Matsobanemetja Business Consulting Pty Ltd

Accounting is essential for any business, regardless of size or industry. It provides companies with the financial information they need to make informed

#1: Should Business Owners Have Separate Bank Accounts for Business and Personal Transactions?

It’s always best practice to have separate accounts for business and personal transactions, as it helps with tax simplification. SARS, too, recommends that business owners have different bank accounts. 

Benefits of Separating Personal and Business Finances

From a risk management perspective:
If your personal and business finances are mixed, and something happens to your business, such as a lawsuit or bankruptcy, your personal assets could be at risk. A separate business account can help protect your assets from business liabilities.

From an accounting perspective: 
Tracking your business finances separately makes it much easier to prepare your taxes, track your cash flow, and make informed business decisions. 

From a finance perspective: 
Having separate business credit cards and accounts makes it easier to see how much money is coming in and going out of your business making cash flow management a breeze.

From a tax perspective: 
Some business expenses are tax deductible, but only if paid with a business account. A separate business account lets you easily track deductible expenses and save money on taxes.

From a professional perspective: 
Having a separate business account makes your business look more professional and established. This also increases the credibility of your business. When you have a separate account, it shows that you are serious about your business and that you are taking steps to manage your finances properly.

#2: All You Need to Know About Accounting: Common Accounting Terms


1. What Is the Difference Between Cash and Accrual Basis Accounting?

The cash basis of accounting records revenues when cash is received and expenses when cash is paid out. This method is simple to understand and use. But it can be inaccurate as it does not account for revenue or expenses that have been incurred but not yet received or paid.

The accrual basis of accounting records revenues when they are earned and expenses when resources are used. This method is more accurate than the cash basis because it accounts for all transactions, regardless of when cash is received or paid.

2. What Is a Balance Sheet?

A balance sheet is a financial statement that shows, at a point in time, how much you have versus how much you owe. In other words, the term balance sheet refers to a financial statement that reports a company’s assets, liabilities, and shareholder equity at a specific point in time. Balance sheets provide the basis for computing rates of return for investors and evaluating a company’s capital structure.

Further, a positive balance sheet means you have more money than you owe. A negative balance sheet means you owe more money than you have, which is a cause for concern and a sign to take massive action. In this way, balance sheets are extremely useful to you as a business owner.


3. What are Credit Card Reconciliations?

Credit card reconciliation is the accounting process of comparing financial transactions and activities to their supporting documentation. It ensures that values on two sets of records are correct and in agreement.

Accountants will often ask you if you have done a reconciliation. This is just a fancy way of saying “matching.” 

For instance, you would match the transactions in your business credit card statements to a third party, like a bank. This process is called credit card reconciliation, and it ensures data integrity. 

Data integrity is essential for business management and tax compliance. Accurate data is essential for making informed decisions about your business, such as tracking sales, expenses, and inventory levels. This basic accounting information can help you identify trends, set goals, and make sure your business is on track.

SARS also requires businesses to keep accurate records of their financial transactions. If SARS audits you, you will need to provide proof of your data integrity. This means that you need to have a system in place to track and maintain your data in a secure and reliable way.

#3 How Should Businesses Record and Report Their Business Transactions?

As an business owner, you can summarise your business transactions in books called journals or ledgers. 

A journal is a book used to record each business transaction shown on your supporting documentation.

A ledger is a book that records all the totals from all your journals. It’s further organized into different accounts. 

Off late, electronic software like accounting tools, point of sale software, expense management systems, and other financial software have been used to track business transactions. The rules that apply to hard copies, like journals and ledgers, also apply to electronic tools. 


Pro-tip: It’s highly recommended you consider using an expense management software to record and report business transactions, as the software does all the heavy lifting while ensuring you stay tax compliant and ahead of the game with real-time visibility into business transactions across the board.

#4 What Are Some Mistakes Entities Can Avoid While Filing Business Taxes?

Business owners need to change their mindset about taxes. 
Most think of it as a chore they need to get out of the way as quickly as possible. But this mindset often leads to mistakes when filing and paying taxes.

Instead, business owners should view taxes as an opportunity to save money and protect their businesses. By taking the time to understand the tax code and plan, business owners can reduce their tax liability and avoid penalties.

4 common mistakes businesses can avoid when filing and paying business taxes

Underpaying Estimated Taxes: 
A business owner must make an estimated tax payment if they expect to owe R1,000 or more in tax when they file their returns. If, by chance, they don’t pay enough tax through withholding and estimated tax payments, they may be charged a penalty.

Depositing Employment Taxes: 
Business owners with employees must deposit all employment taxes electronically through the SARS and the business bank account. Ensure that you deposit taxes correctly and on time to avoid a penalty.

Filing Late:
Businesses must file their tax returns on time, just like individuals. Failure to do so may cause penalties. Taxpayers should also know all tax requirements for their business with the filing deadlines.

Not Separating Business and Personal Expenses: While using one credit card for personal and business expenses is tempting, it can be a major mistake for sole proprietors. This is mainly because tracking and categorizing expenses can be challenging, leading to errors when claiming tax deductions. Also, if your business gets pulled up by the SARS for an audit, they may question any expenses not categorized as business-related. 

#5: Would You Recommend Hiring a Professional for Small Business Bookkeeping?

Hiring a professional accountant or bookkeeper can help your business save time and money, stay compliant with tax laws, and reduce risk. Being experts in accounting, tax, and financial planning, they can provide your business with valuable advice and services. They can also represent you if SARS has questions or if you’re about to be audited.

If your budget allows, it’s always best to hire a professional. They’ll keep your records for you so that you can focus on growing your business and using your financial reports to make strategic decisions. 

#6: What Are the Best Ways to Store Your Financial Records?

As a small business owner, it is essential to store your financial records in a safe and secure manner. This is especially important for tax, as you may need to access your records to support your tax deductions and claims.

The best way to store your financial records is by securely making and saving digital copies of essential documents on the cloud. It also helps to put hard copies of the most crucial documents in a safe or deposit box.   

Factors to consider when choosing a storage method for your financial records

The amount of paperwork you have: If you have a lot of paperwork, you may need a robust storage solution, such as a DocIT or a cloud-based storage system.

The frequency with which you access your records: If you need to access your records frequently, store them in a location that is easy to get to, such as a filing cabinet in your home office or workspace.

The level of security you need: If you have sensitive financial information, you will need to choose a storage method that is secure, and that protects your information from unauthorized access.

#7: Why Good Record Keeping Is Important For Your Business?

Helps monitor business progress: 
Records show if your business is improving, all the items you’re selling, and areas you’d need to change. Good records can ensure your company sustains in the long run.

Preparing financial statements: 
Good records can help you easily prepare accurate financial statements like your income statements, profit and loss statements, and balance sheets. 

Identify sources of your revenue: 
As a business, you will receive money from multiple sources. Good records can help you identify all your sources of revenue. This basic accounting information can also help you separate personal receipts from business expenses.

Keeping track of deductible expenses: 
If recorded, it is easy to keep track of your deductible expenses when you prepare to file your taxes.

Preparing your business tax returns:
To prepare for your tax returns, your records must support income, expenses, and the tax credits you report to the IRS. 

Support other items reported on your tax returns: 
SARS can, at any point, request an official inspection of your business records. Hence it becomes crucial to ensure that they’re available. A good record keeping system will only speed up this process in case you ever get audited.

#8: How Often Should Businesses Do Bookkeeping?

I recommend doing your bookkeeping daily preferably as it happens

This keeps the number of transactions down, helps you  get quicker at using the software, and you can more easily remember items and transactions and have receipts handy. 

What happens when you do your bookkeeping monthly?

We do have some clients who only work on the bookkeeping monthly, but then they need to dedicate an entire morning or more because of the volume and the time it takes to remind themselves of the steps to get the work done. 

What happens when you do your bookkeeping quarterly?

Some clients even go as far as to do their bookkeeping quarterly, but here I see mistakes. The volume is overwhelming; you may become frustrated and look for shortcuts or make guesses. This is your hard-earned money. Treat it with respect and due care. 

Hence, I recommend doing your bookkeeping daily.

#09: How to identify and investigate unusual or suspicious transactions

Unusual transactions can be an early sign of fraud, money laundering, or other illegal activity. You can protect your business from financial losses and legal liabilities by investigating unusual transactions.

Examples of unusual transactions

– Large cash withdrawals or deposits

– Payments from unknown or suspicious persons

– Transactions that do not match your business’s standard operating procedures

– Transactions that are made outside of your regular business hours

Take the time to look into transactions that seem unusual or don’t make sense to you. I recommend doing this at the time and not setting issues aside to attend to later.

#10: How to Review Your Bookkeeping Reports

Bookkeeping is only as useful as the reports we create. They provide you with a snapshot of your business’s financial health. By reviewing these reports regularly, you can identify any potential problems, such as fraudulent transactions or cash flow issues.

Each week I recommend you review your income and expenses against your budgeted expectations, your goals, and then your cash. These reports will show you how your business is doing and whether you need to implement any immediate changes or alter long-term plans. 

Doing the work on bookkeeping is not enough. Your role as a business owner is to review the results of the bookkeeping system and then make strategic business choices to move your business toward your goal. If you struggle here, reach out to an accounting professional to help you read and understand your reports.

#11: How Can Businesses Lower Their Tax Liability?

Tax law says that any expenses are deductible for your business if they are “ordinary and necessary” for your business. This definition is extremely broad, so rather than guessing what is and isn’t deductible, I’d always recommend keeping track of every rands and then working with a tax advisor to decide which expenses are, in fact, appropriate for you to deduct. 

If you have not kept good records, your tax advisor cannot help you maximize your deductions. No records, no deduction.

Tax planning is also critical. Taxes are calculated on a cash basis, so whatever income you receive and expenses you incur during the tax year affect your taxable income. Working with a tax advisor to strategize and plan for taxes will save you thousands. Taxes are definitely not something that only needs your attention once a year. 

To truly maximize your deductions and minimize your taxes, tax planning is the answer.


#12: What Are the Common Tax Mistakes Businesses Make and How Can They Be Avoided?

1. Not Hiring a Tax Advisor

Many small business owners try to save money by not hiring a tax advisor and turning to Google or friends or colleagues for tax advice. Taxes are very specific to your business and your situation. 

Google and your friends and families may have some knowledge, but it is often generalized and inappropriate for you and your situation. 

Get the advice of a professional to maximize your tax deductions and ensure you comply with the law.

2. Not asking enough small business accounting questions 

Accounting is difficult but not impossible to learn for business owners. An easy way to get the hang of it would be to prepare questions for accountants or finance professionals to help them get you up to speed. 

As professionals, we are responsible for answering your questions and explaining how your taxes are calculated so that you are clear on every line of detail before you sign and submit your taxes. 

I often receive calls from business owners who say they received Annual Financial Statements notice and do not know what it is about because their tax preparer just told them to sign and did not explain any details. That is not ok. This is your business and your tax filing. Take responsibility for what you are signing, and keep asking questions until you understand.

#13: What Can Trigger an SARS Audit, and How Can Business owners Avoid It?

Audits are usually triggered by:

– Unusual income or expense items

– Misreporting of income and expenses

– Deductions that are disproportionate to your income

– Repeated claims of business losses year on year

– Misrepresentation of employees

Now, while there’s no guaranteed way to avoid an audit, there are certain precautions you can take to ensure your business doesn’t raise any red flags.

10 Ways Businesses Can Avoid a Tax Audit

– Be transparent about reported expenses. Categorize them.

– Provide all details for every expense reported.

– Always file your taxes on time. This will create a history of compliance.

– Avoid amending your returns. Double-check to see that each entry is correct before you submit!

– Avoid mathematical errors.

– Report exact errors. Do not round off values.

– Do not leave empty fields on your tax returns. Fill out every answer.

– Always sign your tax return.

Each year, the IRS changes its audit focus based on areas of concern they noticed from prior years. 

I always recommend that taxpayers focus on taking every deduction to which they are entitled, keeping good records, and not worrying about the risk of audit. If you have good records and have stayed within the law, then you have nothing to worry about.

Audits today are mostly by mail, so you will receive a letter in the mail asking for more basic accounting information. No one is coming to drag you out during the night or call you and demand immediate payment or pull cash from your bank account. None of these happen without you receiving many, many notices. So don’t avoid SARS correspondences / mails. Most of the time, the issues are easily resolved with a letter. 

Conclusion 

Accounting is a vital tool for businesses of all sizes. By answering accounting problems and answers, businesses can better understand their finances and take steps to improve their financial health. 

In addition to the essential questions for accountants, businesses should regularly review their financial statements and accounting processes to ensure that they are accurate and up-to-date. They should also consult with a qualified accountant to get help with complex accounting issues.

By asking relevant small business accounting questions and taking steps to improve your financial health, businesses can set themselves up for success in 2025 and beyond. 

Compiled by Ms. Dikeledi Seoloane on behalf of Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd – Registered Accountant and Certified Tax Practitioner.

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd is your accounting partner that you can entrust with the bookkeping function, right up to financial reporting. We helps you keep accurate records of your business finances.

We have well trained and qualified staff that manages the aspect of both business and individual taxes.

We are the fast growing accounting service-providing agency in South Africa and across the globe.

If you need a consultation with us with regards to your business, any type of business – please reach out to us by email hello@matsobanemetja.blog

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd offers a wide range of bookkeeping and accounting services, tailored to your business needs at an affordable price.

You may please inquire with us by sending an email to enquiries@matsobanemetja.co.za

“Your reputation is more important than your paycheck, and your integrity is worth more than your career.”

— Ryan Freitas.

• WordPress
• Facebook
• X
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

What is a petty cash?
Petty cash is a small fund of actual money kept on hand to pay for minor, day-to-day expenses that are not cost-effective to process through formal channels by using a company card.
Common uses include purchasing office supplies, postage, refreshments for meetings, and making small employee reimbursements for things like travel or parking. 

Why Use Petty Cash?

Convenience: It eliminates the need to use company cards for every small purchase. No need to withdraw cash everytime you need and this eliminates the high costs of bank charges.

Speed: It allows for quick and immediate purchases when needed. 

Cost-Effectiveness: For small expenses, the time and effort involved in a formal payment process is often impractical or more expensive than the item itself. 

Common Examples of Petty Cash Usage

Office Supplies: Buying stationery, pens, notepads, or other small office necessities. 

Refreshments: Purchasing coffee, tea, or snacks for staff or clients. 

Postage: Mailing documents or paying for stamps. 

Small Travel/Errands: Paying for local taxi fares or parking when an employee runs a quick errand. 

Employee Reimbursements: Reimbursing staff for small out-of-pocket expenses. 

Other Small Purchases: Flowers for an employee’s birthday or paying for minor repairs. 

How It Works

Establish the fund: 

A specific amount of money is withdrawn from the bank. 

Custodian: 

A designated person, the custodian, is responsible for the fund’s security and management. This can be the secretary in the business, personal assistant or accounts clerk / admin individual in the business.

Disbursement: 

When a purchase is made, the employee receives the item and provides a receipt or voucher. That gets captured in the company books for records.

Reconciliation: 

The fund is periodically replenished to its original amount. This ensures that the balance is always restored to a set level and that all transactions are accounted for. 

Reconciling the petty cash is extremely important so that we are able to allocate each expense according to its correct classification.

I the end the reports and line items need to be accurate and indicate the correct status of the business.
For example you cannot withdraw a total of R5000.00 from the business account and allocate it as petty cash on the company profit and loss.

The R5000 needs to be broken down into the funds usage. Because, some of the funds may have been used for cleaning, paying for plumbing, miscellaneous unclassified expenses. As the business owner you need to know how much you are spending on each line expense per period. Otherwise how are you going to plan and control your budget?

This practice ensures that all petty cash remains available for operational needs without any misuse or loss.

Proper management not only simplifies the financial process but also reduces the risk of misappropriation or fraud. It promotes financial discipline and accountability, making it an indispensable component of effective financial management in both small businesses and larger organizations.

Compiled by Ms. Dikeledi Seoloane on behalf of Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd – Registered Accountant and Certified Tax Practitioner.

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd is your accounting partner that you can entrust with the bookkeping function, right up to financial reporting. We helps you keep accurate records of your business finances.

We have well trained and qualified staff that manages the aspect of both business and individual taxes.

We are the fast growing accounting service-providing agency in South Africa and across the globe.

If you need a consultation with us with regards to your business, any type of business – please reach out to us by email hello@matsobanemetja.blog

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd offers a wide range of bookkeeping and accounting services, tailored to your business needs at an affordable price.

You may please inquire with us by sending an email to enquiries@matsobanemetja.co.za

“It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you, and how many generations you keep it for.”

– Robert Kiyosaki

One way to encourage compliance is to keep the rules as clear and simple as possible. Overly complicated tax systems are associated with high tax evasion.

• WordPress
• Facebook
• X
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok

The accounting side of your business can be a little intimidating and maybe a little scary if you’re unfamiliar with all of the terminology. While it isn’t necessary to go back and earn a degree in accounting, it can be helpful to understand some basic terminology to better understand your businesses’ profitability. Whether you’re a new business owner or have been in the game for a while, you’ve probably heard of a profit and loss statement or P&L for short. Known as Income Statements / Statements of Financial Performance

What is Profit and Loss?

A profit and loss statement is a basic financial statement that shows how much your business spent and earned over a specific time period. Your profit and loss statement shows your revenue minus expenses and losses. The final outcome is either a profit or a loss.

A P&L can also be referred to as an income statement so don’t get confused between the two; they both mean the same thing. When preparing an income statement, small business owners have two reporting options: a single-step or a multi-step P&L statement.

A single-step profit and loss statement is fairly simple. It tallies your total revenue, then subtracts your total expenses to calculate your net income. A multi-step P&L, on the other hand, requires multiple calculations to arrive at your final net income. The type of your business would help determine which format is best. Let’s break down the P&L and explain all of its’ components.

Types of P&Ls: Cash vs. Accrual

Cash basis: The cash method, also known as the cash accounting method, is only used when cash goes in and out of the business. This is a simple approach that only accounts for money received or paid. When cash is received, a business records the transaction as revenue, and when cash is used to pay bills or liabilities, the transaction is recorded as a liability. This method is commonly used by small businesses and individuals who want to manage their personal finances.

Accrual basis: The accrual basis records revenue as it is earned. This means that an accrual method company accounts for money that it expects to receive in the future. For example, a company that delivers a product or service to a customer records the revenue on its profit and loss statement even if it hasn’t yet received payment. Similarly, expenses are accounted for even if the expenses have not been paid yet. 

How to Read a P&L

Determining Revenue

The revenue or top-line portion of the profit and loss statement shows your business’s revenue for analysis. Revenue summarizes your sales and activity for the reporting period. If your business has multiple revenue sources, the P&L statement may separate and combine them to form an overall revenue picture. With this structure, you can evaluate your overall revenue as well as each revenue stream broken down.

Calculating Expenses

Business expenses, such as salaries, benefits, rent, utilities, etc. are included in operating expenses. The cost of making your product or the cost of goods sold (COGS) are examples of direct costs. For example, if you own a bakery and sell different types of pastries, the ingredients used to make your products are direct costs. COGS is essentially the cost of an inventory item. This category does not apply to service-oriented businesses like a law firm for example since they aren’t selling tangible products. 

Determining Gross Profit

Some profit and loss statements include a line for gross margin, which is direct costs minus revenue. This calculation determines how much money your business has available for operating expenses.  If your business is a service company without COGS, it won’t have a direct cost line or gross margin. Instead, the profit and loss statement will most likely list operating expenses as well as revenue-generating expenses, such as the cost of a sale.

Operating Income

For businesses with COGS, operating income, also known as EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), is calculated by subtracting operating expenses from the gross margin. Operating expenses can be deducted from revenue with businesses without COGS.

Interest Expenses

Interest expenses are typically incurred when a business borrows money, such as through a business loan, line of credit, or credit card. On your P&L statement, interest expense is the total interest payment you make to creditors for a specific period.

Taxes

You’re probably tired of seeing the word tax everywhere but I’m afraid they’re here to stay… This part of a P&L shows how much taxes you paid or expect to pay.

Net Income

This is the “bottom line” that everyone talks about. It’s also known as net income or net earnings. You began with your revenue as your “top line,” then subtracted direct costs, operating expenses, and so on. What remains is your profit, or potentially your loss if you spent more than you earned… try not to do that. 

So, Why is the P&L So Important?

The profit and loss statement is the best tool for measuring your business’s success. It’s a report outlining the company’s “bottom line.”  Financial advisors can read through a profit and loss statement and understand the company’s financial health as a whole. This information can be important to business partners, board members, or maybe shareholders. When read correctly, a P&L report can not only tell whether your business is successful, but it can also provide some insight on how the data relates to expectations and previous years.

While this side of your business may seem intimidating, it’s important for you to understand where your business stands financially and to determine the best ways to increase profitability.

Compiled by Ms. Dikeledi Seoloane on behalf of Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd – Registered Accountant and Certified Tax Practitioner.

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd is your accounting partner that you can entrust with the bookkeping function, right up to financial reporting. We helps you keep accurate records of your business finances.

We have well trained and qualified staff that manages the aspect of both business and individual taxes.

We are the fast growing accounting service-providing agency in South Africa and across the globe.

If you need a consultation with us with regards to your business, any type of business – please reach out to us by email hello@matsobanemetja.blog

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd offers a wide range of bookkeeping and accounting services, tailored to your business needs at an affordable price.

You may please inquire with us by sending an email to enquiries@matsobanemetja.co.za

It’s not whether you’re right or wrong that’s important, but how much money you make when you’re right and how much you lose when you’re wrong…

• WordPress
• Facebook
• X
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

1. Only big businesses earning lots of money need a bookkeeper

Often the businesses who think they can’t afford a bookkeeper yet are exactly the ones who really need one. In the early stages of running your business you may find yourself feeling completely overwhelmed at the breadth of tasks that need to be performed. Hiring an external bookkeeper can be really beneficial in the long run as they’ll be able to identify where savings can be made, not to mention the fact that they’ll free up your time to concentrate on bringing in more income.

I also speak to a lot of sole traders who are unsure about what they can include in their self assessment tax return, so end up paying more tax than they really to. Often they’ll save much more than what it will cost to get someone to prepare it for them.

2. Anyone can do bookkeeping

They probably can, if they study the qualifications and develop a strong understanding of the theory that underpins it! When someone says this they normally mean that their husband/wife/child/dog can do data entry, which is a very different kettle of fish to knowing exactly how things should be categorised and what is and isn’t allowable for tax purposes.

Although it’s true that anyone can call themselves a bookkeeper, or an accountant for that matter, anyone providing bookkeeping services (including invoicing and credit control) must be supervised under the anti-money laundering regulations. They should belong to at least  bookkeeping or accountancy professional bodies – our supervision and license to practice are provided by the CIBA – Chattered Institute of Business Accountants

3. My accounting software does my bookkeeping for me

No, it will help you, but it doesn’t do it for you. Accounting software nowadays, particularly if it’s cloud-based, is fairly simple to use, but as I mentioned earlier, bookkeeping isn’t just data entry. Pretty much anyone can enter numbers into software, but do you know what the numbers mean? Care still needs to be taken to make sure that the information is being recorded accurately…rubbish in means rubbish out!

4. Bookkeepers are only needed during tax time

The building blocks of financial accounting. In its purist sense, it is a series of debits and credits reported in various general ledger accounts. A proper double-entry bookkeeping system is essential for all businesses that require annual financial statements. The benefits of having a proper bookkeeping system are in the accuracy of the financial reporting. A sole proprietorship does not technically require a double-entry bookkeeping system but may choose to employ one for internal control purposes. For example, a proper bookkeeping system reconciles the banking records to the accounting records to avoid double entries, missing entries, and transpositions.

5. Bookkeeping and Accounting is the same
Bookkeeping is the systematic recording of daily financial transactions, while accounting is the broader process of analyzing, interpreting, and reporting on those financial records to provide strategic insights and make business decisions. Bookkeeping is a fundamental part of the accounting process, providing the necessary data that an accountant then uses to prepare financial statements, conduct audits, and offer financial advice.

Take action. Start working on improving your finances today, not tomorrow.

Compiled by Ms. Dikeledi Seoloane on behalf of Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd – Registered Accountant and Certified Tax Practitioner.

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd is your accounting partner that you can entrust with the bookkeping function, right up to financial reporting. We helps you keep accurate records of your business finances.

We have well trained and qualified staff that manages the aspect of both business and individual taxes.

We are the fast growing accounting service-providing agency in South Africa and across the globe.

If you need a consultation with us with regards to your business, any type of business – please reach out to us by email hello@matsobanemetja.blog

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd offers a wide range of bookkeeping and accounting services, tailored to your business needs at an affordable price.

You may please inquire with us by sending an email to enquiries@matsobanemetja.co.za

“The best accountants are not just number-crunchers; they’re financial storytellers.”

– Jessica Turner

• WordPress
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

In celebration of women ‘s month I decided to compile this blog in hope of encouraging other women to start building their dreams. Often i hear them talk about their dreams of creating a business but are unsure of where to start. It seems that overwhelm prevents them from even starting!

In this article, I’m going to focus on online businesses. I’d love to inspire you to create a business that also gives you the flexibility to work from anywhere. Each tip can be used to create a business but your business could also involve a number of them. These are just ideas to get you started!

My top 10 business ideas for women

1. Blogging
It’s one of the easiest ways to get started but it can take time to create an income from it. There are millions of blogs out there about any topic you can think of. When coming up with your idea, think about topics that you love and ones that you regularly help others with.

Maybe you’re a keen sewist and often help others on their journey to create their own clothes. Or perhaps you love homesteading and have a wealth of information to share? Or you love creating parties, that could very easily be turned into a blog. There are really so many ideas out there!

You might be wondering how people are making money from a blog, after all, they are essentially offering their knowledge up for free. Well, it’s entirely possible to make money from blogging! There are so many ways to do it. In fact, each tip here could be incorporated into your blog. Keep reading and think about which income streams you could add (HINT: it may be more than one!).

Setting up your blog is actually relatively easy, even if you aren’t tech-savvy! Of course, you could outsource it if funds allow but technology does make it easier to create your own these days. I strongly recommend using WordPress.org as your platform. It’s free to sign up but you will need hosting. If not sure, speak to people who can assist you with the set-up. It might not be a free service to you understable so. But if you are willing to build something of value, you must be ready to invest.

Now that you have your website set up, it’s time to make it look presentable! There are plenty of free themes. It’s super fast and it’s amazingly easy to use. Even with no website design knowledge, you could make a good-looking website.

2. Freelancing
Do you have a service that you can help other businesses with? Maybe you can take your corporate job and turn that into a freelancing career. Offering a service is probably the fastest way to earn an income in a new online business. The downside is that you are still trading hours for money but you do have control over what you’re charging. That’s a bit different from your corporate job!

Some of the most common services include social media management, Facebook ads, Secretarial Services, creating sales funnels, graphic design, becoming a virtual assistant and web development.

3. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is when you get paid to promote other people’s products and services. The amount you get paid can vary a lot but there are some really great affiliate programs out there! It is possible to earn up to 50% of a sale, that will blow your mind away, really! The thing with affiliate marketing though is that it takes traffic to earn an income.

Affiliate marketing is truly passive. You set it up and then your only real job is to increase traffic to your site and promote the products through social media, email marketing and blog posts.

I suggest starting with brands that you know, have used and often recommend to others. Google those brands + ‘affiliate program’. You might find that they have their own affiliate program on their site or they might belong to a larger affiliate program. If they have their own one, go ahead and sign up if not, don’t be shy to email them and ask! I have found that some businesses have them but don’t advertise them on their website.


4. E-Commerce Site
There are two types of products that you can sell in your e-commerce shop, they are digital products or physical products. Digital products include ebooks, printables (diary, wall art etc) or courses. Physical products are obviously actual items that you will need to send or drop ship (when the item is sent from the manufacturer or fulfilment centre) to your customer.

E-commerce is the most popular business model and there are women out there absolutely smashing it! The downsides are the initial outlay for physical products and the need to be able to store and physically send a product. For those reasons, I’d definitely explore dropshipping. Amazon is one great example to partner with. They are obviously a well-loved brand and have systems that are crazy efficient. They also handle the customer service side of things making it extremely simple!


5. Digital products
Digital products (including e-courses and ebooks) are another way to create an income for the information that you have to offer others. Your products could be sold to individuals or businesses, the options are endless! Again, think about something that you are often helping others with. This could be anything from decluttering your home through to creating social media strategies and everything in between.


Ebooks can be created in Word, Canva or InDesign. You don’t need to get too technical with it! I love the idea of ebooks because they are easy to create and whilst they are a lower price point, they are easier to sell. I think ebooks are the perfect place to start for new bloggers and business owners!

In the meantime, place an opt-in form on your website so you can start collecting emails from those that are interested. This will really help you when you’re ready to launch!
There are also courses that you can enroll in to give you an idea of what is expected from you and your deliverable.


6. Directories
These styles of businesses have really gained momentum recently. The way they work is that you choose a niche and then list businesses that are in that niche on your website. You make money by charging them a monthly fee or an affiliate commission to have them there but you can also bring in revenue with sponsored posts on the blog, your socials or in your email marketing.

As your audience grows and engages with you, the more value you’ll be able to give your vendors and the more you’ll be able to charge them. As a consumer, I love directories because I can see everything in one spot and discover new brands that I may not have heard about otherwise.

Directories are really a win-win-win situation!


7. Membership Sites
Memberships are along a similar line to e-courses, except your customers pay a monthly fee to be a member. It’s a great way to create recurring income, meaning that you know what you’ll be earning each month.

To start a membership you need to have your idea and a website.

When you’re first creating your membership site you’ll need two pages on your website, one for new members to subscribe and a page that is only accessible once they become a member that hosts your content. These are both straightforward to set up.

Then comes the real work! You’ll need to create content. It isn’t as much work upfront as creating an e-course is but you’ll need to be adding more content on a regular basis. In addition to that, many sites have a dedicated Facebook group, sometimes as an added bonus with live workshops as well.

The sky is the limit with the type of content that you can offer your members and each niche is unique so it really comes down to what your audience wants.

8. Coaching
Coaching is all the rage at the moment! There are so many areas that you could coach others in, including health coaching, business coaching, life coaching, etc. Think about areas that we might need help in and I’m sure there’s a coach for it!

There are a number of programs out there but it really depends on the area that you want to specialise in as to which course you could take. Do your research and choose one that resonates with you!

9. Network Marketing or Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)
I know that MLM businesses get a bad rap but I do honestly believe that they do because there are some not-so-great business owners creating businesses with them, like all businesses.

I must admit that in the past I had some real blocks around them but my views have changed! You’ll be happy to hear that I have seen some women create amazing businesses for themselves by being involved in MLM companies. When they truly stand behind their products, they create businesses that give them the freedom and lifestyle that they had dreamed of. Loving the product is one of the most important aspects of building your business!

The benefits of an MLM is that the products are already created, you usually receive promotional material to help you share the love and the entry price is usually low (although this does create more competition). On the flip side, you don’t have the flexibility to change prices, create sales or alter the products.

10. Teach English online
Lastly, I’m going to mention teaching English online. If you feel like all the other options are overwhelming and you just want to start somewhere, then this might be an option for you. There are plenty of opportunities to teach English online. Every company requires different qualifications but there are a couple that doesn’t require anything other than being a native speaker. The con is that the pay isn’t amazing but it’s an easy start.


To my ladies, It is entirely possible to create an income that gives you the freedom to live a lifestyle you crave.

Compiled by Ms. Dikeledi Seoloane on behalf of Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd – Registered Accountant and Certified Tax Practitioner.

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd is your accounting partner that you can entrust with the bookkeping function, right up to financial reporting. We helps you keep accurate records of your business finances.

We have well trained and qualified staff that manages the aspect of both business and individual taxes.

We are the fast growing accounting service-providing agency in South Africa and across the globe.

If you need a consultation with us with regards to your business, any type of business – please reach out to us by email hello@matsobanemetja.blog

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd offers a wide range of bookkeeping and accounting services, tailored to your business needs at an affordable price.

You may please inquire with us by sending an email to enquiries@matsobanemetja.co.za

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the next best time is now’

– Chinese Proverb

• WordPress
• Facebook
• X
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• TikTok

It is personal tax season in South Africa and I thought that  it could be the right time to pen down this blog to assist some provisional tax payers in order to plan better for their next tax season. Though the topic is beneficial for every person who would like to take their personal finance serious, to build a solid financial background for themselves or the next generation. It is also useful to the sole proprietors, contractors, self-employed and any other human being ☺️

1. Spend Less Than You Earn

Easier said than done, right? I know but it’s doable when determined!

It’s easy to KNOW that you should be spending less than you earn, it’s a lot harder to actually do it.

However, if you want to escape the paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle that so many others live, you need to spend less than you earn. This is one of the most crucial but basic personal finance tips ever.

In order to do this, you need to track your spending. You can do this by either writing your purchases down or by using a free personal finance app.


2. Learn to Budget

Budgeting is not hard, and it doesn’t mean you have to stop doing things you enjoy.

Budgeting is simply creating a plan for your money so you have a better idea of where it’s going every month.

A popular and effective way to budget is with the 50/30/20 rule. How it works is 50% of your income goes towards the necessities (bills, food, housing, etc.), 20% of your income goes towards savings and the remaining 30% you can use for whatever you please.

This is a nice and easy way to break down your paycheck, but you might need to adjust it a bit to fit your lifestyle.


3. Break Down Your Income & Expenses

This is an odd little trick that can change the perspective you have about your money, and help you budget better.

It’s all about breaking your income and expenses down into daily values.


4. Pay Yourself First

When you pay yourself first, you’re investing in your financial future; you’re investing in future you, and future you will thank present you for doing so.

So, why not just pay yourself at the end of the month? That’s a lot easier, right?

Well, the reason why paying yourself first works so well is that once that money is sent to a savings account, you’re a lot less likely to spend it. If you wait until the end of the month to pay yourself, you might not have any money left!

Future you will be very sad with no money. Make future you happy by investing in yourself!

PS. The best way to pay yourself first is to set up deposit schedule that you will have to follow through every month. This will serve as a reminder and best finance routine so you don’t forget about savings.

5. Have Financial Goals

If you want to accomplish financial goals, you need to figure out what goals are important to you first. Having a clear goal can keep you motivated and help you come up with a plan to reach that goal even faster.

Now, don’t think that you need to set outrageous goals. If this is your first time thinking about personal financial goals, start off small and work your way up from there.

I’d suggest coming up with a few different goals in each of these categories:

What you want to achieve in the next 3-months

In the next year

In the next five years

This way you’ll have some short-term goals to look forward to, and some long-term goals to work towards as well. Your short-term goals may even be small stepping stones towards your bigger goals.


So, remember to set long-term and short-term goals, and keep track of them too! Write them down somewhere and set a day each month to track your progress.

6. A Credit Card is Not Free Money

A credit card is a useful tool in your finance toolkit, but it’s not free money.

When you purchase something with your credit card, you are borrowing money from the bank. If you don’t give that money back in time, the bank is going to start charging interest on your balance.

This debt can build up and become a monster if you don’t pay off your balance every month.

However, if you use a credit card responsibly and pay off the balance every month, it’s a good way to start building credit. Most credit cards also have other benefits such as rewards points, cash back, or travel points.

So, should you have a credit card? Well, it depends.

If you’re capable of paying off the balance in full every month, then you should have no problem managing a credit card and staying out of debt.


One last tip: Treat your credit card like a debit card. Pay it off in full every day if you have to. I try to pay off my balance every couple of weeks so that I don’t forget. I also set up a reminder on my phone calendar when a payment is due.

If you want to take it further, use a prepaid reloadable card instead of a credit card. These cards work just like debit cards, but they have the perks of credit cards.

7. Stay Out of Bad Debt

Debt means you owe someone money, and if anything you NEVER want to owe any-one money.

However, not all debt is necessarily bad debt.

So, what is bad debt?

Bad debt is any debt that’s acquired through purchasing something that’s going to lose value and generate zero revenue.

Some examples of bad debt would be credit card debt or an auto loan.

What is good debt?

Some people will say there’s no such thing as good debt, and while I mostly agree, I also can’t deny that some debt can be beneficial in the right circumstances. 

For example, if you are going to take out a loan to purchase something that will benefit you financially in the future, I’d say that debt is a lot more beneficial than credit card debt. 

Good debt usually has lower interest rates as well. Here are a few examples:

Student loans

Since student loans typically have a very low-interest rate and going to school can increase your pay as an employee in the future, student loans can be considered good debt.

However, if you’re going to college just because you don’t know what else to do after high school, that’s probably the wrong move. You could end up wasting a lot of money studying a field that you don’t even enjoy. Then you’ll be stuck working a job you hate to pay off your student loans. Not fun.

Mortgage

This one’s a tricky one, but mortgages are generally considered good debt. They are usually long-term loans with low interest rates, so you’ll still have money freed up for investments and such. The interest from mortgages is also tax deductible, so that’s a bonus.

In the end, it’s up to you to decide whether purchasing a home is the right move, as the value of a house will not always rise as some people think. You’ll also have to add in the expenses of property tax, utilities, and home insurance.

Business Debt

There are a lot of online business ideas you can start on the cheap these days, but a small investment can also go a long way in certain endeavors. Business loans are considered good debt because they are put towards something with the goal of increasing your net worth.

8. Have an Emergency Fund

If you lost your job tomorrow would you have enough money to live off while you look for a new one?

If we want to be realistic, emergencies happen all the time. They may not happen to you, but it’s always good to be prepared.

You can’t predict an emergency, but you can prepare for one.

Here are some common financial emergencies:

Job loss

Car problems

House repairs

Natural disaster

Medical or dental expenses


9. Know Your Net Worth

Net worth can seem like a tricky topic, but it’s quite simple. Your net worth is how much money you are worth. If you were to sell everything you own, then pay off everything you owe, how much money would be left?

That’s your net worth.

Here’s what that looks like in equation form:

Net worth = Assets (what you own) – Liabilities (what you owe)


10. Start Investing

Investing is one of the best ways to increase your net worth, but a lot of people stay away from it because they’re scared of losing money. So instead of investing, they keep their money in a savings account. That’s great, and you should have some money in a savings account for emergencies, but the truth is:

Money in a savings account loses value over time.


So, what can you invest in to stay ahead of inflation? Here are some options:

Real estate

Peer-to-peer lending

Exchange traded funds (ETFs)

Stocks

Cryptocurrency (crypto can be volatile, so invest at your own risk)


11. Communicate With Your Significant Other

Notice how I wrote significant other; this financial tip doesn’t just apply to married couples. Money fights can affect any relationship.

The best way to avoid fighting about money with your S/O is to talk to them about it. Remember that you’re a team! You should be talking to each other about your financial goals, and you should set a date once a month to go over your finances together.

The bottom line?

Don’t let money ruin a great relationship.

12. Side Hustle to Make More Money

Are you happy with the amount of money you’re taking home each year? If you’re like most of us, a little bit of extra cash each month could go a long way.

So, why not start a side hustle to supplement your income?

Don’t worry. You don’t have to sacrifice all of your free time to start a successful side hustle. One of the big advantages of side hustling is that you can do it when you want and as much (or as little) as you want.

The best advice I can give you is to start. Use any extra time you can find and make a little bit of progress every day. Soon you’ll be addicted to the side hustle lifestyle.

So, how much money can you really make with a side hustle?

Well, that’s the other awesome thing about side hustling, the income is virtually limitless. Since you’re not getting paid by the hour or a set salary, it’s really up to you to decide how much you want to earn. The more you feed your side hustle, the more it grows.


Take action. Start working on improving your finances today, not tomorrow.


Compiled by Ms. Dikeledi Seoloane on behalf of Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd – Registered Accountant and Certified Tax Practitioner.

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd is your accounting partner that you can entrust with the bookkeping function, right up to financial reporting. We helps you keep accurate records of your business finances.

We have well trained and qualified staff that manages the aspect of both business and individual taxes.

We are the fast growing accounting service-providing agency in South Africa and across the globe.

If you need a consultation with us with regards to your business, any type of business – please reach out to us by email hello@matsobanemetja.blog

Matsobanemetja Business Consulting (Pty) Ltd offers a wide range of bookkeeping and accounting services, tailored to your business needs at an affordable price.

You may please inquire with us by sending an email to enquiries@matsobanemetja.co.za

Small amounts saved daily add up to huge investments in the end.

– Margo Vader

• WordPress
• Facebook
• X
• Instagram
• LinkedIn