Many small business owners often opt to do their own accounting in effort to save money. Unfortunately, a lack of accounting and bookkeeping expertise can cost them a lot in profitability and success. In a recent article published on Entrepreneur.com, Lisa Girard shares “Three Common Accounting Mistakes” of which most of your prospective clients may not be aware. Understanding the struggles they have may enable you to better convince them of just how valuable your services are.
1. Treating sales as revenue before product or service is delivered.
Until the service is complete, don’t count payments as income. Girard, after talking with certified public accountant at Kroner Gamble &Co., explains, “Great sales in a month that will be delivered to the customer later, but are improperly posted as revenue for the current period, can give a company a false sense of profitability.”
2. Not considering the financial ramifications of a large purchase.
Many small businesses invest in costly equipment that can impact their business significantly, for good and bad. When costly items are purchased using cash, business owners can depreciate the equipment over time, however, they are unable to claim them as a one-time expense on their taxes. When taxes are due, these individuals are unable to claim the expense to offset profits requiring a larger tax payment. One possibility is to secure a short-term loan in order to purchase big-ticket items, a method which doesn’t deplete cash flow.
3. Confusing profits for cash flow.
Many businesses mistakenly reinvest earnings back into their business, leaving them little to no cash flow. To combat this tendency, Girard suggests, “Always track what you’re spending versus selling—and take a long, hard look at your financials before moving ahead with expansion plans that would put your business too far into debt.”
You help these small businesses succeed when you convince their owners that securing your services will ensure they don’t continually make these same mistakes. By offering both accounting and tax services, you become a full-service financial provider competent of helping small businesses succeed.
Accounting
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Tax Preparation
And why not offer more than just accounting services? Many people would like to find a one-stop financial provider where someone will meet their accounting and tax needs. By learning how to prepare individual and business returns you will become a full-service financial provider. Not only that, but the income potential for tax preparers is significant. You can charge $100 + per hour for your tax services!
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Resource
Girard, Lisa. “Three Common Accounting Mistakes.” 27 April 2011 Entrepreneur.com