Entrepreneurial Finance: Small Business Financial Management Basics (Course Id 2497)

• Who is this course for?
  This course is designed for anyone needing Continuing Professional Education (CPE), especially CPAs, accountants, and financial professionals involved in small business finance or entrepreneurial ventures.

• What is this course about or what problem does this course solve?
  The course addresses the financial management challenges faced by small businesses, providing an overview of key financial decisions throughout the entrepreneurial journey from startup to exit.

• How can the knowledge from this course be used?
  Participants can use the knowledge gained to better manage small business finances, evaluate funding sources, make strategic financial decisions, analyze profitability, and plan for business growth and exit strategies.

• Why is this course important to a CPA, Accountant, or IRS Enrolled Agent?
  This course equips professionals with critical insights into small business financial operations, enhancing their ability to advise clients or manage business finances effectively across different growth stages.

• When is this course relevant or timely?
  The course is relevant for the 2025 CPE cycle, particularly timely for professionals supporting or involved in entrepreneurial ventures, business startups, or financial strategy development.

• How is a course like this consumed or used?
  This self-study text-based course is delivered through the NASBA QAS format, requiring no prerequisites or advance preparation, and includes review questions and a final exam for CPE credit.

This class provides a financial overview of the entrepreneurial journey from startup to operational decisions to exit planning.

You’ll learn:

• Why and how entrepreneurs start companies
• Business structure selection
• Sources of cash
• Financial struggles of small businesses
• Small business cash flow management
• The financial components of a business plan
• Strategic planning
• Key small business financial metrics
• Pricing and profitability analysis
• Risk management
• Exit planning

This course comes from an Entrepreneurial Finance class the author teaches to MBA students at a university. The author has been the CFO, SVP of Finance, or Director of Operations at multiple small and medium-sized companies.

NASBA QAS - Text - NASBA Registry - 2497

Course Learning Objectives

• Recognize characteristics of funding sources
• Recall types of business structures
• Identify key financial metrics
• Recall how to assess the profitability of pricing changes

Chapter 1 - Entrepreneurial Finance: Small Business Financial Management Basics

Introduction and Overview

The Purpose of Your Company

The Roles of the Entrepreneur

Sources of Cash

Review Questions #1

Buy or Franchise

Types of Structures

How Small Businesses Get Into Financial Trouble

Business Plans

Strategic Planning

Review Questions #2

Cash Flow Management

Financial Metrics

Business Growth

Marginal Profitability and Pricing Analysis

Review Questions #3

Risk Management

Exit Planning

Review Questions #4

Glossary/Index