Month: August 2024

Whether you are launching a new venture or looking to expand an existing one, understanding the various ways to secure funds can help you make informed decisions. We will explore four funding options to help you get the capital you need to succeed.

You Have The Power of Self-Funding

“Bootstrapping” is a first step for many entrepreneurs. It involves using your savings or reinvesting profits back into your business. This approach allows you to keep complete control and ownership but may limit your business’s growth potential. Since you rely solely on your own resources, growth will take longer than with an infusion of external funds. 

Crowdfunding Looks to the Community for Support

Crowdfunding has become a popular way to raise capital by engaging a large pool of people who contribute small amounts. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow business owners a stage to showcase their ideas and attract backers. 

Crowdfunding is well known for launching new products, but there are also crowdfunding equity tools. This allows you to sell stock to strangers without “going public” in the traditional sense. 

To run a successful crowdfunding campaign, you need a compelling pitch. You’ll be tasked with communicating your idea, its potential impact, and how the funds will be used. Using high-quality visuals and engaging videos strengthens your campaign’s appeal. Setting a realistic funding goal and actively promoting through personal networks will help you to attract backers. Remember, some platforms only release funds if you meet your goal and will typically take a percentage of the earnings.

What Are Angel Investors?

Angel investors are people with the financial means to fund your business in exchange for equity. Think of all those offers on Shark Tank. These people are offering X dollars for Y percent. They often bring valuable business experience and mentorship, which can be as beneficial as the financial investment itself. Giving up equity means sharing ownership, guidance, and support from experienced investors, which can significantly boost your chances of success. Your business type is relevant because angel investors are usually drawn to startups with the potential for high growth. 

You need a strong business plan and a clear growth strategy to attract angel investors. Be prepared for a thorough vetting process, as investors will scrutinize your business model, market potential, and management team. 

Bank Loans are Traditional and Reliable

Bank loans are the least expensive but also the least reliable source of funding for businesses. To secure a bank loan, you must demonstrate a solid credit history and real cash flow.  Banks offer various loan options, including term loans and lines of credit, which can provide the flexibility to meet different financial needs.

When applying for a bank loan, you’ll provide detailed financial statements, projections, and maybe even collateral. The approval process can be time-consuming but better than other high-cost financing options. Bank loans are ideal for businesses with a track record of steady revenue and meeting regular repayment schedules.

Build Your Business with FuseCFOSchedule a free business analysis with us today, and let us help you identify the best funding options for your unique needs. Together, we can create a solid financial plan to fuel your growth and ensure your business thrives. Understanding and leveraging these funding options can secure the capital needed to realize your business vision.

Taking an active stance on fraud prevention is not just about trusting your team; it’s about having documented (and tested) systems to protect your business from internal threats. Here’s how you can enhance your internal controls to prevent fraud effectively.

Fraud can severely damage a business, both financially and reputationally. According to the 2022 Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Report to the Nation, 29% of fraud cases occurred due to inadequate internal controls. 

Effective internal controls significantly reduce fraud risks and deserve your attention. 

Two Heads are Safer Than One

One key strategy is to clearly delineate duties. In other words, no single employee should control all aspects of any financial transaction. Here’s how:

1. Separate tasks such as authorizing transactions, recording them, and actually sending money.  This will greatly reduce the risk of fraud and mistakes.
2. Require multiple signatures on any financial transaction to add an oversight layer. It is a means of preventing funds from being distributed without the proper approval.
3. Limit who has access to physical and digital assets. Only authorized personnel should access sensitive areas and information. (Fraud and theft can impact more than just money in the bank.  Think inventory, payroll, tax payments, regulatory filings, BOIR, trademarks and more!)
4. Regularly check the reconciliation of your bank accounts, expense reports, and inventory counts. You want to catch issues at the lowest level. Identifying discrepancies early gives you the ability to insert a corrective action.

Document, Train, Rotate

Dont assume that you can assign each person a task and all will be well. People should actually rotate responsibilities every so often because when one person handles a task too long, it becomes easier for them to conceal fraudulent activities. 

If any one employee is inclined to commit fraud, they would understand where there are gaps in their own role. But rotating assignments will disrupt this continuity, making it harder for fraud to go undetected.

See Something, Say Something 

Maintain clear, written policies and procedures for all financial transactions. And use the written policies to train ALL employees — not just the ones who are directly responsible.  Having a team awareness of the correct financial systems means that you will have a team of detectives and enforcers watching out for mistakes and problems!

Inspect What you Expect Them to Respect

Regularly review both your internal controls and the results.  Continually look for weaknesses and areas for improvement. As you become more confident, you can use data analytics to spot-check, and to watch for unusual transactions and patterns.  New AI tool can quickly pinpoint unusual outliers and discrepancies that might indicate fraudulent activity.

FuseCFO Will Partner With You Against Fraud By implementing our outlined internal controls, you can create a secure environment that deters fraud and protects your organization’s assets. These controls are how you avoid potential risks and ensure your business remains resilient and trustworthy. To continue this conversation, schedule a free business analysis with us.