Spring clean your finances in 6 steps As anyone running a business will know, it's all too easy to slip into bad habits when it comes to financial management . However, just as you'd spring clean your house, September is the time to also look at spring cleaning your business finances, and ensure that you're on-track after the good intentions you no doubt started at the beginning of the financial year. 1. Review your business plan They say the only benefit of not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise! However, I can't stress enough the importance of having a business plan, and sticking to it. Use September as a period to take stock and review your original plan and also the time to face any nagging issues you've got, whether it's underperforming staff , difficult clients or unreliable suppliers. We all face these issues, and chances are they won't go away. 2. Create -- and stick to -- a budget. Creating and sticking to a written budget is extremely important for business owners, but often something that goes out of the window when times are good. Budgeting for all your costs is key, and if you don't already do this, or if its fallen by the wayside, then use September as an opportunity to start again. You should review your budget on a monthly basis to ensure you're on track, but if cash flow seems tight, then do it more often. 3. Keep on top of debtors