanding customer service.

Here are two practical ways to overcome business competition:

Focus on your customer needs: Nothing can help a business grow if you cannot sell your products or services to your customers. Focus on your client’s needs and develop a unique service solution that eases their life. Everyone avoids the hassle, and so is your customer. Improve your products compared to what is already available in the market and make the most of the technology to sell more smartly, making the purchase hassle-free.
Make it appear unique: People love tasting new things. When you launch a product with special features and details that distinguish it from similar products, you tempt your customers to buy from you.

Business Registration

Business registration is quite time-consuming and a complex part of initiating a business. Some businesses have such a peculiar nature that they cannot be launched without prior registration. Regardless of their small businesses, legal approval is required for medical facilities, bookkeeping, auditing consultancy, and educational institutes. It is more frightening for those entrepreneurs who have never been through any legal processes. It is wise to hire a personal legal consultant to get rid of this complicated startup registration process issue and other legal requirements. A legal adviser will handle these matters on your behalf and help you launch your business seamlessly.

Family Finances: Open Dialogues

Posted on August 2, 2019September 25, 2024 by Jennifer Brazer

Let’s face it: finances and revenue are big deals. When it comes down to the welfare and care that is needed for your family, finances are important. From the family’s educational needs to wardrobe desires and nutritional demands, you, the parents, take care of everything. As an earning parent, being open with your kids about finances helps greatly in the long run. Many factors are considered so that the right message is laid out, as children need to be introduced to responsible financial habits to help with expenditures and the entire family’s overall well-being.

Creating a Family-Friendly Budget

The hierarchy of a family often leads to the one earning, and, for that person(s), following a smart financial plan may sometimes be difficult. However, it is sacred. The amount earned is distributed equally after the bare essentials are considered. Teaching your children about finances is a great way to make the plan effective. Before acquiring the amount distributed, a scheme, or better yet, a budget, is drawn up, and everyone is considered.

Mandatory payments, such as mortgage, tuition, utilities, etc., are taken care of first. After that, the remainder goes into two categories, i.e., savings and spending. We recommend saving at least 15-22% percent of the whole. After that, you have the remainder to benefit everyone.

Get Your Family Involved

We must face that what is derived from the above will significantly reduce the original, and everything has to be planned. By letting the family and kids be involved with finances and budgeting, all needs are met, and the family’s welfare is not compromised. By enrolling their attention to the most sensitive lifestyles, expenses, and finances, you educate them about their significance and provide a model to use independently. Whatever the method, it has to be engaging for everyone.

Proactive involvement leads to less stress on your part. When everyone has an idea of the budget and the plan to carry it forward, it creates an understanding within your family. This understanding leads to the realization of the responsibilities of an adult. Teaching kids about finances who look up to their parents enables them to succeed while learning effective habits to create their economic plans. It helps them understand the value of finances in the years they are growing, making a long-lasting impact on their lives.

Who better to teach these valuable tricks to ensure their future prosperity and financial bliss than you? Undoubtedly, being open about your financial limitations can be hard to endure. But, by exposing your limitations, your family will understand how hard you work to put amenities on the table for them. Knowing the situation and teaching kids about finances allows them to realize the value of hard work for a secure and prosperous uprising and growth.

Young children have the most difficulty understanding the concept of money and how all their desires are to be met. Children around the age of eight should learn how their welfare is managed and what the parent does for a living. It enables them to gain a great picture of reality. To mentor kids about finances, it’s almost imperative that there is a functional image of a parent in the eyes of a child who loves them unconditionally and would go to great lengths to take care of them and fulfill their desires and wishes. Being responsible for their decisions is the main focus of planning and budgeting.

The adolescent years are difficult without support from parents. School peers are a meaningful part of their lives and will help them learn about the world. Social events like concerts and parties will bear certain costs, and a good deal can be done beforehand to prepare and teach young adults about money. Teaching kids about finances allows them to acquire the skill of being organized. Things such as allowances and Christmas money are inevitably used more effectively when they understand the value of a dollar. As set above, savings will help them prepare for any social gathering of friends. Your example impacts, so use it wisely, thus providing more reasons for them to finance and budget.

Conclusion

Being open doesn’t mean appearing weak. It means facing reality. Living within the means of what is financially provided and saving will help your family logistically, physically, and mentally. It also helps avoid domestic arguments and protects from spousal distress. As they say, no one is happy if the wife is unhappy! Appraising your spouse and children about finances is an honest, open, worthy, and trust-building exercise that will be highly appreciated and, above all, draws respect for you as the leader.

Small Biz Loan Requirements

Posted on August 2, 2019December 17, 2023 by Jennifer Brazer

The world of acquiring finances for a small business has changed, and getting a loan can be pretty nerve-racking. Before getting a loan, the initial phase requires knowing which documents to prepare, how much financing to ask for, and, most importantly, which lenders to approach. You need to know the following steps to qualify for a small business loan.

Establish Why You Need a Small Business Loan

Identify why you need the money and pin down the list of reasons for how this loan will help your business. There can be various reasons, such as getting a loan to launch a new business, buying an existing business, purchasing a piece of equipment, or for your day-to-day working capital to pay for marketing or human resource costs. Moreover, you may need the loan to cover your cash flow gaps, or perhaps an opportunity has arisen to expand your existing business. The key is to recognize and evaluate your reasons, as it will help you decide the choice of the lender and loan type.

Determine How Much Financing You Require and How Much You Can Afford

A small business loan can be helpful in many ways, but knowing the amount of capital you need to achieve your business goals is essential. It inevitably can be different from how much you can afford. You can use a business loan calculator to help you evaluate your loan’s monthly expenses, which is essential to know before signing a loan agreement. Another way to find out how much financing you need and how much you can afford is to conduct a loan performance analysis. Completing this analysis will calculate the correct amount for your business loan.

Explore Diverse Types of Business Loans

Find the right loan. Choose a type of business loan based on your needs. The key is to know which kind of loan matches your credit score, your budget, and the reasons why you need the financing in the first place. You can get small business loans from several places, including banks, financial institutes, and micro and online lenders.

Furthermore, common types of bank loans include equipment financing, short-term loans for 2-3 years, or long-term commercial loans, usually secured by real estate. One of the most common loans among small business owners is a line of credit. They make a great security net in case of an emergency, thus offering an amount of capital that can serve as a cushion for your cash stream.

Collect All Loan Documents

Once you have compared your options on the different types of business loans, it’s time to put your documents together. Depending on the bank and type of loan, you must submit a combination of business and personal bank statements, tax returns, annual revenue, financial statements (balance sheet, profit-loss statements), and other legal business documents. The best thing you can do is sufficiently organize your documents to submit with your loan application and be as prompt as possible.

Apply for your Business Loan

You can submit your loan application once you have prepared all the documents. You shouldn’t apply for more than one or two loan types, as this will affect your credit score in the long term. After you submit your loan application, it will take a while for your lender to review your documents and verify their authenticity. Once your application is approved, before signing any papers, ensure that your lender informs you about the loan and its complexities.

Getting a business loan is often difficult for small businesses due to banks’ tight lending principles. Although applying for and getting approved for loans can be tricky, if you prepare your application well, the probability of receiving the loan amount will be higher.

Business Anti-Fraud Measures

Posted on August 1, 2019December 17, 2023 by Jennifer Brazer

Regular inventory checks, financial book audits, establishing a code of conduct, setting up organizational checks and balances, instituting policies and procedures, personally reviewing financial statements each month, and other similar preemptive tools can be implemented in the business to prevent employee fraud and theft.

Unarguably, employee theft is costly to businesses. According to studies, businesses lose 9% of their annual revenues to fraud or theft, and it causes American business owners to lose about $60 billion each year. Yes, you heard it right! The staggering figures testify that employee fraud or theft has been on the rise in most parts of the world, with America at the top of the list. People are getting rightly concerned about the fate of their businesses, as they should be.

Protecting your business against employee theft and fraud is no easy feat. However, there are ways in which you can minimize fraud and prevent employees from stealing from you.

Establish a Code of Conduct

To maintain complete control over your business and its daily operations, you must establish a code of conduct for your employees. Most successful retail establishments across the globe consider it the sole reason for their success. No business can tolerate illegal or unethical activity towards new and privileged customers, vendors or suppliers, employees, or the company itself. Therefore, it is safe to say that establishing a code of conduct can prevent employee fraud or theft.

Once employees know the repercussions of their bad or opportunistic behavior, they will likely avoid taking risks and stealing from you. Upon a successful hire, the code of conduct must be communicated, acknowledged, and readily signed by new employees so they will be less motivated to cheat or steal.

Plan Organizational Checks and Balances

Whether your business is small or large, setting up organizational checks and balances helps you to monitor everything on your own. It doesn’t matter whether your manager has been with you for the past ten years; intentions can change at any time, so you should never delegate the entire responsibility of managing everything to your manager.

Your accountant may be a pro at bookkeeping and maintaining financial books. Still, as an owner, you should take an interest in tracking core things like handling deposits and payments, invoices and order emails, and transaction documents. Setting up a surprise or regular organizational checks and balances can easily prevent employee fraud or theft.

Institute Policies and Procedures

Effective organizational policies and procedures help prevent fishy activities from employees. Once employees know the pros and cons of following organizational policies and procedures, they will know the repercussions and abide by the company’s rules and regulations. In manual accounting, accountants usually have more control over credits and finances, which means there is an open opportunity for unethical accountants to steal from you by manipulating the financial books and records.

It has to stop, no matter what, and you can prevent employee fraud or theft by introducing advanced or custom-made accounting software. By integrating accounting software, you can expect to manage your payroll and control your credit limits and finances better.

Watch Employee Behavior

Where employees can turn things around for you and make you successful, they can also cause you to lose everything. No matter how much you trust them, you should always have a backup plan to discourage unethical or illegal activity. If you notice suspicious things going on around you, such as a misplacement of important documents, employees that are reluctant to help you, or giving excessive attention or discounts—look into it.

Stretching the extra mile to know your employees’ changing behavior will help you save much money and help prevent employee fraud or theft. You can install CCTV cameras, track vendor invoices, and important files, employ efficient accounting software, give employees fringe benefits and bonuses, arrange weekly/monthly workshops to help discourage unlawful or unethical activities and prevent employee fraud or theft.

Job Costing: Tradesman Efficiency

Posted on August 1, 2019December 17, 2023 by Jennifer Brazer

Job Costing Technological Advancements

Technological advancements in various fields have made it effortless to complete daily tasks. What was once considered insurmountable is now possible with just a few clicks from your couch. However, such luxuries have come cheap and with hard work. It takes a lot of back-end work for such efficient processes to come alive. In today’s fast-paced environment, job costing and other systems and processes must be swift and efficient with clear indicators that tell us whether a business is following the right direction.

Job costing helps determine the direction and enhances operations and business activities like developing business structure, clientele threshold, employee contentment, and market dominance. Making a profit is not foreign to a business, and its objective and focus should be to thrive while making money. It is where business processes and implementation of systems come into play and enable the business to succeed better. Tracking expenditures for each job or task is a vital aspect of sound financial practices, and it readily gives a birds-eye view of the overall financial health of a business.

Job Costing is Beneficial and Important for the Following Reasons

Estimated costs, upon which prices are based, are the result of the accuracy of a manager’s assessment of costs incurred at each step during the production of any product.
The profitability of each job is reviewed by managers against actual revenue and costs to determine its viability, and managers inevitably review the performance of each department’s gains or losses.
To predict and forecast changes in material and labor costs, managers feverously compare estimated costs with actual costs to get a clear picture of what to expect further into the project.

Job costing is a fundamental part of a business account. Everything from raw materials to shipping is handled with job costing in mind so that mass production is lucrative and not so burdensome for consumers that it would affect their purchasing power. The single most off-putting act of a business for a consumer is overpricing, and it will ultimately result in being an ineffective tradesman. An excellent tradesman’s mark is understanding a specific industry’s needs and catering to its consumers in the best way possible, even at the expense of putting in more time and effort.

Job costing is more than just a process. It is a method of creating the optimal environment for the company to flourish. For the over-ambitious tradesman who prefers a sale over client satisfaction, it is only a matter of time before their plans come tumbling down with ineffective pricing and costing strategies, inadequate customer relations, and careless inventory management. The ability of managers to foresee market scenarios that affect costing ultimately leads the business toward progressive growth and steady development. The stability of a business relies heavily on the manager’s capacity to determine problems at an earlier stage or before they ever occur.

Firms like advertising agencies or law firms can adapt job costing since this process is highly scalable. It can be set up to match an exceedingly diverse range of processes, whether related to complex manufacturing operations or a simple, minimalistic business process. Directing specific costs towards their designated accounts can also help a business be on top of their accuracy in account management and cost allocation to its fixed step, causing their processes to be lean. A tradesman needs to be able to calculate the indirect costs, such as manufacturing overheads, to have that highly vital information that directs their decisions for an overall profitable business.

Conclusion

In conclusion, technological progress has simplified daily tasks, but efficiency demands rigorous back-end efforts. In today’s pace, job costing is essential, providing clarity and facilitating sound financial practices. For optimal business growth, job costing is more than a process; it shapes a thriving environment. A tradesman’s success lies in understanding industry needs, effective pricing, client satisfaction, and proactive market foresight. Job costing, adaptable to diverse processes, ensures accuracy, lean operations, and informed decision-making for overall profitability.

Entrepreneur Staffing Challenges

Posted on August 1, 2019December 14, 2023 by Jennifer Brazer

Hiring the right staff is one of the most difficult decisions an entrepreneur faces. Obtaining quality human capital is the most basic requirement for every start-up—employees of any start-up need to deliver performance. Productive employees ensure that both the short and long-term objectives are met.

Create a Hiring Plan

The first step in facing staffing challenges for an entrepreneur is creating a hiring plan. A hiring plan determines the specific roles that individuals are meant to play in an organization. A hiring plan will help choose employees who play an active role in the company. It is an effective method of creating job descriptions for vacancies needing to be filled by the company.

When analyzing an employment type, it is vital to mention whether the job is permanent, full-time, or part-time. It should include temporary or permanent contracts, casual, fixed-term, probation, and shift workers. It should indicate the total number of employees required to fulfill each role.

Determine your Needs

A start-up must efficiently cater to staffing challenges. Staffing is challenging for any business, and young entrepreneurs often face many issues when hiring new employees. One aspect is determining what kind of experts and professionals your company requires.

Hiring should be based on the tasks and functions essential for taking your business to the next level. It will take time to predict the specific functions each employee will need to perform initially. Determining the working hours will initially be tough. Look at the market leaders and observe their staffing patterns. Design your hiring plan accordingly to reduce your staffing challenges.

Initiate Organizational Culture

The essential thing to consider when staffing is choosing and initiating a positive organizational culture. Company culture is the most crucial element in a start-up. Your company’s culture will affect your employees’ morale and the character and essence of your brand. Keep the type of culture you want in mind and select employees aligning with that initiative.

Balance the Cost of Hiring

Finances may be very tight and even insufficient in the beginning months of your start-up. You may be unable to hire a prospective employee demanding a hefty salary. Simultaneously, having experienced and qualified employees in your start-up from the beginning will benefit you in the long run.

It’s essential to have a suitable balance between the cost and experience of an employee. The best approach at this time will be to choose talent over experience. Looking at an entrepreneur’s many staffing challenges, a proper balance between experience and cost is difficult. When hiring, look at an employee’s achievements rather than the years of experience they have under their belt.

Timing of Initial Hiring

The very first hires will be the toughest decisions you must make regarding your staffing challenges. The reason for this is that the initial stages of a new company are in a fragile position. It may also be your first time handling a group of employees.

As an entrepreneur, you are in a leadership position and need to coordinate and manage your team well. You need to find employees that are not afraid of going out of their comfort zones. You must be precise, open, and honest with your employees; they must be flexible and adaptive.

Flexibility

A new start-up will continuously evolve and change over an extended period once the initial stages have passed. Flexibility is another one of many staffing challenges faced by start-ups. At this time, being flexible in your role as a leader is essential. The same flexibility must transfer to your employees. Initially, they must have flexibility in their roles and responsibilities. The roles of your employees must be interchangeable.

Talent Retention

Talent retention is one of the most common aspects of hiring. Experts believe that, no matter how rigorous the hiring process is, a significant staffing challenge is retaining talented employees.

Even if your employees seem happy with how things are running, they could often replace their jobs in your start-up with a much more established organization. Having good relations with your employees can prevent this from happening. Suitable company culture and flexibility in working hours will benefit a new company.

Conclusion

Once you overcome these seven staffing challenges, you will have a solid start to your business. Initially, you will formulate, evaluate, and implement HR strategies and policies. These include workplace behavior, remuneration packages, compensation, benefits, and other employee-related policies of leave.

Cash Mastery In SMEs

Posted on July 30, 2019July 20, 2025 by Jennifer Brazer

By: Jennifer Brazer

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.

Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen

Master Cash Management Strategies for SMEs Effectively

SME cash management is the strategic process of monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing cash inflows and outflows to help your business maintain liquidity, reduce costs, and support sustainable growth—beginning with accurate forecasting, disciplined receivables management, and proactive reserve building.

As the founder of Complete Controller, I’ve spent over 20 years watching businesses thrive or struggle based on one factor: how they manage cash. When I launched my company in 2001, I learned this lesson the hard way—nearly losing a key client during the 2008 recession because our reserves were too thin. That experience transformed my approach to finance. Today, we help over 500 SMEs turn cash flow from their biggest stressor into their greatest strategic asset. This article shares the exact systems and strategies that have helped our clients achieve an average 40% improvement in cash flow within 90 days.

What is SME cash management and how do you master it?

SME cash management involves controlling cash flow, cutting costs, and building reserves to enable confident growth
It requires forecasting tools to predict future cash positions accurately
Success depends on accelerating receivables through automated invoicing and strategic payment incentives
Master negotiators secure better payment terms with suppliers, freeing up working capital
Building reserves of 3-6 months operating expenses creates an unshakeable foundation

Forecast Like a Fortune 500: SME Cash Flow Planning

Cash flow forecasting separates thriving businesses from those constantly scrambling for funds. Yet 61% of small businesses struggle with cash flow, with 32% unable to pay employees or vendors due to cash shortages (Intuit, 2023).

The solution starts with implementing a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast. This approach gives you enough visibility to spot problems early while staying nimble enough to adjust quickly. Start by listing all expected income and expenses week by week. Update your forecast every Monday morning with actual results from the previous week. This simple discipline creates clarity that transforms decision-making.

The 4-step rolling forecast method

Building an effective forecast doesn’t require expensive software. Start with a basic spreadsheet template that tracks:

Weekly cash inflows from sales, collections, and other sources
Weekly cash outflows including payroll, rent, suppliers, and taxes
Running cash balance showing your position at week’s end
Variance analysis comparing projections to actuals

Case study: Bakery’s seasonal survival

Sarah’s Bakery faced a common SME challenge: dramatic seasonal swings. Using weekly rolling forecasts, Sarah identified a potential $20,000 winter cash shortfall months in advance. By launching prepaid gift card campaigns during the busy holiday season and adjusting staff hours proactively, she maintained positive cash flow without loans (F9 Finance, 2025).

The Receivables Revolution: Accelerate Cash Inflows

Your accounts receivable represent cash trapped outside your business. The median Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) across industries sits at 56 days, but top performers in retail achieve just 30 days through strategic collection practices (Upflow, 2024).

Speed matters because every day of delay costs you money. A business with $1 million annual revenue loses approximately $2,740 in cash flow for each additional day in their collection cycle. Smart SMEs combat this through systematic improvements to their invoicing and collection processes.

Automated invoicing that builds relationships

Modern invoicing tools transform collections from a time drain into a competitive advantage. Platforms like QuickBooks or Xero send invoices instantly upon delivery, include payment links, and automatically follow up on overdue accounts. The key is personalizing automated messages to maintain the human touch your customers value.

Set up your system to:

Send invoices within 24 hours of delivery
Include clear payment terms and multiple payment options
Schedule friendly reminders at 7, 14, and 21 days
Escalate to phone calls only after automated attempts

Early-payment incentives that actually work

Offering 2/10 net 30 terms (2% discount if paid within 10 days) can dramatically accelerate collections. Our Complete Controller clients using this approach report 40% faster payment rates. The math works because the cost of capital for most SMEs exceeds the discount rate—you’re essentially buying back your cash at wholesale prices.

Negotiating Power: Rewrite Supplier Terms in Your Favor

Most SMEs accept supplier payment terms as fixed, missing a massive opportunity. Research shows 74% of businesses that attempt payment term negotiations secure extensions of 30 days or more, freeing up 15% of monthly cash flow (FasterCapital, 2025).

The secret lies in approaching negotiations strategically. Start with your largest suppliers where you have established payment history. Frame the conversation around mutual benefit—longer terms help you grow, which means more business for them.

The SME’s playbook for winning payment term negotiations

Successful negotiations follow a proven pattern:

Document your track record – Compile 12 months of on-time payment history
Calculate the win-win – Show how improved terms enable larger orders
Start high, settle smart – Request 90-day terms to land at 60
Offer trade-offs – Consider volume commitments or testimonials
Get it in writing – Formalize new terms immediately

Case study: How a manufacturer extended terms by 45 days

ABC Manufacturing transformed their cash position through strategic supplier negotiations. By offering 30% upfront payments with the balance on extended terms, they secured net-60 arrangements that freed $50,000 monthly for R&D investment (FasterCapital, 2025).

Cost Control That Fuels Growth

Expense management often gets treated as a one-time spring cleaning exercise. Smart SMEs make it an ongoing discipline that funds growth initiatives. The average small business wastes 15% of revenue on redundant subscriptions, inefficient processes, and poor inventory management.

Zero-based expense audits

Implement quarterly expense reviews using zero-based thinking. Instead of justifying cuts, require justification for continuation. This mental shift uncovers surprising savings:

Unused software subscriptions averaging $2,600 annually
Duplicate services from vendor consolidation
Better rates through competitive bidding
Process improvements that reduce labor costs

Inventory optimization formula

For product-based businesses, inventory ties up significant cash. Apply the stock turnover formula: Cost of Goods Sold ÷ Average Inventory. Aim for 8+ turns annually by:

Implementing just-in-time ordering for C-class items
Negotiating consignment terms for slow movers
Using ABC analysis to focus cash on top sellers
Liquidating dead stock quarterly

Building Unshakeable Cash Reserves

Cash reserves transform your business from reactive to strategic. Financial experts recommend 3-6 months of operating expenses in reserves (CapitalOne, 2025). This buffer enables you to weather storms, seize opportunities, and negotiate from strength.

The 1% rule for stress-free reserves

Building reserves feels impossible when cash is tight. The solution: automate small, consistent transfers. Set up weekly transfers of 1% of revenue to a separate high-yield savings account. This painless approach builds 3 months of expenses within 18 months for most SMEs.

Contingency lines of credit

Complement cash reserves with pre-arranged credit facilities. Secure these during good times when rates are favorable—typically 6-12% versus 15-30% for emergency financing. Think of it as financial insurance you hope never to use.

How Cash Clarity Empowers Your Leadership

Cash management transcends numbers—it fundamentally changes how you lead. When you know exactly where your cash stands and where it’s heading, decision paralysis disappears. You move from survival mode to strategic thinking.

From panic to power: A founder’s mindset shift

I’ve watched hundreds of founders transform once they gain cash clarity. One tech startup CEO told me: “Viewing cash as oxygen—not just metrics—reduced my decision paralysis by 70%.” This shift happens when you trust your systems and know your numbers cold.

Tools that give you real-time confidence

Modern cash management demands real-time visibility. Cloud-based dashboards from providers like Complete Controller show:

Daily cash position across all accounts
Projected cash flows for the next 13 weeks
Key metrics like DSO and inventory turns
Alerts for potential shortfalls

Final Thoughts

True SME cash mastery creates strategic freedom, not scarcity thinking. The businesses that thrive understand cash management as their competitive edge—funding growth without debt, weathering downturns without panic, and seizing opportunities others miss.

Start implementing these strategies today. Build your first 13-week forecast this week. Renegotiate one supplier contract this month. Commit to automated reserve building starting now. Small actions compound into transformative results.

20% of SMEs fail in their first year, and 50% by year five—primarily due to cash flow issues (SimplyInsurance, 2025). You don’t have to be part of that statistic. Take control of your cash, and you take control of your future. For expert guidance tailored to your specific situation, visit CompleteController.com to connect with our team and discover how we can transform your cash management together.

Frequently Asked Questions About SME Cash Management

What’s the fastest cash-management fix for new SMEs?

Separate business and personal accounts immediately, then implement weekly cash flow forecasts. These two simple steps provide instant clarity and prevent the mixing of funds that derails 40% of new businesses.

How much cash reserve is ideal for a small business?

Target 3-6 months of operating expenses in readily accessible reserves. Start with one month as your initial goal, then build systematically using the 1% weekly transfer method.

Can tiny SMEs really negotiate payment terms with larger suppliers?

Absolutely. Leverage your consistent order history and offer value beyond money—testimonials, referrals, or volume commitments often secure net-60 terms even for small accounts.

What’s the best cash management technology for non-accountants?

Start with user-friendly platforms: Xero for forecasting, QuickBooks for general accounting, and Wave for free basic features. The key is choosing one system and using it consistently.

How does better cash management directly drive business growth?

Strong cash management funds opportunities without debt—like bulk inventory purchases for better margins or hiring key talent when competitors can’t afford to expand.

Sources

Affluent CPA. (2024). “Cash Flow Management Strategies For SMEs.” https://affluentcpa.com/cash-flow-management-strategies-smes
Bernstein Financial. (2025). “Build A Cash Reserve For Your Small Business.” https://bernsteinfinancial.com/cash-reserve-small-business
Capital One. (2025). “Business Cash Reserves: How Much to Keep.” https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/business-resources/how-much-cash-reserves-should-a-business-have/
F9 Finance. (2025). “Never Run Out Of Money With A Rolling Cash Flow Forecast.” https://www.f9finance.com/rolling-cash-flow-forecast/
FasterCapital. (2025). “Payment Terms: Negotiating Payment Terms to Optimize Cash Flow.” https://fastercapital.com/content/Payment-Terms–Negotiating-Payment-Terms-to-Optimize-Cash-Flow.html
GetDefacto. (2024). “Everything You Need to Know About Small Business Cash Flow Management.” https://getdefacto.com/small-business-cash-flow-management
Intuit. (2023). “The State of Small Business Cash Flow.” https://investors.intuit.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/282/quickbooks-study-cash-flow-woes-mean-a-third-of-small-businesses-cant-make-payroll-pay-bills
Investopedia. (2022). “Why Cash Management Is Key To Business Success.” https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cash-management.asp
Sage. (2025). “How to Negotiate Payment Terms with Your Suppliers.” https://www.sage.com/negotiate-payment-terms-suppliers
SimplyInsurance. (2025). “How Many Small Businesses Fail.” https://www.simplyinsurance.com/how-many-small-businesses-fail/
U.S. Small Business Administration. (2025). “Manage Your Business Finances.” https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-finances
Upflow. (2024). “Days Sales Outstanding (DSO): Meaning & Interpretation.” https://upflow.io/blog/reduce-dso/calculate-dso