9Do
Finances: The Foundation of Your Business
Big ideas are the beginning – but without stable finances, they remain just dreams. With clear planning, well-managed accounting, and the right strategy, you build the financial foundation that leads your business to success.
.jpg)
Finances: the backbone of your business
Having a great idea is one thing – but without stable finances, it will just remain a dream. With clear planning, good bookkeeping practices and the right strategy, you can lay the financial foundations for your business’s success.
Why are finances so important?
Finances are the backbone of your business. Without an overview of your income, expenditure and liquidity, you can quickly lose track – and that can be costly. Sound financial planning helps you set clear priorities, protect against risks and remain operational at all times.
The first step is having a business plan. It’s not just important for investors but also for your personal roadmap. Plan the next three to five years realistically and in detail. Your goal is to return a profit; in other words, for your income to be higher than your expenditure.
Even if you want to outsource your accounting further down the line, you should still have an understanding of the basics. It’s about staying in control and making informed decisions. Tools such as Atlanto will help you keep on top of things and organise your accounting efficiently.
How can a business stay on track financially?
To keep your business on a stable footing, you need clear routines and an overview of your figures. Update your financial data regularly – ideally once a month. This allows you to recognise early on where things are going well and where you might need to take action.
Another important point is to prioritise your outgoings. For each potential investment, consider whether it will really benefit your business in the long run. It’s not just about generating sales; it’s about making sure the business is profitable. Focus on making the most efficient use of your resources.
And then there’s liquidity. A financial buffer is essential to be able to respond to unexpected expenses – be it repairs, supply shortages or other surprises. Plan ahead so you remain operational in any situation.
With these measures, you will have an overview of your finances and can ensure that your business remains on course at all times.
Challenges
Setting priorities
Many people tend to put off doing their invoicing or accounts.
Protecting against risks
Without insurance, unexpected events can quickly become an existential threat.
Staying on top of things
Without clear priorities, it’s easy to lose control of your finances.
Common mistakes
Only doing bookkeeping sporadically
Only updating your figures occasionally will result in chaos – and you will end up with no idea of your business’s real financial situation.
Not having a buffer
Without reserves, you won’t be able to deal with unexpected expenses.
Scrimping on insurance
An uninsured risk can jeopardise the very existence of your business.
Three practical tips
Schedule set times for accounting
Regularly set aside time to do your accounts (at least once a month).
Use tools and experts
Use smart solutions like Atlanto or appoint a tax advisor if you don’t have much experience.
Remember to have a buffer
Always have a reserve set aside so you can stay solvent in the event of unexpected expenses.
Based on the learnings from the IFJ Partner Summit
The learnings from this document were jointly developed during the IFJ Partner Summit.
Startup Guide 2026
Here you can find the current Startup Guide available for download as a PDF.
PREMIUM PARTNERS
Attractive premium discounts
Helvetia supports start-ups with a premium discount up to 50% on individual insurance solutions.
More
PostFinance start-up package
PostFinance gives you the tools to get started – Benefit from two years of free account management and discover additional offers that make your business life easier.
More
Free months for new start-ups
Swisscom will cover your subscription costs for up to 6 months plus CHF 300.- credited to your Swisscom bill.
More