Every business owner should know which financial reports a business owner should look at to monitor cash flow, profitability, and overall financial health.
The reports that I would recommend looking at, and the main report that you’re going to want to use on a day-to-day basis is a Profit and Loss statement (P&L). A Profit and Loss statement, once your bookkeeping is up to date, is going to show you all the money that came in, where it came in from and what you spent it on. That’s going to enable you to do financial planning. You can see how much income is left after expenses. You can see how much profit there is. You can see what you can potentially pay yourself, or how much is left to invest.
The other report to be aware of and look at is the balance sheet. That’s going to show you what is in your various bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and any assets that you have; also, any equity that you have in your business. If you’ve paid yourself distributions, that will appear on the Balance Sheet. If you contributed financially to your company, that will be on the Balance Sheet.
If you are also sending invoices from your bookkeeping software, there is a report called an Accounts Receivable report. That is a summary view or a detailed view that is vital to review. It gives you a thumbnail view of everything owed to you and when it’s due. Another similar report for bills that you owe is the Accounts Payable report, which shows you in a thumbnail view exactly what you owe and when it’s due. Those are two useful reports for financial planning and management. Understanding which financial reports a business owner should look at helps you make informed decisions and spot trends before they become problems.
If you haven’t looked at those reports recently, I recommend you do so. And if you need your bookkeeping caught up so you can see updated reports, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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Sincerely,
Maya Weinreb | Founder & CEO
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Frequently Asked Questions
What financial reports should every business owner review?
Every business owner should regularly review key financial reports including the Profit and Loss statement, Balance Sheet, Accounts Receivable report, and Accounts Payable report. These reports provide insight into profitability, cash flow, outstanding payments, and overall financial health.
Why is a Profit and Loss statement important?
A Profit and Loss statement shows your business income, expenses, and overall profit or loss during a specific period. It helps business owners understand how much money the company is generating, where money is being spent, and how much is available for growth or owner compensation.
What does a Balance Sheet show?
A Balance Sheet provides a snapshot of your company’s financial position by showing assets, liabilities, loans, bank balances, credit cards, and owner equity. It helps you understand what your business owns and what it owes.
What is an Accounts Receivable report?
An Accounts Receivable report tracks money customers owe your business. It helps you monitor unpaid invoices, identify overdue payments, and improve cash flow management.
What is an Accounts Payable report?
An Accounts Payable report shows the bills and expenses your business owes. Reviewing this report helps you plan payments, avoid missed deadlines, and maintain healthy relationships with vendors.
How often should business owners review financial reports?
Business owners should review financial reports regularly, ideally monthly, once bookkeeping is accurate and up to date. Consistent reviews help identify trends, catch problems early, and make better financial decisions.
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