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What Is a Balance Sheet?

Up and Running

If you’re in the process of starting a business or writing a business plan document, you’ll have heard the phrase “balance sheet” mentioned, or maybe you’ve seen one in a sample business plan. Now that we’ve had a general overview of the balance sheet, let’s take a deeper look at the information a balance sheet should include.

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Better business forecasting – Part Two

NZ Entrepreneur

In Part 1 of this two-part series on forecasting, we discussed why it’s important for any size or type of business to get into the habit. Then we looked at four ways to help improve your forecasting accuracy. Does the forecast stack up when you express it in non-financial terms? Step away from the forecast.

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5 Ways to Improve Your Business Financial Management

Up and Running

Ongoing financial planning and forecasting are critical for business growth. There is no shortage of accounting and financial technology (fintech) apps on the market. These advanced platforms can help small businesses, startups, and solopreneurs automatically log transactions and monitor account balances.

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How to Conduct a Plan Vs Actual Analysis With Spreadsheets

Up and Running

I used plan vs. actual analysis once a month, comparing forecasts and budgets to actual results since I started Palo Alto Software back in the 1980s. Forecasting and budget math is usually simple. Make sure the way you organize the sales forecast in rows or items or groups matches the way your accounting (or bookkeeping) tracks them.

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How to Write a Business Plan for a Service Business

Up and Running

Whether you are starting a consulting business, a car repair shop, or a construction firm, a business plan will help you figure out your strategy, develop your marketing plan and figure out the all-important financial forecasts so that you can be successful. Create a marketing plan. Target Market. Marketing and Sales.

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Turn What-if to What-Now: The Importance of Scenario Analysis

Up and Running

” It’s been a favorite management tool of mine since my time as VP for a market research firm, and it’s a method I used for decades growing a software company from zero to well over $10 million in annual sales. Before I started my own business I was a market researcher, doing forecasts. Why is scenario planning important?

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The Key Elements of the Financial Plan

Up and Running

Balance sheet. Sales forecast. Balance sheet . Your balance sheet is a snapshot of your business’s financial position—at a particular moment in time, how are you doing? liabilities (accounts payable, credit card balances, loan repayments, etc.). Sales forecast. Cash flow statement.