This Week in Startups - Top 5 financial mistakes

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Top 5 financial mistakes to avoid for startups and small businesses

Transcript of This Week in Startups - Top 5 financial mistakes

Beautiful accounting software

Top 5 Finance Mistakes

Sunday, August 18, 13

President, Xero USAHi! I’m Jamie Sutherland.

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• Global leader in online accounting

• 160,000+ paying businesses

• 6000+ Xero accounting partners

• 400+ staff (US HQ in San Francisco)

• A new release every 3 weeks

• Unlimited users with different roles

• Bank feeds from 5000+ institutions

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Introducing Xero

2012

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TheFacts

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Marketplace Facts

• ~500,000 small businesses open their doors each year

• ~65% of new jobs are created by small businesses

• ~2,000 startups get venture capital funding in the US each year

• ~50,000 startups get funded by angels each year

Good

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Marketplace Facts

• ~500,000 small businesses open their doors each year

• ~65% of new jobs are created by small businesses

• ~2,000 startups get venture capital funding in the US each year

• ~50,000 startups get funded by angels each year

• 67% of small business don’t last longer than 5 years

• Over 90% of tech startups fail

Good

Bad

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Why?

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Financials Matter

ComplianceBusinessSuccess

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Financials Matter

ComplianceBusinessSuccess

Insight & decision making

Sunday, August 18, 13

Financials Matter

ComplianceBusinessSuccess

Insight & decision making

Cashflow

Sunday, August 18, 13

Financials Matter

ComplianceBusinessSuccess

Insight & decision making

CashflowManages sales &

customers

Sunday, August 18, 13

Financials Matter

ComplianceBusinessSuccess

Insight & decision making

CashflowManages sales &

customers

Monitor expenses &

vendors

Sunday, August 18, 13

Financials Matter

ComplianceBusinessSuccess

Insight & decision making

CashflowManages sales &

customers

Monitor expenses &

vendors

Funding sources

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Finance Quiz

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What is the biggest expense for most businesses?1.

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What is the biggest expense for most businesses?

Answer

1.

Staff

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At the end of the month you subtract your income from your expenses. Does that equal cash flow?

2.

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At the end of the month you subtract your income from your expenses. Does that equal cash flow?

2.

Answer No

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“What is the strangest item your client has tried to deduct from income”?

3.

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“What is the strangest item your client has tried to deduct from income”?

a) A family vacation disguised as a business trip

3.

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“What is the strangest item your client has tried to deduct from income”?

a) A family vacation disguised as a business tripb) Traffic tickets

3.

Sunday, August 18, 13

“What is the strangest item your client has tried to deduct from income”?

a) A family vacation disguised as a business tripb) Traffic ticketsc) Escorts

3.

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“What is the strangest item your client has tried to deduct from income”?

a) A family vacation disguised as a business tripb) Traffic ticketsc) Escortsd) Gambling losses

3.

Sunday, August 18, 13

“What is the strangest item your client has tried to deduct from income”?

a) A family vacation disguised as a business tripb) Traffic ticketsc) Escortsd) Gambling lossese) Clothes for their dog

3.

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Top 5 Finance Mistakes

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1. Cash flow projection mistakes

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Ask yourself:

What money do we need to get through next week/month?

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2. Suck at collecting payment

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Get Paid Faster

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Get Paid Faster

• Invoice promptly

• Set shorter payment terms

• Email invoices with link to pay

• Accept credit cards

• Get an upfront deposit/retainer

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3. Waiting too long to track spending

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4. Not keeping financials up to date

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5. Aren’t using an accountant

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225%⬆

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• Get taxes done

• Keep me out of jail

• Proactive advice

• Monthly reporting

• Improve cashflow

• Someone who knows your game-plan

New age accountants have emerged...

Old school accountant

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Sunday, August 18, 13

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$300/month

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Questions?

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XeroBeautiful accounting software

Sunday, August 18, 13