What It Entails To Close Business Officially
Even though one does not start a business with the intention of closing in mind, it is helpful to have a strategy on how to officially close it, if and when need arise. There are many issues that may push an entrepreneur to close down a business, some are social, others are legal, while others are finance related. Whatever the reason for the closedown, there are steps that one must carefully consider before declaring the business officially closed.
Much of what needs to be done may depend on the type of business ownership. This is because, when there are more stakeholders, decision making may be biased and may bring up a lot of protocol. One of the most important things to do is to vote for the close of the business. If the enterprise involves more than one overseer or director, minutes of the meeting in which it was decided that the business would be closed should be taken and filed as well as presented to the major stakeholders.
This will show that it was decided without controversy that the venture would head down that road. If your business is registered with the Small Business Development agency, you have to inform them that you are officially closed. The next thing is to cancel or to go back to your books of accounts and see which creditors need to be paid, the pending bills as well as all other dues that need to be taken care of. These will include taxes and all outstanding debts.
Once this is done, surrender all operational documents like trading licenses, operational permits and all other certificates acquired from the government or elsewhere. Once you are done with the above step, notify your creditors, employees, clients as well as other stakeholders that you are now officially closed.