How to Start Your Business Checking Account
When you have a business to run, it is very important to make sure that finances are properly organized. One very important measure to take is to make sure that personal and business finances are kept separate. This is why a business checking account is always an excellent idea, and opening one is not rocket science – anybody can open one, all it takes is a trip to your bank.
The first step is to get and file a “Doing Business As” form, also called a DBA, with whichever county you are running it from. Rules and charges change depending on which county and which state you are from, but generally, your business must be registered under a name which should not be your first or last name.
The initial amount you need to open your business checking account also differs, depending on which bank you use. It will invariably be more than what you need to open a personal account, of course, but you will benefit if you scout around and check what kind of charges are applicable with different banks. Always keep in touch with your accountant, too – there might be fees that come under the tax-deductible category.
The money that you keep in your business checking account will probably not earn any interest. In fact, if your account balance gets too low you may incur extra monthly charges. There are also fees relating to checks paid. Know what fees are being charged and when they are accessed.
Record all business checks as you write them to prevent overdrawing your business account. A good beginning will allow you to develop a good relationship with your bank. This relationship will grow as your business grows.