When you're growing a small business, it can be overwhelming to take on tasks that aren't your strengths. After all, you started a business because you were good at something... and likely, that something wasn't invoicing or collecting accounts receivable.
Making sales and making money are obviously necessary to grow your business. Instead of searching all over the internet for advice and sample templates, let us give you a head start.
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The purpose of your accounts receivable department is to invoice, monitor and collect payments for goods and services sold by your business. Your "accounts receivable" refers to any amounts due from clients or billings from any business transactions. While it seems simple enough, A/R can become quite complex when your clients aren't paying on time, your days sales outstanding (DSO) is too high or your accounts receivable turnover ratio continues to decrease.
The aim of the Enterprise Recovery Zenith blog is to inform, educate and support all who read here. Your clicks and comments determine what's important and how we can help. Within the top 10, we may also recognize trends and what's missing that we should cover in future posts. Read on to see if there's something you missed this year.
Unless your business has a full-time bookkeeper or accounting department, your accounting records could be in a state of disarray. There could be inconsistencies and costly mistakes that could affect your business sooner than later. Even with an accounting department, the end of the year is a practical time of year to tie up loose ends and reconcile your records. Making good business decisions, paying taxes and preparing for the future requires proper, accurate and up to date information.
The term "inbound marketing" became a buzzword for marketing agencies with the popularity of the internet. Websites, search engines, and social media began attracting interest for businesses looking to promote themselves. Traditional marketing of phone calls, direct mail pieces, TV and radio still mattered but marketing agencies noticed that online properties could work at a lower cost. Inbound marketing attracts potential customers without the need to reach out to them.
It can be challenging to strike a balance with a client who hasn't paid on time. You may be tempted to take it personally, question your own worth or be tempted to blow it off. If you and your client have an agreement that you will complete work and they will pay, you are absolutely right to remind them to pay. Your chances at a successful recovery depend on how you handle the situation.
It's okay to remind your clients that they owe you money. Here are some tips and sample payment reminder notices to help.
While it would be nice to get a heads up when a client decides to pull their business, they may just disappear. Depending on your business and the size of the client, losing one client could be devastating. You may also take it personally if the client has been with you for a long time or if they're one of a few. The most important part of client retention is communication. Maybe these clues don't mean what you think they mean.
Signing a contract with a new client, you may feel a combination of nerves and excitement. Obviously, it's fantastic to have a new client but just how well do you know them? Do they have a history of not paying their invoices on time? Are they well established and have a positive credit line?
It's the season of trickery and nothing can be more frightening than low cash flow. Have you been feeling "tricked" by delinquent clients? While initial meetings and calls may have gone smoothly, the client hasn't followed up on their end of the bargain? As frustrating as that can be, it's time to buck up with a few tricks of your own.
September and October seem to be a swift slide right into the holiday season. If you're a busy small business owner, you may not have realized that the end of the year is coming up quickly. Instead of spending late December in the rush of the season, start planning ahead to get your financial statements and taxes organized now.
