by Sithambaranathan Prithiviraj

Created on: September 25, 2008

Any business main motive is to earn a profit. There fore it is necessary even for a small business owner who is not knowledgeable in accounting must have a system to verify whether the business is making a profit or not. In this respect, the business must know the revenue, expenses and profit for a given period. As well, it must have the records for tax purposes to pay taxes quarterly if it is a US business.

In the initial stages for a small business it need not have an elaborate accounting system. This is because it can use a checking bank account for its business purposes from the regular personal savings account and personal checking banks account. To record revenues and expenses it must use the business account so that it can calculate total revenue and expenses for a period and the calculate profit. This is a suitable accounting system and it is simple for a small business owner who is not familiar with finance or accounting. It is also not cost effective when the business is initially starting its operations as its cash flow will not be adequate meet expenses for a computer accounting system. In addition, a small business must have contact with a reputable CPA so that he can use the knowledge of CPA to improve his financial side of his business and keep his business competitive and financially sound.

When the business is starting to grow its sales revenue is increasing and the business is growing consistently year after year, then the samll business has to consider a manual or computer system. The system chooses must be cost effective. In the current business world most accounting systems are computerized and there fore it is advisable to install a computer system using Quick books or any other software which is suitable and cost effective for the business.

As well, it can also consider out sourcing its accounting functions to a CPA firm and consider on the business development rather than allocating time and money on accounting and loose the main game of developing the business and its operations.

In this manner, accounting can become an easy task even for dummies in the initial stages of the business and then consider more elaborate accounting systems on an evolutionary manner rather than only concentrating on computer software alone for its accounting financial side of the business. That is, for any small business it is important to follow their passion in their business and develop it rather than spending money and effort on accounting and finances even though they are important facets of the business. They must start with a simple accounting system and develop step by step given their own financial and other circumstances rather than only considering computer software packages, particularly at the initial phase of a small business. Sometimes the incorrect accounting system may become a source of failure rather than be source of success.

Learn more about this author, Sithambaranathan Prithiviraj.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.