Opening a business bank account is an important step in the timeline of any new company. Without a business bank account you could have trouble establishing commercial credit. You might also face challenges when you try to qualify for financing or keep the clear accounting records you’ll need when it’s time to file your business tax return.  There are clear advantages to opening a business bank account as well. For example, managing company cash flow is generally a lot easier Read More

If you’re a USAA member and a small business owner, you might be wondering where you can get a USAA business account. Unfortunately, USAA business checking isn’t an option because the financial services company doesn’t offer any business services beyond small business insurance. Fortunately, there are other options available that can provide you with the help you need to build your business the right way. USAA business checking alternatives If you’re looking for a solid business checking account for your Read More

Which financial institution offers the best business savings account? The answer may surprise you. When it comes time to finding a place to stash your cash, with the opportunity to watch your unused funds grow, not all deposit accounts, online savings accounts, banks, and credit unions are created the same. See what banks give you the best return for your long-term goals — and a safe place to keep that extra cash flow — in this list of top options.  Read More

One of the biggest pain points for any small business is not getting paid on time. Worse, the reality that you may not get paid at all.  According to research done by FundBox, most small businesses in the United States wait 21 days to get paid – and to top it off, small businesses currently owe $825 billion in unpaid invoices.  With delinquent payments, the opportunity cost is huge:  If small businesses were paid for all their unpaid invoices, they Read More

Running a business requires many financial tasks to be completed on time, with perfect accuracy, and at a price that won’t break the budget. That’s why finding a bank that can be a reliable business partner, giving you flexible and rewarding business bank accounts, is key. From savings to checking to merchant processing services, it pays to do your research in finding just the right financial institution for your banking needs, whether that be an online bank or one of Read More

Self Lender, recently rebranded as Self, helps consumers and business owners alike to start building their personal credit from scratch or work on rebuilding their credit after some missteps.  A survey by Nav found almost 40% of its small business customer base were considered “credit ghosts,” consumers so little credit history that getting financing could be difficult. A Self Lender loan can be a way to help develop a more robust credit history. While it’s geared toward improving your personal Read More

As a small business owner, it’s important to find tools that can save you time and make your job easier. That’s why choosing the right accounting software for your company is an important decision — one which deserves some thoughtful comparison before you click the purchase button.  Two of the most popular accounting software options on the market for businesses are FreshBooks and QuickBooks. Technically, either option might be able to get the job done for your company. Yet  depending Read More

If you’re thinking of starting a business, you’re in good company. According to the Small Business Administration, there are over 30 million small businesses in the United States, with the number of proprietors growing by 2.3% in one year.  Whether you’re a freelancer or small business owner, it’s essential that you open a business checking account to manage your income and expenses. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our picks for the best business checking accounts in Read More

Depending on the industry you operate in, your business may see spikes in profitability at certain times throughout the year. If this is the case,  you likely also experience slow months in between, which can lead to cash flow concerns for your operation. Rather than accepting these periods of slowness as is, consider the following four strategies to boost cash flow, and set your business up for success all year round.  1. Offer Promotions One of the most obvious ways Read More