As a law practice, it’s important to follow rules for how to handle a client’s money. This means keeping funds separate through different lawyer trust accounts and operating accounts. Using multiple accounts to manage these finances can be tricky. It’s essential to have strict financial management practices and payment software that can handle multiple lawyer trust and operating accounts.What is …
Use Root Cause Analysis Methods to Improve Policies and Procedures
Courtney Reynaud, President and CEO of Creditors Bureau USA, has found success in her agency with careful attention to policies, procedures, and work instructions. But, she didn’t always have such a strong compliance management system. Before her office focused on these practices, she noticed blame would often be placed on a single employee or a client. Reynaud explained that blaming …
Organize a Successful Working Group for Your Business
For self-sufficient professionals, it can be hard to share workloads. This mindset can sometimes be positive, but more often, this thinking leads to forgotten tasks, overlooked details, and staff burnout. Working groups are a more efficient way to solve difficult problems or finish big projects.Working Group DefinitionA committee or group of people appointed to study and report on a particular …
Cash Flow Positive: The Ultimate Compass for Your Small Business
In the vast ocean of business, being cash flow positive is your ultimate compass. Having cash to spend gives you more options–to expand and grow, to invest back into the organization or to share with stakeholders. Cash flow statements, profit and loss statements and other financial management reports steer these financial decisions your company makes. Explore what cash flow reports …
Profit and Loss Statements for Business Planning and Growth
Businesses want to make money. But how do you know if sales are good enough to keep your company profitable? There are many different financial reports organizations use to track performance. One of the most common–the profit and loss statement–lets companies: Monitor how the organization is performing and better understand profitability Assess expenses and profit trends Plan for future growth …
Small Business Financial Management Terms and Tips
Small business financial management helps business owners, operators and managers know where money is being spent and how much profit is coming in. Without a background in accounting or bookkeeping, it can be hard to know the best way to manage small business finances – or even to understand the common terms, reports and tactics used. This glossary will help …
4 Pillars of Empathetic Communication in Healthcare Finance
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, “empathy” and “compassion” have been buzzwords in almost every industry. People are craving the human connection and understanding that comes with empathy, which is why now more than ever, understanding compassionate, empathetic communication is extremely important. For organizations that collect healthcare payments, having empathetic communication skills should be part of your company policies. …
Creating Credit Terms for Customers
Companies who sell high dollar products, or offer professional services, usually ask for payment after work is done or goods are delivered. Establishing clear credit terms helps customers know what to expect during billing and teaches staff proper procedure when collecting on both B2C and B2B payments.Definition of Credit TermsCredit terms can be defined as the guidelines your company creates …
Billing Processes: Which Option is Best for Your Business?
An organization’s billing process can depend on the goods and services offered and the audiences served. Your company should follow best practices based on industry but there will always be room to customize and improve workflows. Reviewing the billing tactics and tools your business uses will: Save money through more efficient processes Save staff time following up on unpaid invoices …
What is Accounts Receivable (AR) Billing?
Most business offices have a dedicated department that is responsible for their AR billing processes. The system each company follows can be as simple as sending a bill and hoping it gets paid, or as complex as a series of payment notices, late fees and other prompts to decrease days sales outstanding (DSO).What is Accounts Receivable (AR) Billing?What is accounts …
How to Reduce Past Due Invoices
When a customer pays late, it may seem like no big deal. However, if you make a habit of accepting past due invoices from customers, you’ll start to notice it in your bottom line. To keep your business healthy, you should minimize how many overdue invoices your company has open at one time. How to Collect More Past Due InvoicesFor …
Key Accounts Receivable Definitions and Terms
Managing the money customers owe your business is a vital – often overlooked – part of maintaining a healthy business. If your accounts receivable (or billing) department could use some attention, start with the basics. Here’s a glossary of accounts receivable definitions and terms every AR billing professional should know.DEFINITION OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLEMoney due to a business or seller for …