Blog

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. The U.S. is winning the inflation fight, setting scene for a long-awaited interest rate cut Price increases slowed more sharply than expected in June, adding to evidence that high inflation has subsided and potentially clearing the way for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates that affect everything from mortgages to credit card payments.…  Read more

Selecting the right accounting software is a crucial decision for your small business’s financial health and accuracy. With numerous options available, this process can seem daunting, but making an informed choice is essential to streamline operations and mitigate risks such as financial fraud and regulatory non-compliance. Introduction The challenge of choosing appropriate accounting software stems from the need to balance functionality, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness. As cloud computing continues…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Inflation hit its lowest level since March 2021 last month A key inflation measure fell to its lowest level in more than three years last month, but there’s still plenty of work remaining to get price increases down to the historically acceptable level. Business owners believe employees with AI…  Read more

Your business needs cash. Cash is what keeps your company in operation and enables it to grow, so you should know how much cash your business needs to survive. Although many people think the answer is linked solely to operating expenses, this isn’t the case. There is no single factor that determines how much cash every business needs to have on hand. Somewhere between 3-6 months of operating expenses is…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. US economic growth for last quarter is revised up slightly to a 1.4% annual rate The American economy expanded at a 1.4% annual pace from January through March, the slowest quarterly growth since spring 2022, the government said Thursday in a slight upgrade from its previous estimate. Record high…  Read more

In the unpredictable world of business, finding a little certainty can make all the difference. While the future remains a mystery, tools such as budgeting and cash flow forecasting can significantly reduce the level of uncertainty, allowing you to anticipate challenges, learn from past events, and enhance your ability to navigate your business. Budget vs. Cash Flow: the crucial distinction A common misconception is that a budget and cash flow…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Why Americans hate inflation — and its cure The main way countries deal with inflation is to increase interest rates, making it more expensive to take out loans and reducing the rate of housing construction, business spending, etc. But if Americans are unusually vulnerable to interest rate hikes because…  Read more

There are many people who believe that when it comes to investing, nothing beats real estate. This may be true, but you still have to be smart when making your real estate investment decisions. Although investment properties can be a savvy financial move, there is plenty that can go wrong if you don’t fully understand the market, the types of investment properties, and your current financial situation. 1. Know your…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. IRS options for late filers: payment plans and penalty relief The IRS announced several options to assist taxpayers who missed the April filing deadline for their 2023 federal income tax returns. These include programs to help those struggling with payment and potential penalty relief for first-time offenders. We’re in a new…  Read more

You might have a mental image of data breaches happening only at big institutions like banks, password managers, or even government agencies. But the truth is, any website that stores personal information can be vulnerable to a breach. Now, not all breaches are created equal, and the impact on individuals and businesses can vary greatly. But hey, don’t panic just yet! We’re here to lend a helping hand and shed…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. The economy is healthy, but inflation is overshadowing growth Despite high interest rates and stubborn inflation, the economy is growing remarkably well. All the major indicators we use to gauge its health—and how families and businesses are faring—are strongly positive. Mortgage closing fees are in the hot seat. Here’s…  Read more

Running a small business is no small feat, and neither is taking care of your employees. With the recent changes introduced by the SECURE 2.0 Act, small businesses that offer qualified retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, may now be eligible for several tax credits that can significantly offset the costs associated with launching and maintaining these plans. Curious to learn how you can take advantage of these changes? Let’s explore…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Consumers curb US economic growth in first quarter, inflation cools The U.S. economy grew more slowly in the first quarter than previously estimated after downward revisions to consumer spending and a key measure of inflation ticked down, keeping the Federal Reserve on track to possibly begin cutting interest rates…  Read more

Financial models are invaluable tools designed to help you understand and project the financial health of your business. By simulating different scenarios and examining potential outcomes based on various inputs like sales growth, margins, and cash flow, these models provide a comprehensive picture that aids in informed decision-making. Practical steps for leveraging financial models: 1. Planning and forecasting Start by creating a base financial model incorporating your current financial data.…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. Federal Reserve Board issues Economic Well-Being of U.S. households report The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday issued its Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2023 report, which examines the financial circumstances of U.S. adults and their families. Overall, the report shows that financial well-being was nearly unchanged from 2022 as…  Read more

Traditionally, employers have relied on giving employees raises as a way to retain their staff and reward them for being hard-working and loyal. Raises can get expensive, and there is often an upper limit for what you can offer when it comes to increasing salaries and wages. Keeping your employees happy makes business sense. You want to keep your good employees, and it costs money to find, hire and train…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. US small business sentiment rebounds in April U.S. small-business confidence increased in April and the share of owners planning to raise prices was the smallest in a year, but persistent labor shortages continued to exert cost pressures for owners, a survey showed on Tuesday. Are we getting a ‘hard…  Read more

Ever felt like the term “current ratio” sounds like something straight out of a high school mathematics class that you’d rather forget? You’re not alone. But here’s the thing – understanding the current ratio can be a game-changer for managing your business’s financial health. Here’s a simple breakdown. What is the Current Ratio? In the simplest terms, the current ratio measures your business’s ability to pay off its short-term obligations…  Read more

Welcome to our Weekly Digest – stay in the know with some recent news updates relevant to business and the economy. The U.S. economy’s soft landing is still on track While there’s been a recent string of disappointing macroeconomic data, in reality, these developments are signs of the U.S. economy’s strengths, not weaknesses. The economic pessimism of the last few years has often been rooted in a misreading of the…  Read more

What is Payroll? Payroll refers to the process of managing and processing employee compensation, including wages, salaries, bonuses, and deductions. This process includes calculating employee pay, withholding taxes, and other deductions, and ensuring that employees are paid accurately and on time. Preparing for Payroll Before you can start running payroll, there are a few steps you need to take to prepare: Legal and compliance requirements To ensure compliance with federal…  Read more