Accounting for the Numberphobic

Book excerpt: As a small business owner, having knowledge of crucial numbers is the most important tool you can equip yourself with to survive today’s competitive marketplace. If you’re not a numbers person, Accounting for the Numberphobic is to the rescue! Why do so many business owners dread looking at the numbers? Financial statements, ledgers, profit and loss reports--many avoid these and treat them like junk mail and phone solicitors. Nevertheless, it’s true--you’re not a numbers person. How can you learn to make sense out of all this Greek? This easy-to-follow guide demystifies your company's financial dashboard: the Net Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, and Balance Sheet. The book explains in plain English how each measurement reflects the overall health of your business--and impacts your decisions. In Accounting for the Numberphobic, you will discover: How your Net Income Statement is the key to growing your profits; How to identify the break-even point that means your business is self-sustaining; Real-world advice on measuring and increasing cash flow; What the Balance Sheet reveals about your company's worth; And much more! Don’t leave your company’s finances entirely in the hands of a third-party accounting service or an employee who is only loyal to the highest paycheck. Knowing the numbers yourself isn’t just about seeing how your company is doing, it’s about knowing where it is going--and guiding it toward the highest profits possible.