Business must always look at the bottom line. This applies not only to income but also making sure the business runs smoothly but that sales are reported accurately along with minimize loss through theft or waste. Below are some items a business can keep and eye on to keep things on track.

Sales Slips

Should be serially pre-numbered in book. Receipts should be obtained from each sales person and an audit of the numerical sequence made weekly. Unnumbered sales slips are frequently used to give customers receipts for cash sales which are never entered on the records.

Cash Collections

Should be carefully supervised. Pre-numbered duplicate receipt books should be used and the numbers audited. Invoices and statements should carry a printed message to the customer telling him to look for a signed company receipt on all payments. Receipt books should be audited weekly or more often with extra attention to numerical sequence or alterations on duplicates.

Accounts Receivable

Monthly statements should not be routed to customers via the collectors. They should be mailed independently so as to cover any discrepancies between collections and records of same. All customer accounts should be periodically confirmed via either mail or direct contact. This stops collusion between collectors and the employee who posts accounts receivable. All receipts should be turned in for deposit daily. Duplicate copies of deposit slips should be certified by the bank teller and mailed by the bank to the employee who reconciles the bank accounts.

Disbursements

When possible, they should be made by pre-numbered check rather than cash. In addition to providing a safeguard this reduces the amount of cash on hand at any time.

Petty Cash

Should contain a fixed amount calculated to cover one week, replenished if and when necessary by the exact amount required for disbursement. Your petty thief will often start his career by “borrowing” in a small way from petty cash. Therefore approved vouchers should be required for all expenditures with amounts written out in ink or type to verify the numerals, a safeguard against “kiting.” When reimbursed they should be canceled by a “paid” stamp. Audits of the petty cash fund should be made at irregular intervals as a surprise, the oftener the better.

Reconciling Bank Accounts

This should be completed promptly by an employee other than the one who prepares the deposits or signs the checks. Delay in the reconciling can cover, temporarily, fraud, forgery, or alteration by your employees or the bank.

Physical Inventory

If taken quarterly or semiannually, better than annually. Should include spot check of packed boxes, bins, cases, etc. Valuable goods easily pocketed should be kept under lock and key. Losses through pilferage or error are common and worth trying to stop by supervision. Regular inventory control can disclose shortages due to theft or inaccurate accounting.

Scrap and Waste

Unusual variations in disposal should be noted. Sales of scrap and waste to junk dealers can be profitable to the dishonest seller and the buyer if control is not adequate. Old inventory can be sold on eBay at times for company profit. Monitor employees who handle online sales.

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So you are ready to take a leap and start buying REO property that’s out there while the market is so hot. After all, that guy on the infomercial said you could go out there and pick up foreclosure property for a song and sell it for 1,000,000 bucks - over night! You will be rich! Well you better do a little research because there’s a huge difference between buying REO properties and buying foreclosure properties and either way you go it’s going to take a little more than a “song” for you to take possession of that property.

A foreclosure sale takes place before the bank actually becomes the owner of the property and the minimum opening bid usually includes the loan balance, any accrued interest, attorney fees and any fees associated with the foreclosure process. You need to understand that the loan balance is generally a pretty significant amount of money and if there was enough equity in the property to satisfy the loan, or at least most of the loan, the homeowner probably would have sold it himself and paid it off. And that’s why most foreclosure sales don’t even get any bids.

Those foreclosure properties that are not sold then become REO - Real Estate Owned by the bank and the mortgage no longer exists. The bank will then handle evictions if necessary and might do any necessary repairs. They’ll work with the IRS to negotiate partial or full removal of tax liens and they will pay off any association dues that are owed. And contrary to popular opinion, now that the bank actually owns this property it’s in no hurry to sell it. The bank wants to make back it’s investment so the popular myth that you’ll be able to pick these REO homes up for a song is simply that - a myth. Banks now have separate departments for their REO properties and they enjoy the same tax benefits that other property owners do. These houses might be somewhat lower in price but they’re not free and growing on trees.

Before you start bidding on foreclosure properties and buying REO properties it’s best to do some research on each individual property. You’ll need to know about tax liens and mortgage balances and property values and market value. You’ll also need to tour the properties and get an idea of repair costs.

When you go to a foreclosure sale you’re going to need a cashier’s check for the full amount of the sale so it’s best to have your financing already lined up before you even start. It’s also best to know exactly how high you’re willing to bid and be able to stop. Too many buyers think they have to buy every piece of foreclosure property that goes up on the block just because since it’s a foreclosure it must be a great deal. As mentioned above - it’s not. So be prepared to step away once you hit your limit.

Before buying REO properties it is usually best to talk to a Real Estate agent who can advise you on things like market value versus the bank’s asking price and how best to get financing that the bank will approve of.

Looking to find the best deal on Buying foreclosures, then visit www.LouisvilleRealEstateServices.com to find the best advice on What makes a good investment property for you.

If you are overloaded with debt and can’t answer your phone because of collectors calling, then perhaps a bankruptcy case is a good option. Congress did not want our citizens to be overloaded with debt just because they’d made financial mistakes. As a result, Congress created the Bankruptcy System. It is designed to give good people a chance to re-set their financial lives.

As the economy worsens the number of bankruptcy filings is rising. The Los Angeles Times reported that in year 2009, there were around 1,446,000 Bankruptcy. In January 2010, there were 102,600 total bankruptcy filings and the number of people filing bankruptcy continues to grow. Experienced Bankruptcy Attorney Dan Scott says that there are 3 Myths aboutBankruptcy that should be dispelled.

There are 3 Myths about Bankruptcy That Must be Dispelled

Myth 1: Filing bankruptcy can be pricey. Of course when you file a bankruptcy case you will have to pay court costs a legal fee to your attorney’, and perhaps other miscellaneous fees. The cost will depend on your case or situation. However, when compared with the benefit you will receive (relief from owing all or most of your debts) the cost is minimal. You’ll hear some folks say that the money you spend for a bankruptcy likely could be used up bringing past-due accounts, or making the payment arrangements. However, the truth is that if you couldn’t make the payments in the past, it is unlikely you will be able to make them in the future.

Myth 2: You may lose your property in a bankruptcy: Obviously if you have a car or house that has a lien or mortgage, you’ve got to address that lien or mortgage in your bankruptcy case. Usually a deal can be structured inside your bankruptcy case where you can keep making the payments and keep the property. Bankruptcy Attorney Dan Scott, in his video series found at http://www.danwillhelp.com, reveals that in most circumstances you will be able to use your exemptions to keep property that is not encumbered by a lien. Exemptions are simply a procedure established by Congress to allow you to keep property in a bankruptcy case. Don’t think for a minute that you’ll be able to keep property on which a lien has been granted unless you can make the payments.

Myth 3: Not all your debt can be discharged. This is not exactly a “myth” but it is often over stated. Most of the debt individuals have WILL be discharged in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. (For the difference between a Chapter 7 and a Chapter 13 check out the video at http://www.danwillhelp.com.) Unsecured debts such as credit cards and signature loans are dischargeable. However, if you have student loans, back child support, certain taxes debt, claims arising from fraud or a DUI will not be discharged. Yourbankruptcy lawyer can give you more guidance on this.

These are tough times. Every where you turn folks are facing financial challenges. You may want to take a look at the video series published by experienced bankruptcy lawyer Dan Scott at http://www.danwillhelp.com. There’s simply no need to avoid bankruptcy just because of uncertainty.

If you are struggling with your finances it’s time to get straight talk from an experienced bankruptcy attorney. Check out the video series which is absolutely free. Take back the power away from your creditors today!

Figuring out how to improve your credit score might require an amount of effort on your part. A credit score is an indicator of your fiscal solvency and it is crucial if you need to borrow money from lenders. Any loan or credit that you apply for, have high chances of getting rejected if you have a low evaluation.

Your credit score is an indicator of your financial stability and dependability. From this loaners and credit originations may be able to gauge your standing as a borrower. The reason for this is that credit evaluation is done by using some mathematical convention after taking into consideration a persons borrowing and repaying habits as well as assorted other factors. The credit score is also called the FICO score after the credit scoring formula developing company, the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO).

When you have a low ranking, it tells the lender right away that you are not a very good prospect as a borrower. This may be based on your past credit accounts from which you may have defaulted on, late payments of debts, bankruptcy or foreclosure issues that you may have in the past and other similar factors. When you have a high credit evaluation, you fall in the good books of the lending company and chances are high that your credit application would be approved.

While there are several ways to improve your credit score, one of the first things to do is to review your present credit standing. See if you have overdue bills to pay, and pay them off instantly, as this can impact your credit rating in a negative way. Remember that to amend credit history, you need to always pay your outstanding on time.

If you do find yourself missing on some payments, it may be wise to get current as quickly as possible on your payments if you so can. When you are up-to-date with your credit position, you would have a healthy credit rating. The really bad news is that history of all late or missed payments stay in your credit history for seven long years. Even when you are clear of all your dues, these remain as a permanent black spot on your credit history.

If you find that you are unable to handle the outstanding situation anymore, it makes sense to contact either the creditors or takes professional advice from a credit counselor. This cannot dramatically amend your credit rating, but the sooner you start clearing your past dues, it starts getting reflected on your improved credit rating.

When you amend your credit score, you automatically become suitable to take that loan or mortgage which you wanted. It would be frustrating for one to apply for some much needed credit and not get approved in the end, all because of a low score. Improving your credit score can also assure you that you have better credit options particularly during times that you might need it most.

The writer is an internet publisher, editor, and founder of credit rating scores. Check us out at credit scoring.

Character and reference checks on each employee the first and certainly one of the most vital steps a business can take, this also includes people and companies that will be doing work at your home. Once you let a crook into your place they are probably going to be able to get through any of your other defenses.

If he is a real professional he can break you in a short time, possibly acting as a confederate of a gang. Your background and credit check is paramount. If possible, records of employment for 10 or more years should be reviewed, checked. Are there gaps in the record? Why? Do they hide prison sentences? Financial difficulties in a previous job? Who knows this person for how long? Does he live within the kind of income you intend to pay him without needing more? Is his bank account constantly overdrawn ? It is true that you cannot always tell the potential thief from his record.

Chief source of loss is from the trusted person with a hitherto-unblemished record, which indicates honesty up to a point. The point, however, may be reached when the need for more money overcomes resistance to temptation.

Payrolls can be padded in many ways. Timekeeping records are easy to manipulate. Company expense reports can be exaggerated. It is not that difficult to carry a fictitious employee on the payroll. If the same person who prepares the payroll does the actual paying there is always possibility of fraud either independently or with others. There should be checks and balances including an independent check on the preparation and payment. New names should never be added without authorization. Accurate timekeeping and supervision is important. A payroll supervisor or manager should have custody of funds only during actual paying-off time.

Purchase Orders should be serially pre-numbered and triplicated in different colors to make identification easier if done by hand. If done on computer systems should be put in place to verify purchases. Unnumbered purchase orders invite false purchases. Blanks should not be left around.

Tracking the flow of money throughout a business and personal household finance is important step in making sure money spent is used where it should be spent.

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A large number of American citizens rely on loans during trying times. This does not essentially suggest that they are not money wise, but a majority of the public rely on obtaining loans as a means of buying a new home, acquiring a brand new car, or sending their teenagers to college to further their education. And that is the chief motive why credit scoring is an essential issue in the life of a debtor.

Attaining a loan is reliant on how much credit worthy one is according to the credit bureaus. If one has a poor credit score, one of the following will happen: One may be allowed a loan but at a high interest or be completely denied.

Credit bureaus need to check your credit score to get an idea of how credit-worthy you are. Since the credit score acts as a synopsis of your life as a debtor, it is important to maintain a high credit score so you can make sure that your loan applications will be approved. And the first way to a better score is to check your current credit standing.

But paying for your credit scores can cost you as much as $30 each month just so you could monitor your FICO scores. Unfortunately, many people do give in to these offers thinking that there’s no way to get credit score based on FICO for free.

There are other means. If more often than not you want to view your FCIO score from any of the three credit bureaus, all you do is to inform your bank and request that they check your credit report and score.

If the bank is able to monitor on your behalf, also ask for the score as well. This is not an unusual procedure for the bank hence they are more inclined to allow you access to the requested information without charging you.

If you have a credit card or insurance plan, you might also contact the company you are affiliated with and find out if they let their clients know what their current FICO scores from the three credit bureaus are.

In fact, this is a great way to know what your current scores from the bureaus are, since you are assured that they are giving you scores based on FICO and you are getting it for free.

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People consolidate debt for many different reasons. Sometimes they want to lower their interest rates or just want a new loan to pay off a number of other loans. Either way, when consolidating debt, you now have one loan instead of many.

It can be hard to secure a new loan on one of your assets if you are already using that as collateral. A house is a good very example of this. As you probably know, when you take out a mortgage, your house is the collateral. Having this collateral helps the lender feel safer about loaning you the money. They know that if you default on your loan, they can take your collateral, such as your house, and sell it to get their money back. This makes your loan less risky, and in turn lowers your interest rate.

When you consolidate your debt, it doesn’t address what the root of problems is. Depending on the circumstances, snowballing might be the better solution.

Debt consolidation can be a great way for someone who has a lot of debt to get on track with repayments. Credit cards usually have very high interest rates, much higher than a secured loan like a mortgage. Offering collateral can help you get a secured loan with interest rates that are substantially lower than the rates on your credit cards. A lower interest rate can help you pay off your creditors much more quickly.

When you choose a debt consolidation program, you need to remember that it’s a debt repayment programs. When you enroll in a debt consolidation company, they will negotiate with your creditors for some lower interest rate and may even eliminate any late fee that you have encounter.

Today, there are multiple options to consolidating one’s debt. Credit counseling programs, debt settlements, debt consolidation loans, bankruptcy may all sound confusing sometimes. Therefore, it is advisable to check on financial position before making decisions for debt consolidation. Debt consolidation programs are debt repayment programs. The debt consolidation companies consolidate the unsecured debts to facilitating student and personal loans. Once you enroll into a program companies negotiate with the creditors on your behalf for lower interest rates possibly eliminating the late fees. In exchange you are supposed to pay a lump sum monthly payment which is dispersed to the creditors.

Debt consolidation loans are disguised equity loans. You unsecured debts are paid back with the equity that is built up in your current home. These loans will take all of your unsecured debt and turn into secure debt that’s backed up by your house. If you happens to fall behind and can’t pay back your loans, you could loose all of your property.

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Are you trying to buy an affordable home? If you are, you’ll look to foreclosure property listings online. Foreclosed properties are typically out there for sale at a steeply discounted price. With that said, buyers would like to remember that buying and living in a foreclosed property isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. That is why some buyers rather choose properties that are known as REOs. These properties are real estate owned.

As previously stated, buying and getting in a foreclosed home isn’t always a walk in the park. For starters, some states tend to delay the process. As an example, simply because you are the winning bidder at a foreclosure auction, it doesn’t mean that you’ll move in right away. After all, you could still finish up with no home. Why? Because many states have redemption laws. These laws gives delinquent borrowers time to bring their mortgage back to current standing.

Next, it’s important to know that a lot of folks do not wish to depart their homes. Whereas many will do so when faced with a legal eviction notice, you will be amazed how several occupants put up a fight. In fact, there are even cases where lawsuits were brought against the new owners! If you’re unable to afford the price of legal representation, foreclosures might not be in your best interest.

Liens and back taxes conjointly need to be examined. Depending on the state in question , patrons of foreclosure properties may be accountable for any outstanding liens or back taxes. Do not let this come back as a surprise to you when it happens. If you’re not careful, this may significantly increase the price of a foreclosure, possibly making it no longer affordable. For your own personal protection, always consult a professional before buying a foreclosed property, especially at a true estate auction.

Since the buying of foreclosures can be thought of as risky business, there are various householders who opt to purchase assets owned (REO) home or property. As for what these properties are, the first lenders own them. Throughout this method, the lender is also commonly referred to as the investor. Often times, the lender in question can purchase back the house in question at a real estate auction. This is often done when not enough interest is generated in the auction or when the bids are anticipated to be low.

Several consultants state that buying an REO house is the simplest way to buy a property that’s in trouble. Why? At this stage, the home is probably cleared of all occupants. Financial lenders typically have the means and the ability to evict all occupants, even those that are against leaving. The only individuals you ought to have to deal with are the investors, which would be the bank. In rare events, a bank may flip over the sale of the house to a true estate agent. However, since land agents take a share of each sale, the asking value of an REO house will probably increase. For the most effective value, deal with banks directly.

As for a way you’ll find the real estate owned properties, visit all native banks in your area. Inquire if there are any assets owned properties currently available for sale. If there are, request info on those properties. The online websites of nationally owned, but locally operated banks will be examined as well. Many times, REO properties are listed for sale online. Keep in mind, the same information will be acquired by scheduling a face to face meeting the bank’s loan officer or assets advisory.

As an important warning, whenever you are interested in buying a home, whether or not it be through a assets agent sale, an REO, or a foreclosed property, never enter into any agreements without the correct legal knowledge. Always consult with an attorney who makes a specialty of assets or foreclosures.

Want to find out more about REO listings, then visit Vladymir Rys’s site on how to choose the best bank owned property listing for your needs.

Bankruptcies can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years and can annihilate your credit score by hundreds of points. But by utilizing these plans of action, you could increase your credit score and become creditworthy several years before the bankruptcy drops off your credit report.

Fixing your credit score after a bankruptcy is far from being simple. “Filing bankruptcy is supposed to be a fresh start,” says Stephen Snyder, credit expert and author of “Credit after Bankruptcy.”

After a bankruptcy discharge, make sure your credit report is correct. After all, your goal is to increase your credit score hastily, and inaccurate information will only draw out the time it takes to score high enough for conventional credit. You are entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three national credit bureaus. Credit bureaus generally have 30 to 45 days to investigate your claim.

One of the most productive ways to boost your credit score after bankruptcy is to procure a secured credit card, she says. Secured cards are credit cards secured by a deposit account (usually a savings account) owned by the cardholder.”Those cards were designed for people with bad credit to remain in very low-credit-limit situations for a long period of time at a high interest rate,” says Stephen Snyder, author of “Credit after Bankruptcy.”Having more than one type of credit line will help boost your credit score.

“The point is most people with great credit scores probably have two credit cards from well-known, well-respected banks, a house payment, maybe a boat payment, and they keep those balances below 15 percent [of available credit] every month.”About 10 percent of your credit score is calculated based on the types of credit you use (i.e., credit cards, mortgages, installment loans and retail accounts), according to MyFICO.com.

Another 10 percent is based on new credit accounts ” which can include credit lines established after your bankruptcy. Although the FHA program does not officially use credit scores to qualify a loan, individual lenders may. Some credit-repair and credit “doctor” companies make grandiose claims that they can clean the slate and repair your credit file, often for a substantial fee. Only time will cause those entries to drop off your credit reports.

Mallory McGuinness is employed by a collections agency that works with a debt collection lawyer. Also, she does stories on business and finance, the credit industry and collections agencies.

The monthly mortgage payment is one of the most expensive debts most of us pay each month. Unfortunately, the recent housing and economic crisis has left many homeowners struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments. If you are on a tight budget, there a number of ways you can reduce your monthly mortgage payments and alleviate the overwhelming financial stress. Below are a number of tips on paying and reducing monthly mortgage payments.

1. To counter the effects of the housing crisis and prevent foreclosures, the Federal Government and mortgage lenders have come up with mortgage programs that allow homeowners to take advantage of reduced mortgage interest rates. If you are having troubles paying your mortgage, this is a good time to approach your lender about refinancing your mortgage for a better rate. By refinancing, you will have a lower monthly mortgage payment.

If possible, try to get a long term fixed mortgage such as a 30 year mortgage because a fixed rate will not fluctuate if the markets start to decline. As well, if you are shopping your mortgage around for a good refinancing deal, check to see if a real estate agent or lender will waive such fees as the application fee. Getting a low interest rate and avoiding extra fees are key factors to getting a good mortgage refinancing deal.

2. A helpful tip on paying your mortgage payment is to pay a significant amount on the principle of the balance owing. If you pay a large amount on the principle, you may be able to get rid of the mortgage insurance payment which will decrease the amount you pay each month.

3. The longer you have a mortgage, such as a 30 year fixed rate mortgage, the less you will have to pay monthly. If you are applying for a mortgage or refinancing, try to get a long term mortgage. As well, if you can afford it, put a large chunk of money down on the mortgage as it will lower your monthly payments.

4. Often people find them in situation where they cannot make their mortgage payments because they have too much debt. For instance, credit card bills, student loans, medical bills, and the bills racked after purchasing homes for sale and etc, can be financially overwhelming. One solution is to get a debt consolidation mortgage loan. When you consolidate all of your debts into one loan, you will only have one monthly payment and one interest rate. You could end up saving thousands of dollars.

5. Always pay your mortgage on time so that you can maintain a clean credit report. Remember, a clean credit report is valued by lenders and will stay with you through life. It will also help you get a better refinance deal. If you have outstanding debts on your credit report, try to pay them off. Consider debt consolidation as a way to clean up your credit rating.

If you find your self in a situation where you are having problems paying your monthly mortgage, there are many steps you can take to avoid foreclosure. By doing so, you will be able to get some much needed financial relief.

Vic Singh is a real estate Brampton agent and specializes in offering some of the lowest commissions with no conditions. When searching for Brampton condos or homes, be sure to check out his real estate advice at his personal blog and website.