Cost Control Can Be Your Call
Four negotiating options that can control costs of moving into new space or upgrading an existing facility. Read story
Jill Andresky Fraser
Better Returns on Spare Cash
If your company has spare cash, alternatives to bank accounts and CDs can help generate extra working capital. Read story
Documenting Swap Deals
To help managers plan, company documents barter sales as separate listings on financial statements. Read story
Help with Business Plans
Brief review of two guides to writing business plans. Read story
The Smell of Funny Money
When dealing with loan brokers or venture capitalists, look out for these red flags that could signal a con. Read story
Communicate, Communicate
Growth businesses can benefit from keeping backers informed of any news: results, goals, and timely financial reports. Read story
How to Challenge an IRS Audit
Chart showing sequence of legal appeals to an IRS audit. Read story
First, Tidy Up the Paperwork
Tips on getting your paperwork organized so you can attract outside investors. Read story
Makeover
Analysis of entrepreneurial couple's finances and advice from an investment adviser; how to find a financial planner. Read story
Rest Them (or Be Told To)
How and when to use your credit line most effectively. Read story
Time to Hire a Controller
Co-owners of a fast-growing company decided to hire an in-house controller; what they looked for, how they found it. Read story
Finances Made Simple
Brief review of two books on financial management. Read story
The Case for Self-Insurance
Self-insuring makes sense for companies with high costs. Smaller companies can save by auditing claims closely. Read story
Four Smart Ways to Manage Your Credit Line
Four companies' strategies for maintaining credit lines. Read story
Farming Out Your Financials
Survey reveals benefits of outsourcing internal corporate functions; how to find the right company for the job. Read story
How Swap Deals Pay Off
Bartering allows companies to build revenues while preserving cash flow; info on a list of barter networks. Read story
Audit Tip Sheet
An IRS compliance initiative focuses on at least 60 industries, which can expect tax audits. Read story
Audit-Proofing Your Business
Three executives offer their own well-tested audit protection strategies. Read story
She Brakes for Moving Costs
Before moving from San Diego to New Mexico, company president researched locations by phone for 9 months. Read story
Assessing Deadbeats
How to assess the likelihood of a customer's paying its bill by analyzing sales trends and other factors. Read story
Estate-Planning Basics
Brief review of 'Getting Your Affairs in Order,' by Elmo A. Petterle, a basic estate-planning manual. Read story
Decoding the Bank's Secret Invoice
What your company's account-analysis statement means. Read story
Those Nice Folks at the IRS
Business owners can engineer big tax savings when passing their company's stock, during their lifetime, to their kids. Read story
Fee Fight-Back
Tips for cutting bills for legal services. Read story
Growth Capital: The Big Money
A review of how the Williamsburg Winery has raised more than $6 million through ingenious financing. Read story
A Canny Way to Fight Fraud
A company owner has developed a system of checks and balances to discourage accounts-payable fraud. Read story
Finding the Right Partner
A pharmaceutical company formed international partnerships to reach foreign markets. Read story
Red Flags Rising
Information for ordering two free guides to detecting accounts-payable fraud, from KPMG Peat Marwick. Read story
But Would Popeye Read It?
Review of 'Keeping the Books' (Upstart), a guide to financial paperwork. Read story
Planning for Life After Work
Three entrepreneurs discuss their own retirement plans. Read story
Retirement Realities (Ouch)
Survey reveals how much money business owners believe they would need annually to live comfortably in retirement. Read story
Shark Repellent
Ideas for protecting personal assets against financial claims by creditors and litigants. Read story
Keeping Your Numbers Secret
Three tips for keeping negotiations secret when you are trying to sell your business. Read story
Growing by Numbers
CEO of a growing chain of health clubs monitors performance using a key financial ratio. Read story
Battlefield Perspectives
Three executives discuss how entrepreneurial companies view cash management. Read story
The Complete Export Primer
Review of 'Export Profits,' by Jack S. Wolf (Upstart Publishing), a comprehensive guide to exporting. Read story
Five Signs of a Snafu
Five warning signs of poor cash-management systems. Read story
Stopwatch on Tax Prep
An IRS chart showing the average time it took a person to prepare and complete various 1992 tax forms. Read story
What You Do (and Don't) Need
Guidelines for determining the proper financial report for your company. Read story
Beyond Bookkeeper
Guidelines for determining how and when to upgrade a company's internal financial staff. Read story
