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In today’s competitive environment business accounting services are essential for firms, in order to stay ahead of the curve. Keeping a record of all transactions for example bookkeeping services allows firms to assess their current performance which then forms the ideal platform to forecast budgets and plan for their future growth strategies. These entries are consolidated to form Financial Statements which reflect crucial information such as sales, debtors, creditors, liquidity etc. These then can be compared to industry wise figures and past years’ figures to analyze business performance. Through this, business accounting services assist in the firm functioning efficiently.

Business Accounting Services – Crucial for Start up Companies

Business accounting services provide newly-launched firms the model support they need to grow and flourish. They advise firms on the most efficient ways of financing their venture and also offer assistance in obtaining finance. Obtaining funding has many hurdles to it, especially in today’s financial market as financial institutions tend to be averse especially towards new small businesses.

Start-up firms typically have a choice between debt and equity financing, and the accounting firm handles the responsibility of analyzing available options. This includes an extensive study of the industry as well as the the financial position of the owners, following which the best alternative is suggested.

For example, if the new entrepreneurs of the new company are financially strong and have cash available for investment, then debt financing might be the way forward since money can be borrowed against liquid assets. For industries which are profitable but cash inflow takes time to kick in, equity finance might be the best way to go about, as cash may not be sufficient at an early stage to service debt and mark up.

Business accounting services also guide start up companies regarding the business structure that suits their specific industry the most. From a tax perspective, this is crucial because different business structures have varying tax obligations. Business structure also has an effect on the paperwork in the company, personal liability and the company’s ability to raise money. Therefore this decision is crucial and the accountants ensure the journey begins on the right track. It further helps start-up companies by formally registering their business and assists them in obtaining bank accounts.

Business Accounting Services – A Stepping Stone For Established Companies

Apart from providing bookkeeping services, business accounting services construct financial statements and prepare reports on performance, profitability and liquidity and help firms efficiently manage their payroll. Additionally, the firm also manages and provides employers with data on former and current employees and if required also help screen potential employees

Tax season is usually a nightmare for all companies, whether new or established. As a result, there is nothing more comforting than having tax calculations taken care of, which allows entrepreneurs to concentrate on the core functioning of the business, and on making it more profitable. Tax services include payroll taxes, taxation on company assets such as properties and cars, capital gains tax etc.

As part of the package, payroll taxes are also handled which are either levied directly on employers as a proportion of the salary payout or employers are required to withhold and thus income taxes at source. In either case, the service ensures smooth and efficient functioning and helps the untrained businessman avoid legal complexities and technical jargon.

On a personal level, business accounting services helps seasoned businessmen improve their work life balance which reduces stress levels. They enable the business to plan for the future and explore new ideas. They work on the business rather than “in” it and hence have a fresh perspective. This in turn gives rise to innovative ideas allowing the business to succeed and achieve various milestones.

Anthony Azevedo, CPA is the managing member of EZCFO a bookkeeping company focused on business accounting services.

The troubles of Greece and the eurozone are rarely far from the news these days. Dramatic images of mass disorder sparked by ECB mandated austerity measures regularly fill the television screen. The latest  bailout instalment was able to be delivered, but increasing discontent within the Greek populace poses the question as to whether public opinion will force what is being called a ‘disorderly default’. Surely investing in euro funds at a time like this (when what happens in Greece could cause dramatic ripples) is a dangerous game – but could it pay off?

Risk

There can be no doubt that a lot of very knowledgeable and experienced people are being extremely cautious about euro funds. The uncertainty hanging over the EU is putting off a lot of potential investors. On the other side of the coin, a £110bn bailout for Greece has been passed, and if everything goes to plan then those that had the bravery to go where others feared to tread will reap the rewards.

Choices

There are a lot of choices when it comes to funds that are investing in Europe. They are taking a wide variety of approaches, some of these being seen as higher risk plays than others. For those looking to put their money into these funds there are certainly a lot of variables to be considered.

One investment trust which seems to be opting for something of a high risk strategy is Montaro European Smaller Companies. This fund is buying up shares in eurozone based companies at the smaller end of the spectrum. This strategy has seen a shareholder return of 3% over the last five years.

Montaro European Smaller Companies is managed by the somewhat mercurial Charles Montanaro. Not everybody agrees with his approach, although among those who like to go against the flow of received opinion when investing his investment trust certainly holds appeal, with its share price increasing by 82% in the last 36 months.

Rob Burnett’s ‘Neptune European Opportunities’ appear to be taking a much more cautious tack. The European financial sector in particular is viewed by Burnett as being of concern. Worrying about the potential for further nasty surprises from banking is far from being an uncommon viewpoint at this juncture.

Despite the eurozone sharing a currency and monetary policy it has become increasingly clear that there are very different conditions prevailing in the various constituent parts.  Germany and the North are not exactly in the same boat as Greece and the beleaguered and debt addled countries on the South of the Continent.  Funds such as ‘BlackRock European Dynamic’ are seeking to capitalize on this by buying shares in companies based in the economically stronger regions, whilst leaving the weaker ones well alone.

All in all there are definitely opportunities to make money investing in Europe at the moment. There is also the opportunity to lose your shirt, with investors being, to a very large extent, hostages of fortune. Very careful consideration is needed.

Have you considered taking advantage of the current real estate market and purchasing a home? If so, there are several things to take into consideration, including the following:

· Securing the best interest rate

· Getting pre-approved for a home loan

· Finding the property of your dreams

· Making an offer on your desired property

· Paying a down payment on your new home

With the current economic situation throughout the United States, many people desire to purchase a new home and may even be pre-approved for a home loan; however, the one thing that often keeps people from purchasing a new home is the dreaded down payment.

Down Payment Details

Unless you are able to secure a VA loan, most lenders require a down payment around 20%. Fortunately, some people qualify for an FHA loan that allows them to only pay 3.5% down. Therefore, if you desire to purchase a $150,000 home you are looking at a down payment up to $20,000. With the high unemployment rate and rocky economy, very few people have $20,000 in their savings account thereby making homeownership more difficult to achieve. Rest assured, there are some ways to secure a down payment for a new home.

Ways to Secure a Down Payment

Tax Refund. One of the easiest ways to obtain a nice down payment for your home loan involves increasing the taxes withheld from each of your paychecks by decreasing your number of dependents. As a result, you are able to receive a bigger tax refund each year, which can be put into a savings account or immediately used for a down payment, especially if you are able to obtain an FHA loan.

Sell Unwanted Items. Although this option may require a lot more effort than saving your tax refund, you can often sell unwanted or unused household items, jewelry, vehicles, and jewelry. You may have to spend several months trying to sell these items at yard sales or online; however, if you sell enough and continue to save the money you make off these items you will achieve your down payment and be on your way to owning a new home.

Save Wisely. The most common way to secure a down payment for a new home is often the one that takes the longest—saving money. This requires you to take out a certain amount of money from each paycheck and place it into a savings account until you are able to afford the payment.

Money. Our world revolves around it and so does all of the entertainment within it. In fact, some of the best films ever made purely been a cinematic expression of what we all feel and experience every day, the desire or need to have money and then how it affects us when we do or do not have it.

All films take us on a different route or view, some gory, some tactical, some glamorous and others damn action packed, but in the end, the majority all lead to a closing scene with someone clutching a filthy stinking huge wad of cash. We either feel infuriated by it, or elated, but as long as we feel something, we’re happy to part with our own cold hard cash.

So with this in mind, let’s take a look at four of the very best films about money:

Scarface

“First you get the money, then you get the power, then you get the women”. If ever there were a ruthlessly honest outlook which described an outlaw’s view of America, it’s that of Tony Montana. Scarface is one of the best told ‘rise and fall’ stories in history, an embodiment of just how twisted the pursuit of money can affect someone’s life. In reality this film shows just what Notorious B.I.G spoke about so vividly, mo’ money, mo’ problems.

Glengarry Glen Ross

Another Pacino classic and another film which shows the ruthless world of businessman. Not just any type of businessman, more notably a group of real estate salesman. The film depicts a group of salesmen at various stages in their life and careers, all with one common goal, to make the most sales in an attempt to avoid getting fired. Desperate times call for desperate measures and one salesman goes just that little too f’in far.

Casino

A Martin Scorsese classic, in collaboration with writer Nicholas Pileggi and featuring actors Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. Based on a true story, the film follows ‘Ace’ (De Niro) who is one of America’s best handicap gamblers and is left in charge of a Las Vega Casino. The film follows both the street mobs and real business world intertwining in the constant hunt for more money, before the film turns full circle and ends with a much older ‘Ace’ never really being able to escape the game.

Wall Street

If ever you wanted to know how Charlie Sheen for famous, this 1987 classic is pretty much where it all started. The film shows the classic tale of a young man Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen) entering the alluring but cut throat world of stock broking. In his pursuit to get to the top he soon finds himself working with notorious broker and corporate raider Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas). It’s the classic tale of a young guy learning from the elder, seasoned, hardened veteran and moral conflicts this can cause.

Scott is a writer who imagines what it would have been like if Tony Montana dealt in credit card transfers rather than cash. Dealing with credit cards or Paypal isn’t quite as gangster, is it?

Dealing wisely with your money and finances is really a difficult task to do. It requires some special risk taking skills and acumen. Some people are naturally blessed with such skills and talent while others gain it gradually through experience. When it comes to stock trading, not every person is able to get the good results and earn a large amount of profit through investing. It involves some decision making skills. The profit and loss sometimes becomes highly unpredictable. The conditions of stock market can be changed in no time. However, there are some people who are sharp enough to sense the changes before they actually occur. These smart people are able to be successful in stock market and trading. Some people who are involved in the business of stock trading often seek help through expert stock brokers who are professional in this field and can give them a better advice in order to increase their profits.

Due to the recession and increasing inflation nowadays in all around the world, people are becoming less inclined towards stock trading. This business requires people to invest a large amount of money. In some cases they are able to gain a lot of profit while in some unfortunate cases they have to face a devastating loss. This is why according to the latest news and surveys, it has been found that majority of the people in this world and especially belonging to Western countries of America and Canada are no more willing to invest in stock market in the year 2011. This is because of the great loss they have been suffering since the year 2009. People of ages from 35 to 70 are quite less interested in the stock market these days.

Around 60% of the people have now become hopeless due to their activities and loss in stock trading while more than 40% have planned never to invest in the stock market again. However, there is still a ray of hope left in some other people. Around 25% of people are still willing to invest this year and the rest of people have plans to invest their money after a year or more.

It is noted that the years from 2000 to 2002 were regarded as the era of grand recession in those countries. It was indeed the bear market those days. However, the years onwards were quite better except the year 2008 which proved to be quite devastating. The year 2008 made many of the risk takers scary of the stock market.
It should be noted that the results of statistics and surveys are quite approximate and they always contain some errors. However, they are still used for estimating the future conditions. The financial crisis prevailing in the countries have become a hindrance for the people who used to like to invest and earn profit through stock market. Though the present situation is not good but some optimistic persons are still looking to have a brighter future ahead that will lead to financial stability and prosperity.