Preparing Your Financial Statements and Tax Returns for Bank Financing

This in-person workshop covers how to prepare both your financial statements and tax returns to strengthen your application for business funding. Dijon, a finance broker, will discuss common mistakes business owners make when pursuing financing and what lenders typically look for when reviewing applications.

This workshop will cover how to account for and present:

• Profitability over the last two years – demonstrating consistent and promising returns
• Revenue growth – highlighting positive business direction
• Balance sheet preparation – required for underwriting
• Debt service coverage ratio – assessing loan repayment ability
• Use of funds – clearly outlining purpose and detail

Participants will have the opportunity to speak with Dijon at the end of the session, ask questions, and discuss their business in relation to potential funding opportunities.

Understanding how lenders evaluate financial information is essential for any business owner seeking capital. Even strong businesses can face challenges securing funding if financial documents are incomplete or not presented clearly. For example, a tax return that shows no profit and financials that show profit, while serving their individual purposes, need to be reconciled to qualify for funding at a bank. This workshop will help participants better understand these requirements and improve how they prepare and organize their financial information.

About the Speaker

Dijon is a Managing Director at a fintech lending company that provides financial solutions to small businesses and consumers. He has over 17 years of experience in the banking industry, with expertise in branch management, retail banking, consumer lending, business development, and risk management. He holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Phoenix and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Queens College. In his current role, he oversees lending operations and strategy, working with a range of stakeholders across the financial services sector. His work focuses on helping business owners better understand lending requirements and prepare stronger financial documentation to improve access to capital.