Hire a (virtual) CFO
- Company: Unleash
- Cost: Free (for now)
- Platform: Online (compatible with accounting software QuickBooks and Xero), iOS (iPad only)
Don't have the money to hire a CFO? Get your business a virtual one.
Unleash's "cloud CFO" monitors your company's income, expenses, profits, cash, profit margin and valuation.
Using an index based on data from the IRS, credit agencies and business brokerages, it compares how your company is performing against small businesses in your industry -- providing you with a "uScore" to give you an idea of where you stand.
You can also see more specific comparisons -- for example, that you have one month worth of cash, while most companies have three months' worth.
Related: 9 apps every business traveler needs now
Unleash also offers financial guidance and tracks collection activity, alerting you when customers' payments are overdue. And one of the most innovative features is the "Decision assist" tool, where businesses can project what will happen to their finances based on certain scenarios, like if they hire or fire someone, sell more or spend less.
Serial small business owner, Insaaf Mohideen, launched the product in September. The service is free for now, but will likely cost around $19 per month starting late next year. It currently has about 1,000 users. --B.E.
