Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader’s Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
One form of relief offered to small businesses is the Employee Retention Tax Credit. First introduced in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, this tax credit could be claimed by eligible employers on quarterly tax returns. This program was expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act signed into law in December 2020, making the credit accessible to more employers.
The SBA offers a variety of loan programs that vary according to business needs. Its flagship program is the 7(a) loan program, which offers loans for most general business purposes. However, it also offers special programs such as microloans and disaster loans. Find out more about SBA loans, including who qualifies.
QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software. It has the complex accounting capabilities that small business owners need and supports numerous integrations. Quickbooks Online has a lot to offer in terms of features, accounting, and usability.
Loans expert Erica Seppala talks inflation with Nasdaq.
Financial expert Erica Seppala analyzes in Real Simple what people in their 40s can do to strengthen their finances.
Loans expert Erica Seppala tells Real Simple why an app might help people pay down their debt faster.
Invoice factoring is a useful tool for small businesses that have cash flow issues. Learn the ins and outs of invoice factoring so you can decide if it’s the right type of financing for your small business.
Franchises are a tried-and-true way to start a business, but they can cost a lot of money up-front. Want to buy a franchise, but can’t afford the startup costs? Learn about your best option for starting a franchise with no money right here.
Learn what invoice financing is, whether it’s right for your business, and how to find a great financing company to work with in our complete guide.
Not accepting credit cards simplies some aspects of running a business, but can a cash-only business really succeed? And how does it affect your overall business? Take a closer look at what going cash-only really means for you.
Getting a business credit card is more than just finding a card you like and making sure you have a good credit score when you apply. By following these five steps, you can ensure that you’re seeking the cards that fit your business goals in the first place. You’ll also get a better understanding of what you should do before and during the application process.
Despite what you might think, accounting doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are the top easy accounting and payroll software options for businesses.
Understand what a business line of credit is, how it works, and how it could solve your cash flow problems. Find out how to get one for your small business.
In this post, we’re going to explain your business credit score and whether or not it is important (spoiler alert: it is). We’ll also look at the different types of business credit scores, how they’re calculated, and how you can access yours.
UCC-1 blanket liens are often required when you take out a business loan, credit line, or lease. In this article, we explain what liens are and what you need to know about them, so business financers can’t take advantage of your business.
Personal guarantees are often required for loans, credit cards, and other types of business financing. Learn about the different types of personal guarantees you might come across, and how to avoid the bad ones, when you’re looking for business funding.
Want to help shape the future of the Merchant Maverick website? Join our testing and survey community!
By providing feedback on how we can improve, you can earn gift cards and get early access to new features.
Help us to improve by providing some feedback on your experience today.
The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity. The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone.
