Don’t underestimate the benefits of accurate and timely financial reporting and bookkeeping! Perhaps most importantly, staying on top of these processes will help you understand the financial health of your business, which is crucial for any entrepreneur.
Additionally, top-notch financial statements will help you come up with a budget for your business and make major decisions when you have to. You’ll be able to zoom in on any weaknesses (or strengths!) to consider within your company as well.
Here we’ll highlight some other important advantages of staying on top of your books!
Accuracy in financial reporting is essential
If you want your business to grow and thrive, you’ve got to keep accurate financial records. In order to be successful, you need to know exactly where your business is at financially, at all times.
Tracking everything that is coming and going out of your business will ensure that your records are accurate. Consider your income: you need to go above and beyond just writing down how much money you’re making. You’ll also need to split it up into things like cash receipts and accounts receivable so you know where your money is.
Let your inner perfectionist loose so that you can catch mistakes early on and prevent any headaches in the future!
Easier to remember and associate transactions and expenses
Picture this: you’re poring over your financial records from just a few months ago. You see a charge, and you’re sure that it’s correct, but you just can’t seem to put your finger on what it was for. Listen, we’ve all been there. And we know that the only way to prevent this is by being timely with your financial records!
Timely financial reporting means fewer fees
Inaccurate and untimely financial reporting will result in tax fees, penalties, and in some cases even audits. Your financial statements are the key to compliance, and you’ll need them to file your tax returns as well as other returns for different government agencies. You’ll need to report on the state and federal levels, and if your reports are inaccurate or late, you could be in big trouble.
You could also run into problems with your bank and your investors, two entities that you want to have on your side. Avoid any necessary fees or issues by keeping up with your bookkeeping!
Accurate and timely financial reporting gives you ability to work well with your advisors
As mentioned, if you know exactly what is going on within your business at all times (especially on a financial level), you’ve got a leg up. This also means that you’ll have the upper hand in dealings with your business advisors.
A financial advisor, in particular, is there to help you develop a sound financial strategy for your business. In order to do so, he or she needs the most accurate and up-to-date information that you can provide. If you’re unable to provide such information, it would be pretty difficult to get solid advice. Solid advice means a solid path to success, and precise financial reporting is the best way to get there.
Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash