Five steps to better cash flow
Anna Stubbs • September 11, 2023
Need a hand managing cash flow? You’re not alone. The key is getting your invoicing right, by invoicing customers as soon as possible and using tools like Xero’s invoice reminders to move payments along.
That said, there are a few other simple rules you can apply to manage your cash flow and get your invoices paid even faster:
- Keep your books accurate and up to date - so you can see your financial state at a glance.
- Don’t be too lenient with your customers - you can be direct and still polite. Keep a close watch on your accounts receivable turnover at all times and act sooner rather than later.
- Keep your accounting simple - so you have a good handle on these business metrics. We can help with this.
- Keep your business and your professional finances separate - this is essential to understanding your true cash flow position. Mixing your business and personal finances can leave you uncertain about business performance.
- Build a cash reserve - so you are prepared for unexpected events and can take advantage of opportunities when they pop up.
First you want to get your invoicing right. Get into a habit of sending invoices quickly. Then follow the steps above to collect revenue and keep your finances organised.
Get in touch for guidance on your invoicing and business cash flow.
Running a business costs money. There are always costs, overheads and supplier bills that mount up – and these expenses will gradually chip away at your cash position, making it more difficult to grow and make a profit. So, what can you do to reduce your spend levels? And what impact will this have on your overall margins, profits and ability to fund the next stage in your business journey?
You know that an accountant can look after the books and keep your numbers in good order. But have you ever thought about the additional services and advice that an accountant can bring to you as a fully fledged business adviser, coach and mentor? Let’s explore what other business-critical services your adviser could offer:
To understand the financial position of a business at a specific point of time, look at the balance sheet. The balance sheet may also be called the statement of financial position. Together with the Profit and Loss Statement, and possibly other reports such as the Statement of Cash-flow, these reports provide a complete understanding of the financial position and business performance. So what’s involved: The balance sheet has three sections: assets, liabilities and equity.