Credit cards are a great source of financial aid when a new small business requires immediate funds and is without access to a line or credit or merchant cash flow options. These business credit cards are similar to those of consumer credit cards, where interest accrues on the balance amount that is not paid at the end of a billing cycle, that is usually monthly. While the cards are set to a limit up to which business can transact, using a credit card efficiently with regular repayments at the end of every billing cycle can help add on to the credit score of your business.

When you are a new business, one should be careful about the way the credit card limit is spent so as to not put a financial strain on the business. Here are three tips to help you understand how to use a business credit card responsibly:

1. Be accountable for every transaction. When you are a new business there are more expenses than the revenue generated. In these instances, a business should be careful about the use of its credit card so as to ensure that the transactions are crucial to the business and you are not spending on items that are not immediately critical to the business. Setting internal limits within the set limit of the card can provide a great financial cushioning for your new business in emergent situations.
2. Restrict the access of the card only to the financial manager who handles the overall finance of your business. Let the financial manager take the final call about whether to carry forward the transaction through the business credit card or to hold off the payment till the next billing cycle. This will help keep track of financial spending patterns and ensure effective use to avoid maxing out or overpaying interests.
3. Be mindful of the credit card and ensure that all transactions are accounted for immediately on your business’s financial plan because waiting for the end of the monthly cycle bill can cause discrepancy in your financial status leading to mismanagement of funds.