In the business world, cash flow remains the lifeblood that keeps your operations running smoothly. Whether you're a start-up finding your feet or a seasoned business in the construction industry, managing and maintaining a steady cash flow can be challenging. But a few small changes can make a world of difference to your cash flow and overall revenue.

 

Your business needs cash. Cash keeps your company in operation and enables it to grow, so you should know how much your business needs to survive. Although many think the answer is linked solely to operating expenses, this isn't true.

 

No single factor determines how much cash every construction business needs to have on hand. Somewhere between 3-6 months of operating expenses is an excellent baseline to start from, but there's more to it than that.

 

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Topics: Cash Flow, Bookkeeping, Contractor Cash Flow Problems, QuickBooks Construction Accounting, Improve Construction Cash Flow

Sales and profit are two very different things – as a construction business owner, you can find yourself without the cash to pay bills despite making sales you knew were profitable. You may also be startled to discover that solid cash flows from sales deliver little profit.

 

A cash flow forecast tracks cash flowing in and out of your business. The timing of these flows enables you to identify cash-rich and cash-lean periods. This helps make the right decisions, such as buying assets or preparing for cash shortfalls.

 

Cash flow is essential to the survival of your business – arguably more so than profit in the short term. Profit may be necessary for the longer term, but cash is needed to pay bills and operating costs quickly.

 

For example, if you're a plumber with reasonable cash reserves, you can survive until your business becomes profitable. However, if your business runs out of cash, you'll need to find a solution quickly to avoid going bankrupt.

 

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Cash Flow, Construction Accountant Who Listens, Contractor Cash Flow Problems, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow

Cash is king! Construction Company cash flow is the movement of money in and out of your Construction Company; these movements are known in accounting circles as inflow and outflow. Inflows for your Construction Company primarily come from selling goods or services to your customers, but keep in mind that inflow only occurs when you make a cash sale or collect on receivables. Other examples of cash inflows are borrowed funds, income derived from sales of assets, and investment income from interest.

Outflows for your Construction Company are generally the result of paying labor, material, other direct and indirect costs of goods sold, and overhead expenses.

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Cash Flow, Construction Accountant Who Listens, Contractor Cash Flow Problems, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow

Inflation has ballooned worldwide in recent months, and there's no question that small construction businesses are feeling the pinch. Supplies cost more, employees are hard to find, and your profits are shrinking.

This can lead to operating at a loss - spending more money than you make. Otherwise, you will eventually run out of cash reserves and be out of business. And while it's not uncommon, especially for new companies, it's still not ideal and shouldn't continue in the long term.

 

Be aware of what's going on in your industry and adjust. Customers judge a business based on perceived value. If you're at the bottom of the pack price-wise, they're likely to skip over you to get a good deal. Price yourself accordingly to attract quality clients.

 

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Topics: Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow, Boost Construction Profitability, Inflation, Construction Business Inflation

When you think of payroll, you might still envision paperwork and envelopes given to employees by hand. Even with direct deposit being the norm for years, there is still a significant paper component to manage.

You won't find a contractor using inefficient tools on the job site these days. The hammer or the nail gun? No question. While every contractor recognizes the flaws of using ineffective tools, they may still be losing money due to inefficient payroll tools and processes.

As with most things, payroll is going digital – for a good reason. There are many benefits to digital payroll for construction business owners and staff alike. Read on to learn why switching to paperless payroll could be right for you.

 

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Key Performance Indicators, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow, Boost Construction Profitability

The new year is a natural time to decide what you want to achieve and how. Businesses tend to progress more consistently if the owner sets financial goals and makes a plan to achieve them. 

 

Your construction business (and personal) budget is one area where you should keep your resolutions from slipping. While it’s true that there’s also next year when it comes to your financial goals, putting it off has real consequences that equal less money and more work. So here are seven steps you should take in January to start your 2023 budget.

 

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Key Performance Indicators, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow, Boost Construction Profitability

The end of the year is typically a reflective time. Something about that lull between holiday festivities and New Year's Eve sets the stage for introspection and review. While you're busy reflecting on the year ending and making plans for the new one about to begin, make sure you take some time to consider your finances. 

Preparing your End of Financial Year (EOFY) information often feels stressful—there are receipts to sort out and reports to review. You must ensure you have all the necessary information about your income and expenses. It can be overwhelming, and it can make the EOFY feel daunting.

The end of the financial year isn't just a time to collect receipts and find invoices. It's also a time to reflect on how your past year went, what went well and what didn't, and what you can change for next year.

 

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Key Performance Indicators, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow, Boost Construction Profitability

Enlightened contractors like you understand the value of developing your own unique Construction Contracting System, a collection of documented repeatable processes and operation manuals. The key is continuously refining your construction company's practices and procedures.

Your office ensures your contracting company has a steady flow of projects. Proper accounting and bookkeeping develop timely financial reports to show which jobs are profitable so you can pursue more. Thus, you can focus more on the following:

• Acquiring the right clients
• Doing the project as close to on time and on budget as possible
• Get job deposits and timely progress payments
• Follow-up with clients to monitor satisfaction and line up new projects
  
  

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Topics: Construction Cash Flow, Construction Bookkeeping And Accounting, Key Performance Indicators, Contractor Tips, Improve Construction Cash Flow, Boost Construction Profitability