Call 301-977-9389

Get Payroll QuickBooks® Payments Client Portal

QuickBooks Bookkeeping

Your Experts in Everything QuickBooks®

  • Home
  • Bookkeeping
  • Payroll
    • Payroll Solutions
    • Payroll Demo
    • Form Downloads
    • Payroll Setup
  • Services
    • Troubleshooting for QuickBooks
    • Training on QuickBooks
    • Analysis of QuickBooks Data
  • Products
    • Accept Credit Cards
    • Mobile GoPayment
    • Enterprise Solutions by QuickBooks
    • Online, Pro & Premier by QuickBooks
    • Bill.com
    • Jill Recommends
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Getting Started with Us
  • Contact

By Jill Frillman

Five Cash Leaks to Avoid

Cash flow improvement is a hot issue for small businesses; in many businesses, it seems like there is never enough cash when you need it. The last thing a business owner wants is to reduce their cash balance unnecessarily. To help you preserve or increase your cash, here are five cash management leaks to avoid.

1. Bloated Bank Fees

Some banks are more business-friendly than others. We recommend you assess the fees you are currently being charged to see if you can discontinue any unnecessary services.

  • Could you maintain a cash balance to avoid monthly fees?
  • Are you being charged online banking fees and bill pay fees, and are these still necessary?
  • Are you being charged for a high volume of transactions or cash drawer services, and are these competitive with other banks?

Banks, including national brands, that have not kept up with technology and have not automated a significant amount of their transactions are inefficient and must charge higher fees to cover their processing costs. If your accounts are located at one of these costlier banks, you do have a choice.

2.   Overtaxed

Are you sure that you are paying the lowest amount of taxes you legally owe? There are several places to look to make sure you have not overpaid taxes anywhere in your business or personally:

  • Payroll taxes
  • Sales and use tax
  • Franchise taxes
  • State and local income taxes
  • Property taxes
  • Federal income taxes
  • Taxes that are specific to your industry

In preparing income taxes, a few of the easiest items to overlook include carryovers from prior years and new deductions you become eligible for. If you received a large refund this year, congratulations, but that means you gave Uncle Sam an interest-free loan on your money. You can do better next year by estimating your tax payments and paying only what’s due.

3. The Check Is in the Mail

Customers who take too long to pay you are big cash drains in your business. Consider changing your terms, asking for deposits, or becoming more aggressive with collections to bring your DSO (days sales outstanding) down. When you do, you’ll get an instant, permanent cash flow improvement.

4.  Sweat the Small Stuff

You may have an eagle eye on your largest bank account, but what about your other cash stashes? PayPal, petty cash, and business savings accounts are among the places that may not get daily scrutiny. Make sure those accounts are properly reconciled and have the proper controls in place so funds don’t go missing.

5.  It’s in Your Interest

A nice problem to have is when your bank balances get too large and you don’t need the money immediately. Make sure that money is still working hard for you by putting the excess in an interest-bearing account. It’s not much these days, but every little bit helps.

Make a Dash to the Cash

If we can help you plug any of these cash leaks in your business, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Filed Under: Business Development, Business Tips, Management Tips

Form Downloads

Form W-4 (2020)
Form W-9
Virginia Form VA-4 (2018)
I-9
I-9 Instructions
MW507
Employee Authorization for Direct Deposit
Employee Information Sheet

Top 100 ProAdvisor 2018 - Insightful Accountant Logo
Certified Profit First Professional

Bill.com Expert QuickBooks Desktop Certified ProAdvisor QuickBooks Advanced Certified ProAdvisor QuickBooks Enterprise Certified ProAdvisor QuickBooks Online Certified ProAdvisor Intuit Premier Reseller
TSheets Pro Certified Logo

Client Portal

Is Your Business Leaking Money?

Want to Know the Top 10 Money Leaks in Your Accounting System?

 

You'll also receive our free newsletter full of QuickBooks® and Business tips.

Privacy: We never rent, sell, or share your information to anyone.

Save Money on Checks and Forms

Checks for Less

Stay In Touch

Top 100 ProAdvisor 2018 - Insightful Accountant Logo
Certified Profit First Professional

Stay In Touch

Client Portal

Save Money on Checks and Forms

Checks for Less

© Copyright 2022 Bookkeeping Etc., Inc., 23 Firstfield Rd. #3091, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 · All Rights Reserved


Serving QuickBooks® Clients Throughout the U.S.


Jill Frillman | Bookkeeping Etc., Inc. | BookkeepingEtcInc.com | 301.977.9389


Accounting, Bookkeeping and Payroll solutions for service based businesses in but not limited to Maryland, DC, Virginia, Texas, Michigan, Arizona, Florida, West Virginia, Georgia and Ohio.

Terms and Services