Good financial management is critical to the ongoing success of your business. When you're starting out find out how much funding you need, where you can get it and how to manage your financial arrangements.

Your business plan is important when seeking business funding - it sets out your vision and goals, what you'll spend the money on and how it'll benefit the business.

Sources of finance
There are several options for financing your business:

• loans from a bank or other type of financial institution
• using your personal savings
• borrowing money from friends and relatives
• venture capital
• government funding.

Please note that, in general, the government doesn't provide finance for starting up or buying a small business. However, in some circumstances you may be eligible for a government grant.

Guides
Read these state government guides for help with managing your finances:

• Raising finance - types of finance and applying for a loan.
• Business Finance - cash flow planning, bad debt, understanding balance sheets and profit & loss statements.
• Getting capital - services to assist in raising capital.
• Debt finance - major sources, loan proposals, get ready for finance checklist.
• Financing your business - financial requirements, types of finance and loan applications.
• Step-By-Step: Financial management - guide to establish sound financial practices.
• Raising finance - sources of finance and how to apply for bank loans.
• Finance - budgeting and financial control, credit management and grants.