# Find the best local credit union:Given their frequent willingness to provide loans, finding a credit union that understands the needs of your business can go a long way.
# Find a trusted mentor:Access to free help is just a click away, with sites that help connect entrepreneurs with mentors fitting their needs.
# Choose the correct accounting software:While software is a mainstay of small business finance, sorting through dozens of choices isn’t easy, since there may be better options for your specific needs than the popular QuickBooks program and related packages.
# Consider hiring a bookkeeper:A good, trusted bookkeeper can handle all of the mundane tasks that go along with keeping finances on track. Be sure to understand the various types of bookkeepers and how to avoid fraud.
# Accelerate cash flow with mobile payment systems:Mobile payment systems can allow faster and easier acceptance of payments for products and services.
# Look into factoring receivables:Accounts receivable financing allows immediate payment for invoices rather than waiting 30 days or longer and tying up working capital as a result.
# Understand and measure capital versus operational costs:The goal often is to drive down the totals on the capital costs side of the spreadsheet and move more over to the operational side of the equation. Operating costs don’t require complex depreciation calculations and are more easily adjusted from year to year.