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February 6th, 2010
It’s pretty common for individuals and business owners to carefully choose a CPA and stick with him or her almost blindly. But let’s face it — times change and needs do, too. Sometimes, CPAs that were a great match for you and/or your company years ago don’t fit the bill any longer.
If you’re seeing any of these red flags between you and your current CPA, it’s not a bad idea to start investigating other accounting professionals.
- Your CPA is difficult to reach, and when you do reach him/her, you feel like you’re not being “heard”.
- Your CPA has really never taken the time to learn about your business. You feel like just another client.
- Your CPA doesn’t seem to want to learn anything new. This becomes more of a problem with each passing year.
- Your CPA was “inherited” by you and isn’t someone with whom you’d choose to deal.
- Your CPA either always says “yes” or always says “no”… and you feel like it’s just to get you to stop talking.
- Your CPA rushes all projects through at the last minute, giving you little time to discuss them.
Do any of these red flags sound familiar? If so, I’d encourage you to do yourself a favor and start looking around.
Remember — you’re not married to your CPA! So if you’re unhappy with the relationship, it may be time to move on.
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Are you worried about your company’s cash flow? Then sign up for my free report, 9 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow.
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FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
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Tags: Accountant, Accounting, Bad Idea, Business Owners, cash flow, Company Flow, CPA, Cpas, Current, Last Minute, Little Time, Match, Red Flags, Relationship
Posted in Change your CPA | No Comments »
February 3rd, 2010
FinancialFutureCFO’s blog isn’t the only place you can read articles on the financial and operational issues that matter to you.
Check out my page of articles here. Not only are they informative, but you can also reprint them for free at your own site.
It’s a great way to get information for you AND your blog or website!
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Are you worried about your company’s cash flow? Then sign up for my free report, 9 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow.
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FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
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Tags: articles, articles for blogs, articles for websites, Blog, cash flow, Company Flow, free articles, Issues That Matter, Operational Issues
Posted in Resources | No Comments »
February 2nd, 2010
Take a really good look at the state of your company right now. Are you happy with the way it’s organized? Is your cash flow adequate? Are you comfortable with the way paperwork and invoicing is handled?
If you said “no”, don’t worry — you’re probably in the majority.
Most business owners, especially those with very few employees, aren’t completely satisfied with some aspect of the state of their companies. And that’s perfectly okay… as long as they’re willing to make 2010 the year of change.
If you know it’s time to take charge of your business, I’d like to help you. Send me an email at scott(at)FinancialFutureCFO(dot)com and we’ll arrange a free telephone consultation.
It’s your business. Give it every chance of succeeding for this year and beyond!
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Concerned about cash flow? Then sign up for my free report, 9 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow.
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FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
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Tags: Business Owners, cash flow, Email, free consultation, Free Telephone, Invoicing, Paperwork, Send Email, Telephone Consultation
Posted in Business Ownership | No Comments »
January 30th, 2010
While media reports would have us believe that practically no businesses will expand during 2010, we all know that’s false. There are plenty of companies of all shapes and sizes that will grow in one way or another, whether through a merger, the creation of an additional corporate entity, etc.
Quite honestly, this pleases me greatly. Not just because I’m a virtual CFO, but because I’m a believer that sometimes you really have to take calculated risks. Of course, the CPA in me knows that those risks have to be undertaken very, very wisely.
If you’re considering an expansion, do yourself, your employees, your vendors and your customers a favor. Surround yourself with a group of talented professionals — financial managers, legal gurus, business coaches, marketers. That way, you’ll have a much better chance of expanding the right way.
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Concerned about cash flow? Then sign up for my free report, 9 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow.
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FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
Join FinancialFutureCFO on Twitter.
Tags: Believer, Better Chance, Business Coaches, cash flow, Corporate Entity, CPA, Financial Managers, Gurus, Marketers, Merger, Shapes And Sizes, Talented Professionals, virtual CFO
Posted in Business Ownership | No Comments »
January 29th, 2010
In my profession as a virtual CFO, the more my clients understand financial matters, the better it is for everyone.
That’s why I’ve developed a special resources page at my FinancialFutureCFO website.
At the resources page, you’ll find:
- HR forms, info and links
- Legislation info
- A Tax Center (great for quickly finding what you need)
- Videos, articles and more
I invite you to check out the resources page. If I’ve neglected to include anything you feel should be added, let me know by commenting below.
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Concerned about cash flow? Sign up for my free report, 9 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow.
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
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Tags: Advantage, cash flow, Dozens, Financial Matters, Financial Resources, Hr Forms, Legislation Info, Profession, Special Resources, virtual CFO, Website Resources
Posted in Free reports and resources | No Comments »
January 26th, 2010
Have you ever noticed that many businesses begin to advertise “super sales” at the end of the month? Though this isn’t surprising from a marketing standpoint, my guess is that there may be more to these sales than fulfilling a marketing plan.
For many companies, the approach of the end of the month brings to light a scary reality — their cash flow… well… it isn’t flowing. In fact, it may be as dried up as a desert stream. The result? A quick sale to improve ”ye olde bank account”.
While this type of technique isn’t innately bad (after all, it does work on some level), I’d be very concerned if a company had to do this on a consistent basis. In essence, they would be in the same position month after month (i.e., terrible cash flow.)
If you’re finding yourself in a pinch every 30 days, this is a red flag that it’s time to get assistance from a CPA and/or bring a CFO on board. That way, you can get some expert advice on how to make sure you aren’t spending the last 5-10 days of each month in “scramble mode”.
One final note: If you’re concerned about cash flow (which is perfectly normal, by the way!), sign up for my free report, 9 Ways to Increase Your Cash Flow.
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
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Tags: Advertise, cash flow, CFO, Consistent Basis, CPA, Desert Stream, Expert Advice, Guess, Marketing Companies, Marketing Plan, Red Flag, Sales Marketing, Scary, Scramble Mode, Standpoint
Posted in cash flow management | No Comments »
January 23rd, 2010
I’m giving away a very special report that’s been written specifically for business owners and entrepreneurs.
My free report will give you 9 ways to increase your cash flow so you can better manage your money and “up” your profitability in 2010 and beyond!
Simply head to the FinancialFutureCFO website and add your information in the box that first greets you. From there, you’ll receive your report via email and can start implementing some great techniques to keep that cash flowing!
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
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Tags: Business Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, Business Report, cash flow, Email, Free Report, Manage Money, Manage Your Money, Profitability, Special Report, Website Information
Posted in Free reports and resources, cash flow management | No Comments »
January 22nd, 2010
 I have to say that I really appreciated this article about reducing your business costs.
It gives five great tips for cutting back in ways other than those which are obvious. The one I found especially important was to relax your (impossibly) high standards.
This is a problem a lot of entrepreneurs face. They think they have to always stand out… even when it doesn’t matter. Therefore, they get the most expensive letterhead, the priciest website in their industry and even the most luxurious hand soaps for their restrooms.
Though I understand the desire to set yourself apart, I believe that it can be done without hurting cash flow in the process. If you sit down and examine all your costs, I’m fairly certain you can find several places to “cut back” in ways that won’t make you look like a penny-pincher but will positively affect your bottom line.
I’d be very interested to know the “mini ways” you’ve approached cash flow issues. What have you changed that’s made a difference you can take to the bank?
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
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Tags: Bottom Line, Business Costs, cash flow, Cash Flow Issues, Desire, Hand Soaps, Letterhead, Luxurious Hand, Money, Penny Pincher, Restrooms
Posted in cash flow management | No Comments »
January 15th, 2010
If you’re in a state where utility rate caps are set to expire or if you use a type of energy source that’s significantly gone up in price, you probably need to adjust your business budget. Even if you work out of your home, price adjustments on natural gas, electricity, oil and coal can significantly affect your cash flow.
Many business owners forget how a modest change in utility rates can have dramatic effects, especially if you’re already having trouble making ends meet each month.
So what can you do? Well, you have several options:
1. Make sure you’re budgeting for variable rates in your utility costs.
2. Get on a month-by-month “budget plan” (offered by many companies.) That way, you’ll pay about the same amount each month, which could wind up in savings for you.
3. Shop around for another energy provider.
4. In the colder months, keep your general office temperature a little cooler (but not Scrooge-like cold!) and offer employees energy-efficient space heaters for their areas. In the hotter months, do the same with personal fans (but don’t make workers or customers sweat it out — that’s not fair!)
5. Ensure your windows and doors aren’t making things worse for you in terms of utility bills. Plugging up drafts can make a huge difference.
6. Move to a different location, if possible.
7. Raise your prices to absorb the new costs of your utilities.
What other ways have you used to solve cash flow problems created by increasing utility costs?
FinancialFutureCFO: Protecting your company for the future.
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Tags: Budget Plan, Business Budget, Business Owners, Cash Flow Problems, Coal, Dramatic Effects, Efficient Space Heaters, Energy Efficient Space Heaters, Energy Provider, Energy Source, Gas Electricity, Natural Gas, Office Temperature, Personal Fans, Price Adjustments, Rate Caps, Space Heaters, Utility Bills, Variable Rates, Windows And Doors, Windows Doors
Posted in cash flow management | No Comments »
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