Author: Complete Controller

Commodities are:

• The raw materials that power the world
• Fueling our cars
• Feeding our populations
• Building our cities

From the grains that make up our bread to the gold in our jewelry and the oil that keeps our vehicles running, commodities are integral to our daily lives. But beyond their physical presence, commodities also play a crucial role in the global financial markets, acting as a barometer for the world economy and providing investment opportunities for individuals and institutions alike.

Understanding Commodities

At its core, a commodity is an essential good used in commerce that is interchangeable with other goods of the same type. Commodities are typically divided into two main types: hard and soft. Hard commodities are natural resources that are mined or extracted, such as gold, oil, and natural gas. Soft commodities, on the other hand, are agricultural products or livestock, such as corn, wheat, coffee, and pork.

The Role of Commodities in Financial Markets

Commodities play a critical role in the financial markets for several reasons. First, they are essential to the global economy; for instance, oil prices impact everything from transportation costs to production expenses, influencing overall inflation and economic health. Second, commodities can be a valuable diversification tool for investors. Since commodity prices often move in opposition to stocks, they can provide balance in an investment portfolio, potentially reducing risk and improving returns over time.

Investing in Commodities

There are several ways to invest in commodities. One can directly purchase physical commodities, like gold bars or silver coins. However, this approach requires storage and security considerations. Alternatively, investors can buy shares in commodity-producing companies, although this method also exposes them to company-specific risks.

For many, a more accessible way to invest in commodities is through financial instruments like futures contracts, which are agreements to buy or sell a commodity at a predetermined price at a specific time in the future. These instruments allow investors to speculate on price movements without physically holding the commodity. Additionally, Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and mutual funds that focus on commodities provide a way to invest in a diversified pool of commodities or commodity-producing companies, reducing the risk of price volatility of individual commodities.

The Impact of Global Events on Commodities

Commodity prices are highly sensitive to changes in supply and demand, influenced by various factors such as weather events, geopolitical tensions, and economic developments. For example, a drought in a major wheat-producing region can reduce supply and push up prices, while a slowdown in economic growth can decrease oil demand, leading to lower prices.

Recent statistics highlight the volatility and susceptibility of commodity markets to external pressures. For instance, in 2020, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused oil prices to plummet, at one point reaching negative territory due to a collapse in demand and storage capacity concerns. Conversely, gold, considered a safe-haven asset, saw its price surge as investors sought stability amid market turmoil.

The Future of Commodities

The commodities market is set to continue evolving, driven by technological advancements, environmental concerns, and shifting consumer preferences. For example, the transition towards renewable energy is expected to decrease the demand for fossil fuels while increasing the need for rare earth metals and other commodities essential for producing wind turbines, solar panels, and electric vehicles.

Climate change and sustainability concerns also shape agricultural practices and commodity trading. The growing demand for ethically sourced and sustainably produced commodities is leading to the development of new standards and certifications, which in turn impact prices and market dynamics.

Summary

In conclusion, commodities are more than just physical goods; they are vital to the global economy and financial markets, providing investment opportunities, hedging against inflation, and diversification. As the world changes, the commodities market will undoubtedly adapt, offering new challenges and opportunities for investors. Keeping an eye on global trends and understanding the fundamental forces that drive commodity prices can help navigate this dynamic and essential sector of the financial world.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Virtualization has become quite important in the post-COVID work environment. Businesses continue to adopt hybrid work models, allowing their employees to work entirely remotely or split time between in-office and remote work. This sudden paradigm shift in the workplace culture has significantly reshaped the dynamics and tools required for business operations.

What is Virtualization?

The term “virtualization” refers to the use of software rather than hardware to create computing resources. Applications, PC desktops, storage networks, and even complete servers are examples of these resources. Virtual computing resources are functionally similar to their physical counterparts.

Consider a single server that delivers several desktops to employees, each of which functions as if the employee were using a solitary physical desktop computer. Of course, you’ll need a computer to access and use the virtual desktop provided by the virtual server. Still, most of the computational power will be on the server, so the PCs your employees use will be less powerful.

Areas of Growth

Virtualization is increasing in the following six IT areas:

• Network virtualization refers to combining several physical servers to create a single virtual server accessible via the cloud. In doing so, the available bandwidth is divided between various channels.
• Storage virtualization integrates physical storage from several network storage devices into a unified storage device managed from a single place.
• Server Virtualization refers to dividing a single server into several isolated servers through software, each having the capacity to run on its operating system.
• Desktop virtualization virtualizes a workstation load which enables the user to access the desktop remotely, usually using a thin client at their workplace. Datacenter server keeps the data highly secured and is easy to use.
• Application virtualization uses the application layer, which is separate from the operating system. As a result, the program does not have to rely on the operating system and operates individually.

Understanding the Process with Server Virtualization

A notable application of virtualization technology is server virtualization, which uses a software layer called a hypervisor to emulate the underlying hardware. Memory, input/output (I/O), and network traffic are all standard components. Hypervisors separate physical resources so that the virtual environment can use them. They can be put directly on the hardware or operate on top of an operating system. The majority of businesses use the latter method to virtualize their systems.

The Xen hypervisor is an open-source software application that manages the low-level interactions between virtual machines (VMs) and physical hardware. It allows businesses to create, execute, and manage several virtual computers in a single physical environment.

The guest OS, which would typically communicate with real hardware, now interacts with a software emulation of that hardware thanks to the hypervisor; in many cases, the guest OS has no idea it’s on virtualized hardware. The virtual system’s performance isn’t comparable to that of an operating system running on real hardware. Virtualization works because most guest operating systems and applications don’t require full access to the underlying hardware, reducing the reliance on a particular hardware platform and allowing for more flexibility, control, and isolation. While virtualization was originally for server-based hardware, the concept has expanded to applications.

The following are the steps in the virtualization process:

• The resources of the physical environment are taken and shared as needed between the many virtual environments.
• The virtual world allows users to interact with it and perform calculations there.
• Once the virtual environment is up and running a user or program can issue a command that requires physical resources.
• The hypervisor replies by passing the message to the physical system and tracking the changes. This process occurs at a speed that is close to native.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

When you have a limited marketing budget, you don’t have the luxury of experimenting with various advertising approaches. Maximizing the value of every penny in your budget by spending money where you know it will have the most significant impact is essential when the budget is tight. Fortunately, there are a few strategies to boost your advertising strategy without breaking the bank.

COVID-19, on the other hand, ushered in a new era of industry growth and a new generation of fierce competition. Competition means that improving your advertising plan is more crucial than ever if you intend to dominate your niche and convert new clients.

Relevance, personalization, and automation will be the buzzwords for optimizing your advertising plan in the coming years.

And it’s a lot easier than you think.

In this piece, I’ll provide my top recommendations for improving your advertising approach so that you can stay competitive in your industry and expand your business regularly over time.

Evaluate Your Advertising Objectives

It would help to reevaluate your overall advertising goals before implementing any advertising approach. Your advertising should include the following:

• Relevant to your company’s overall growth strategy
• Easy to measure and attain the results
• Align to industry standards and be specific to your KPIs
• Realistic

Align Your Budget

Finally, you should evaluate the best and most viable strategy to achieve your ideal conversion rate goals with the money you have.

Understand Customer Insights for a Better Idea of Customer Behavior

You’ll need to dig deeper into your consumer data and metrics to take advantage of personalization and make your advertising campaign more relevant to your core target demographic.

To accomplish this, it would be best if you looked beyond demographics to construct detailed behavior-based client profiles. You should include the following categories of information in a complete client profile:

• Consider geographical factors, including neighborhood, city, country, and regions
• Age, gender, income, and job title are all demographic factors
• Engagement, buying history, product/service usage, and loyalty are all behavioral indicators
• Interests, lifestyle, habits, values, and aspirations are all psychographic factors

The goal is to collect as much information as possible to better target different segments with more personalized messages.

Optimize Your Business with Search Engine Optimization

75% of consumers use Google and other search engines to find companies of all kinds. Your website must rank as high as possible for your business to appear in its search. Search engine optimization (SEO) can aid in the improvement of your website’s rating. You can accomplish this by developing rich material based on specific keywords and publishing it on your website.

Use the Power of Pay-Per-Click Automation to Your Advantage

To optimize your entire advertising approach, you’ll need to increase the number of per-click (PPC) campaigns and channels you use as your business’s marketing needs rise.

Without automation, these expenses can quickly spiral out of control, especially in smaller organizations where owners wear numerous hats. Instead, you should use features like Google’s Smart Bidding and Facebook’s dynamic campaigns.

Alternatively, PPC management Word Stream alternatives like a Traffic Booster, which will automate and manage your entire PPC strategy for you, are well worth your investment. Automating as much of your PPC optimization as possible frees up time to focus on other marketing channels. It ensures that your campaigns perform at their best, ensuring a positive return on ad spent or ROAS.

Strengthen Your Brand Identity

Undoubtedly, developing a solid brand identity can assist you in gaining dominance in your area. Brand equity is a significant conversion-driving force in a competitive market if competitors’ products, services, or pricing are similar.

It’s also something that many small businesses miss. To build a powerful brand identity, follow these four steps:

• Define the vision and tone of your brand
• Use copy written in the language of your target audience
• Invest in digital brand awareness efforts
• Make client service a priority

Finally, your company’s brand is critical for getting that first sale and ensuring that your advertising approach gives you a high conversion rate.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

To improve your career as an accountant in today’s competitive market, you must commit to recognizing and comprehending the key new accounting trends from recent years. When it comes to putting together a strategic plan for your firm, it’s critical to grasp the trends affecting the accounting profession.

With an ever-increasing dependence of business operations on technology, business accountants in small and medium-sized businesses genuinely believe that their roles will be limited to strategizing and planning finances in the future as the software will do the rest of the job for them. Accountants will be more proactive at the firm’s end if they have a better understanding of the corporate plan. Accountants will play a more prominent role in company leadership, assisting them in shaping the company’s direction and providing real-time insight into strategic choices.

Business intelligence and data analytics: One of the essential accounting trends is the focus on data analysis of underlying accounting and financial information. Advancements in data centers, database technology, and software have ushered in the age of big data and data mining to improve management decisions because knowledge is critical to making prudent financial decisions. Accounting data has long been an essential source of information for company decision-making.

Business automation with artificial intelligence: Automation gradually obviates the need for manual data entry, saving businesses time and money—the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the primary driver of this automation trend.

The coming years will bring in a new era of accounting automation. Audits, banking, tax preparation, and payrolls are all labor-intensive operations that accounting experts will increasingly automate. The reduction of accounting errors and labor-intensive data entry will allow accountants to take on more advisory tasks.

Accounting with the cloud: The adoption of technology-driven solutions is a growing trend that will continue to grow in the coming years. Accounting software vendors will respond to the ever-increasing demand for digital accounting by developing better solutions. These software platforms have various features that accountants value the most, such as process optimization and manual task reduction.

For the time being, it looks like large-scale businesses with a lot of data will save money by keeping their computing on-site. However, if cloud technology becomes more competitive and localized, this could change in the future.

Outsource your accounting tasks: Outsourcing accounting can help tiny businesses save money, reduce the risk of fraud, and provide them access to accounting specialists whenever they need it, but this may not be the case for larger companies.

Businesses can outsource accounting functions for a variety of reasons. It enables companies to concentrate more on their limited resources while improving profits. It also helps them save money on payroll, taxes, salaries, benefits, and training. As a result, many businesses are opting to outsource their accounting functions. As a result, the number of outsourced accounting service providers is rising, making it one of the accounting industry’s fastest-growing segments.

Crypto and blockchain: Blockchain is a crucial accounting concept that has grown in popularity in recent years. Continuous investment in blockchain technology will generate real-world results beyond the big players as it becomes more practical, scalable, and incorporated into businesses’ operational frameworks.

Blockchain is a robust accounting trend, and its uses will undoubtedly grow in the future. It will transform the way accountants work. Accounting will not become obsolete but relatively more efficient. Blockchain will give solutions to industry-wide accounting difficulties in the same way computers and the internet have revolutionized workplaces across all industries.

Stay tuned with social media: Accounting firms will follow suit as corporations transfer more functions online, including social media marketing. Even if no businesses use this channel to complete transactions, accounting companies on social media now have unprecedented access to potential clients.

Accounting businesses earn potential clients and workers by using social media to promote themselves. However, it also means that potential clients may learn more about their accountants, which can assist them in deciding which accounting services they require. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

In the past 50 years, technological advancements have boomed to the extent that they have become an essential part of businesses’ operations. Just two decades back, spreadsheets were the go-to option for most firms and accountants. It offered ease, automation to some extent, and visualization. It was a miracle to have on your side back in the day. Accountants who knew how to work on spreadsheets were considered a notch above those who didn’t. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that excelling in spreadsheets became a skill set many accountants acquired to advance in their careers. Unfortunately, like all good things, the time for spreadsheets also came to an end.

With more and more advancements in software solutions, companies started relying more on CRMs and customer relationship management software. CRMs offer what spreadsheets do not: the ability to connect to multiple software, be customized, and perform functions automatically. Be it accounting, lead generation, customer management, or inventory management, CRMs have become a one-point solution for most businesses. Yet, surprisingly, many companies are still stuck wondering if they should switch to CRMs or not. While the obvious answer is yes, here are a few reasons if you can still not decide.

Reason # 1: CRMs are an Ecosystem

A CRM ecosystem consists of software that integrates to give you an all-in-one solution. This one-stop solution is precisely what CRMs offer. Whether you are running marketing campaigns and want your leads to appear in software from which you can email, call, or text them, or you want to keep your inventory 24/7 updated on your website or for your sales agents, a CRM can be your go-to platform.

Reason # 2: Automated Functionalities

Since CRM is software, it can handle most minor mathematics easily. From an accounting perspective, you don’t have to calculate your balance sheet as often. When a customer purchases a product on your website, it is automatically deducted from inventory and posted in your accounts as sold. The rest of the calculations also compute automatically.

Reason # 3: Visualization is Up to Date

For most business owners, staying up to date with the progress or failure of their business activities is crucial. While in spreadsheets, this might require a lot of time since your team members would have to update every transaction manually. Since everything updates in seconds, you can access the CRM at any given point to see the performance of your business. With graphical displays, you can have instant visualizations instead of going through numbers.

Reason # 4: Security & Reliability

Most importantly, CRMs offer high data security, which isn’t there with spreadsheets. With CRMs, your data is always secure on a server or the cloud. You don’t have to worry about your information being stolen by an employee or outsider since they will have to log in, work on the data, and leave it there.

Reason # 5: Total Control of Your Business

Last but not least, CRMs allow you to constantly monitor every aspect of your business, including the number of leads you generate, inventory on hand, balance sheet, and the like. With a CRM, you can see which team is performing and which isn’t.

Why Wait? Switch to a CRM Now…

Anyone working with a CRM would testify that it has made their lives easier. Business management becomes a breeze, and managing accounts becomes more accessible than ever. Whether you are a small business owner or run a medium-sized business, a CRM will automate your processes so that you can spend more time analyzing your business and planning your next move than counting the pennies.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

QuickBooks Card Reader, a new innovative payment gadget built for today’s small company owners, is now accessible. The card reader is the latest fintech solution to assist small businesses to get paid faster, no matter how or where they operate, thanks to its integration with QuickBooks Payments, which processes more than $65 billion in yearly volume.

According to QuickBooks research released in April 2021, nearly half (47%) of small businesses have started processing payments using a new technique since COVID-19. Roughly half of the small businesses that accept contactless payments have only done so since COVID-19 was implemented (46%). Similarly, approximately a third of individuals who use mobile payment apps to conduct payments (30%) began during COVID-19.

Small company owners are well-positioned to respond to these trends with QuickBooks Card Reader, which allows them to speed up in-person sales, accept payments on the go, and instantly reconcile transactions in QuickBooks. Thanks to the reader’s capacity to accept card payments swiftly through insert, swipe, or e-wallets, customers can always check out quickly, and transactions are completed.

QuickBooks Card Reader distinguishes in the payment environment because of its creative design, feature set, and cost. It performed in-depth customer research to discover essential characteristics that small businesses want in a more frictionless payment experience. Other card readers lack built-in features such as a visual display and tips to clearly explain the reader’s status and payments in progress. QuickBooks Card Reader combines these powerful features in a lightweight, portable, contactless, and chip card reader – an industry first – to provide small business owners and their customers with a streamlined, transparent, end-to-end payment experience. Some of the unique features are as follows:

• An LED display guides customers through the payment process. It begins with a warm greeting before plainly displaying the purchase amount, allowing consumers to add a tip, and confirming the payment.
• Smart tipping functionality eliminates the requirement for device sharing, which is familiar to other card readers and POS solutions. Small company owners can also personalize the three tip options for customers that will appear on the card reader. The options can be expressed as a percentage of the total amount or as a fixed dollar amount.
• Thanks to clear connectivity and battery level indications, small business owners can be confident that they’re connected and ready to receive payments.
• Small business owners might feel confident that they comply because they are following mandates in some places that require them to show consumers the total charge amount.
• QuickBooks also released the QuickBooks Power Stand in the Summer of 2021, providing small businesses with a stylish and portable countertop payments hub that can support their business anywhere. The Power Stand battery charges QuickBooks Card Reader wirelessly and has an inbuilt USB connector that allows you to charge USB-compatible devices like your phone or tablet.

• When used in conjunction with the QuickBooks Mobile app, QuickBooks Card Reader provides small businesses with a mobile point-of-sale solution that can happen whenever and wherever they need to do business. Small companies benefit from the QuickBooks platform’s connectivity and range of time-saving tools across all QuickBooks Payments products, including features like immediate deposit for qualified transactions and QuickBooks’ built-in accounting.
• Intuit and its development partners built the QuickBooks Card Reader and Power Stand, including proprietary aspects for which design patents are pending. QuickBooks Card Reader is built on proven payment technology from BBPOS, and Box Clever was a crucial partner in creating the hardware.
• QuickBooks Card Reader is now available for $49 on the QuickBooks website for QuickBooks Payments clients. QuickBooks Power Stand will be available for $39 later this summer, and a bundle of both devices will be available for $79.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

In the bustling world of entrepreneurship, where dreams are as numerous as the stars in the sky, finding the right financing option for your small business startup is akin to discovering a hidden treasure that can set you on the path to success. This journey, filled with excitement and challenges, requires a keen eye and a sharp mind to navigate the seas of financial options available. But fear not, for within this tale lies the map to your treasure, along with some intriguing statistics that shed light on the importance of making the right financial choices.

Once upon a time, in the land of opportunity, 69% of entrepreneurs started their businesses at home, fueled by passion and a vision for the future. However, even the most innovative ideas need the backing of solid financial support to blossom.  This is where the quest for the perfect financing option begins. With 29% of startups failing due to running out of cash, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Finding the right financing is not just a matter of preference; it’s a necessity for survival and growth.

One popular route on this quest is the enchanted forest of bank loans. Venturing into this territory can be daunting, as the fierce dragons of credit scores and collateral guard it. Yet, for those who prove their worth, bank loans offer the strength and stability needed to build an empire. They come with lower interest rates and longer repayment terms, making them a wise choice for many. However, beware, for this path is not for everyone. Only 43% of small business loan applications are approved, leaving many to seek alternative routes.

Venturing further, one might stumble upon the mystical realm of venture capital. This land is inhabited by visionaries and risk-takers willing to invest large sums into startups with explosive growth potential. They ask for a share of your kingdom in exchange for their gold. While venture capital can catapult a business to new heights, it comes at the cost of partial ownership.  It’s a path filled with glory for some, but not without its trials.

For those who seek a more democratic route, the bustling marketplace of crowdfunding awaits. Here, your idea is your currency, and the public is your investors. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo are the stages on which you pitch your dream, hoping to attract the support of the masses. This path offers financial backing and a loyal following, making it a double-edged sword that can launch your business into the spotlight. Yet, success in this arena requires a captivating story and a product that resonates with the crowd.

Amidst these options, there’s a secret passage known only to a few—the world of grants. Hidden within the government and private sectors are pots of gold, awarded to businesses that meet specific criteria, such as innovation in technology or positive social impact. Grants are the holy grail of financing, as they don’t require repayment. However, finding them requires patience and perseverance, as they’re often buried under layers of bureaucracy and competition.

As we navigate these waters, it’s crucial to remember the importance of a tailored approach. Every business is unique, with its own set of challenges and opportunities. What works for one may not work for another, making it essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully.

Let’s not forget the importance of preparation.  A staggering 82% of businesses fail due to poor cash flow management. This statistic highlights the necessity of finding the right financing and managing it wisely. A detailed business plan, a clear understanding of your financial needs, and a strategy for growth are the tools you need to conquer the financial realm.

In conclusion, the quest for the right financing option is a pivotal chapter in your entrepreneurial journey. It’s a tale of courage, wisdom, and perseverance, filled with challenges that test your resolve. But with the right approach and a bit of magic, you can unlock the treasure chest of financial resources that will help turn your small business startup into a legendary empire. Remember, the business world is not just about surviving; it’s about thriving. And with the right financing by your side, the sky’s the limit. So, strap on your armor, grab your map, and embark on this adventure with a heart full of dreams and eyes wide open. The treasure awaits, and with it, the promise of a future written in the stars.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

How do you pay for your day-to-day expenses? Many consumers prefer cashless purchases because they are more convenient. Now, You don’t have to wonder about having enough cash or locating a pen to write a check when using a debit or credit card. These two types of plastic, however, are not created equal.

While you may be aware of credit card perks such as points and cashback incentives, you may not know that debit cards may provide many of the same advantages. Continue reading to learn how to make the most of cards and the advantages of debit cards.

As we all know, debit cards have become increasingly popular in recent years. They eliminate the need to always carry actual currency with them, make transacting and paying simply in a couple of seconds, and are also widely accepted.

You may pay with your debit card or plastic money connected to your bank account everywhere, from your local grocer to large restaurants and retail establishments.

Guaranteed Protection

Debit cards are safeguarded by a four-digit PIN (Personal Identification Number) that you create. This PIN is required whenever you use your debit card to make a purchase, providing a high level of security against theft.

You are also notified if a transaction is completed, which double-verifies the transaction. You may also freeze these cards quickly and simply. So, if you lose it, you may avoid harm by rapidly freezing it.

No Service Charges

Unlike credit cards, which can include annual fees, late payment penalties, significant international transaction fees of up to 3%, and other pricey extras, debit cards usually have few or no costs. As a result, you can avoid paying a charge entirely if you use your debit card wisely.

Some banks, for example, charge a few dollars (in addition to the ATM cost) when you withdraw cash from an unaffiliated ATM. However, “ATM fees” can easily be avoided if you plan ahead of time. For example, when you know you’ll need cash, you may go to an in-network ATM or use a store’s easy “cash back” option when you pay with your debit card.

Because a debit card functions as an electronic check, withdrawing funds from your checking account as you use it, you may suffer an overdraft charge if you use it when your account balance is low or negative. However, this is another cost that you can easily avoid.

Many banks provide overdraft protection services ranging from lines of credit to card rejection for insufficient money to prevent you from mistakenly overdrawing your account. In addition, you may check your balance from anywhere using online and mobile banking to ensure you have sufficient balance before using your debit card.

It Helps to Stick to a Budget

One of the most delicate features of a debit card is that you cannot spend more money than you have, preventing you from going into debt. In addition, this helps you budget since the money is removed from your account each time you transact.

Easy to Use

Debit cards are easy to use. Because the payment is debited straight from your bank account, where the money already exists, you may complete it immediately.

It is significantly faster than waiting for a credit transaction to clear or worrying about having enough cash in the account to meet your costs. Debit cards make transactions quick, simple, and convenient.

Tons of Rewards

Have you heard of credit cards with rewards? Some debit cards are now participating in the rewards game. You may earn points for every dollar you spend and redeem them for travel, shopping, or gift cards.

Typically, the benefits are for transactions made using your signature rather than your PIN. The method is the same with credit cards, but you get no annual fee, no interest charges, and all the other debit card benefits we’ve already stated.

On the other hand, Merchants prefer debit card transactions, particularly the PIN input version, because they pay banks less per swipe than credit card transactions. As a result, some retailers prefer debit card payments, especially those with a PIN.

Conclusion

Debit cards offer the same benefits as credit cards but with fewer drawbacks. For example, avoid yearly fees, late fees, and international transaction costs. Furthermore, if you are concerned about over-drafting your account, you may quickly set up overdraft protection to avoid any mistakes.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Financial management is an essential component of founding and sustaining a business, no matter how large or small. Contrary to popular belief, financial management is considerably more than bookkeeping and balancing the corporate checking account.

Entrepreneurs must think about their money for various reasons, from preparing for survival in difficult times to progressing to the next level of success in good times.

Excellent and effective financial management is the difference between a business’s climbing the ladder of success and falling at the first hurdle. We’ve compiled a list of tried-and-true financial advice that any company may use to keep expanding and improving.

Track Your Company Budget

Creating an annual budget for your business is crucial in efficiently managing your money throughout the year. A budget serves as a compass, allowing you to plan for essential company decisions ahead of time. It also aids in the development of expansion strategies.

You should also review your income and expenses to change your spending patterns and make your money work harder and smarter for you.

Reduce Paper by Automating Your Process Digitally

Nobody likes sorting through stacks of documents and balance sheets, and with the spread of cloud-based business tools, going paperless is simple. You can organize everything on digital platforms and back up all your vital documents and company data.

Using online accounting and invoicing systems can streamline your business processes. They also allow you to keep accurate and efficient records, which will aid you in filing your taxes.

Automate Paying Your Bills

Paying invoices by hand consumes time for more valuable tasks, like client acquisition and product development activities. Late payments can also result in missing deadlines and penalties. To improve your procedure, accept Internet banking and automate your payments. You’ll notice an increase in productivity and fewer fines.

You’ll also be able to upgrade to full-fledged accounts payable automation as your company grows. AP automation provides better accuracy with less processing time, accurate data capture, invoice matching and coding, fast approvals, and less risk for fraud.

Look for Investors Best for Your Business

Investors can be a valuable asset to your company since they enable you to accumulate more funds than you could ever receive through loans. They can assist you in growing your business or sustaining it during difficult times. As a result, choosing the appropriate investors is vital to your company’s success. Before you decide, look into the most recent initiatives of your potential investors and determine how involved they would like to be in the company.

Monitor Your Cash Flows

One of the primary reasons businesses fail is poor cash flow management. You must monitor your cash inflows and outflows at all times. The simplest method to achieve this is to generate a cash flow statement and update it monthly.

While accounting software makes constructing a cash flow statement easier, you can still create one by hand using your balance sheet and income statement data.

Debt Management

Carrying over current-year obligations to the next fiscal year is never a good idea for a firm. Before taking out a loan, ensure you have a well-thought-out debt repayment strategy. It’s also critical to prioritize timely and effective settlement of any outstanding company payments.

Defend Your Company Against Fraud

Every firm must pay particular attention to cyber security when utilizing technology, e-commerce platforms, and electronic payments. To guarantee that your data and clients are safe, you should regularly update your anti-virus software and firewall.

Forecasting Your Finances is Vital for Decision-Making

Make it a habit to monitor market developments and adjust your financial forecast and business plan for the year accordingly. This stage will help you gain a clearer vision of the firm’s future and allow you to alter and build a better strategy for its growth.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Financial fraud can cause you to lose all of your hard-earned savings. Understanding how to preserve your savings and assets is essential to intelligent financial management. Have you ever thought about how many types of financial fraud are there? Writing forged checks is a typical kind of financial fraud. And some varieties entail more intricate methods of financial deception. Other cases involve investment fraud. Whatever sort of fraud you encounter can potentially turn your money upside down. However, with proper planning and knowledge, you can avoid being a victim of financial swindlers.

Keep the following easy tips in mind to lower your chances of financial fraud:

Keep an Eye on All Your Investments

Many people work with stockbrokers or financial counselors. It is critical to verify all of your investment assets independently. Do not depend solely on the financial statements provided by your financial advisor.

Keep Your Personal Information Safe

Your user IDs, passwords, and PINs control the fate of your finances. This information enables you to obtain funds and assets from your banks and investments. Maintain the confidentiality and security of all such information, and update your passwords and PINs regularly. Keep your data safe from unknown individuals. Your financial institutions, such as banks, brokerages, and the police, would never contact you to obtain your passwords and PINs.

Be Cautious While Making Online Payments

The most common type of fraud is identity theft. Someone may contact you claiming to be an institution that works for you or represents a financial business or the government to obtain funds. Fraudsters may attempt to contact you via phone, email, or text message. Please don’t rely on caller ID on your phone since scammers can utilize technology to make their calls appear from respectable businesses or organizations.

Verify their identity, especially if they ask for your personal information or ask you to part with money. Contact the relevant institution to verify someone’s legitimacy.

Be Aware of the Scams Requesting Your Personal Information

No legitimate organization will ever ask for your social security number, PIN, or bank account information in an email. Only share this data on secured websites. A well-known URL, such as www.paypal.com or www.amazon.com, should be used for such a site. It is most likely a hoax if you are unfamiliar with the website.

Use High-End Security Passwords

The days of using 12345 as your password are long gone. Hackers easily crack passwords that are basic number combinations or your pet’s name. Make a password with upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols at least eight characters long.

Don’t get Attracted to High Investment Returns

The promise of a significant return on investment is frequently too good to be true. In most investment fraud cases, the perpetrators rely on the avarice of investors drawn in by aggressive and quick profits. Investment scams involving pyramid and Ponzi schemes, unregistered investments, promissory notes, commodities, and other similar scams frequently use large profits to entice you to make poor judgments.

Know who you’re working with and only invest with regulated intermediaries like banks, brokerages, and financial advisers.

Establish Internal Controls in Your Organization

These include plans, procedures, paperwork, and responsibilities inside a corporation to deter financial fraud. The goal of these components is to detect discrepancies in records and collections. Continuously analyzing and adapting the activities above is also beneficial to guarantee that a company is on the right track while combating fraud.

Examine All of Your Accounts and Passwords

Ensure vigilance over all of your financial accounts and credit cards. Check your statements regularly and ensure you recognize all the transactions on them. And, despite what may appear to be common sense, keep your passwords confidential and complex. Also, don’t use the same password for many accounts.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.