Starting a business? You've come to the right place
Practical guides, resources, templates and advice. Whether you're starting a business or growing an existing one, we're here to lend a helping hand as you navigate this unforgettable journey.
Getting your idea off the ground
How to Start a Business (Step by Step Guide)
Starting a business requires planning and due diligence. Follow these 12 steps, and you'll be saving yourself headaches down the road.
How to Write Your First Business Plan
A business plan doesn't just help you get a loan or investors, it also helps you look into the future so you can make smart decisions in the present.
Choosing a Business Structure: What To Know
Choosing a business structure is the first big decision you'll make when starting a business. We've broken down the pros and cons of each type.
Money management, simplified
Do I Need a Business Bank Account?
We cover the benefits of having a business bank account, when you legally need one and why opening one earlier is better.
Business Line of Credit: How Does It Work?
A beginner's guide to business lines of credit: how they work, why you should get one, and what to look out for when you do.
What to Prepare When Applying for a Business Loan
Applying for a business loan is stressful even before you're asked for reports. Here's what you can start collecting now to get well-prepared.
Free templates to keep your finances organized from the start
Income statement
Do your own bookkeeping with this easy to use template to turn your business transactions into an income statement.
Cash flow statement
Use this financial statement template to see how much cash you have on hand for a specific period.
Balance sheet
A balance sheet lets you see the big picture and understand how much your business owns, owes and how much is left for you.
Learn how starting a business impacts your taxes
How to File and Pay Small Business Taxes
Wondering how small business taxes work? Our simple guide is all you need to get in the know.
Tax Liability: What Is It And How To Calculate It
Wondering how to figure out how much tax your small business owes? Good news! We'll show you how.
Business Start Up Costs (Deductions and Examples)
If you're funding a new business, take advantage of tax deductions on these start up business expenses.
Class is in session
Easy to follow tutorials to give you a solid foundation of knowledge. Hit play and add these topics to your list of expertise.
Bookkeeping Basics
Accounting Basics
Cash Flow Statements
Looking for more helpful videos? Check out our YouTube channel for our latest uploads.
Get the tools you need in your toolkit
Bench's trusted partners help you scale strategically, efficiently, and with total peace of mind.
FreshBooks helps entrepreneurs automate invoicing, organize expenses, track time and accept payments online with just a few clicks.
An all in one payroll and HR platform for small business owners so they can run payroll in minutes and take care of teams without a second thought.
Square helps you start, run, and grow your business. Easily accept online and in-person payments and see all of your sales in one place.
Easily accept payments, create recurring subscriptions, and send invoices for your business. Now available in the Stripe App Marketplace, the Bench app will let you monitor your finances directly from your Stripe dashboard.
A powerful, safe, and easy-to-use platform for forming a company. Stripe Atlas helps you launch your startup by removing lengthy paperwork, legal complexity, and numerous fees.
Trusted by over 600,000 business owners around the world, Shopify is a complete commerce platform that lets you start, grow, and manage your business.
Join thousands of new business owners who trust Bench with their finances
Have confidence you're taking the right steps with support from a team of small business experts. With a clear picture of your financials, you'll be set up for success in the long run.