Many business owners, especially in the MSME sector, often fall into the trap of financial management patterns that mix personal assets with business capital. Tax and Finance practitioner Cindhita Mahardika stresses that the fundamental step to maintaining a company's financial health is separating bank accounts from the very beginning of business operations.
The habit of taking business cash for personal use randomly is considered highly dangerous. This practice makes it difficult for owners to identify whether the business is truly generating a profit or actually experiencing hidden losses. Without a clear separation, business operations become unaccountable and difficult to evaluate objectively.
As a solution, Cindhita suggests that every business owner establish an official salary system for themselves. In this way, the business account is only used for operational transactions, while personal needs are met from the salary allocated each month. This system allows owners to monitor business performance in real-time.
Furthermore, implementing this salary system also serves as an indicator of business effectiveness. If the business cash flow is not yet able to cover the owner's salary, it serves as a signal for the entrepreneur to immediately evaluate the selling price structure, operational costs, and marketing strategies so that the business can run independently and sustainably.
In addition to technical aspects, paying oneself a salary is also seen as a form of appreciation for the hard work put into building the business. By separating finances, business owners not only maintain business sustainability professionally but are also able to enjoy the fruits of their labor healthily without sacrificing the company's financial stability.
