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Finance & Succession Planning

Make Big Plans for The New Year

If you want to improve your business, skip resolutions and change what you are doing.

Originally published Published: 12.01.09 Author By Ruth King

5 Ways to Boost Fall and Winter Sales

Fall is the time to be proactive and make sure your customers understand that heating and air conditioning are necessities, not luxuries. Make sure they call you for the repairs …

Originally published Published: 09.01.09 Author By Ruth King

Preventing Employee Theft, Part 2

Most employees are honest. However, when faced with stressful situations, even honest people can do things that are wrong, most notably stealing

Originally published Published: 08.01.09 Author By Ruth King

Preventing Employee Theft, Part 1

If you don't have a system in place to prevent theft by employees, you won't be able to control it once it starts.

Originally published Published: 07.01.09 Author By Ruth King

Spot Trouble Quickly with Trend Data

Financial benchmarking, both short and long term, is critical to making good business decisions that will keep your company financially healthy. When you see the numbers trending in the wrong …

Originally published Published: 06.01.09 Author By Ruth King

Financial Benchmarking, Part 1

Financial benchmarking provides you the assurance that your business is going well, or the clues to when it isn’t so that you can take action.

Originally published Published: 05.01.09 Author By Ruth King

Finding Financing in an Economic Decline

To keep your small business flush with cash while the government attempts to create programs designed to ease lending and improve our economy’s conditions, entrepreneurs should be creative and resourceful …

Originally published Published: 04.01.09 Author By Chris Talis

Come Out From Under the Covers!

When the economy struggles, you don't have to. Keep making telephone calls, talking with clients and prospective customers, and keep a positive attitude. If you do this, the tough times …

Originally published Published: 03.01.09 Author By Ruth King

Collection S.O.S.

A third party debt recovery team can help you improve accounts receivables while also educating you on how to spend time chasing new business, not past due accounts.

Originally published Published: 03.01.09 Author By HVACR Business Staff

Rules for Retaining Tax Records

An explanation and some clarity on the IRS guidelines

Originally published Published: 03.01.09 Author By Mike Coyne

Cash vs. Accrual Accounting

If you account on a cash basis, you record a sale when you get the money in the door. You record an expense when you write the check for that …

Originally published Published: 02.01.09 Author By Ruth King

Tax Planning

Forecasting your annual tax benefits for 2009 may help you increase your business.

Originally published Published: 02.01.09 Author By Mike Coyne

To Discount or Not to Discount

Whether you should take a discount is totally dependent on the terms of the discount, your cost of borrowing, and plugging the numbers into the formula.

Originally published Published: 01.01.09 Author By Ruth King

Reporting Monthly Financial Results

By using a margin contribution accounting method, you can report net profits by division and properly allocate expenses.

Originally published Published: 12.01.08 Author By Ron Smith

Avoid Down Cycles

Smart money management protects your business in slower times.

Originally published Published: 12.01.08 Author By Ruth King

Thinking About Selling?

To get your business ready for sale, good due diligence asks questions in all areas of your business.

Originally published Published: 11.01.08 Author By Ruth King

Overtime Pay?

Whether an employee is labeled "salaried" or "hourly" does not answer whether the employee is entitled to overtime pay. The Fair Labor Standards Act has very specific rules regarding overtime …

Originally published Published: 11.01.08 Author By Mike Coyne

Check Fraud Checkup

Annual check fraud losses now exceed $20 billion. Businesses with checking accounts face a substantial shared risk. Frank Abagnale reviews your liability and offers procedures to follow to reduce your …

Originally published Published: 10.01.08 Author By Frank W. Abagnale

Flattening Out Seasonality

Service agreements, marketing and diversity will decrease dependence on the weather and flatten out the seasonality.

Originally published Published: 09.01.08 Author By Ruth King

Stop Running A Warehouse Supermarket

Limit access to the warehouse. You may need to hire a parts runner or a warehouse person. It’s the best way to save your hard-earned cash. Make the time to …

Originally published Published: 08.01.08 Author By Ruth King

Prevent Embezzlement

To avoid losses, carefully select and supervise employees, and adopt internal fraud prevention measures.

Originally published Published: 08.01.08 Author By Frank W. Abagnale

Survive & Thrive the Market Flux

Being proactive in the anticipation of change, being diversified in the marketplace, having courage to implement plans and leading your organization to quickly react and adapt are key elements in …

Originally published Published: 08.01.08 Author By Theo Etzel

Up For Bid

Look to your financial statements to see what's going on in your company. This will tell you whether you should raise prices or make adjustments in areas like productivity, marketing, …

Originally published Published: 07.01.08 Author By Ruth King

Lease vs. Buy Conundrum

There is no one correct answer to lease versus buy. Since cash is the life blood of all businesses, look at leasing versus financing versus buying outright from a cash …

Originally published Published: 06.01.08 Author By Ruth King

Get Ready For Summer

Now is the time to put the plan in place to decrease your dependence on the weather and increase customer loyalty. Here are four action items for your plan.

Originally published Published: 05.01.08 Author By Ruth King

Preparing For An Audit

If you happen to be among the 60,000 businesses that will be audited in 2008, don’t panic. Make certain your paperwork is in order and consult with your tax professional.

Originally published Published: 04.01.08 Author By Mike Coyne

Spring Cash Mistakes

Start preparing for the busier months ahead while you still are experiencing the slow, late winter months. This slower period gives you enough time to think and plan so that …

Originally published Published: 03.01.08 Author By Ruth King

How To Boost Revenues With Price Increases

It is possible to increase revenues per service ticket without increasing your hourly rate. Ruth King describes how.

Originally published Published: 03.01.08 Author By Ruth King

Tax Man Cometh

Small business tax tips to consider after year end.

Originally published Published: 03.01.08 Author By Brandon G. Jacob

What To Expect From Your CPA

Good CPAs are an integral part of your advisory team. They help you see the “forest through the trees” and keep you informed so that you can make good business …

Originally published Published: 02.01.08 Author By Ruth King

Three Things That Kill Your Business

Being proactive, eliminating non-productive employees, and watching cash flow are three critical resolutions to keep in 2008.

Originally published Published: 01.01.08 Author By Ruth King

How Do You Want To Operate Your Business?

The best way to operate your business is by plan. Implement your plan. Keep your plan out, communicate it and track it.

Originally published Published: 12.01.07 Author By Ruth King

Passing The Torch

You need five to 10 years to develop and implement a sound succession plan. Not developing a succession plan can put your business, your family and your employees at risk.

Originally published Published: 12.01.07 Author By Skip Snyder