Lester Romero: Financial midyear planning tips for small businesses

Even with half of the year in the books, many small business owners wait until the end of the year to assess their business and identify ways to improve on their financial performance. Yet making time for a mid-year check-in — when you have a good idea of your business’s needs — may be one of the best times to help your business save time and money and operate more efficiently in the long run. From preparing for quarterly taxes, to managing cash flow and revising business plans, every business owner can benefit from a financial refresh. The following are three financial tips to help you stay on track the rest of the year.

Update your business plan

Every small business should have a formal written business plan to help with business decisions and strategic planning. If you don’t have one, or if your plan hasn’t been updated in a long time, now is a great time to consider writing or updating your business plan. The process of putting your goals in writing help you focus on long-term business objectives and the steps needed to achieve them. Business planning also can help identify current or future obstacles so you can better anticipate and avoid potential risks. In addition, a business plan may be helpful for obtaining business financing. For example, for an SBA loan and some larger business loans and lines of credit, lenders may require a formal business plan before extending credit. Among the resources available to help is a free, online Business Plan Center that Wells Fargo offers, which includes a tool to create or update a written business plan.

Estimate Taxes

As a small business owner, you’re responsible for filing your business taxes on a quarterly basis. If you don’t already, establish a separate bank account and use it to set aside a monthly amount toward estimated taxes. Also, keeping business checking and credit accounts separate from personal accounts can help you maintain accurate and complete records of all business-related income and expenses, and can help you plan accordingly for when tax payments are due. If you’re unsure about your estimated tax obligations, it’s wise to consult a tax specialist. They can also help you to properly track and record your earnings and deductions.

Recharge your Cash Flow

Business owners know there are two essentials to keep a business running: profits and available cash. One best practice is to check your business cash flow every week. Focus on the timing of income and expenses to identify potential gaps and plan ahead to determine how much cash you’ll need to cover potential challenges. Nearly every small business faces a time when it needs more cash than it has on hand. You may want to consider a business line of credit to help bridge any gaps your business encounters in cash flow. For instance, when taxes are due, you may want to use a line of credit to help keep your cash flow constant and cover ongoing expenses, while paying down your tax debts. Consider making time to meet with your banker for a financial review that includes an assessment of your credit needs. A banker can walk you through the available options, and help you choose the right business financing options that make sense. Remember: the more you talk about your business, your needs, and your goals, the better guidance you’ll receive.

Whether summer is your busiest time of year or your slow season, it’s a good idea to conduct a mid-year financial review. Taking time now can help you stay ahead of the curve and make the most of the remainder of the year.

Lester Romero is the Small Business Manager for Wells Fargo in Carson City. For more information, visit a local Wells Fargo branch, or check out www.WellsFargoWorks.com.