Everyone likes making money, especially small business owners. Invoicing, funnily enough, is typically one of the less favourable tasks for small business owners. Chores like creating and sending invoices get set aside for other duties that are seen as more enjoyable or even more urgent. I know you have felt like this…You tell yourself you will get around to it tomorrow, but tomorrow becomes next week, next week becomes next… Read more
Following up on late, or god forbid non-paying customers, is no-one’s favourite task. Which is precisely why you need to set clear payment expectations up front – and in writing – before you work with a new clients. “The initial conversation might feel hard, or even icky, but chasing payment down the track with no proof of client acceptance, is even harder (and far more icky).” By communicating and agreeing… Read more
On average, small business owners spend 10 hours each week recording, organising, and processing financial transactions – everything from accounts receivable and payable, to employee payments, expense receipts and supplier invoices. That doesn’t sound like Bookkeeping Basics to me! While the process may be time-consuming (and tedious!), effective bookkeeping is the foundation of sound financial management – which in turn, is the lifeblood of your business. Feeling overwhelmed by mountains… Read more
The closer we get to 30 June and End of Financial Year – the more times I see the phrase “Buy now, so you can get a tax deduction this financial year”. I truly wonder how many unsuspecting business owners get sucked into this sales tactic – when they don’t even know or understand their tax position in the first place. “You see, a tax deduction is not the same… Read more
Every single week I see people bitch and moan about the prices accountants charge, that they are too expensive, that the individual (or business owner) is not getting value, that people don’t understand what the accountant actually does, or even worse – that accountants just push buttons that you can do yourself so really are not worth their time. Now let me reverse this just for a minute. How would… Read more
Calling all business owners, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, mumpreneurs, dadpreneurs – or any other fancy titles that are out there at the moment – the sooner you realise that profit is not the same as cash – the sooner you will start to plan for a fabulous financial future. You see here is the thing – I speak to business owners all the time who simply get frustrated (*insert swear words here… Read more
Cash Flow is the major cause 56% of small businesses don’t survive past their 5th birthday. It is time to turn the tables on that horrific statistic and be in charge of your cash flow (with confidence) and remove the stigma and fear around asking for your invoices to be paid. The first thing to consider is that cash flow is not just chasing debtors. Cash flow is understanding – when… Read more
Why do I invest so much in training, education & development? This month alone I have two conferences which are interstate that I will be attending. And when I say I am going to the Gold Coast to attend the MYOB Partner Conference, people say to me, “Oh, you are just going for a holiday!” And I know they are only saying that in jest (well I think they are),… Read more
I see over 50 invoices some days alone so I certainly don’t have spare time to check invoices – but I think it is a must in this day and age in business and I will tell you why.
Without a valid invoice your customers may delay payment, withhold extra tax – or worse still – not pay at all until you fix the invoice.
How long you are required to keep receipts, invoices and paperwork? Here’s some ways to keep documentation and implement a paperless office.