FSME Financepedia
Problem-first knowledge base

Understand what your business numbers are trying to tell you.

Simple explanations, red flags, examples, and calculator links for small business owners, freelancers, and self-employed professionals.

Check a business problem Explore finance terms Use calculators

Financepedia explains the problem · SME Finance Helper calculates the numbers.

Business symptoms

What problem are you facing?

Start with the business situation, not with the accounting term.

Profitability red flag

Sales are growing, but profit is not

Find out how discounts, costs, and low-margin sales can hide behind higher revenue.

Understand this problem
Cash flow problem

Profit exists, but cash is missing

Understand why a business can look profitable but still struggle with cash flow.

Understand this problem
Pricing risk

Discounts bring orders, but not money

See how lower prices can increase sales volume while reducing real profit.

Understand this problem
Service business

I am busy, but not earning enough

Useful for freelancers and service businesses where non-billable time reduces real earnings.

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Working capital

Stock is high, but cash is low

Understand how inventory can trap money and create pressure on cash flow.

Understand this problem
Pricing

Prices feel too low

Check whether your price covers direct costs, fixed costs, time, and profit.

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Cost control

Costs are rising faster than sales

See when higher revenue is not enough to protect profit.

Understand this problem
Contribution margin

Many orders, but little contribution

Understand delivery platforms, commissions, packaging, refunds, and extra labour.

Understand this problem

How this site helps

Start from a real business problem, understand the financial logic behind it, then test your own numbers using SME Finance Helper calculators.

  1. 01

    Business symptom

    Recognize the situation you're in.

  2. 02

    Simple explanation

    Why it happens, in plain words.

  3. 03

    Numbers to check

    The few metrics that matter.

  4. 04

    Example

    See it on a real small business.

  5. 05

    Calculator

    Plug in your own numbers.

Watch out

Finance red flags for small businesses

Patterns worth spotting early — before they turn into emergencies.

All red flags →

Revenue grows, but gross profit falls

Cash disappears after buying stock

Discounts increase orders but reduce margin

You work more hours but earn less per hour

Fixed costs rise faster than sales

Delivery sales grow but contribution stays low

Or browse by topic

Prefer the traditional way? Jump straight into the concept you want.

Finance Terms

Revenue, COGS, gross profit, OpEx, net profit — defined plainly.

Metrics

Margins, break-even, contribution margin, inventory turnover.

Profitability

Improve profit, compare margins, markup vs margin.

Cash Flow

Cash vs profit, working capital, common cash problems.

Pricing & Costs

Selling price, fixed vs variable costs, cost control.

Guides

Decision-oriented reads with real numbers.

Cases

Walkthroughs for cafés, online stores, consultants, freelancers.

Comparisons

Markup vs margin, gross vs net, profit vs cash flow.

Companion tool

Understand the problem. Then calculate your numbers.

SME Financepedia explains the situation. SME Finance Helper helps you calculate profitability, break-even point, ROI, cash flow, and business health with simple tools.

Open SME Finance Helper Free educational calculators · No signup