FOLA is committed to helping our Fam with Financial Organization for Long-term Achievement, so we put together a checklist to help you get organized and stay on track of creating financial success.
FOLA is committed to helping our Fam with Financial Organization for Long-term Achievement, so we put together a checklist to help you get organized and stay on track of creating financial success.
Owning a business comes with a lot of responsibilities. You may find wondering sometimes how do you know if your business is growing? How do you calculate how much you are bringing in your company? How do you report the financial operations? There are three main financial statements you need as a business owner, a cash flow statement, balance sheet statement, and a profit and loss statement. Today, we will be focusing on the profit and loss statement.
What is a profit and loss statement? A profit and loss statement is a financial summary of your company’s operations from a certain period of time. The main operational transactions are revenues, expenses, and net income. The formula for the profit and loss statement is subtracting the total expenses from the total revenues then the difference will identify the net income of the company.
The revenue is the sales generated from what your company sells such as products or services. Then, you have your expenses. The expenses are what you subtract from the revenue that your company makes. The expenses include the cost of goods sold and operating expenses. They are the variable and fixed expenses that manufactures the company’s products and services production. The expense also includes the taxes, interest expense from loans, and other periodic payments.
After subtracting the expenses from the company’s revenue, you finally have your net income. This will help measure the results of how well your business is performing financially from a certain period of time. Is your company earning profit? Is your company actually losing money? How can your company perform better financially? A profit and loss statement will help identify and analyze your finances.
Every business needs to form a business structure. There several types of business structures such as sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, nonprofit, limited liability company (LLC), and limited liability partnership (LLP). They all have different income tax implications so be sure to understand the difference and which resonates more with your business.
Cash flow and profit are both financial metrics that are always used in every business but they are very different from each other. Cash flow analysis is understanding how money is being moved in and out of the business to areas such as operating, investing, and financing activities. Profit is the money that is left over after expenses.
3. Three critical business statements and how it affects your business:
A balance sheet is a summary of the financial balances of an individual or organization. It will help investors to see where the funding should go and help manage.
An income statement is one of the financial statements of a company providing the company’s revenues and expenses during a particular period. It helps to see if your business is making profit or if there’s somewhere that needs to be fixed.
A cash flow statement is a financial statement that shows how changes in balance sheet accounts and income affect cash and cash equivalents that come in and out of the company.This helps organize the money that the company is putting in and brings, and analysis what needs to improved.
4. Types of Business Insurance:
Professional liability insurance “covers a business against negligence claims due to harm that results from mistakes or failure to perform”. This will help cover any legal expenses that you may encounter.
Property insurance covers equipment, signage, inventory and furniture for any fire or theft emergencies.
Workers’ compensation insurance should be added to a business’s insurance policy when hiring new staff members. In case of any emergency, it helps cover medical expenses or lost wages in the job.
General liability insurance covers and protects your business from claims such as property damage, copyright infringement, or any other injuries.
Product liability insurance covers your business manufacturing products from claims and damages.
Business interruption insurance will help cover for the income loss from a disaster or catastrophic event that does occur which affects the business.
5. Proper policies, Agreements, and Contracts when hiring new staff:
When hiring a new staff, it is important to let your staff know their rights and benefits. It protects the business from any lawsuits and complaints that may happen. Most of these documents also help manage how much money to withhold from employees’ wages for state income taxes. Here are important documents when onboarding new hires:
Did you know there are several ways to let your money make you money? Including, putting your money into a high-yield savings account. Yes, that’s all you have to do, is just put your money into an account that will pay you to keep it there. You can literally make money while you sleep!
A traditional savings account is a great way to save your money and earn more over the years. However, most of the traditional banks require you to pay high fees but have low interest rates. The average rates from traditional banks goes from 0.01%-0.07% annual percentage yield (APY). With this type of rate, you are paying more for fees than interest earned on your traditional savings account.
Is there a better savings account where you can receive more money? Yes! high-yield savings accounts are online banking with higher annual percentage yield for consumers and have lower or no fees. They offer safety, growth, and ease of use. With a high-yield savings account your emergency funds can grow fast with over 1.50% APY.
While you are searching for a high-yield savings account, make sure you are looking for the ones that are insured with FDIC to protect your deposits from bank failures. Also, compare the rates and requirements that each one offers. Once you find the best one for you, complete the application online, deposit money, and begin saving! If you download the online bank app and turn on alerts for notifications, you can see how much you are saving each month!
Here are 4 high-yield savings accounts with over 1.50% APY, insured with FDIC, and $0 of monthly fees as of July 14th, 2022:
As an entrepreneur, it is important to stay organized. Below is a list of documents that all entrepreneurs should have readily available at all times:
It is important to fill out the Articles of Organization/Incorporation as an entrepreneur in order for your business endeavor to be recognized as a separate legal entity which can lead to avoiding higher tax obligations, fees, and losing their personal funds.
Bylaws document the fundamentals of the company’s operation so it must be created with board members and recommended with an attorney.
As you form an LLC, operating agreements are expected to document the company’s financials and internal operations to clarify and protect your agreements.
NDAs are best to have people to sign when you have confidential information that you want to protect in meetings when running a company.
When hiring a new employee to your company, they must be provided with employee contracts and offer letters so they are aware of their rights and expectations as they onboarding in the company and it is documented.
Every employee must have an EIN Number to file business taxes and establish business credit. It also helps set up a payroll system with ease.
Before you try to reach the IRS customer service, identify your needs to make the process easy. In addition to the main IRS phone number, there are other numbers you can call for help or to speak to IRS customer service. Here’s a list of other IRS phone numbers to try so you can reach an IRS live person faster.
For tax assistance for the deaf and hard of hearing, call 1-800-829-4059
IRS contact number for individuals : 1 (800) 829-1040
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm Local time
IRS contact number for businesses: 1 (800) 829-4333
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm Local time
IRS contact number for victims of identity theft: 1 (800) 908-4490
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm Local time
Taxpayer Advocate Service: 1 (877) 777-4778
Monday – Friday: 7am – 7pm Local time
Exempt Organizations, Retirement Plan Administrators, Government Entities: 1 (877) 829-5500
Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm Local time
International Services: 1 (267) 941-1000
Monday – Friday: 6am – 11pm Eastern time
Embarking on your journey to becoming a first-time homeowner is an exciting endeavor filled with anticipation and dreams of a place to call your own. As a beginner in the world of real estate, it’s crucial to have a clear roadmap to guide you towards success. In this blog, we’ll break down the process into four digestible steps, tailored to first-time homebuyers like yourself. Get ready to take charge of your homeownership journey and turn your dreams into reality!
Step 1: Cultivate the Right Mindset & Investment Strategy
Becoming a homeowner requires more than just finances—it starts with the right mindset and investment strategy. Begin by envisioning your goals and aligning them with your budget and lifestyle. Ask yourself questions like: What are your long-term plans? How does homeownership fit into your future? Research the local real estate market and identify areas that align with your investment strategy. By setting a clear direction from the start, you’ll lay the foundation for a successful homebuying experience.
Step 2: Secure the Bag – Financing Your Dream Home
With your mindset and investment strategy in place, it’s time to secure the bag—the financing for your dream home. Start by assessing your financial health, including your credit score, income, and debts. Explore various loan options available to first-time homebuyers, such as FHA loans or conventional mortgages with low down payment requirements. Consult with lenders, compare interest rates, and get pre-approved to determine your budget. Armed with a solid financing plan, you’ll be ready to make an offer confidently.
Step 3: Ensure Financial Readiness for Homeownership
Preparing for homeownership goes beyond the down payment and monthly mortgage payments. It’s important to consider additional financial responsibilities that come with owning a home. Create a comprehensive budget that accounts for property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and potential unexpected expenses. Build an emergency fund to handle unforeseen repairs or job loss. Educate yourself on homeownership costs and explore programs that offer assistance for first-time buyers. By being financially prepared, you’ll navigate homeownership with ease and confidence.
Step 4: Prepare for Closing – The Final Steps to Your New Home
As you approach the final stretch, it’s time to prepare for closing—the moment you’ve been working towards. This step involves thorough due diligence and attention to detail. Hire a qualified home inspector to assess the property’s condition, ensuring there are no hidden surprises. Review all documents carefully, including the purchase agreement and closing disclosure. Coordinate with your lender, real estate agent, and closing attorney to complete any necessary paperwork. Finally, schedule a final walkthrough to ensure everything is in order before signing on the dotted line. Celebrate as you officially become a homeowner!
Congratulations on taking the first steps towards homeownership! By following these four practical steps— cultivating the right mindset, securing financing, ensuring financial readiness, and preparing for closing—you’ll navigate the journey with confidence and clarity. Remember, this process is an exciting adventure, and each step brings you closer to the joy of owning your first home. Embrace the experience, seek guidance from professionals, and soon you’ll unlock the door to the home of your dreams.
Ready to secure your first home and be held accountable in achieving your financial goals? Join the FOLA Homeownership Challenge today and receive a free workbook to help you follow through and achieve your goals! Also, gain access to our Real In Real Estate course replay (valued at $294) when you fully complete the workbook and submit it to info@folafinanical.com. Click here to embark on this transformative journey, receive expert guidance, and connect with a supportive community of aspiring homeowners. Let’s make your dream home a reality together!
When it comes to business credit, most business owners do not realize the benefits. One of the biggest benefits of business credit is that it is entirely separate from your personal credit. However, to be able to leverage the many advantages business credit has to offer, your business needs to have a solid foundation. A solid business foundation includes entity formation, bookkeeping, and an active business bank account.
The first step in building a solid business foundation begins with the formation of your entity. The most common entity types are Limited Liability Company (LLCs) and Corporations. When you first start your business, it is important to register your business, apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN), and apply for a DUNS number. Your EIN is a number similar to your social security number. It is how the IRS identifies your business. Your DUNS number is how your business is identified with the credit reporting agency Dun and Bradstreet.
Another important step to take before applying for business credit is to set up proper bookkeeping for your business and open a business bank account that can be linked to your bookkeeping software. Having proper bookkeeping in place will make it easier for you to prove that your business has adequate cash flow. Similarly, a business bank account separates your business expenses from your personal expenses which to accurately prove profit and loss
Next is to establish trade lines with your suppliers. If you buy supplies, ingredients or other materials from third-party vendors, those purchases could help build your business credit. Many suppliers extend trade credit, which means they allow you to pay several days or weeks after you receive the inventory. If you have this type of accounts-payable relationship, ask your supplier to report your payments to a business credit bureau. Your business credit score will get a boost as long as you stick to the terms of the trade agreement.
You need at least three tradelines to get a Dun & Bradstreet Paydex score, which measures past payment history. Even if you don’t work with a lot of suppliers, you can set up tradelines with any small vendor, such as your water or office supplies distributor. If those vendors don’t report to a credit bureau, you can list them as a trade reference on your account, and Dun & Bradstreet will follow up to collect your trade data.
A business credit card can be one of the best tools for building business credit. Additionally, many business credit cards offer benefits and rewards for your spend, from cash back to travel points.
If you have thin or poor personal credit, you may want to begin your card search by improving your personal credit score, since many card issuers will use your personal history to evaluate creditworthiness. If that isn’t possible, applying for a secured credit card will likely be your best choice.
While secured cards typically don’t offer rewards and may have a low ceiling for how much you can spend, they can still be valuable for contributing to your business credit profile. And some issuers will allow you to upgrade to an unsecured card if you can demonstrate a consistent pattern of responsible repayment.
In conclusion, having a good foundation for your business is the key to being granted business credit. Once given, you can then leverage your business credit to scale your business. If you need help building your business’s foundation, apply to become a client of Fola Financial!
From major retail chains to travel, and service based businesses, there are lots of great deals available.
But did you know that some of the items on your list (or in your shopping cart) may be considered tax deductions for our business?
Here is list of 25 purchases that may qualify as a tax deduction!
Want to learn more about how you can reduce your tax liability? Click below to apply to book a consultation!
Sheneya Wilson and Michel Valbrun joined Anthony O’Neal on his podcast to discuss all things taxes and accounting. These financial gems are split into a series of videos, and you can also watch the full interview as well!
