Highly Rated Small Business Solutions Covering Taxes, Payroll, Savings, Credit and Insurance

Small Business’ are the key driver of our economic fortunes, employing more than 50% of Americans. Whether you own, are thinking of starting one or just work for a small business here are some valuable tools and services I recommend to help you run your company:

Payroll

Intuit Small Business Payroll helps business owners manage their payroll more efficiently through a convenient and easy-to-use solution that works right within QuickBooks financial software. Intuit Small Business Payroll Solutions are designed to complement the unique way in which business owners manage their business, whether that means taking a completely hands-on approach to doing payroll, or keeping the control while handing off the tax responsibilities to someone else.

Taxes and Business Services

Look no further than QuickBooks which offers a range of accounting and business planning tools designed to help your small business organize its finances and related services. Because every business is unique, only you can decide which QuickBooks edition is best for you, but you can now try QuickBooks for up to 60 days at no risk. Learn more about your different QuickBooks options.

Best Small Business High Interest Savings Accounts

While cash is king for most small business’, it is important to not let these savings sit in a checking account earning next to nothing. Instead get those funds to work for you while still having easy access to your working capital. This is where an ING Direct high interest savings account can really work for you. I decided to sign up with them because as an existing personal account customer I knew they provided a low cost, easy to use and very competitive interest rate. I was glad that this was replicated in their business savings accounts and after doing some more research found that they had amongst the best rates. For small business owners I think they provide a great savings account option without all the costs and unnecessary frills of full service traditional savings accounts. I still kept my checking account, but was able to move my surplus funds to the ING savings account a couple of days after opening it. Both checking and savings accounts are linked electronically online (setup was easy and is part of the application process) and I can easily move money between the accounts.

Best Small Business Credit Cards

With your operations and savings now under control, it is time to ramp up your business growth and smooth cash flow needs by using one or more of these highly rated credit cards:

Small Business Insurance

Here are the top four must have small business insurance policies. Even if you have one or more of the following insurance policies, make sure you regularly get free quotes to ensure you are getting the best deal on your business

General Liability – Nearly all of us have some sort of general liability insurance in our personal lives. If you drive a car, you are probably required by law to hold general liability which covers you in the event that something happens where you are liable to pay damages to somebody. In your automobile, if you run in to the back of another person’s vehicle, your general liability may cover the costs. A general liability policy for your business acts in the same way. It not only protects you against the financial loss if somebody is injured while on your business property but it also provides relief if a catastrophic event happens to your business. These may include a fire, weather damage, theft, or loss of revenue due to these events and a multitude of other events.

Workers Compensation – Workers compensation is required by law in all states if you employ people on a full or part time basis. When people work, accidents occur. Regardless of the type of job they are performing, the risk of an injury is always a reality and depending on the injury, the costs to you could reach the millions if you didn’t have workers compensation insurance. This type of insurance covers all types of injuries sustained while working for you, including physical and mental injuries. Your liability without this insurance would include all medical care and loss of income due to the injury. Workers compensation insurance also pays a death benefit to the employee’s beneficiary should the employee sustain a fatal injury while on the job.

Commercial Auto - If your business has a fleet of vehicles in order to carry out the activities of the business, those must be insured as well. This type of insurance isn’t dissimilar to your personal auto insurance in that it covers the vehicle against damage, any damage caused to other people’s property as a result of your commercial vehicle, injuries to others as a result of the actions of the vehicle and certain acts of God including hail storms.

Umbrella -All insurance policies have certain maximums which allow the insurance company to not pay expenses once the maximum amount is exceeded. Some claims can quickly deplete the maximum amount of a certain part of your insurance policies. For this reason, an umbrella policy can be purchased to cover the costs over and above the maximums on your basic policies.Additionally, an umbrella policy often covers certain situations that aren’t covered in your other policies. One example could be damage from a flood and other catastrophic events. If your business performs services that are considered high risk, you may need an umbrella policy.

Even if you have one or more of the above small business insurance policies, make sure you regularly get free quotes to ensure you are getting the best deal on your business.

You can read more on small business issues and ideas in articles from the Small Business Category.