Economic Uncertainty
The term ‘economic uncertainty’ has an historical definition which has been modified due to the pandemic response. This article will cover the historical meaning and then its updated definition.
Business Principles
Basic business principles are used by almost all business operations from start-up’s to long lived corporations. There are three levels: 1) tenets, universally unbreakable rules; 2) principles, widely used rules but not pure with all industries; 3) standards, sector/industry wide norms used to comply or gauge performance.
Job Costing
Job costing is one of the forms of cost accounting. It is used in conjunction with financial accounting to alert management about profitability with production. A common thread that binds job costing is a signed contract.
QuickBooks Online – An Accountant’s Review: ‘D+’
The first time I used QuickBooks, it was the DOS version. That was over 20 years ago. Today, there are a multitude of versions for QuickBooks. QuickBooks Online doesn’t measure up to Intuit’s Enterprise versions. It isn’t even close. There are many issues the Online version has and thus the end reporting function is limited. However, there are a few interesting advantages. This accountant’s review helps the reader to understand the advantages and issues the Online version has.
Valuation Ratios
Valuation ratios are the only group of business ratios that are externally and not internally driven. The market dictates valuation ratios. All three core valuation ratios are determined by the market price of the stock. All three have the same numerator, the market share price or market capitalization value of the company.
Price to Sales Ratio: A Poor Indicator of Value
The price to sales ratio is a marginal valuation ratio at best. It is really an offshoot of an antiquated concept of valuing a business. In the past, one of the more common methods to value a business deal was to use a multiplier of sales. The price to sales ratio used with business ratios is similar. Simply stated, the price to sales ratio is the entire market value of the company (the price) as a function of revenue (sales).
Performance Ratios
The most common thought among business owners, consultants, investors and students is the ‘bottom line’. The proper word is of course ‘PROFIT’. In business, the single number one reason to operate is to make a profit.
Leverage Ratios
Leverage refers to the ability to lift a heavier load using a fulcrum and a lever. The common image is a board on a triangular pivot point with a heavy weight (M1) on one end and a lighter weight (M2) on the other. As the lever shifts towards the lighter load it starts to lift the heavier weight. In effect, as the distance ‘b’ gets longer, it becomes easier to lift M1. This principle works with finances too. How so?
Value Investing
Value investing is a concept of buying and selling stocks based on business fundamentals and not as a reaction to news or market trends. It is a well accepted principle that often the market overreacts to news causing stocks to plummet in price or escalate in value. Value investors ignore this and use sound business fundamentals to trade stock. Much of historical wealth accumulation is based in value investments. There are no short-cuts or sudden actions taken by value investors. All decisions are derived by business analytics and trend lines.
Price to Cash Flow
The price to cash flow ratio is a valuation tool used to assist buyers and sellers of stock in determining timing of purchases or the disposition of shares. Unlike the other valuation ratios, this particular ratio utilizes the cash flows statement in determining the outcome. The formula is simple:
Price to Cash Flow = $Market Price of a Share of Stock/Cash Flow in Dollars Per Share of Stock
Activity Ratios
The majority of activity ratios measure the ability of the company to turn assets into earnings. All businesses utilize a simple principle, buy an asset at a low price and sell it at a higher price. Even service based businesses do this. Labor is purchased for a certain value and then sold for a much higher price. Retail businesses purchase inventory and then turn around, mark it up and then sell it to make a profit. There isn’t any business out there that doesn’t exercise this basic business principle.
