Know the VERY important numbers

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at freedigitalphotos.net

In business you must know your numbers, always. It is the heart beat of your business. If you don’t know them, your business could flat line.

At the very least the following need to be kept updated:

  1. Balance sheet which consists of the total assets and liabilities. It can also be known as the statement of financial condition.
  2. Income statement which states the revenue or gross income, minus the cost of goods sold in order to determine the gross profit of a business. This report can also be known as the profit and loss statement or P&L.
  3. Cash flow statement which summarizes how much cash is going in and out of the business. Be sure to draft a projected statement for anticipated income and expenditures so you have a fiscal road map to follow.

Keeping these reports updated at least monthly is a great way to keep the pulse on your business, ensuring a strong, long life.

How frequently do you update these reports?