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In my last article, “Some Bad, and Some Good, Advice on Cash Flow Management,” I told you I’d give you the details for the seven steps to implement a sound cash management program.

I mentioned that people sometimes want to move too quickly. Generally, their problem isn’t what they think it is (see my article “Keep Digging. The Problem with Your Cash Flow Isn't What You Think It Is.”)

I advise everyone to take a systematic approach.

In this article I’ll go into more detail on how to implement a solid cash management program in any company. Here are the seven steps:

1. Put your bookkeeping in order.
2. Analyze your financial reports.
3. Find and implement quick fixes.
4. Implement bigger projects. 
5. Create a cash flow forecast.
6. Use cash management tools.
7. Monitor a cash management dashboard.

Step 1: Put your bookkeeping in order. Create a solid foundation.

Most businesses without a professional controller will have significant errors in...

Businesses can only thrive when they have outstanding bookkeeping. Good bookkeeping is the basis of a systematic cash management program tailored to specific business needs. It also makes sure that the rest of the business is running smoothly because cash is available, and documentation is done correctly.

Without good bookkeeping a business will fail.

Don’t believe me? Here are the reasons that any business will fail without good bookkeeping:

1. A cash crisis is guaranteed
2. Credit lines will be reduced and terminated
3. Vendor relationships will be destroyed
4. Client relationships will be ruined
5. Constant chaos will haunt the company
6. The IRS will become a nightmare
7. Investors will sue and rebel
8. The best employees will leave
9. An owner’s health will deteriorate
10. All hope will be lost

I’ve shown this list to a few people and they think I’m being harsh. What do you think? Read my explanations and then decide…

A cash crisis is guaranteed

If a company...

I love seeing the wide variety of businesses around the world. It’s one of the reasons that I enjoy working with small to medium sized businesses – there is so much variety and so many ways that people have figured out how to make money. They are so innovative, and it seems like it would be so fun to be part of the team!

These companies generally have:

• Innovative products and services
• Great demand-generating marketing
• A good sales team
• Operational excellence that is generally close to the skill of the founder

After that the business often has weak spots. They generally lack systems and operations that will allow them to scale, especially when it comes to accounting, finance, and cash management.

Between my experience and the conversations that I’ve had with various accountants, bookkeepers, and business consultants, I’m convinced that 90% or more of small and medium sized businesses don’t have good financial management. This includes basic...