44 RACA Journal I June 2026
SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT voices
Another practical step is to sign up for a mobile card payment solution where you use your cell phone as a credit card machine, or a small card machine. These systems allow you to take card payments on the spot. When the job is finished, ask the customer to pay immediately. No invoicing delays, no chasing payments, and no awkward follow-ups. The money is in your account within a day or two, and your cash flow improves instantly. Many small business owners who switch to on-site card payments find that late payments almost disappear.
One of the simplest but most powerful tools is a separate business bank account. All customer payments go into this account. All expenses come out of this account. This makes it easy to see what you earned, what you spent and what is left. Pay yourself a set amount weekly or monthly. This builds discipline and stops you from dipping into business cash.
KEEP IT SIMPLE AND CONSISTENT You don’ t need complex systems. You need consistent ones: A spreadsheet to track jobs, a simple invoice template, mobile
credit card machine, a payment tracking list, a separate bank account. That’ s it.
These tools won’ t take more than 30 minutes a week to maintain. But they will change how you see your business. You’ ll know where you’ re making money, who pays late and whether
your pricing works. Good contractors focus on the job. Successful contractors also track the numbers. RACA
About the author: Rob Burger CA( SA) is a finance and strategy consultant who helps small businesses, contractors and professionals simplify their finances and grow sustainably. He has 30 years of experience in business and now focuses on helping SMEs build stronger, more profitable enterprises.
BRAND LISTINGS
AIR CONDITIONING AIR CONDITIONING AIR CONDITIONING
AIR CONDITIONING
Supplied by Rob Burger
AIR CONDITIONING AIR CONDITIONING
AIR CONDITIONING
44 RACA Journal I June 2026
AIR CONDITIONING