Accounting in Your Equine Business

You need to ensure you are taking in all the money you are earning, and taking advantage of any COVID-19 assistance.

If CHA-certified instructor Megan Smits, executive director of Horses for Healing, Inc., in Bentonville, Arkansas, could offer stable owners and instructors one piece of business advice, it would be to invest in an accounting system. iStockPhotos.com

If Megan Smits, the executive director of Horses for Healing, Inc., in Bentonville, Arkansas, could offer stable owners and instructors one piece of business advice, it would be to invest in an accounting system. She uses Quickbooks, but there are multiple options available. Remember that cloud-based systems allow access to your files from anywhere.

Links in articles are part of an Amazon Affiliate program that provides income to support this brand. Links are chosen by our editors.

“A lot of people forget to invoice, and you’re missing the opportunity to collect the revenue you’re earning,” said the Level 3 English and Level 2 Western instructor, who is certified by Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). “You’re out there teaching and need to make sure you’re paid.”

Check out this book from Amazon: “Accounting for Non-Accountants: The Fast and Easy Way to Learn the Basics (Quick Start Your Business).

Through Quickbooks, Smits automates invoices and receive payments online. The system also allows for scheduling recurring lessons and reminding clients of the facility’s 24-hour cancellation policy.

In the current climate with the coronavirus pandemic and stay at home directives that are cutting into stables’ revenues, Smits encourages instructors and barn owners to consider applying for the incentives offered by the Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov). The stimulus program is offering numerous loans and payroll assistance that will convert into non-repayable grants as long as stipulations are met.

Check out this book from Amazon: “Business Basics Bootcamp: The Ultimate Crash Course.”

“As long as you maintain everyone (employees), you won’t have to repay the loans,” she said. “It might help barns keep stall cleaners and instructors.”

She also encouraged individuals to explore Economic Injury Disaster Loans. This disaster funding provides up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are experiencing temporary difficulties. The monies can be used to cover operating costs and are not limited to small businesses. This program has some specifications related to agriculture, but Smits believes the case can be made to include riding programs.

Check out this book from Amazon: “Accounting 101: The ultimate guide to financials that every business owner should master!”

It takes a little bit of effort to research accounting software options and the opportunities available through stimulus funding, but it’s worth the time to make sure you’re getting paid for the work you’re doing and benefitting from assistance that’s available. 

Sign up now for Amazon Prime 30-day Free Trials, a membership program that offers special benefits including: Instantly watch thousands of movies and TV episodes; Borrow Kindle books; Get unlimited FREE two-day shipping (no minimum order size). Learn more.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SHARE THIS STORY

RELATED ARTICLES

POPULAR ARTICLES

GET NEWS & UPDATES

"*" indicates required fields

The latest from Stable Management, the #1 resource for horse farm and stable owners, managers and riding instructors, delivered straight to your inbox.
Name*
Country*

Additional Offers

Additional Offers
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.