Click a unit number below to view resources for that unit.
The Web sites of other organizations and agencies can answer your questions. Or you may need to write down an address or phone number so you can call or visit the organization in person.
Documents are PDF forms and letters provided by government agencies and other organizations. You may want to print them if they are particularly important for your business planning.
Library books are available for check-out from the Minneapolis Public Library. Ask a reference librarian for help if you have trouble locating them.
Resources for Unit 6
These resources can help you in planning your business:
Accessible record keeping for small business:
Good information about record keeping and financial management.
Good information about record keeping and financial management.
Almanac of business and financial ratios:
This book is organized by industry and has financial ratios for each industry.
This book is organized by industry and has financial ratios for each industry.
Annual statement studies (RMA):
This book is arranged by NAICS code so it is easy to find the ratios for your industry.
This book is arranged by NAICS code so it is easy to find the ratios for your industry.
Balance Sheet (SBA):
This webpage from the Small Business Administration gives a definition of what each field of the balance sheet means.
This webpage from the Small Business Administration gives a definition of what each field of the balance sheet means.
Balance Sheet Template (CCH Business Owner's Tool Kit):
You can use the template provided here to create your own balance sheet.
You can use the template provided here to create your own balance sheet.
Banking relationships (entrepreneur.com):
This article will be helpful when you are selecting a bank for your business.
This article will be helpful when you are selecting a bank for your business.
Biz Stats:
The quickest way to generate financial ratios -- just click on your type of business and enter revenue. Click and you have a chart of financial ratios.
The quickest way to generate financial ratios -- just click on your type of business and enter revenue. Click and you have a chart of financial ratios.
Bookkeeping and Accounting :
This article will help you do your bookkeeping.
This article will help you do your bookkeeping.
Bookkeeping and Accounting from Start to Finish:
This guide provides excellent information on small business finance.
This guide provides excellent information on small business finance.
Bookkeeping made simple:
Guide for small business owners.
Guide for small business owners.
Chart of Accounts -- explanation:
This web site provides an outline of a Chart of Accounts. While yours will be an IRS form, this outline contains all the categories of information you may need.
This web site provides an outline of a Chart of Accounts. While yours will be an IRS form, this outline contains all the categories of information you may need.
Developing a banking relationship:
Short article that describes what to expect in your relationship with your small business banker.
Short article that describes what to expect in your relationship with your small business banker.
Financial Ratios (CCH Business Owner's Tool Kit):
This site focuses information on the ratios you need for your business plan.
This site focuses information on the ratios you need for your business plan.
Five reasons to find a new bank:
Easy to understand guidelines for selecting or maintaining a banking relationship.
Easy to understand guidelines for selecting or maintaining a banking relationship.
Getting the most out of ratios:
Clear guidance of when and how to use financial ratios.
Clear guidance of when and how to use financial ratios.
How business accounting works:
This site describes how accounting works. It also has a checklist of questions to ask if you are hiring a CPA (Certified Public Accountant).
This site describes how accounting works. It also has a checklist of questions to ask if you are hiring a CPA (Certified Public Accountant).
How to set up and implement a records management system :
How to organize your records so that you can find what you need, when you need it.
How to organize your records so that you can find what you need, when you need it.
Income (profit and loss) Statement (CCH Business Owner's Toolkit):
This page describes the components of an income (also know as profit and loss) statement and gives an example of one. You can also link to an income statement template to download.
This page describes the components of an income (also know as profit and loss) statement and gives an example of one. You can also link to an income statement template to download.
Keeping the books:
A basic guide to bookkeeping.
A basic guide to bookkeeping.
Merchant accounts:
This is solid information about establishing merchant accounts so that your business can accept credit cards.
This is solid information about establishing merchant accounts so that your business can accept credit cards.
Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA):
MEDA is quite successful in helping new micro entrepreneurs launch businesses. MEDA is able to provide services in Spanish as well as English.
MEDA is quite successful in helping new micro entrepreneurs launch businesses. MEDA is able to provide services in Spanish as well as English.
Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers:
This umbrella organization provides a wealth of services to small and micro businesses in Minneapolis.
This umbrella organization provides a wealth of services to small and micro businesses in Minneapolis.
Questions to help you select the right product for your business:
Your business doesn't have to sell everything -- careful product selection can make a big difference in how customers perceive your business.
Your business doesn't have to sell everything -- careful product selection can make a big difference in how customers perceive your business.
Record Keeping from IRS.GOV:
Essential information from the IRS on what types of business records to keep and for how long. When in doubt, keep records.
Essential information from the IRS on what types of business records to keep and for how long. When in doubt, keep records.
Sample chart of accounts for a small company:
This website provides a clear description of a sample chart of accounts and definitions of each category used.
This website provides a clear description of a sample chart of accounts and definitions of each category used.
Will my business make money?:
Guide to preparing a break even analysis for your business.
Guide to preparing a break even analysis for your business.
Your basic bookkeeping:
A descriptive guide to bookkeeping and accounting principles.
A descriptive guide to bookkeeping and accounting principles.