Author: Complete Controller

Electronic billing will minimize the likelihood of making mistakes; these happen and can have consequences.

When issuing an electronic invoice, there may be the possibility of making a mistake. Whether we realize it ourselves or our clients, let us know when we receive the documents. Correcting them is by canceling the existing invoice and issuing a new one. By doing so, the SAT will notify the canceled invoice is invalid, and you can continue your accounting regularly.

It is essential to consider that according to the law, the recipients must verify that the electronic invoices comply with the requirements.

Emitters

If you issue an incorrect invoice, the recipient has not realized the error. Still, you do. You must notify him of the mistake and cancel the invoice immediately to issue a new one. Failure to do so could result in a fine between $12,000 and $69,000, and your client or employer cannot deduct the tax expense. The most common mistakes when issuing an electronic invoice are:

• Poorly write the RFC of the company that gets billed.
• An inadequate description of the service.
• Lack of proper breakdown of the payment of ISR and VAT.

Receivers

The first thing you should do as a receiver is to review the document you just received. If you find any fault, notify the issuer, preferably in writing, so that you can generate a new CFDI. We recommend that it be in writing because if the issuer does not respond to the request and the SAT performs an audit, you will have proof of recommendation.

The next step will be to cancel the incorrect invoice since the issuer could only issue a new invoice but not cancel the previous one. You can do this by entering the SAT page and monitoring the status of your CFDI.

How to Avoid Errors in Online Invoicing

If you design a confusing invoice, you will have to delay payment, leading to reputational damage to your company. There are usual mistakes that businesses make while asking for payment.

Use of Manual Systems

Still, SMEs are using paper invoices. As a result, they are slow in sending deliveries, take time in proceedings, and are liable for duplication. They have inaccuracies and mostly get in trouble. Accounting software issues invoices electronically and boosts efficiency.

You can easily afford such electronic software to monitor the payment method and transfer automatic reminders for bills you did not pay.

Getting Erroneous Information or the Wrong Person Getting the Invoice

If there is a mistake in a company’s name spelling or an issue addressing incorrect invoices, delays will happen. Companies ask for a new invoice and reissue amended documents once a mistake. To avoid confusion, explain your products and services in detail. Do not let your customers make an excuse for conflicting with the invoice.

Requesting for an Incorrect Amount

This mistake is highly time-confusing and can get you in trouble. You should always check the mentioned price two times to ensure it is the one you can make customers. As a result, you will get a job quickly. After getting a rejection letter for an incorrect invoice, you must send a cancellation invoice with a new number. You will also add the negative amount, issue date, and invoice number, which must be original. You can raise your correct invoice by adding a different invoice number. Later, HMRC should seek clarification with an original invoice reference.

Add the Wrong Rate of VAT

Be specific while using the correct calculation for the products and services you are providing. It can only happen if your business has VAT registration. Ensure clients know how to protect themselves, giving them a nasty shock. You can ensure this when your rate is 20% different from the standard VAT level or registered for VAT recently.

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.

We will define by profitable asset everything that provides a constant good income or that which once bought us a guarantee of sale for an amount more significant than the purchase in a period. And we will define passive income as everything that occasionally introduces money in our pocket without the need for continued intervention on our part. Now we explain it better.

First, we must know how to distinguish liquid assets from non-liquid assets. In that previous article, we explained the difference extensively.

Until very recently, the best-considered asset was real estate. Today, in most countries the real estate market, such speculation is not possible, but it does not mean that it is a bad investment.

However, investment in real estate has always been and will be a way to receive passive income by purchasing properties for rent.

Actions

Especially if they pay good dividends, although as we said, to live on bonuses, you must invest too much money, which may not be available; however, choosing an excellent value or a sound investment vehicle can generate that desired profitable income or a sale with added profitability in our favor. To know more about actions, I have a complete guide on investment and financial education. 

Patents

The registration of a patent is a millionaire business in cases because if we could register a new patent, we will receive an income every time we use it. The complicated thing is to find the patent. However, we could say that today people live on their patent registers. And not just live, because in some cases, we could talk about real fortunes.

Books

Authoring a book can be a very profitable asset, and right now, thanks to the internet, we receive income for life every time our book is purchased or downloaded. Today, you can self-publish your book both on paper and in electronic format. When we give ideas to make money, we always name this form.

Webs or Blogs

Among the most profitable assets of recent times, from ten dollars a year (which is not money), you can generate a handsome income, and in some cases, millionaire income, with the possibility of selling that website to another agency that will purchase or optimize websites. We will talk more about this topic in later articles. 

YouTube Channel

Although you must be clear that both a blog and a channel usually require updates and dedication on our part, the truth is that it often compensates for profitability if you do a decent job and have something new to say.

Business

Buying an undervalued business whose owner has not known how to make it work can be one of the best acquisitions of profitable assets. In recent times, you tend to speculate with companies with the ease you suspect directly with stocks. The other possibility for generating assets is to create your own business. Without a doubt, which is the most profitable investment?

Estate

It is not the business it was, but they are still significant assets. Buying an old house, renovating it, and renting it is an asset if the money we receive is greater than the monthly rent. The difference between these amounts is our profitable income. Also, buy large properties and make rental properties. Here, we gave you the eight ways to invest in real estate today.

Your Own Business

There is no better asset and more profitable than your own business or company since this asset is your creation, your masterpiece, which is worth as much as you want, or you can value it. The income you receive will go according to the business model you have created and your skills in company management, of course.

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.

Buying a new car is indeed a huge investment. People should undoubtedly buy things based on quality and reliability so that it works longer. But it also has perplexities, as new car buyers must pay sound fees, taxes, spare parts expenses, and higher insurance premiums. They are opting for a used car does not only present advantages. Let us learn some more disadvantages of this choice. Please read on!

Maintenance Expense

When buying a used car, the first step the buyer must take is to take it to a workshop for review. Without knowing the car, there is no way to know the defects and safety risks that it can bring.

Also, as the vehicle already has more road time, the parts are not in the same state as when it was new, demanding frequent exchanges.

Loss of Warranty

The new factory warranty (up to 6 years) is a comfort to consumers, who are sure to have help in the event of defects. On the other hand, if this deadline has passed, the owner is responsible for the maintenance costs and repairs.

Conservation State

As careful as it was the previous owner, the state of conservation of the user is no longer the same as when it was new. And we can already advance that the internal items that suffer enough with the use are:

• steering wheel
• pedals
• banks

On the outside, the paint may start to crack. It is either by sun exposure or scratches, which are more than average daily.

Outdated Technology

Buying a used car means purchasing an old model, even one no longer manufactured and marketed. With this, the used ones may not have the technologies in the newly released ones.

Damage to the Environment

The latest releases have received investment in technology. Concern about reducing pollution grows and is increasingly present in the new models.

Besides, the gaps and wear of worn-out car parts mean that the performance is not the same, causing increased fuel consumption and polluting the environment.

Is there a Difference Between the Consortium of New and Used Cars?

The consortium is the same. What changes are the value of the letter of credit and the intention of the consortium? When contemplated, he can use his credit message in the way that he finds most convenient, depending on the buyer’s situation and the purpose of using the vehicle. In some cases, you will need to select the car. This way, the price privileges are not lost with the days counted in an automobile.

For example, a letter of credit of  $20,000 can make it exceedingly difficult to acquire a new car. So, it is more geared towards the new ones. But nothing prevents you from having an extra buck, completing the payout from your pocket, and getting a zero model!

And the opposite can also happen. You enter the consortium thinking about a new car but then change your mind, preferring a new one. In this case, you can use the card to buy a complete Seminole model. Also, you can use the remaining balance to prepay the installments that have not yet entered your consortium.

For example, you cannot hire a car consortium and buy a motorcycle or a house.

Buying a car is a dream for people. And for this, the consortium is a great option! Making a consortium to buy a used car, then, is an alternative not only extremely feasible but, in fact, more advantageous than any financing! So, what is still waiting to run after your dream?

Lastly, share this post on your social networks to help your friends, too! Who knows, you cannot get a mate with that?

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.

For interchangeable products, the service decides whether customers buy and buy again.

Companies with innovative, high-quality products are still losing customers in the aftersales sector. The focus is too much on the development and too little on the service processes along the supply chain. The opportunities to increase customer loyalty and earn money through optimal service offerings are often missed. Aligning the trade, service, and sales organization entirely with the customer is a decisive success factor and an important differentiating factor from the competition.

All Actions Involve the Customer’s Mission Statement

Whether customers buy is decided at the points at which they contact a company or stay loyal too—every contact counts. Customer relationships and contacts are the most valuable basis for identifying the right services. Whether a customer calls the field service, the service center, or customer service, whether he orders in the e-catalog, fills out a contact form, or writes an e-mail, His concern must trigger the right actions in the right places.

Everything in the company uses the customer mission statement. It is the driver for the contact points, establishes the processes, and sets the standards in dealing with customers. The stage directions for the employees result from it. The customer mission statement is the basis of the service culture. A customer contact point analysis can help to develop a customer mission statement.

Customer center, delivery, customer service, accounting, website, webshop, and even the packaging should match the mission statement and shape the overall impression as an essential point of contact. Anyone who learns from customer relationships and customer experiences with the company can identify new potential. Service will play a significant role here in the future.

Business Customers Think Differently than Private Customers

Business customers behave differently than private customers. They rarely use the purchased products themselves. In return, they expect that the purchased service at the optimal price and effort enables their company to achieve satisfactory results and satisfy their customers in the long term.

At the points of contact with the supplier, decision-makers, influencers, information collectors, and users have diverse needs and exchange their experiences internally (supplier evaluation). These different expectations of the various addressees must flow into the analysis of the contact points in the B2B sector.

How good is our service really and how satisfied are our customers? A contact point analysis always covers the entire service chain. The customer experiences the company’s performance. The research aims to optimize customer satisfaction and loyalty through targeted, interlinked measures and individual contact points.

Errors in Contact with Customers

When dealing with customers, companies often make the following mistakes:

• Inquiries are answered late or not at all.
• Recalls are not made on time or not on the same day.
• Customers have to wait a long time for promised information and offers.
• The information sent raises more questions than it answers.
• Customers receive inaccurate delivery information.
• We are not proactively informed about delays.
• Anyone who calls ends up on hold.
• The availability does not match the customer’s business hours.
• External, customer service, accounting, and office staff are difficult to reach.
• Regarding inquiries, customers are “passed around” between the departments.
• The structure of the invoice is unclear. The format does not match the customer’s electronic processing.
• Complaints are not processed in time; customers do not receive intermediate status.

Usually, only parts of the service chain are examined. However, downstream contact points such as planning (does the service level and appearance of the commissioned shipping company match the portfolio? Is the delivery information clear?) Or invoicing (are all invoice items traceable?) Influence the customer experience and are also rated as such by business customers.

Examples of Attractive Services

Attractive services differentiate features from the competition and guarantee profitable additional business. Successful examples are:

• Warehouse management with assembly service for industrial customers
• Financing offers for business development combined with delivery commitments
• Training and education of customers
• Sales partnerships (“everything from a sole source”)
• Comprehensive problem-solving (system integration)
• Leasing, property planning, advice
• Marketing services and sales promotions for trading partners
• Sales support for end customers (appointments, support in aftersales)
• Used machine sales and maintenance
• Maintenance services and organization services

Establish Management for Customer Inquiries

Precise and reliable communication is crucial for customer satisfaction. Customers who receive correct delivery information, understand all invoices and offer items, can rely on promised dates, are informed about changes in enjoyable time, receive an immediate answer to queries, and have little reason for complaint.

Inquiry management is also essential: What happens to inquiries by e-mail, via web contact forms, or questions received by the field service or coming up in the office? For this, companies also need defined processes that precisely determine who is responsible for which type of request and when the customer should receive feedback or a solution (definition of service level).

Consistent and sustainable customer perception is created if all measures interlock and convince the service chain, thus making the basis for lasting and profitable 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.

If you want to buy a house, you will have started to make numbers to know if you can get the home of your dreams. You have already considered a mortgage and are even comparing financing options. Have you considered the aid for the purchase of housing? We share with you a brief guide so you can find your opportunity.

The US sold 352,768 houses between January and August 2018, according to the latest data collected by the National Statistics Institute (INE). This figure represents an increase of 11.13% compared to the same period of the previous year and means that the real estate market is in full swing.

If you do not want to miss the extraordinary moment of buying and selling real estate and need extra support to get that home you dream of, there is a program to help you buy a home: the 2018-2021 Plan.

Although the 2018-2021 Housing Plan focuses on rent for the most disadvantaged, it has real help for anyone who needs support to buy a home and meet a series of obligations. What are the minimum requirements to access a service to buy a home?

Be Under 35 Years Old

The regular income equals or less than three times the Public Indicator of Multiple Effects Income (IPREM). This index is the reference for the granting of aid. Since 2004, it has replaced the Interprofessional Minimum Salary. The IPREM is published every year in the General State Budgets. In 2017, it was $537.84 per month. You can access the subsidy if your payroll is $1,613.52 or less until new budgets exist.

The home you are asking for help for must be your usual residence for at least five years from the date of occupation.

You Cannot Access the Subsidy if You Already Own Another Home

In general, the aid will last for three years. However, autonomous communities can reduce this period if it is justified. And how much help does it cost to buy a home? If you meet the minimum requirements, you can receive up to $10,800 with a limit of 20% of the property’s price.

Programs Help You to Purchase a House

You can consider the various federal programs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers. It helps you in buying a house if you are eligible for assistance.

• FHA loans and HUD Homes – HUD offers two programs for home buyers. As a result, the house-purchasing process will become more affordable than others.
• Homeowner voucher program – HUD offers the Homeownership Voucher Program. Homebuyers can fulfill their monthly debt payments and other home expenditures with it. You will have this voucher when your income is low, and you wish to purchase a desirable house.

Purchase of Shares for Homeownership

Shared ownership means purchasing shares to buy a home of your choice from the property owner, which can be anyone like the council or a housing association and the one that is willing to rent the remaining share.

You cannot buy shares to purchase your home without having debt. You need to take a quarter and three-quarters loan compared to the purchased house’s total value.

Later, you can purchase the highest share, which would be 100% of your house’s purchasing value. There are no eligibility limitations on shared ownership. Now you can get home through help to buy. For example, you may have less household income inside and outside your state boundary.

Considerations While Buying a House During a Pandemic

1. A down payment is better than emergency funds.
2. Regarding buying and selling the coordination of houses, your work must be in progress.
3. The conventional market is better than the mortgage market.
4. Interest rates must be a lower priority.
5. You must have a backup plan or an alternative for buying and selling house policies. It is an ordinary and necessary element.

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.

Are you managing or leading your internet marketing? If yes, you must have or learn specific etiquettes on being lucrative and surviving timelessly in the run. No matter if you are working as a trader.

If you do not have such qualities by birth, you must learn to be part of marketing for a long time. You must be adroit while processing marketing activities. 

Let us find out those internet marketing hallmarks by reading this blog thoroughly.

You Embrace a Valid Puzzle

Internet marketing is like a giant cryptic puzzle, mainly when it occurs in the SEO process. The market has multiple parts of the SEO Puzzle, so what are the most vital? That is:

• Keyword analysis
• Link-building
• UX
• Social media alliance

A prosperous internet trader will readily be competent to observe how these parts match unitedly.

Standards refer to the fact that a prosperous trader will notice cover the following:

• How social channel access influences pure link-building
• How UX hits search rankings
• The most reliable system to add keywords 
• The remaining ones must be technically legal
• There is an excellent opportunity you will surpass at SEO if you possess a talent for resolving puzzles

Your Learning Habit Must be Consistent

Search engine optimization and social channels are continually advancing with time as per their scope. Google pinches its grading algorithm with the number of courses yearly, and the latest social channel programs have not yet been developed. 

You must be ardent concerning permanent lore to endure sound and official when it appears to internet marketing. It implies the following:

• The stopper of industry news
• Conducting conferences
• They frequently interact with people in the interplanetary digital marketing industry.

Must Be a Competitive Manager

Internet traders discover it is essential to authorize trifling their marketing duties. Anyone alone will infrequently surpass each phase of marketing like:

• Lettering
• Transportations
• Social channel 
• Technical SEO
• And much more

It is vital to hold unique control talents, expressly the strength to spur and urge those nearby to support you to lead your aims.

Must Be The Best Negotiator

Staying intelligent to interact productively is crucial to an internet marketing expert. It does not signify you must be an expert author or discussant; it does indicate you have to communicate your ideas and expectations precisely and professionally to:

• Customers
• Possibilities
• People on your team

It also needs the experience to monitor and hear what the other person wants to say and join, involve, and consider things from someone else’s perspectives. 

Take All Measures for Clients

Best UX is not solely useful for changes, and it is more vital for gaining high organic rankings in SERPs. Lucrative internet traders, though, are not out to get a fast stag. They want to meet clients’ demands and claims. They aim to build a secure link with them.

You Should be Patient

Online marketing requires an eagerness to put in demanding work, even though you might not see any results for months (or years). There are no quick fixes when you talk about online marketing, so in that case, you must frequently work towards your goal without losing steam. A deficiency of short-term outcomes may be discouraging, but if you are patient enough, the results will surely be worth the wait.

 You Should be Trustworthy

 More than it was ever before, people always buy from people they know and can fully trust. Being trustworthy and able to carry this trait to others is essential to becoming a professional online marketer. Being responsible and authentic will set you to one side, helping you build a long-term relationship with your customer and client.

 You Are a Competent Manager

Most online marketers find this one thing necessary to delegate or outsource at least a couple of their marketing duties. Any individual might rarely shine in every marketing direction: aspect, writing, technical SEO, and social media. For this reason, it is necessary to have excellent management expertise, particularly the capability to motivate and inspire those around you to help you meet your goals. 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.

By: Jennifer Brazer

Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.

Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen

Alternative Financing for Self-Employed and SMEs: Boost Your Business Growth and Success

Traditional financing avenues often feel like a locked door for too many small business owners and self-employed individuals. Denials from traditional banks can leave promising businesses stuck in a holding pattern, unable to take the next big step. The good news? There are smarter, faster, and more flexible ways to secure the funding you need.

With alternative financing, you’re no longer at the mercy of rigid bank policies. For years, I’ve seen businesses thrive because they explored unconventional funding options that prioritize their goals and timelines. I believe in these tools because I’ve experienced firsthand their transformative impact on clients at Complete Controller. Let me guide you through practical solutions that could unlock opportunities for your business.

Why Traditional Financing Falls Short

I’ll be blunt: traditional lenders often cater to the safest bets. Banks want pristine credit scores, lengthy financial histories, and usually require collateral that budding or small-scale businesses simply don’t have.

Take the shocking reality highlighted by research: firms owned by non-Hispanic white individuals are granted bank loans at rates nearly double those of minority-owned firms. That’s 46% for white-owned businesses versus 23% for Black-owned businesses and 34% for Latino-owned businesses. It’s a system that works for some but not for everyone.

But traditional financing isn’t just inequitable—it’s also slow. When an expansion opportunity knocks, waiting weeks or months for approval isn’t always feasible. That’s the problem my team and I aim to solve every day by helping entrepreneurs move beyond the walls of traditional banking.

What Is Alternative Financing?

Think of alternative financing as your business’s customized safety net. It encompasses funding methods that bend to fit your needs, not the other way around. These options were built with flexibility in mind—something I’ve found invaluable for clients navigating cash flow gaps, new opportunities, or even emergencies.

Where banks see risk, alternative financing sees potential. With platforms and tools tailored to modern entrepreneurs, this approach provides solutions ranging from speedy approval processes to financing structures that don’t require collateral.

Types of Alternative Financing

Peer-to-peer lending

Imagine getting funding directly from individuals rather than an institution. Platforms like Lending Club or Prosper connect businesses to investors willing to back them. It’s streamlined, personal, and—best of all—often much faster.

Crowdfunding

With crowdfunding, you’re not just raising money—you’re raising awareness. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo let businesses tap into their target audience for small contributions. I once helped a client launch a product through crowdfunding; not only did they hit their financial target, but their campaign also became a tool for early customer engagement.

Invoice financing

This is about turning unpaid invoices into immediate working capital. Companies like BlueVine or FundThrough advance you cash based on outstanding invoices, giving you breathing room to keep operations running smoothly. I’ve seen this tool save businesses from shutting their doors during temporary cash flow crunches. I always say, “Just because a client pays late doesn’t mean your bills can wait.”

Microfinance options

For small-scale businesses that banks often ignore, microfinance loans provide smaller amounts at manageable terms. These loans are especially helpful for sole proprietors or entrepreneurs at the very start of their journey.

Short-term loans

Need funds fast? Short-term loans are a powerful option. The approval process typically takes hours, helping you plug that hole in your cash flow before it becomes a crater. Just keep an eye on higher interest rates—debt has to work for you, not against you.

Benefits of Alternative Financing for SMEs

Flexible funding terms

Unlike traditional bank loans, alternative financing arrangements allow you to negotiate terms that match your business’s cash flow and goals. For instance, peer-to-peer lenders might offer a repayment period that adjusts based on your earnings.

Lightning-fast approvals

My clients are often stunned by how quickly alternative funding options move. One of my favorites was Sarah—a café owner in London—who secured £50,000 through Funding Circle in just five days after banks had turned her down. Within a year, her café doubled its revenue. That’s the kind of impact fast funding can have.

No collateral? No problem.

Traditional lenders often block businesses without significant assets, but that’s rarely the case with alternative financing. Whether you’re renting your workspace or bootstrapping your inventory, these financing options don’t demand you mortgage your future to secure capital.

How to Choose the Right Alternative Financing

Step 1: Pinpoint your needs

Are you growing, bridging cash flow gaps, or covering seasonal expenses? Defining your goals will help you find the best solution. For example, invoice financing is perfect for covering unpaid invoices, while crowdfunding works great for launching a new product.

Step 2: Vet your lender

Not every lender is worth your trust. Platforms like Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau can help you weed out the good from the bad. Trust me, doing a little homework will save you a world of trouble later.

Step 3: Compare terms

Interest rates, fees, and repayment conditions vary wildly. To give yourself the best shot at success, review every line of the terms and conditions. As the CEO of Complete Controller, I cannot emphasize enough how critical it is to familiarize yourself with the fine details. Stay vigilant about potential hidden fees.

For more resources on financial accuracy, check out these small business bookkeeping tips.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Alternative Financing

Skimming the fine print

Always—always!—review your financing agreement in detail. As a financial services advocate, I’ve seen hidden fees eat into businesses’ cash flow simply because the owner rushed through the approval process.

Lack of financial planning

Any loan, even a small one, calls for a clear repayment strategy. Without it, you’re playing a risky game. If you need advice on planning, read why accurate financial statements are vital.

Overspending

Borrow only what you need, not everything that’s available. Financing is a tool—not an excuse to put your business in unnecessary debt.

Real-World Advice From a Seasoned Entrepreneur

Over my 15+ years as CEO of Complete Controller, I’ve helped countless entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of financing. One truth has remained constant: the solution lies in understanding your options and thinking beyond conventional banking. When starting my business, banks turned me away more than once, forcing me to seek smarter alternatives. I’m grateful for those obstacles because they taught me to trust innovative solutions that prioritize today’s fast-paced needs.

Conclusion

Alternative financing is shaking up the game for self-employed entrepreneurs and SMEs alike. If the traditional path is blocked, consider this your permission to find a better way. Need help sorting through your options? The team and I are here to guide you. Click here to connect with the experts who have helped thousands of businesses thrive.

FAQ

What types of alternative financing exist?

Peer-to-peer lending, crowdfunding, invoice financing, microfinance loans, and short-term loans are among the leading options.

How fast can I get funded?

Many alternative financing sources can secure approval in days—or even hours.

Is collateral required?

Collateral isn’t always a necessity. Crowdfunding and invoice financing, for example, typically don’t require it.

What risks should I consider?

Watch for high interest rates, hidden fees, and short repayment windows. Carefully review contract terms to avoid surprises.

How does crowdfunding go beyond fundraising?

Crowdfunding combines financial support with built-in PR, showcasing your business to a broader audience while raising capital.

Sources

• Federal Reserve Banks. 2020 Report on Employer Firms – Small Business Credit Survey.
• Mach, Traci L., et al. Peer-to-Peer Lending to Small Businesses. Federal Reserve Board.
• Bankrate. How to Get a Small Business Loan When Self-Employed.
• OECD. Alternative Financing Instruments for SMEs and Entrepreneurs.
• Forbes. Alternative Financing Options for Small Businesses.

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.

2023 is the time of network protection and cybersecurity. An ever-increasing number of organizations are getting on board with network safety. Information-driven organizations are searching for various approaches to improve information or data security.

Keeping your information more secure is an extreme challenge because of the constantly developing dangers. The moment some information or data security innovation hits the market, new digital threats emerge to meet it. In this manner, informing yourself how to venture into your business information security is fundamental.

Extending your business requires assets and a solid portion of technical education as the world vigorously depends on the web to approach its everyday business. In a mainly digital climate, information is, in a real sense, everything. Let’s discuss ensuring your business information or data is safe.

The Correlation Between Cybersecurity and the Growth of Big Data

The danger of information penetration has never been more relevant than it is today. If we’ve discovered anything about the significance of reasonable network safety measures, it would be the way that any business size is helpless against digital dangers.

There are increasing dangers that associations should know about, and digital assaults have become more normal than ever in recent memory. It goes with the development of considerable information and general knowledge’s significance.

Since most current organizations work online, the measure of information accessible to hackers is staggering. A 2019 report tracked that 52% of all information penetrates against organizations online were hacking assaults, while 43% of these assaults were against private companies.

So, it should be evident that network safety is not an alternative but a need. It’s an ideal opportunity to get fully informed regarding the most recent network protection measures and figure out how to keep your hidden, individual, expert, delicate, and critical information relevant to your association and customers safe.

Standardize your Offline and Online Storage Options

The environment where you choose to get your data is critical regarding keeping your information secure. It can’t be a non-secure and shifting environment such as an information stockroom, where most organizations keep their information.

When the last move to the cloud, these associations leave all that information unprotected, which is a catastrophe waiting to occur; the ideal approach to avoid this very unreasonable danger is to consider normalizing your online and offline information storage alternatives.

Since your information needs to focus on ordering, arranging, and fragmenting, just as refreshing, you’ll need an answer that will permit you to make your information effectively manageable and retrievable.

It permits you to tackle the force of robotization, dispose of human mistakes, keep all your essential information in one spot, and manage who approaches your information. The instrument will not disturb any tasks while giving a simple and successful approach to protect touchy information while keeping up your business activities.

Implement Cybersecurity Policies

One of the main things on your rundown should be clear network safety strategies, paying little attention to how enormous or little your business is. These network protection estimates help enhance your sensitive information’s safety by keeping it private and secure. Even more significantly, they help decrease the danger of data falling into the wrong hands.

Clearly state what information is essential and confidential, and you can unreservedly share data external to the organization. Try to incorporate every one of the gadgets utilized at work and the proper use of these gadgets.

Install Firewall Protection

If you’re searching for venture network protection measures for your business, introducing a firewall is a requirement. A frontline-type guard protects an infection, hack, or assault on your organization before it grows into something destroyed. Remember that a firewall needs continuous updates to guarantee there are no holes in your security.

Bottom Line

Keeping your sensitive information protected constantly is a consistently expanding challenge for modern organizations of all sizes. Luckily, the most recent and trendsetting innovation can assist with putting away, using, and essential business information in the best, most secure way. 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.

Practical communication skills solve most of our problems. When it comes to venturing as an online business in the already crowded digital world, the correct information-sharing patterns of the company save you from several inconveniences. Poor communication in the business environment does you more harm than you can think of. The outcomes can be unfavorable if you don’t share information with your target audience using the right tools, from leading you to make wrong decisions to bringing you poor results. Therefore, your company must make the most of communication-sharing platforms when communicating its next big moves. On the contrary, one of the worst things an organization can do to hamper its growth is carry out its operations in Siloes.

The organization operating in a silo is more like a locked-up cave that existed years and years ago. At that time, people would continue with their routine lives without knowing about the outside world and the world not knowing anything about them. Companies operating in environments like such are called siloed! And of course, there are positives and negatives attached to this – however, the negatives most times supersede the positives. 

Let’s find out why sharing information benefits online businesses’ growth.  

Information Sharing for Promotional Campaigns

With a gazillion substitutes available, promotional campaigns and marketing have become one strategy that varies from one brand to the other. Brands invest more than life in their marketing campaigns to stand out. For such campaigns, they choose to add transparency to their content. Whether it is their web content, web copies, blogs, articles, or infographics, they decided to add the most relevant information in their range that their target audience comes creeping in.

If your brand comes across a scandal, the transparency in your information sharing will help you a truckload. That is, your audience will know about the products and services you offer – the more your audience is involved in your brand, the more they’ll stand with you in your tough times – especially for a solely digital startup. The point to be noted here is that, for brands operating on a small scale, a good reputation helps them in ways you might not realize. It establishes trust between you and your audience, and they start to promote you with their word-of-mouth. Word of mouth is one of those marketing strategies that marketers make the most out of without investing substantial amounts. 

Establishes Your Brands’ Credibility

Establishing a brand’s credibility is what marketers go for once they start with their marketing tactics. Making the most of information-sharing platforms is how they achieve this. It helps them earn the confidence of their audience as they become more supportive of your brand and its offerings. 

One good strategy to achieve this could be to ensure your information source’s quality. For instance, you can outline essential questions and confirm the information. How is it coming, and why is it coming? Who provides the data, and why should you share such information? All such questions will help you understand the technicality of sharing information about your brand. The fact that biases mainly influence word-of-mouth – you – as a marketer, need to exploit such beneficial marketing tactics. 

Another essential factor you need to be careful about is the kind of information with your audience. Some information demands confidentially, while others can go out. For example, you cannot share everything with the world – especially the critical information your company’s competitors can use against you. You can bring expert marketers who can help you in this regard. They’ll help you in devising strategies for you. From designing campaigns to planning content to capture and establish a robust digital presence for you.

Lessen Inter-Departmental Synergy

Once you know how to utilize information-sharing platforms efficiently, you get to promote synergy in different business units of your company. One way to put it would be when companies manage information efficiently; they lessen the friction among other operational departments. Inter-departments help the employees work in a team without any negativity influencing them. As a result, they meet their targets on time, feeling motivated, passionate, and inspired to perform better in the long run.

There you have it, a guide telling you why sharing information rightly can benefit an online business. Be sure to consider these tips the next time you find yourself confused, as chances are the results will take you by surprise. 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.

Social media marketing is the game changer of the digital era. Today, when every business and every startup thinks of shifting to digital platforms, they look for a social media marketing strategy to help their business grow over time. 

Social media was just a platform for playing games, connecting with people, or sharing pictures and videos with your loved ones. However, today, it differs from what it says, maybe seven to eight years ago. 

With the evolution of technology and the respective trends, social media is beneficial in multiple ways. It can also prevent trouble if you understand its proper usage. 

Let us discuss how social media marketing can keep you out of trouble in multiple ways.

It Helps You Build Relationships

When you make friends on Facebook or professional connections on LinkedIn, you do yourself a great favor. It is because whichever platform it is, you are building relationships.

These relationships will help you whenever you need them. Let’s say you’re working on your startup and want to hire people; you can post on LinkedIn so that your connections can refer you to available potential profiles of candidates. Similarly, if you need people to help you with a problem, you can post on Facebook or anywhere else. This establishment of the ‘right network’ will always help you grow in the professional world.

Also, if you’re wondering where social media marketing is of use, let us tell you that establishing professional relationships happens when you can market yourself the right way.

You Can Instantly Update the World

In the world of social media, where multiple social media marketing agency startups have been solely working on marketing a business, it is self-explanatory that these agencies work on each aspect of marketing.

For example, let’s say your business has recently received funding so that you can grow and expand, working on its scalability. What will you do next?

You would want the world to know about it, wouldn’t you? Just imagine if this was to be done back in the olden days. It would have been hard, wouldn’t it?

Yes, social media marketing helps a business grow in today’s world. Whether you have an announcement or a piece of news to share, you can instantly post it on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or any other social media platform. Eventually, you can reach out to the world, spreading the news to a whole new level.

Who might know that it opens doors to new opportunities? Give it a try!

It Helps You Establish Collaborations by Finding Common Grounds

If you’re a business person, you would know how important it is to establish collaborations with competitive businesses. It helps a company expand and grow.

You can easily find people who share common interests. For example, if your business sells the same products or services as you do, you have found common ground. With this common ground, you can grow and expand your business to a scalability level that will help you connect with like-minded individuals.

It Allows Faster Communication

Work, family, and commitments have left us with no available time to wait for ages to communicate with people. Thanks to social media marketing, it has now become more accessible for businesses to share and grow.

With audio and video conferencing features, businesses can now expand their horizons and conduct online meetings. It also helps save time and cuts down unnecessary expenses otherwise.

It has Helped Introduce Remote Working

As the world is progressing faster, businesses have started considering remote working opportunities for people worldwide.

By examining profiles on social media platforms such as LinkedIn or Facebook, startups need to employ talent worldwide. It helps connect people from all parts of the world. Still, the social media marketing of a particular business can spread to different cultures and countries, making your business a noteworthy one.

Summing It Up

In conclusion, if you are new to this, there are ways beginners can start social media marketing. It will not only help you grow but might also open doors to new opportunities. Hence, social media marketing saves you from many troubles and helps you become productive in every way.

Invest today to enjoy a worthwhile experience! 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.