A Guide To Managing Your Business' Finances In A Recession

Unfortunately, the economist’s projections for next year don’t look amazing for businesses worldwide. The Economy is predicted to be erratic, with high inflation. It has also been announced that we have gone into recession.

Despite this, there are many things that you can do to protect yourself and your business during these times. Many companies have survived recessions before and come out of them with a better perspective on managing their money. 

You mustn’t panic and start taking steps to ensure your business will be set for 2023.

Taking these steps proactively can ensure that you’re setting yourself up for success next year. When the Economy is uncertain, it’s best to look at every available angle that you can set up protections for your company in place. 

Making sure your staff are aware of any changes is also an excellent way to prepare the company for an unpredictable economic forecast.

Create a Cash Flow Forecast

Creating a cash flow forecast is one of the best ways to secure your finances going into an unpredictable economic year. You can take many steps to make a cash flow forecast, so you can plan. 

Make sure any bad debts are paid off, and your outgoings all sync up. Not being able to pay staff or suppliers can cause insolvency, so make sure you’re in a better position to start the year with. 

Analyzing your cash flow projections can make creating a cash flow forecast easier. Because sales tend to decrease during a recession, analyze cash flow projections based on multiple different scenarios for sales. 

A cash flow forecast can show the potential circumstances you could be working with and how you can manage around that to secure your business during a recession.

Use An Accountant

Although getting an accountant is more financial responsibility, it may work out better in the long run. An accountant can help with your projected and current cash flow by providing or advising on services such as bookkeeping and finance plans. 

They can also ensure that you’re paying the right amount of tax, which could cost you more in the long run if you find out you haven’t been. An accountant can also help find business funding and grants if you suddenly hit difficult times. 

It can be a great idea to help your business, and make sure you find an accountant for your field and region if you’re considering this.

Streamline Your Operations

You should look at your stock and find a way to streamline the business operations of the team you already have. This will help you in times of a recession and boost you in the long term. 

Look for ways you can free up your employees' time so they can better put their time into your business rather than things that can be done without. Streamlining your everyday operations could save you so much money in the long run.

Cut Down Your Expenses

If your cash flow isn’t looking good, there are ways in which you can cut down and re-negotiate your outgoings to free up a bit of money here. Auditing your spending can make a big difference to your cash flow forecast. 

Look at your outgoings and ask yourself- are all of these necessary? What are the things I can’t do without? Are there items that can be paused, and have you secured the best price or rate? Looking at your outgoings this way can free up cash that you might need. 

Ensuring your business isn’t carrying dead weight can make it much easier to survive a recession.

Don’t Cut Down On Things You Need

Some businesses go overboard with this step and make things worse for themselves in the long run. Make sure you have all the things you need in an emergency. 

For example, many businesses cut back on their cyber security services, which means they are at risk of a cyber attack. This can cost them thousands, if not tens or hundreds of thousands, as they don’t have a cyber incident response plan. 

Some businesses get rid of their insurance payouts, which means they are more out of pocket when an unforeseen tragedy happens. 

Don’t eliminate the things you need to protect your business- if you do, it could cost you more in the long run.