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Accounting for the Numberphobic: A Survival Guide for Small Business Owners
Why do so many business owners dread looking at the numbers? They make excuses...They don't have time...That's what the accountant is for....But the simple truth is that no one else will ever be as invested in their company as they are--and they need to take control.
As a small-business owner, financial statements are your most important tools--and if you don't know how to read them and understand their implications, you cannot possibly steer your business successfully. Accounting for the Numberphobic demystifies your company's financial dashboard: the Net Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, and Balance Sheet. The book explains in plain English how each measurement reflects the overall health of your business--and impacts your decisions. You will discover:
* How your Net Income Statement is the key to growing your profits
* How to identify the break-even point that means your business is self-sustaining
* Real-world advice on measuring and increasing cash flow
* What the Balance Sheet reveals about your company's worth
* And more
Illustrated with case studies and packed with practical action steps, this indispensable guide will put your business on the path to profitability in no time.
As a small-business owner, financial statements are your most important tools--and if you don't know how to read them and understand their implications, you cannot possibly steer your business successfully. Accounting for the Numberphobic demystifies your company's financial dashboard: the Net Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement, and Balance Sheet. The book explains in plain English how each measurement reflects the overall health of your business--and impacts your decisions. You will discover:
* How your Net Income Statement is the key to growing your profits
* How to identify the break-even point that means your business is self-sustaining
* Real-world advice on measuring and increasing cash flow
* What the Balance Sheet reveals about your company's worth
* And more
Illustrated with case studies and packed with practical action steps, this indispensable guide will put your business on the path to profitability in no time.
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2014
176 people are currently reading
874 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Fotopulos
2 books6 followersDawn Fotopulos is the associate professor at The King’s College and founder founder of BestSmallBizHelp.com, an award-winning blog dedicated to helping struggling solopreneurs.
As an experienced entrepreneur and small-business turnaround expert, Dawn has rescued hundreds of small business from financial disaster.
Dawn has led an accomplished 20-year career in business, working as a serial entrepreneur, vice-president at Citigroup and Wall Street trader.
Dawn is a certified facilitator in the Kauffman FastTrac Program, and is a CEO leader for the Job Creators Network.
An expert in her field, Dawn has been featured on MSNBC’s “Your Business,” at the New York Times Small Business Summit and in Forbes.
Her new book, "Accounting for the Numberphobic: A Survival Guide for Small Business Owners" (AMACOM) will be released this September 3rd and is available for pre-order on Amazon.
For more information visit www.bestsmallbizhelp.com.
As an experienced entrepreneur and small-business turnaround expert, Dawn has rescued hundreds of small business from financial disaster.
Dawn has led an accomplished 20-year career in business, working as a serial entrepreneur, vice-president at Citigroup and Wall Street trader.
Dawn is a certified facilitator in the Kauffman FastTrac Program, and is a CEO leader for the Job Creators Network.
An expert in her field, Dawn has been featured on MSNBC’s “Your Business,” at the New York Times Small Business Summit and in Forbes.
Her new book, "Accounting for the Numberphobic: A Survival Guide for Small Business Owners" (AMACOM) will be released this September 3rd and is available for pre-order on Amazon.
For more information visit www.bestsmallbizhelp.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 28, 2021
“The goal is to build a profitable business, not maintain an expensive hobby that will leave you in the poorhouse.”
As an accounting major myself, it was refreshing to read this book by Dawn Fotopulos, where she manages to take the dry and monotonous details of accounting and translate them into easily digestible basics any small business owner should be aware of. The author deep dives into the very basics of accounting, giving clear explanations on the crucial financial reports, namely the Income Statement, the Statement of Cash Flows and the Balance Sheet and their respective roles in allowing small business owners to see just where their company stands. She makes an important distinction between the income recorded in the Income Statement and the actual cash received, which is oftentimes the downfall of small business owners, who run for big figure sales with doubtful clients who don't meet their payment obligations. She explains how the Statement of Cash Flows is an essential statement any business owner should use to track their cash inflows and outflows, and how the Balance Sheet provides very crucial information on the health of the business at any point in time, especially its position when it comes to their current assets and their current liabilities.
Other extras I enjoyed were the perspectives of loan officers in banks on what criteria they use to assess whether a business is eligible for a loan or not. The fact that every detail matters, including customer relationships with the business and the personal Balance Sheet of the business owner is an under-looked aspect that is very important. The interview at the end of the book with Norm Brodsky was also interesting, reinforcing the points mentioned in the book.
One qualm I had with the book is the lack of references when it comes to certain sources of information and detailed explanations on the rationale behind some of the author's proposals. However, it's important to note that this book isn't supposed to be tackling with complex accounting theory, but making the accounting basics accessible to people not fluent in accounting language.
Overall, this was a fun and easy read.
As an accounting major myself, it was refreshing to read this book by Dawn Fotopulos, where she manages to take the dry and monotonous details of accounting and translate them into easily digestible basics any small business owner should be aware of. The author deep dives into the very basics of accounting, giving clear explanations on the crucial financial reports, namely the Income Statement, the Statement of Cash Flows and the Balance Sheet and their respective roles in allowing small business owners to see just where their company stands. She makes an important distinction between the income recorded in the Income Statement and the actual cash received, which is oftentimes the downfall of small business owners, who run for big figure sales with doubtful clients who don't meet their payment obligations. She explains how the Statement of Cash Flows is an essential statement any business owner should use to track their cash inflows and outflows, and how the Balance Sheet provides very crucial information on the health of the business at any point in time, especially its position when it comes to their current assets and their current liabilities.
Other extras I enjoyed were the perspectives of loan officers in banks on what criteria they use to assess whether a business is eligible for a loan or not. The fact that every detail matters, including customer relationships with the business and the personal Balance Sheet of the business owner is an under-looked aspect that is very important. The interview at the end of the book with Norm Brodsky was also interesting, reinforcing the points mentioned in the book.
One qualm I had with the book is the lack of references when it comes to certain sources of information and detailed explanations on the rationale behind some of the author's proposals. However, it's important to note that this book isn't supposed to be tackling with complex accounting theory, but making the accounting basics accessible to people not fluent in accounting language.
Overall, this was a fun and easy read.
August 13, 2015
This book provides a good source for new business owners to learn financial management. It explains the key financial reports and how to use them. It also has specific suggestions and guidelines such as:
“Every product or service must have a gross margin of at least 30 percent of net revenue or 45 percent above cost of goods sold.”
But, the author does not provide a rationale for this specific number and does not mention that gross margin tends to vary by industry. For example, ad man Paul Weyland has published a list of industry gross margins that includes auto dealers with a gross margin of 20% and independent family restaurants with a gross margin of over 58%.
Furthermore, some of the advice doesn't add up. For example gross margin target is at least 30% of net revenue and her rule of thumb for fixed expense is 20% and indirect variable expense is 20% and typical marketing expense is 20%.
The author incorrectly puts "goodwill" in the owners equity section instead of the assets section of the balance sheet; and gives a poor explanation of what "goodwill" is.
But there are specific suggestions that seem more helpful such as on managing accounts receivable:
Set a playable policy and communicate it.
Know standard policy for the industry.
Print policy on invoices.
Check references before granting credit.
Payment terms should be part of the sales conversation, not an afterthought.
On invoice describe the customer benefits delivered. Quantify benefits.
Personalize the invoice, e.g. name of who did the work, so it is not a commodity.
Same-day invoicing.
Confirm invoice was received.
Call client as payment date approaches.
Get to know the client's people who handle your invoices and cut the check. Find out their check cutting cycle so your invoice arrives at the right time for prompt payment.
Manage receivables on a weekly basis.
The last chapter of the book is an interview with Norm Brodsky. Just read his book: The Knack, How Street-Smart Entrepreneurs Learn to Handle Whatever Comes Up by Norm Brodsky and Bo Burlingham (2008).
Another book worth reading is The Courage to be Profitable by Ruth King (2013).
“Every product or service must have a gross margin of at least 30 percent of net revenue or 45 percent above cost of goods sold.”
But, the author does not provide a rationale for this specific number and does not mention that gross margin tends to vary by industry. For example, ad man Paul Weyland has published a list of industry gross margins that includes auto dealers with a gross margin of 20% and independent family restaurants with a gross margin of over 58%.
Furthermore, some of the advice doesn't add up. For example gross margin target is at least 30% of net revenue and her rule of thumb for fixed expense is 20% and indirect variable expense is 20% and typical marketing expense is 20%.
The author incorrectly puts "goodwill" in the owners equity section instead of the assets section of the balance sheet; and gives a poor explanation of what "goodwill" is.
But there are specific suggestions that seem more helpful such as on managing accounts receivable:
Set a playable policy and communicate it.
Know standard policy for the industry.
Print policy on invoices.
Check references before granting credit.
Payment terms should be part of the sales conversation, not an afterthought.
On invoice describe the customer benefits delivered. Quantify benefits.
Personalize the invoice, e.g. name of who did the work, so it is not a commodity.
Same-day invoicing.
Confirm invoice was received.
Call client as payment date approaches.
Get to know the client's people who handle your invoices and cut the check. Find out their check cutting cycle so your invoice arrives at the right time for prompt payment.
Manage receivables on a weekly basis.
The last chapter of the book is an interview with Norm Brodsky. Just read his book: The Knack, How Street-Smart Entrepreneurs Learn to Handle Whatever Comes Up by Norm Brodsky and Bo Burlingham (2008).
Another book worth reading is The Courage to be Profitable by Ruth King (2013).
November 20, 2016
If you are an entrepreneur and don't know how to read your numbers, you will fail. Just as if you drive your car and don't know how to read your dashboard, you will be fined, wrecked or worse.
I've been reading quite a few business books lately. This book has been incredible in helping bring me up to speed in business accounting terminology and how to read business financials. It has also helped me with the question of how to determine product cost in such a way as the business profits...and confirm this through the numbers.
I will forgo the usual highlights and just include the one "mantra" that was drilled into me about setting the cost of a product. To ignore this is disaster:
"Every product or service must have a gross margin of at least 30 percent of net revenue or 45 percent above cost of goods sold."
Pretty simple, eh? But do you truly know all your numbers? Do you know EXACTLY all the direct and indirect variable costs? Have your truly factored in all your fixed costs? Can you calculate your Gross Margin, Earnings Before Taxes and Net Income accurately? Are you accounting on an accrual basis (factoring in real-time money flow) so you aren't blindsided by standard invoice terms?
In other words, do you have a "check engine" light installed in your business financials and do you know what to do about it? If not...more than 50 percent of businesses close because they couldn't read the financials and manage them well. (...be a good steward...hmm...I've heard that before...) Read this and get on the right side of that statistic by becoming a financial insider. Your bookkeeper won't do this for you...just as your mechanic won't drive your car for you. You, the owner, are responsible to read your dashboard.
It was a pretty fun (yes, illustrated well and clear examples) book to read. Essential for any entrepreneur.
I've been reading quite a few business books lately. This book has been incredible in helping bring me up to speed in business accounting terminology and how to read business financials. It has also helped me with the question of how to determine product cost in such a way as the business profits...and confirm this through the numbers.
I will forgo the usual highlights and just include the one "mantra" that was drilled into me about setting the cost of a product. To ignore this is disaster:
"Every product or service must have a gross margin of at least 30 percent of net revenue or 45 percent above cost of goods sold."
Pretty simple, eh? But do you truly know all your numbers? Do you know EXACTLY all the direct and indirect variable costs? Have your truly factored in all your fixed costs? Can you calculate your Gross Margin, Earnings Before Taxes and Net Income accurately? Are you accounting on an accrual basis (factoring in real-time money flow) so you aren't blindsided by standard invoice terms?
In other words, do you have a "check engine" light installed in your business financials and do you know what to do about it? If not...more than 50 percent of businesses close because they couldn't read the financials and manage them well. (...be a good steward...hmm...I've heard that before...) Read this and get on the right side of that statistic by becoming a financial insider. Your bookkeeper won't do this for you...just as your mechanic won't drive your car for you. You, the owner, are responsible to read your dashboard.
It was a pretty fun (yes, illustrated well and clear examples) book to read. Essential for any entrepreneur.
October 20, 2014
I've been a small business owner for five years and I'm always overwhelmed with how much there is to do... which doesn't leave much time for reading. That said, once I started this book, I realized I didn't have time to NOT read it! The knowledge Dawn Fotopulos fit into 224 pages is ultimately going to save me time (and headaches) down the road as I continue to grow my digital marketing company.
Others have mentioned it's a great reference book and I completely agree! I feet like a college student again as I highlight the bite-sized nuggets of information and make notes in the margins of the book so I can quickly refer to it later. Another friend of mine read the book and felt compelled to create an Excel sheet for her business - Trust me when I say this is a book makes you feel empowered take control of all aspects of your business.
If you have a small business, buy this book and make a point to read it asap. If you don't have a small business but know someone who does, buy it for them - It'd make for a really thoughtful gift that you know they will use!
Others have mentioned it's a great reference book and I completely agree! I feet like a college student again as I highlight the bite-sized nuggets of information and make notes in the margins of the book so I can quickly refer to it later. Another friend of mine read the book and felt compelled to create an Excel sheet for her business - Trust me when I say this is a book makes you feel empowered take control of all aspects of your business.
If you have a small business, buy this book and make a point to read it asap. If you don't have a small business but know someone who does, buy it for them - It'd make for a really thoughtful gift that you know they will use!
January 12, 2015
Great book - takes it very hands-on with actionable insights. Explains statements, but also how to determine pricing, increase profitability, etc.
August 23, 2015
Very helpful to me!
August 18, 2020
A book on accounting for freelancers and small business owners.
Most accounting books talk about how to do this, that, or the other accounting report; this book takes the time to explain why you need the report and how to make use of the information. The book is packed with snarkiness and dry humor, too, and feels like it comes from exactly the lind of person you'd want on your side in business. The rules of thumb ("You should be making five times what you spend on advertising") alone are worth the price of the book. However, don't expect this book to take you step by step through how to set up reports; there are other books for that.
Recommended for freelancers and small business owners.
Most accounting books talk about how to do this, that, or the other accounting report; this book takes the time to explain why you need the report and how to make use of the information. The book is packed with snarkiness and dry humor, too, and feels like it comes from exactly the lind of person you'd want on your side in business. The rules of thumb ("You should be making five times what you spend on advertising") alone are worth the price of the book. However, don't expect this book to take you step by step through how to set up reports; there are other books for that.
Recommended for freelancers and small business owners.
July 7, 2020
Every accounting book I’ve ever opened I’ve immediately closed. Not here — Dawn Fotopulos writes for the rest of us, explaining the important aspects of accounting for non-accountant-types (i.e. 99% of the general population).
I’m really glad I stumbled upon this book. I can finally say with pride that I understand the basic functions and importance of accounting... is that even something people say out loud?
I’m really glad I stumbled upon this book. I can finally say with pride that I understand the basic functions and importance of accounting... is that even something people say out loud?
Read
January 12, 2023Stopped at 40% (2 hrs, 55 min left). It’s a fantastic book, which I originally picked up at a distant library and found intriguing, but couldn’t check out (not my library). Finally, in need of some help with small business finances, I bought it on Audible. Now, I’m no longer in that field and just can’t get the motivation to finish it.
February 1, 2018
I'm not numberphobic at all. In fact, I love numbers.
But either way, this is more of a small business guide.
I read it as more of a reminder book than anything else.
Decent, but didn't blow my mind.
But either way, this is more of a small business guide.
I read it as more of a reminder book than anything else.
Decent, but didn't blow my mind.
April 7, 2019
This is a book that teaches accounting in a very simple and very easy way to memorize the information.
After half the book, it starts to get a little boring, since it takes an eternity in the examples, but in summary it's a great book.
After half the book, it starts to get a little boring, since it takes an eternity in the examples, but in summary it's a great book.
December 31, 2019
If you're a small business owner or entrepreneur you need this one in your library. Extremely useful to help gauge the health of your business and head off any impending disasters much like monitoring your dashboard does for you when you're driving.
September 15, 2020
My accounting textbook misses the mark. Completely. This book is not geared toward MBA students, but the framing of accounting principles provided a solid foundation. Consequently, I was able to return to the textbook and not feel overwhelmed.
October 17, 2021
Logging into QuickBooks used to make me tremble. I’d scratch my head trying to make sense of the numbers on my Net Income Statement and Balance Sheet. Not anymore. I am a true numberphobic and even I was able to understand this book. I wish I’d found it sooner.
March 16, 2023
Kiến thức cơ bản về tài chính, thực tế, ví dụ minh họa dễ hiểu, dễ hình dung. Người không có nền tảng kinh tế - tài chính như mình cũng tà tà hiểu được.
Note được nhiều điểm để từ từ xem lại và tìm hiểu sâu hơn.
Về hình thức, sách đẹp thật nhưng mà to quá, muốn vác theo đọc cũng mệt 🥲
Note được nhiều điểm để từ từ xem lại và tìm hiểu sâu hơn.
Về hình thức, sách đẹp thật nhưng mà to quá, muốn vác theo đọc cũng mệt 🥲
January 6, 2018
Easy, straightforward, very clear. I highly recommend this to anyone who is thinking about opening a small business.
July 18, 2019
Fantastic. A must-read for any want-to-be entrepreneur.
January 12, 2020
A good overview of the basics, the real basics. A few pearls for the more experienced to think about, but overall a good start and/or refresher to build on.
September 14, 2021
an absolute essential
Read
January 8, 2022All
April 17, 2022
Financial knowledge
So simple, yet many failures. Read it for confirmation. Keep doing what your doing right. Stop doing what your doing wrong.
So simple, yet many failures. Read it for confirmation. Keep doing what your doing right. Stop doing what your doing wrong.
April 28, 2023
This book is basically a guide to better understanding your Profit/Loss, cash flow statements, and balance sheet. It's useful.
July 7, 2023
Must reading book for any business owner or General managing and C level managers
January 30, 2024
This was surprisingly accessible, and fit a lot of practical business strategy into a discussion of accounting.
October 27, 2022
Cuốn sách giải thích một cách dễ hiểu các khái niệm về tài chính doanh nghiệp căn bản, không hề khô khan và lằng nhằng giống như các môn học trên trường đại học dạy về kế toán. Dù làm bất cứ ngành nghề nào không chỉ riêng tài chính, việc đọc hiểu và nắm bắt rõ kiến thức tài chính cơ bản cũng là vô cùng cần thiết.
Bắt đầu từ bài toàn cốt lõi của kinh doanh: "Lợi nhuận = Doanh thu - Chi phí", tác giả đưa ra cách hiểu về tài chính thông qua 3 loại báo cáo tài chính: Báo cáo kết quả hoạt động kinh doanh, Báo cáo lưu chuyển tiền tệ và Bản cân đối kế toán.
Tác giả lồng ghép các ẩn dụ về hình ảnh rất thú vị và dễ hiểu: " Nếu coi việc điều hành doanh nghiệp là lái xe thì Báo cáo kết quả hoạt động kinh doanh là đồng hồ tốc độ, Báo cáo lưu chuyển tiền tệ là đồng hồ xăng và Bảng cân đối kế toán là đồng hồ áp suất dầu" đi kèm với những khái niệm và ví dụ thực tiễn để giải thích cặn kẽ từng loại báo cáo tài chính.
Cuốn sách cực kỳ phù hợp với những chủ doanh nghiệp kinh doanh nhỏ đang đối mặt với vấn đề quản lý tài chính. Và với một marketer, cuốn sách giúp mình bổ sung thêm những kiến thức về tài chính, cũng như càng hiểu rõ hơn bài toán lợi nhuận doanh nghiệp khi xây dưng một kế hoạch marketing.
Bắt đầu từ bài toàn cốt lõi của kinh doanh: "Lợi nhuận = Doanh thu - Chi phí", tác giả đưa ra cách hiểu về tài chính thông qua 3 loại báo cáo tài chính: Báo cáo kết quả hoạt động kinh doanh, Báo cáo lưu chuyển tiền tệ và Bản cân đối kế toán.
Tác giả lồng ghép các ẩn dụ về hình ảnh rất thú vị và dễ hiểu: " Nếu coi việc điều hành doanh nghiệp là lái xe thì Báo cáo kết quả hoạt động kinh doanh là đồng hồ tốc độ, Báo cáo lưu chuyển tiền tệ là đồng hồ xăng và Bảng cân đối kế toán là đồng hồ áp suất dầu" đi kèm với những khái niệm và ví dụ thực tiễn để giải thích cặn kẽ từng loại báo cáo tài chính.
Cuốn sách cực kỳ phù hợp với những chủ doanh nghiệp kinh doanh nhỏ đang đối mặt với vấn đề quản lý tài chính. Và với một marketer, cuốn sách giúp mình bổ sung thêm những kiến thức về tài chính, cũng như càng hiểu rõ hơn bài toán lợi nhuận doanh nghiệp khi xây dưng một kế hoạch marketing.
October 24, 2014
I have never taken a business or accounting class but after reading this book I feel that I could look at a company's net income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement and interpret the basic health of the company. With what I have learned from this book I believe I could be a great resource as an employee of a small business. Dawn Fotopulos did an outstanding job on a very important topic for businesses of any size. I can't believe that most small business owners don't know this stuff!
February 26, 2025
I've studied accounting off and on and I've got the basics, but this book really helped me see the forest instead of just the trees.
This won't be the last accounting book I'll read, but so far I would choose this one if I could only read one. It really helps you know what you need to know and no more.
This won't be the last accounting book I'll read, but so far I would choose this one if I could only read one. It really helps you know what you need to know and no more.
January 10, 2017
Superb tool for starters
I don't think lack of cash kills small business. Ignorance and stupidity does. This book addresses both. A must read for new entrepreneurs.
I don't think lack of cash kills small business. Ignorance and stupidity does. This book addresses both. A must read for new entrepreneurs.
December 31, 2019
Essential reading for any small business owner! This book contains hard data and advice which easily translates into information you can use.
March 27, 2021
As the book titles say, it is a great introductory book for small business owners.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews