Home > Help & How-To >  Finance & Accounting

Help & How-To

Finance & Accounting

Your How To Guides for Finance & Accounting



Raising “Patient Capital” for Your Business
How to attract funding from people who don't expect an immediate return
Raising Money From Informal Investors
The devil's in the details when taking money from--and structuring a deal with--friends, family and angel investors.
Funding Options for Bad Credit Risks
If your credit score is holding you back from landing startup capital, you'll appreciate these tips for finding the funding you need.
Financing a Not-Yet-a-Business Idea
It's next to impossible to raise funds for your "brilliant idea." But our expert offers some smart financing tips.
Smart Succession-Planning Strategies
If you haven't thought about what will happen to your business if you're no longer able to run it, these tips will get you thinking about the best plan to put in place.
Deciding Who to Ask for Money
When it comes to figuring out just whom you'd like to approach for business capital, these tips can help you develop a great list of prospects.
Using Credit Cards to Fund Your Business
Know the risks you face before you take the plunge into credit-card debt.
How to Get Investors for Your Startup
Raise the money you need by proving to investors that you've done your homework and are willing to sacrifice.
6 Sources of Bootstrap Financing
Whether you're just starting out or you've been in business for years, if you need cash, consider these bootstrapping ideas.
Retire Rich
Entrepreneurs are good at growing businesses, but when it comes to personal portfolios, many all too often fall short. Experts share tips, strategies and secrets for the best ways you can accumulate wealth and retire rich.
It's a Swapping Success!
Swap meets give entrepreneurs a low-cost way to break into retail.
How to Forecast Revenue and Growth
When starting out, financial forecasts may seem overwhelming. We'll help you conquer the numbers with this easy-to-follow guide to forecasting revenues and expenses during startup.
How to Make the Kitchen Table Pitch
Follow these four tips if you're raising startup capital from family and friends.
Getting Money to Grow
Where to go for funding when you're ready to move beyond the startup stage
50 Ways to Save Money in Your Business
Save your company thousands of dollars with these penny-pinching tips.
Paying Employees During the Startup Stage
When getting your company off the ground, there are ways to compensate workers that won't break the bank.
What to Pay Yourself
It's your business. You get paid what you want, right? Not quite. Here's what you need to take into consideration before setting your salary.
How to Raise and Lower Your Prices
You need to make changes to improve your bottom line. Here's how to do it without alienating your customers.
How to Better Manage Your Cash Flow
These four steps will help you keep track of the money coming in and out of your growing company.
Anatomy of a Loan Document
Here's what all the fine print means. Study it before you sign.



Recent Articles & Resources
Insight from Business Experts
Entrepreneurs with Poor Credit Face Crunch
Over the past couple of weeks, I've spoken to a lot of reporters about what the troubles in the credit markets might be doing to small businesses in the United States. While it's easy to answer their questions based on anecdotal information, it's tougher to do it on the ...

Smart Marketing And Sales Tactics During A Tight Economy
We can all use a little help every once in a while, especially in times like these. If your small business is searching for marketing and sales tips to not only survive, but thrive, during economic downturns, you've come to the right place. We've created this roundup of ...

Drowning in Red Ink, Er …. Let’s Call it Maroon
Here's the story behind this cartoon I created: No one likes to give bad news. I remember perusing the business section, reading the phrase "drowning in red ink," and thinking about how you'd spin really awful financial news: think "bailout" vs. "rescue." After a few different tries . . . Burgundy? ...

How Will The Financial Crisis Impact The Wider Economy?
Earlier this week, over on Techdirt, I wrote up a post about the financial crisis and how it might impact the tech industry. We received multiple requests for more posts along those lines -- and American Express has decided to help foster the discussion. This post is being ...
Have a burning question? Ask now!