In a world where every dollar counts, the ability to manage financial resources effectively is more critical than ever. But, good news. There are a variety of treasury management solutions that can help. Not only can you track and forecast your finances, but you can anticipate cash needs to avoid the pitfalls of unexpected shortfalls. This helps safeguard your day-to-day operations and positions you to seize new opportunities — whether through investing in new technologies, expanding your product line or entering new markets.
If you’re seeking to thrive and grow, an effective treasury management system can be a game changer. In this guide, we’ll explore how a well-executed treasury management strategy can help enhance your financial stability and position your business for financial success.
Adopting a treasury management solution can help you build a stronger financial foundation for your business. Here are a few other key benefits:
By reducing manual work, such as invoicing, making payments and reconciliations, you can minimize errors and save time. This increased efficiency not only enhances productivity but can also give you more time for strategic decision-making.
Robust treasury management tools can give you real-time insights into your finances, such as cash flow projections and outstanding receivables and payables. This helps you make informed decisions, whether you’re budgeting for future expenses or identifying areas to reduce costs.
As your small business grows, your financial needs become more complex. Treasury management solutions are designed to scale with your business, providing you with tools and features that can adapt with you. Whether it’s handling increased transactions or integrating with new financial systems, these tools support your business’s growth without requiring a complete overhaul of your financial processes.
An effective treasury management system allows you to manage cash flow, which is an important aspect of your small business. By closely monitoring cash inflows and outflows with a cash flow statement you can identify trends and adjust your strategies. For instance, you may be able to negotiate better payment terms with suppliers.
Now that you understand the benefits, how do you choose a treasury management system that meets your unique needs and supports your growth? Here are some important considerations:
If you own a smaller business with straightforward financial operations, you may only need basic features. However, a larger or more complex company might require advanced functions, such as sophisticated cash flow forecasting.
Consider the upfront costs as well as ongoing fees, such as subscription costs, transaction fees or additional service charges. Finding a product that offers the right balance between features and affordability for your business is essential.
Look for a solution that can seamlessly integrate with existing accounting software and financial systems. This ensures that data flows smoothly between systems, reducing the need for manual entry and minimizing errors. You should evaluate whether the new system can easily sync with your current tools to enhance efficiency.
Adopt a financial tool that is intuitive and easy to navigate to minimize the learning curve for you and your employees. Additionally, remote features are very important, allowing you and your team members to access the system from anywhere. This flexibility can enhance productivity and facilitate real-time decision-making.
Reliable customer support can make a significant difference to help your company resolve issues quickly and maximize the benefits of the solution. You may need guidance during the implementation phase and ongoing assistance as you navigate a new system.
Assess the security measures in place. These can include encryption, user authentication and compliance with industry standards. Robust security helps protect against fraud and data breaches, providing peace of mind as you manage your finances.
Next, it’s time to look at the variety of treasury management systems designed to streamline your financial operations and enhance cash flow management. Here are a few types available:
With online banking you can manage accounts, make payments, deposit checks and transfer funds. You can customize the level of access and control an employee has. For example, you can allow them to deposit checks on their smartphone without giving them access to account numbers and balances or other sensitive data.
With Business Online, you can efficiently manage your finances from any internet-enabled device. This streamlines such key functions as cash management, payment processing and accounts receivable. Plus, advanced measures like encryption and multi-factor authentication can protect sensitive data.
Check fraud protection services offer you safeguards against financial losses due to check-related fraud. Positive Pay verifies issued checks against those presented for payment which helps prevent unauthorized transactions. It provides real-time fraud alerts and enhanced security measures to help you reduce potential fraud risks.
Okoboji Wellness Clinic, located in Spirit Lake, Iowa, uses Positive Pay after they had an issue with fraudulent check activity.
 | “Someone was writing fake checks, acting as our business, which was very concerning. We talked with Northwest Bank and decided to start using Positive Pay. Basically the feature gives me a notification where I can approve every check that comes in and out of our business. That has given me peace of mind as a business owner.” -Carrie Meyer, Okoboji Wellness Clinic |
Business accounting software like Quicken® and QuickBooks® can handle tasks like recording transactions, managing invoices and reconciling accounts to help free up your time to focus on other business activities. Tools like this can provide real-time insights into cash flow and financial performance for more informed decisions about budgeting and spending. Plus, accurate bookkeeping ensures compliance with tax regulations, reducing the risk of errors and penalties.
In order to accept credit card payments, you’ll need merchant card processing. This service is convenient, allowing you to process payments securely and efficiently both in-person and online. Merchant services can also help streamline your payment processing and improve cash flow.
Automated Clearing House is a network that facilitates ACH services: electronic payments and money transfers between banks. It allows such transactions as direct deposits, automatic bill payments and person-to-person transfers, all of which are processed in batches. ACH transactions are typically faster and more cost-effective than traditional checks, making it a popular choice if you are seeking efficient and secure ways to manage your finances.
Fresh Fit Meals, a meal prep company based in Urbandale, Iowa, uses ACH to help streamline the payroll process.
 | “As a small business owner, we’re busy managing other areas of our business and wanted to spend less time on payroll. Using ACH direct deposit for payroll, we are able to provide our employees with a faster, easier way to access their paycheck.” - Aaron Anderson, Fresh Fit Meals. |
Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) helps you deposit checks remotely, eliminating the need for in-person trips to the bank. With RDC, you can scan and deposit checks electronically from your office or business. This can give you faster access to funds, reduce processing time and enhance cash flow.
With dash™ Payroll Cards from Prepaid Technologies, you can simplify and streamline your payroll process and enhance employee satisfaction. This system allows your business to deposit wages directly onto the card, eliminating the need for paper checks and reducing administrative burdens associated with traditional payroll methods.
Lockbox payment processing solutions is a bank-operated service to help you process customer payments. Instead of payments being mailed to your business, they are sent to a physical post office (P.O.) box where they’re collected by a third-party processing team.
To determine what treasury management solutions might work for your business, start by identifying specific needs, such as cash flow forecasting, payment processing or risk management. Conduct thorough research on various products available in the market, comparing features, pricing and customer reviews. Look for solutions that cater specifically to small businesses, as they often provide tailored services and support.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, take advantage of product demos and free trials. These hands-on experiences allow you to explore the software's functionality and user interface. Pay attention to how easy it is to use, if it’s able to integrate with your existing systems and the responsiveness of customer support. Testing multiple systems will help you find one that best fits your business workflow.
Engage with other small business owners to get insights about their treasury management experiences. Join industry forums, attend networking events or participate in online communities. Hearing firsthand accounts can reveal potential pitfalls, highlight effective features and provide recommendations on which solutions have proven successful.
After you’ve chosen the right system for your business, it’s time to roll it out to your team. A structured training plan that includes workshops, online tutorials and hands-on sessions helps ensure that your employees understand the new system’s functions. Engaging key stakeholders in the training process allows for a more tailored approach, addressing real-world scenarios that your staff faces. Providing user-friendly documentation, such as manuals and quick-reference guides, can help your employees adapt to the system. And promoting continuous learning through refresher courses and updates will help your team stay engaged with the system.
Regularly reviewing the performance of the treasury management solution is also essential for ongoing success. Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) allows your business to measure the effectiveness of the management solution in terms of transaction speed and user satisfaction. Scheduling periodic reviews and collecting feedback from employees can uncover areas for improvement. Based on this feedback and performance data, you can adjust processes or explore additional features of your chosen treasury management solution.
Your business has unique needs, including cash management strategies. By partnering with a local community bank like Northwest Bank, you can leverage advanced tools and services, such as electronic payment processing, fraud protection and investment opportunities, that can significantly improve operational efficiency and financial stability. Building a strong relationship with a treasury management banker can help you get better access to credit and financial resources, empowering your small business to grow and adapt in a competitive landscape.
Connect with one of our treasury management representatives to learn more about how we can help you with your financial future.
Experience the Northwest Bank difference--the better banking experience. Contact us today and let's build a brighter financial future together!
Mon - Fri: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM CST
Sat: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM CST
General Support: 800-678-4105
