Making Your Financial Reports Work for You

Do your financial reports work for you?

Tax Day is behind us and either you have filed your taxes or have filed an extension. Now is the perfect time to look more closely at your financial reports.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Are your financial reports giving you a true picture of your businesses?

• Are they a useful tool?

• Do you receive these reports in a timely fashion?

Consider making these changes to improve your financial reports:

• Produce reports more often. If your CPA only creates financial reports for you taxes, then you aren’t regularly receiving financial reports. Make the change and allocate the funds right now for at least quarterly reports and insist on receiving your quarterly reports within 30 days of the end of the quarter. (You can make exceptions to accommodate for your accountant’s tax preparation schedule.) If you are looking for financing, you may need monthly reports. If this is the case, again, let your CPA know.

• Balance Sheets are a critical part of financial reporting. Financial reports have two components: profit and loss statements as well as balance sheets. Balance sheets should clearly list your assets and also your liabilities, including any EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loans). If you would like more information about dealing with current EIDL loans in future financing arrangements, click here.

• Create your own business debt schedule. Whenever you are looking for financing, the lenders will ask for your business debt schedule. To make sure your balance sheets are accurate, try to fill out a business debt schedule ahead of time. We can provide you with a typical form if you want to try this exercise.

• Make sure your P&L is complete and accurate. If you produce your own financial statements, then you can merge your payroll and electronic bill payments into your reporting. Then, more aspects of your business are included. If your accountant is producing your reports, now is a good time to set up a meeting to discuss your reports and making them work for you by being more complete.

If you are considering a loan for purchase or refinance or construction and would like to discuss your plans, feel free to contact our team.  We can conduct a business evaluation and even prequalify you for a loan at no cost to you.