Key Takeaways

  • An operating account is the core checking account businesses use for daily transactions such as vendor payments, payroll transfers, and deposits.
  • Separate accounts (payroll, merchant, money market, imprest) support specific functions, reducing errors and improving cash management.
  • Lawyers and certain professionals must distinguish between trust accounts and operating accounts to remain compliant with regulations and avoid commingling funds.
  • Businesses can benefit from maintaining multiple operating accounts for different purposes, such as expense management, tax savings, and profit allocation.
  • Best practices include regularly reconciling accounts, setting aside reserves for taxes and emergencies, and using clear internal controls for cash flow oversight.

Keeping track of your business operating account is pertinent to operational success. Most companies will designate at least one account that is used to pay vendors and to deposit customer payments in to. This is referred to a company's operating checking account. Many companies will use checks or debit cards to withdraw money. A company debit card works just like a personal debit card for things, like making purchases and making withdraws at an automated teller machine (ATM).

Importance of Understanding Your Business Operating Accounts

  • Improve cash flow
  • Reduce overhead expenses
  • Maintain funds for payroll activities

Differences Between Operating and Trust Accounts

For many businesses, especially law firms, it’s crucial to understand the difference between an operating account and a trust account. An operating account is used for day-to-day expenses—covering rent, payroll, utilities, and vendor payments. A trust account, on the other hand, holds client funds that cannot be treated as business income until earned.

Maintaining strict separation prevents commingling of funds, which is both a compliance requirement and an ethical obligation. For example, under IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts) rules, lawyers must deposit client retainers in a trust account and only transfer them into the operating account as fees are earned. Mixing these funds could result in disciplinary action, fines, or even disbarment for attorneys.

What Is a Payroll Checking Account?

An account that is set up exclusively to pay employees and pay payroll taxes is called a payroll checking account. Revenue is not placed in the payroll checking account. The funds are normally transferred from the operating account to cover the payments that will be disbursed at each pay period.

What Is a Merchant Account?

A merchant account may be set up if the business accepts credit card payments and the merchant provider is the only source of deposits for this account. The merchant provider is whoever the business has chosen to use as a provider to allow them to accept credit card payments. There may be withdrawals from a merchant account to an operating or another special payment account if needed.

Why Businesses Use Multiple Operating Accounts

Some businesses find it beneficial to open more than one operating account. While a single account can handle all inflows and outflows, multiple accounts allow for clearer tracking and budgeting. For example:

  • Expense Management Accounts: Separating rent, utilities, or vendor payments makes it easier to monitor costs.
  • Tax Reserve Accounts: Setting aside money for quarterly or annual taxes avoids unexpected shortfalls.
  • Profit Allocation Accounts: Under systems like “Profit First,” funds are divided into separate operating accounts for profit, owner’s pay, and reinvestment.

By dividing responsibilities across accounts, business owners gain greater visibility and control over cash flow.

What Are Money Market Accounts?

Money market accounts can be used for operating and payroll expenses as well, but most money market accounts require a minimum balance. They do pay a higher interest rate and this makes them attractive to companies who maintain a steady higher daily balance in their account.

What Is an Imprest Account?

Generally, an imprest account is used for petty cash. This type of account is designed to always have a fixed amount of cash reserved. An imprest account may be used for payroll or branch accounts. A branch account is a business' multiple location/subsidiaries in various places. Branch accounts are not always at the same bank. This is because many times a bank that a business' headquarters use will often operate where a subsidiary is located.

Tips for Running a Successful Business

To run a successful business, there are several tips you need to follow. The general rule of thumb is that it is wise to have cash in the bank, or at least liquid investments, equal to three to six months of operating expenses. You should look at the month of the year that brings in the least amount of cash, and you should try to keep an amount equal to this at all times. Seasonal businesses will have to allow for slow times, so it is important to have a cushion to cover expenses in the off-season.

When figuring your costs, you should examine how much money it takes to produce the goods you sell as well as the expenses involved to sell your products or services. This is your production cost. Additionally, you should add your overhead costs that are spent each month. Your overhead costs are the expenses incurred each month regardless of how much profit you make.

Best Practices for Managing Operating Accounts

Beyond simply maintaining an operating account, following best practices can ensure smooth financial operations:

  1. Reconcile regularly – Compare bank statements with internal records monthly to detect errors or fraud early.
  2. Automate transfers – Move funds from operating to payroll, tax, or reserve accounts on a set schedule.
  3. Document policies – Establish written internal controls to govern who can access accounts, approve payments, and authorize transfers.
  4. Monitor cash flow metrics – Track daily and monthly balances to anticipate shortages.
  5. Maintain compliance – For regulated professionals, confirm that client funds never enter the operating account until earned.

Strong financial discipline helps businesses avoid liquidity crises and provides reliable data for growth planning.

How to Figure Daily Operating Capital?

To figure your daily operating capital, you can add up all your assets, such as bank balance, inventory value and any outstanding accounts receivable, and then subtract your liabilities, such as taxes, accounts payable, loans, and so forth. Once you have reached this number, divide it by 365. This number is your daily operating capital. If you multiply your daily operating capital by a number you are comfortable with, this will give you a contingency amount.

Once you have money left over in your contingency fund, you are ready to budget for a period of three to five years. You should consider what you want in the next three to five years and if you reach your goal and want to go in business for yourself, then consider making it a reality.

Before pulling out, you should look at some forecast scenarios for the cash flow you have on hand. Look at it from various perspectives, such as the best case scenario and worst case scenario.

In order to sow the seeds of future profitability, executives will ask department heads to identify ways to reduce expenses and curb operating cost. Look for areas that are bleeding money and focus on how to maintain sufficient cash and control who is spending what. Do not focus or question managers on every little expenditure.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is an operating account used for?
    An operating account is a business checking account used for daily expenses like payroll transfers, vendor payments, and depositing customer revenue.
  2. Can a business have more than one operating account?
    Yes. Many companies maintain multiple operating accounts for expenses, taxes, or profit allocation to improve cash management.
  3. How is an operating account different from a trust account?
    An operating account holds company funds for expenses, while a trust account holds client or third-party funds that must remain separate until earned.
  4. Do money market accounts work as operating accounts?
    They can, but they usually require higher balances. Many businesses use them to earn interest while still having access to cash for operating needs.
  5. What are best practices for managing an operating account?
    Reconcile accounts regularly, automate transfers, set aside tax reserves, and maintain clear policies to avoid errors or compliance issues.

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