Managing your business finances can feel like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle—but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! This week on Mind Your Business, we’re diving into the world of finance, bookkeeping, and admin to help you keep your cash flow steady, avoid common mistakes, and make sense of all that head-spinning bookkeeping jargon!
This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Steven Platts from Strafford & Curtis. Steve looks to provide financial insights, basic bookkeeping services and support to clients, freeing up their time and enabling them to focus on other business functions. His goal is to support and enable the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs by promoting understanding of all areas of the finance function within the business.
DIY or Delegate? Navigating Bookkeeping in the Early Startup Stages
Successful business owners know that staying on top of finances is just as important as making sales. “Bookkeeping and admin is an essential part of any business,” but for many start-ups, hiring a full-time bookkeeper straight away isn’t always necessary. In the early days, managing it yourself can be a great way to save money and get a deeper understanding of your business’s financial health.
However, as your business grows, so do the financial complexities—VAT, payroll, invoices, and tax deadlines can quickly pile up, and without the right experience, small mistakes can lead to big headaches!
That’s where outsourcing can make a real difference. “Having someone dedicated to your day-to-day back office running” allows you to focus on what you do best—growing your business—without getting bogged down in spreadsheets. While doing it yourself might work in the beginning, “bringing in an industry expert when the time is right” can save you time, stress, and potentially even money in the long run. The key is knowing when to make the switch so you can keep your business running smoothly and set yourself up for long-term success!💡
Avoiding Bookkeeping Pitfalls and Making Sense of the Numbers
Curious about the biggest challenges and how to avoid them? Let’s take a closer look and navigate them step by step:
1. Not Valuing Your Own Time
One of the most common mistakes start-up owners make is failing to recognize the worth of their own time. “Your time, experience, and contribution are worth money,” and every hour spent on a task with no return is an investment you might not get back. If you don’t value your time, why should a customer? It’s important to set fair pricing, avoid excessive unpaid work, and focus on high-value tasks that drive growth.
2. Overcomplicating the Finances
“Most start-ups won’t require boatloads of bookkeeping or an Alexandra’s Library worth of documents and receipts.” Getting lost in financial jargon and obsessing over complex metrics like ROI and NPV can slow you down. Instead, start simple—a clear, easy-to-track budget comparing your income and outgoings is your best foundation for financial success.
3. Poor Cash Flow Planning
Cash flow can be unpredictable, but forecasting short-term finances and preparing for slower months can help you stay in control. Setting clear payment terms, keeping a cash buffer, and making sure your pricing covers both expenses and profit will keep your business financially stable. Managing cash flow isn’t just about survival—it’s about setting yourself up for sustainable growth.
Mastering Cash Flow: Simple Strategies to Keep Your Finances Healthy
Cash flow can make or break a business, and for many start-ups, managing it effectively is one of the biggest challenges. It’s easy to focus on making sales and growing your business, but if the money going out is faster than the money coming in, things can quickly spiral. That’s why it’s important to “take some time to look up how to properly construct a cost-benefit analysis.”
Understanding where your time and money are best spent ensures you’re not working five hours for just a couple of pounds—it’s about making smart financial decisions that actually move your business forward.
Another simple but powerful strategy is managing your payment terms. “Understand that the industry standard is 30 days, and you will most likely not be seeing payment upon delivery of a service,” so planning ahead is key. Late payments or unexpected gaps in income can throw a business off track, but forecasting short-term cash flow “for a month or two in advance” can help you stay one step ahead.
Whether it’s setting clear payment terms with clients, keeping a buffer for slow months, staying proactive with cash flow management gives your business the stability it needs to grow and thrive! 🌱
