Small Business

A new report shows that the unusually cold winter across the United States may have had an effect on hiring at small businesses, as sales revenue in many parts of the country were down due to weather conditions.

The results show that more than half of small businesses surveyed still use manual processes, such as a spreadsheet or pen and paper, to track finances. In addition, almost 40 percent of these businesses are spending multiple days on tax preparation.

Business expense trends show top restaurants and traveler favorites, and the results of its latest business spending report, covering the fourth quarter of 2013.

PNC Bank. is partnering with Bill.com to enhance the bank's Cash Flow InsightSM, a suite of online tools specifically designed to help small businesses better manage incoming and outgoing funds. The enhanced technology automates the payables and receivables processes, taking paper out of the equation when sending invoices, making payments and tracking approvals.

The Pennsylvania state Department of Community and Economic Development and the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority have done just that. DCED and PIDA said Wednesday they have sharply cut the interest rates and waived fees they charge on loans to businesses, to spark demand.

The U.S. Senate has passed a law to allow states to steal even more money out of your pocket by forcing web sites to charge you a sales tax, no matter where you live.

According to financial statements analyzed by Sageworks, a financial information company and the leader in the financial analysis of privately held companies, U.S. businesses grew sales at a rate of 5.4 percent in 2013.

Journal Entries for QuickBooks Desktop and CSV deliver seamless collaboration between accountants and small business owners to simplify tax time.