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Small Business Financials Knowledge Test from Profits Plus

Answer each of the 20 multiple choice questions. At the bottom of the page, click on the submit button. Within a couple of seconds you will have your score as well as the answers to any questions you answered incorrectly.

1. Price minus cost divided by retail is:
gross profit
gross margin
markup
net profit


2. Items on a balance sheet are either long term or current. The distinction between the two is:
6 months
3 months
365 days
30 days


3. Book value is:
Net worth of a business
The price of a good book
The going price of an item
Initial cost minus depreciation


4. Retained earnings is:
Unpaid payroll
Profit of a business year to date
Profit earned, but not yet taken from the business
Total profit since the business began


5. A profit & loss statement is also known as:
Financial sheet
Equity sheet
Balance sheet
Income statement


6. Fair market value is:
The same as book value
A grocery store term
A way of determining the price of an item
The price you would get if you sold the item


7. Expenses on a profit & loss statement are shown as a percentage of:
Gross income
Net income
Gross sales
Net sales


8. Assets minus liabilities is:
Zero
Always a positive dollar amount
Equity
Net income


9. Cash basis accounting means:
You pay your accountant in cash
Receivables and payables are cleared at the end of each accounting period
The majority of your revenue is cash
A business that does not accept checks


10. Which of these is not an asset:
Notes payable
Equipment
Cash
Inventory


11. Which of these is not a liability:
Stockholder Equity
Notes payable
Cash
Accounts payable


12. Accrual basis accounting is:
Used only by major corporations
Certain incomes and expenses reported over several accounting periods
Illegal accounting techniques
Used by businesses that do most of their business by bank cards


13. Depreciation is:
Treatable with medicine
The same as fair market value
Reducing the value of an asset over time
What happens after being in business too long


14. A cashflow chart is:
An item that has been replaced by computers
The same as a budget
Used only by big companies
A way of accurately projecting your future cash needs


15. While a budget is a great tool, it is an incomplete tool because:
It is only a guess
budgets are like diets - they never work
there is no indication that there is sufficient cash for the business
budget is only a car rental business


16. Annual gross profit dollars divided by average inventory at cost is:
Net profit
Turn rate
Gross Margin Return on Investment
Sales


17. Which item does not appear on the balance sheet?
Interest expense
Principal payment
Inventory
Cash on hand


18. Gross Margin Return on Investment should be:
less than 1
1 to 1.2
1.2 to 1.5
greater than 1.5


19. Assets minus liabilities is:
Net Profit
Gross profit
Income
Net worth

20. Which item does not appear on the profit and loss statement?
Sales
Net profit
Expenses
Cash on hand

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NOVEMBER 2026
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Small Business

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Seems like today, everyone is a consultant for something. Most small businesses owners have likely received an email, phone call, or visit from someone wanting to sell the services of a consultant.

 

You might find the right combination of consultants (let's call them advisors) in your own neighborhood. And they would likely trade their advice for some advice from you. This month's Small Business Advisory explains how.


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November has two special events tailored to small businesses. The first occurs in the third week of the month. It's the Great American Teach In Day. Your help will be needed and appreciated.

 

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Approaching the end of the year, many small businesses start to consider their pay scale for 2027. With some small businesses, bonuses at the end of the year are a tradition. The article of the month shares ideas of how to approach payroll as the new year approaches.


Book of the Month

You are awesome at what you do. You are a small business owner and that takes a lot of bravery to do what you do.

 

Part of what you requires what Malcolm Gladwell calls, "thin slicing." Others refer to it as "gut feeling." The book of the month talks about the need to stop doubting your greatness.

All this plus the Internet Tool for Your Business and a staff incentive idea for your business.

BOOK US

With over 25 years of frontline experience Tom Shay is America's leading Small Business Management Expert. He's a "Must Have" for your next event.

Small Business

Advisories

Seems like today, everyone is a consultant for something. Most small businesses owners have likely received an email, phone call, or visit from someone wanting to sell the services of a consultant.

 

You might find the right combination of consultants (let's call them advisors) in your own neighborhood. And they would likely trade their advice for some advice from you. This month's Small Business Advisory explains how.

Small Business

News

 

Top Story

November has two special events tailored to small businesses. The first occurs in the third week of the month. It's the Great American Teach In Day. Your help will be needed and appreciated.

 

The second event is Saturday, November 28 - Small Business Saturday. Details of how to participate in each is in this month's newsletter.


Article of the Month

Approaching the end of the year, many small businesses start to consider their pay scale for 2027. With some small businesses, bonuses at the end of the year are a tradition. The article of the month shares ideas of how to approach payroll as the new year approaches.


Book of the Month

You are awesome at what you do. You are a small business owner and that takes a lot of bravery to do what you do.

 

Part of what you requires what Malcolm Gladwell calls, "thin slicing." Others refer to it as "gut feeling." The book of the month talks about the need to stop doubting your greatness.


All this plus the Internet Tool for Your Business and a staff incentive idea for your business.