Author: Stephen Huck

Corporate fraud is something that has affected almost every business at one time or another. It is a sad price of doing business. Corporate fraud can be any fraud that is committed against a specific company. Corporate fraud cases are complex, private, and can include financial scandals or evasions of fiscal responsibilities. It can also come as theft of physical assets, confidential information, or cash. Also, misappropriate use of business accounts, fraud of payroll, extortion, credit and banking-related frauds, specified insurance fraud, and much more.

Types of Organizations Affected by Corporate Fraud

Now, the question is how can we measure the extent of corporate fraud and what steps can we take to eradicate this obnoxious scam from our organizations? Everyone faces this issue, and it doesn’t depend on the organization’s size, industry, net worth, or location. Fraud does not discriminate. You cannot plan to squelch white-collar crime without discouraging healthy business growth that benefits the consumer. The government vigorously tries to avoid fraud with different policies, rules, and techniques designed to help law enforcement detect schemes before they blow up.

 

According to recent studies by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), small businesses are greater targets of fraud. Small and midsize companies undergo a more significant part of fraud damages than do larger companies. The reason is apparent: small companies don’t have the resources to implement proper fraud prevention protocols. Also, even if implemented, the protocol is often taken lightly by company employees.

Fraud Prevention Program

Specialists estimate that businesses lose 5-6% of their yearly profits due to white-collar fraud. A complete fraud prevention program is required if you do not want to become a part of these statistics. This consists of three things:

• Training/education
• Exploration/investigation
• Preemptive prevention

Training/Education

It is the responsibility of the stakeholders to give every employee complete training on identifying the signs and symptoms of a fake business con and how to report these scams efficiently. Even if someone in the business has recognized the fraud, they often hesitate to come forward because it may be hard for that individual to explain the situation, and they fear losing their position in the company based on what they have found. The most important thing for a company owner to tell all employees is that they have their complete trust, rely on their actions, and that they should come forward without any hesitation in case they find something. Whether it is a small or large organization, employees are most likely to report suspicious activity when they have the essential knowledge to help the company as an integral part of the fraud prevention program. Almost 90% of the time, corporate frauds are committed within the organization, so while fraud avoidance efforts are designed to stop employee fraud, inspections of suspected fraud should discourage other employees from committing fraud.

Exploration/Investigation

Secondly, once the fraud has been identified, proper and thorough interrogation and an investigation is a must. Identifying and inspecting signs of fraudulent doings should never be overvalued or taken too superficially. All employers must remember the influence on the company’s reputation and internal atmosphere of setting the wrong person under exploration.

Preemptive Prevention

Thirdly, and the most critical factor in a fraud prevention program, is to carry out specific preventative measures to see the general picture and know the background of fraud, categories of fraud, and detection techniques applicable to fraud in a corporate setting. Decide what action should be penalized to the culprit or guilty party based on the investigation results. There should be a structured report according to the elements of proof for the relevant offenses. The action taken will undoubtedly set an example in front of everyone in case of any future corporate mishaps.

Final Note

The one sure thing for almost all business owners to know is that we can never completely eradicate fraud in our businesses. Still, we can take preventive measures and be more efficient with keeping a strict eye on all things related to corporate fraud by properly educating everyone working in the corporation.

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.

In business, focus improvement means that your systems are improved by gradually removing restraints and improving the system as a whole. To focus on the growth of a business, it is essential not to waste time dealing with the system’s constraints. By doing so, the focus of the people associated with the company will be on the business functions.

Focus Improvement

Operating a business is not an easy task, no matter how experienced you are. A business needs your investment, your time, your energy, and your complete focus. If you are distracted, you will not be able to give attention to business operations wholeheartedly. No matter how efficient the tools and software you are using to manage business functions are or how highly qualified the staff you hired to run your entrepreneurship may be, the business still demands your focus wholeheartedly.

Business bookkeeping and accounting is a difficult task. As an entrepreneur, you also must know the value of making the right decisions at the right time, along with the consultation of accountants. Reading financial statements, matching accounting statements, and discussing finances with your accountants all need your focus and attention. Keeping a check and balance on your bookkeeping is not an easy task, and if your mind is already not focused on the work, you cannot interpret whether the expenses are going in the right direction, much less anything else. A small mistake in business or a slight delay in business-related decisions can slow the growth of a company, leading to a period of recession if you are not entirely focused.

Similarly, suppose you are dealing with clients in a service business or having a meeting with other entrepreneurs. If your mind is not focused or you are not fully prepared for the meeting, it will leave a bad impression on your clients and/or investors. You must be aware of your environment. What is going on in the market? When can you reach other markets? What strategies can you adapt to increase business financing? How do you increase the market share of your products?

How to Become More Focused

Understanding the importance of focus is one thing, but how to become more focused is another. Here are some ways to focus efficiently on your business and its operations.

Make a daily to-do list. Paste it on your wall or computer table so you will be reminded and stay focused on the tasks you need to accomplish in a day. Then, divide your day into daily tasks and select one task at a time to tackle. Plan out how to precisely achieve that task and create deadlines to finish it in the allotted time. When you finish that task, allow yourself to feel accomplished before focusing on the next task. Follow this simple procedure to accomplish your task list.

 

Also, try taking small breaks in between the tasks on your list. These breaks can take 5 to 15 minutes, so long as they allow your mind to refresh. Grab a cup of coffee or tea to mentally relax before working on the next item on your task list.

When taking a break or working on your tasks, keep your mind away from other interruptions and thoughts. It is crucial to avoid unnecessary things such as checking your inbox or social media frequently. Likewise, close any unnecessary browser windows on your computer to minimize distractions.

Office work should be kept in the office, if possible. When out of the office, try improving your focusing skills by practicing yoga and meditation. Proper sleep, hygiene, and eating are as important to stay focused and alert at the office just like task lists, taking breaks, and minimizing distractions.

Conclusion

Becoming more focused is important for everyone in today’s fast-paced world. Entrepreneurs, essentially, need to be more focused as it affects their day-to-day tasks and meetings. This, in the long run, results in successful business growth.

There are Three Main Purposes of Financing

• Funding a business start-up
• Financing for the growth and expansion of a business
• Dealing with unforeseen financial encounters

Sources of Business Financing

• Self-Funding
• Giving up Equity
• Debt

An entrepreneur takes on debt to fund massive purchases that they could not afford under normal circumstances. A debt arrangement means that the borrower is given money under the condition that the money will be paid back later with interest. There are different types of funding:

• Business credit card use
• Small Business Administration loans
• Foreign investors
• Crowdfunding/selling shares of the business
  
  

An Entrepreneur Must Be Clear of the Situation and Considerations When Taking Loans

Consider the following when taking a loan

1. How early are the finances needed? If there is no time to wait, then debt financing may be the only option left to invest in the business.
2. How much finance is needed? If there is a small amount to be invested, a loan can be taken.
3. If a company is running successfully and financing is required urgently, debt can be taken.
4. Debt is beneficial if you want to keep the business local and keep the whole ownership with you.
5. When taking debt, the lender has no claim to equity in the business. Ownership remains the same. Business operation and bookkeeping decisions remain with the owners/entrepreneurs/executive management.
6. When net profit is increased, the lender will only be given the borrowed money and the interest in it. If business progress and rewards are more significant, the entrepreneurs will reap the rewards. The lender will not claim or share in the business rewards/profits.
7. Interests on debt can be subtracted from the business’s tax returns. Borrowing money can be a gift to entrepreneurs. The cost of interest decreases the taxable profit that your business earns. Thus, it reduces the tax expense in your company/business. Large corporations/businesses also use this strategy to minimize tax expenses.

Consider options other than taking loans

• Debt has to be paid back with interest, whether the business is a success or not.
• High interest in debt during a recession of business can dissolve the company.
• The bigger the debt-to-equity ratio in the business, the riskier the business is considered by investors.
• The company is usually required to place assets of the company as security/warranty to the lender.
• If you are making day-to-day purchases and are small in numbers, then using a business credit card is the best option.

 

It can be a challenging duty of entrepreneurs to decide when and how business financing is right for the business. If the entrepreneur does not have enough money to be used as a capital investment, they may go to lenders to borrow money or take debts from banks or financial institutes. Starters in the business field are not experienced, and lenders will not give them an accurate picture. Getting loans in the wrong situations and at the wrong times costs financial losses to entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs must understand these essential factors before going to lenders

• Credit history: previously, how has the business financing been managed?
• Ability to pay back the loan: is the business going well enough to pay back the amount borrowed with interest?
• Has the entrepreneur invested enough personal finances as capital in the business?
• Does the business have assets to be put down as security in debt if the company fails or a period of double-dip happens?
• Does the entrepreneur have enough experience in business financing and business operations?

Conclusion

If entrepreneurs are not experienced, they can consult with bankers and accounting firms to get a clear picture of their business and when to take a loan. They can benefit from the advice of bankers as well. 

Using the right tools and assistance at the right time for business financing is a way to a successful business. 

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.

Borrowing money is sometimes a business necessity, and sometimes, business owners go into debt to boost business growth. This often has the opposite result, and instead of rapid growth, the debt becomes a severe cause of cash flow and other business funding problems. Small business owners should prepare and implement a step-by-step guide to ensure that they can get out of debt before the company fails.

Getting Out of Debt

Step one

• List All of your debts, their balances, and interest rates.
• After tracking down all your debts, you will have a clear idea of how much is payable.

Step two

• Set periodic goals.
• Plan out your total debt. Then, know the dates of their payback schedule. Divide your debt into monthly savings in a separate account in your business. You will keep an amount of money every month on that account reserved for debt payments.

Step three

• Reduce expenses. The crucial step in getting out of debt is to minimize expenses in the business.
• Make a priority list.
• Ensure your employees’ wholehearted participation.
• Strictly check accounting statements, especially financial statements.
• If you are spending a considerable amount on advertising your products, you cannot cut all of the advertising costs, but you can find alternatives. Go for social media advertising, and it will also aid in direct interaction with your potential clients.

Step four

• Do not mix your personal account with your business account. This is one of the biggest accounting mistakes small business owners make. You will not get the true picture of your business’s financial status.

Step five

• Keep a firm control of your business bookkeeping to avoid fraud.
• Cut short on unnecessary expenses.
• Manage business operations more effectively.
• Predict, analyze, and sort out business funding, cash flow, and other problems over time.

Step six

• Revise your budget.
• Keep the money for monthly payments of the debt. Do not use this money for any other purchase. Otherwise, the debt with interest will continue to pile up. Manage your inventory. Do not purchase extra stock.

Step seven

• Sacrifice the fast track for slow growth.
• Many entrepreneurs want to grow their businesses by leaps and bounds in no time. 
• Try not to go into more debt for rapid growth in business until you have paid back all of the previous debt.

Step eight

• Know the exact cost of the services you provide to your customers. Never compromise on price, or the company will either dissolve or go into increasing debt.

Step nine

• Stay sharp in your business situation. Use accounting software to keep an up-to-date accounting system.

Step ten

• Drop credit cards. Credit cards should be used minimally in small-sized businesses as the loans will pile up quickly.

Step eleven

• Think productively about producing more income.
• Debt counselors often suggest finding means to bring more money into your business to eradicate your business’s debt-payment liabilities once and forever. Find ways to increase your income. 
• Liquidating high-value assets can be done as a last resort, but still, it provides an option for paying the debt on time. You can sell a valuable asset of your business that is not being used or is not a part of the capital investment.

Step twelve

• Work harder and work more. Create extra shifts and put in overtime to get out of debt. You can seek out options to work overtime for the time being while your company is in debt.

Step thirteen

• Every time you achieve your goal, reward yourself. Keep achieving your goals until your company is debt-free.

Conclusion

Getting out of debt is of great importance. If not paid down promptly, interest can increase the debt to an unmanageable level. It can further force you to take on even more debt to run business operations. Instead, prepare and implement a guideline for you and your employees to get out of debt fast.

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.

Making payroll is perhaps the most essential task for a small business. Unfortunately, issues regarding payroll in small businesses are also common. Here are five common payroll problems and how to avoid them.

Hiring Out-Performs Income

Often, small companies will experience rapid growth, and a business owner can feel mounting pressure to hire more employees. A small business will not have had time to build up revenue to appropriately pay the added staff in some cases. Before reaching that point, the business owner should assess growing business activity and needs against the current payroll staff’s skills and workload. This will allow the owner to develop smart strategies to efficiently use the current human resources without over-extending payroll funds. Staff expansion should only happen after the business has built enough steady income to meet new employees’ required payroll.

Temporary Staff is Needed

You must know when to hire new staff, how to manage their payroll funding when the revenue builds up, and how to overcome expenses until your revenue is generated, which means temporary staff might be a good option. For example, if your business wins a project and you need more staff to complete the task before the deadline, you must increase your company’s payroll. However, a temporary project also increases the expenses of a company. This is a common scenario in construction companies, landscapers, and designers. Fortunately, this process is predictable and calculable, so prepare in advance and plan out finances and any other foreseeable issues. You can take money from your business’s last season or borrow money for payroll funding until the next season yields revenue.

Over-Staffing

At start-up, business owners often hire more employees than business needs require. New business owners can get in the habit of hiring staff for any new task that arises instead of efficiently dividing the work among the existing staff. Before hiring another team member, explore other options, such as outsourcing contractors, finding automated tasks to reduce the burden on the team, and reorganizing existing teams.

Delayed Payments or Discounts Given to Customer

Many customers delay their payments; however, if your small business runs short on income, you can quickly generate invoices and immediately send them to customers. This will help minimize any extenuating delay in receiving payments from your customers.

One incentive to receive payment quickly is to offer your customers discounts if the payment is made within a given time frame before the deadline.

Another option is to use Invoice Factoring for typically slow-paying customers. Invoice Factoring is when a business sells its invoices to a third party, known as a factor or factoring company, at a discount. This service can be provided by independent finance providers or even by banks.

Misconstruing Payroll Taxes

It is imperative that you carefully calculate your payroll taxes. Otherwise, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will notify you that you owe your employees money. This will naturally create payroll issues for your business and your employees.   However, it is essential to note that a taxpayer can request the Internal Revenue Service to negotiate payroll taxes for a small business and settle payroll taxes less than the total amount.

Conclusion

Payroll problems are a common issue for small businesses. If a company is running short on funds to meet payroll, the priority must be to secure funding from an alternate source. After all, if not carefully planned, payroll funding problems can drastically harm your business’s credibility and financial health. Small business owners should strategically manage their payroll funding by avoiding common mistakes like ill-timed hiring, poorly planned temporary projects and staff, over-staffing, delayed payment receipts, and misconstrued payroll taxes.

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.

Leadership Skills in a New Business

Entrepreneurs are considered leaders with vision and exceptional ideas that take the strengths of their company and employees together to achieve the organization’s goals. Leaders of a new business usually handle the responsibility of the success or failure of the business upon themselves, and the most prominent risk faced by the company is serious business debts.

But, numerous examples of failures of new companies in the corporate world show us that there is a difference between entrepreneurs and capable leaders. Many entrepreneurs have great ideas, but they lack the necessary leadership skills and proper bookkeeping to execute these ideas with adequate team management.

The central role of a leader in a start-up is not just generating ideas. A core leadership skill is taking the team and organizational resources currently available to execute the plans. Team building is another essential skill that leaders must possess to make their company a successful endeavor.

Decision Making Under Stress

The most significant strength of any leader of a new business or a start-up is the ability to make crucial decisions in a short and limited time. Scientific research by experts at Harvard indicates that true leadership capabilities are determined when they are under duress. For example, how well does a leader handle their serious business debts?

Procrastination in leaders is not an ideal trait for running a new business smoothly. The leader needs to be vigilant and close to employees in critical times. Keeping the employees close and explaining the principles of proper bookkeeping to them makes for excellent leadership skills. 

Managing Teams in the Initial Stages of New Business

A significant strength of a new business leader is the art of managing people in teams to help the company achieve its goals and objectives. The difference between a failed venture and a successful one is selecting the right side. When the new start-up business is going through turmoil and faces the dangers of serious business debts, sometimes the leader will be aware of how their team members regard their individual personalities. Still, in stressful situations, people’s reactions are different.

Without proper guidance from the leader, the team will collapse and eventually cause the company to fail. Instead, the main strength of the company and its leaders is to use the skills of each team member in different environments.

Irreplaceable Traits of a Leader

The leader of any new start-up must rely on their skills and tend to focus and improve their decision-making skills because these traits are unique. Another critical aspect of the company’s strength is to stick with the founding team of the company when facing severe business debts.

Managing debts and similar critical business scenarios brings about the best and the worst traits of teams and leadership. It is essential to rely on the strengths of each team member and communicate the problems wisely.

Communication Between Team Members

The communication skills of a leader in a new business are necessary because the leader must be able to communicate all of the necessary information needed for proper bookkeeping. The strength of a successful leader is to align the dominant and distinct features and abilities of their teams.

The team must feel comfortable sharing their ideas to make the new company successful. For this purpose, the roles assigned to groups must be flexible and according to their abilities. Developing a new venture in the current volatile corporate environment is necessary for the leader and the team. The focus must be on getting new clients and adding more business while focusing on minimizing serious business debts. Customer retention as a core strength of a new company depends on adequately communicating the client’s needs by business leaders to their team. Some client needs are complex and need more communication between groups and the leader.

The Bottom Line Conclusion

Effective leadership is essential for new business ventures; the undeniable fact that skilled leadership leads to better team management. Proper team management is a major strength for a new business to overcome challenges. The company’s success is just a fraction of good performance by the leader, but it is more dependent on the role of team members and their efforts. 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.

The Vital Role of Small Businesses in the Economy

Small businesses are the steadfast backbone of our economy, acting as a vital source of employment, innovation, and community engagement. They not only create jobs for countless individuals but also foster new ideas and products, ensuring that money remains within the local communities. The absence of small businesses would leave our economy struggling to maintain its vitality and resilience. However, many people conflate the terms “small-business owner” and “entrepreneur” despite the fact that while both run small enterprises, their leadership styles and operational philosophies are quite distinct. Entrepreneurs often embrace significantly higher risks in pursuit of groundbreaking opportunities, whereas small-business owners prioritize stability and consistent operations.

Understanding Small-Business Owners

A small-business owner is someone who takes on the responsibility of organizing various corporate processes and assumes the inherent risks that come with running a business. Their primary goal is to create a profitable enterprise, aligning with the definition set forth by the Small Business Administration (SBA). This agency is dedicated to supporting small-business owners in their pursuit of success, providing essential resources and services for those seeking financing.

While the SBA possesses a keen focus on aiding small businesses, it is essential to recognize that owners typically function as owner-operators. This means they tend to concentrate on immediate sales and operational tasks, often exercising caution when it comes to broader strategic initiatives. They are less inclined to take bold risks, favoring decisions that ensure steady, incremental growth rather than drastic shifts in direction.

The challenges faced by small businesses are starkly reflected in statistics: approximately 50% of these enterprises falter within the first four years, while a staggering 25% fail within their inaugural year. Moreover, around 76% of small business owners report encountering significant marketing hurdles as they navigate the increasingly complex landscape of online platforms available for advertising their goods and services.

Private companies continue to represent the bedrock of economic stability, providing essential services and goods. On average, businesses with fewer than 5,000 employees maintain a modest workforce of about 13 individuals. Additionally, the demographics of small-business ownership are shifting; currently, around 51% of small-business owners are over 50 years old, while only 16% are younger than 35.

For many employees, the transition to larger industries brings clear advantages. Employees at companies with over 100 employees typically earn about 31% more than their counterparts in businesses with fewer than 100 employees. The evolution of financial management has also prompted a shift in how small businesses operate—more than 50% now enlist the expertise of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or controller to oversee their financial accounts.

In 2014, the IRS evaluated a staggering $2.1 billion in civil penalties against individuals filing business income taxes. Out of the 1.09 million penalties issued, 47% were due to late payments, while fewer than 0.5% stemmed from inaccuracies.

Addressing the Gender Gap in Entrepreneurship

The entrepreneurial landscape reveals another pressing issue: only four out of every ten new entrepreneurs are women. This gender gap has slightly widened since the mid-1990s despite the encouraging presence of grants and programs aimed at empowering women-owned businesses.

Distinguishing Small Business Owners from Entrepreneurs

At the heart of small-business ownership lies a clear and compelling vision: addressing specific challenges faced by their communities. Small-business owners possess a profound understanding of their ventures and target markets, allowing them to cater effectively to the needs and desires of their customers.

These individuals value stability and predictability; they thrive on understanding what lies ahead and proactively preparing for it. Their decisions are calculated and methodical, often grounded in detailed financial records that guide their path forward. While the outcomes may not always be monumental, they consistently strive for progress, ensuring the resilience of their operations.

Small business owners are often preoccupied with immediate objectives. They create detailed daily and weekly to-do lists, manage their teams, build relationships with customers, and actively engage in networking to attract new clientele—all while keeping the wheels of their operations in motion.

Emotionally, small-business owners forge a deep connection with their enterprises. They are frequently hesitant to sell or transfer their businesses to anyone outside their family, as they prefer to maintain control over the daily decision-making processes and operational intricacies that define their work.

Concluding Thoughts

For those new to the business realm, the terms “entrepreneur” and “small business owner” may appear interchangeable at first glance. However, a deeper examination reveals that these roles are far from synonymous. Both groups share the common goal of self-employment and profitability, but they fulfill different functions within the broader economic landscape. Nearly every country relies on the tenacity and creativity of small-business owners to nurture a vibrant economy, while entrepreneurs push the boundaries of innovation and drive economic growth further. 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.

Employee theft of inventory and supplies and the unauthorized use of equipment, although not as recurrent as cash theft, can do major damage to small businesses. In some cases, a non-employee conspirator may be involved, including a dishonest vendor. Although cash is the ideal target for employee theft, supplies, inventory, and equipment are alluring as well. These frauds range from a box of paper clips to the unauthorized use of expensive furniture or equipment. The following are common types of employee misconduct relating to non-cash properties:

Unauthorized Use of Equipment

Employee unauthorized use of equipment can be a major loss for small businesses.

The Fraud: How about that great snowblower the company bought to clear sidewalks and the parking lot for customers? Employee Joe David decided it was better to “borrow” the company’s new tool to do his driveway than to buy or rent one of his own. While doing his driveway, his neighbors wanted to hire him to do theirs as well. Why not? Joe, the potential entrepreneur, ran the snowblower all weekend, using up all the fuel and eventually breaking the machine. There was no way the boss could clear the sidewalk and parking lot for his business Monday morning as he couldn’t get that new snowblower started.

The Flaw: Trusting employees. Leaving keys or easy access to valuable equipment. No formal policy stated or enforced.

The Fix: Set strict policies and limits for employees and enforce them. Physically secure valuable equipment. Employees may not only misuse your business equipment but may make your assets prudently “disappear.”

Inventory Shrinkage Can Be Reduced

Dealing with employee theft of inventory, supplies, and equipment can be an on-going struggle, depending on the type of workforce and turnover present in your organization.

The Fraud: Inventory can shrink due to plain old robbery, phony receiving reports, and unauthorized write-offs of old accounts receivable.

The Flaw: Depending on the industry you’re in, there is guaranteed to be some natural shrinkage in inventories over time due to minor errors of one sort or another. But large discrepancies are almost always due to fraud. Even during a physical count, a fraudster employee can use empty boxes, etc., to fool an auditor into thinking there are more units on the shelf than there are.

The Fix: As with other types of employee fraud, a formal policy of segregation of duties, strict supervision, voucher accounting, and all relevant internal controls must exist and be enforced at all times.

Physical counts should be recurrent and detailed, sometimes on a surprise basis. Nothing should be taken for granted. Reconciling bookkeeping records with sales invoices periodically is a good way to test the records. Frequent assessment of the perpetual inventory records is a must. Examination of financial statements to mine for margins, turnover rates, increases in costs of goods sold, and criminal receivables should be done monthly. Another type of employee fraud is committed to fake sales or purchases and often requires the support of an outside accomplice.

Protect Against Fake Sales and/or Purchases

Fake sales made by impostor employees may go to a phony customer or a real one who is an accomplice.

The Fraud: The property could be “sold” to a fake company with a phony purchase order and invoice and shipped right out of the warehouse to a storage facility that the fraudster employee rented to receive them. The goods can later be sold for cash, the invoice voided, and the inventory record doctored. Or, perhaps an employee is in a unique position to manipulate purchasing and receiving systems.

The Flaw: As is commonly the case when it comes to fraud, the reason these frauds happen is attributable to the lack of separation of duties, lack of supervision, and lack of overall internal controls.

The Fix: It bears reiterating that a formal policy of separation of duties, strict supervision, voucher accounting, and all relevant internal controls must exist and be enforced at all times.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, fraud is inevitable in many organizations. Regardless of the size of the fraud allegation or the individual involved, the organization should consider having a documented policy of how fraud allegations will be investigated and resolved. 

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.

Debt is the amount of money received from a lender to invest in a business to finance its operations. If paying the debt back is not prioritized in small businesses, it will keep on piling up and become a serious threat to your company. The debt will become unmanageable and can result in the bankruptcy of your small business. Here are six amazing tips for digging your small business out of serious debt.

1. Cut unnecessary costs and free up cash

Keep a strict check and balance on the expenses going on in your business. Do not sign any repayment application before double-checking the purpose, date, and invoice number.

Eliminate unnecessary expenses in your business. For example, if your advertising is costing you too much, then consider using social media and directly interacting with your potential customers as a way to lessen the cost.

2. Consolidate your loans

Serious debts in small businesses often result in cash flow problems, which will create more debts. Small business owners often take more debt on interest to pay back their previous debt. These owners can refinance their business by consolidating the debt they have taken. They will have to pay back the debt monthly in small, manageable payments.  Making these payments means you will have to reserve a smaller amount of cash for debt payback every month. This will not generate a cash flow problem in your company, and this can allow you to take more loans for debt payments and other business operations.

3. Think productively about increasing income

Debt counselors often suggest finding a means to bring in more money in your business to eradicate the debt-payment liabilities from your business forever. Find ways to increase income. You can seek out options to work overtime for the time being while the company is in debt. 

Liquidating high-value assets can be done as a last resort, but it still provides an option for paying the debt in time. You can sell a valuable asset of your business that is not in use or is not a part of the capital investment.

You can ask investors to bring in more money to grow your business and pay back the loan faster for digging your company out of serious debt.

4. Prioritize debt payments

Paying the debt must be your priority. You can hold onto certain expenses. You can hold some personal facilities for you in your business. Inventory should be managed. You can delay payments of your purchases until the date it is due as long as you pay in time. All of this has to be done in the process of digging your company out of serious debt with those high interest rates that can kill any company.

5. Revisit the budget

If the debt continues to build, then it possibly means that the company’s existing budget is not working out. Cut down on the expenses that are not vital in your company. Always keep the money for your monthly payment of the debt. Do not use this money for any other purchase. Otherwise, the debt with interest will keep piling up. Manage your inventory. Do not purchase extra stock.

6. Drop credit cards

Credit card use in your company also means that your business is delaying payments of the expenses. Try using cash when available.  And, if the money is not available, avoid overspending. Do not use credit cards while you are in the process of digging your company out of serious debt. Credit cards are also a means of unnecessary purchases at certain times.

Conclusion

Serious debt on your small business is the debt you had taken earlier in the company’s history that continues to pile up. The reasons can be that your company’s debt produced cash flow problems, and you had to take more debt. The interest on debt kept increasing along with the loans taken. This piling up of serious debt can result in the insolvency of your small business. Use the above tips for digging your company out of serious debt. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

An entrepreneur often creates debt when funding large purchases that could not be afforded under normal conditions. A debt arrangement means that the borrower loaned money to return the money through interest payments.

Equity is the worth of an asset minus the total of all liabilities on that asset. Equity financing is the course of increasing capital by the sale of shares in a business. The sale of ownership parts to improve the finances of a business is equity financing.

Equity financing has a broad spectrum to increase ownership shares. Friends and family members can be asked to invest funds and gain ownership shares accordingly. Financing from other private companies can also be considered in equity financing. 

While this information may indicate that it makes the most sense to use equity financing instead of debt-inducing loans to finance aspects of your business, there are some advantages and disadvantages to both options. A comparison should be made between debt loans and equity financing to help you decide how to finance the needs of your business.

Debt vs. Equity Financing

Debt vs. Equity Financing is a strategic decision made by small and medium-sized business owners or financial officers. One should consider the pros and cons of increasing business capital through debt financing or equity financing. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of debt vs. equity financing.

Advantages of debt financing through equity financing

• When taking debt, the lender has no claim to equity in the business. Ownership remains the same. Business operation and bookkeeping decisions remain with the owners/entrepreneurs/executive management.
• When net profit is increased, the lender will only be given the debt money and interest. If business progress and rewards are more significant, the entrepreneurs will reap the rewards. The lender will have no claim or share in the business rewards/profits.
• Interests on debt can be subtracted from the business’s tax returns.
• There will be no need to seek the vote of shareholders in the business to make certain decisions.

Disadvantages of debt financing over equity financing

• Debt has to be paid back with interest, regardless of whether the business is running successfully or not.
• High interest on debt during the recession of business can dissolve the business.
• The bigger the debt-to-equity ratio in a business, the riskier business is considered by the investors.
• The company is usually required to place the company’s assets as a security/warranty to the lender.

Debt vs. Equity Financing: Which Way Should Your Business Go?

1. How early are the finances needed? If there is no time to wait, then debt financing is left to invest in the business.
2. How much finance is needed? If there is a small amount to be invested, then debt can be taken.
3. If a company is running successfully and financing is required urgently, debt can be taken.
4. If the business is growing and thriving, equity will provide a chance to attract investors with experience and knowledge. A good business relationship is established among the entrepreneurs/investors. It can have a remarkable positive impact on business in the long run.
5. Debt is good only if you want to keep the business local and keep the whole ownership with you. But, if the company is progressive, reaching other markets other than your local community, you might need to go for equity financing.
   
   

Conclusion

Debt and Equity Financing are the two options available for small to medium-sized business owners when they need to invest more money but they lack the amount at the time of financing. Entrepreneurs must consider all options for choosing debt or equity financing. If the company faces a period of decline or recession, then the debt may not be a good choice.

Making financial decisions for your business can be a challenge. However, if you carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of debt vs. equity financing, you can do what is best for your company financially.

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.