Small Business Resources
Accounting   Financial    Insurance   Legal

The Web gives access to companies and information normally out of reach to most small businesses due to either their location or their cost.
It's surprising how much free information service companies make available on the Web. It's their way of adding value for their existing clients while laying a foundation to attract small and growing businesses.

Accounting

AccountingNet
Accounting information right in one place. Locate a CPA firm or state society through their interactive map.

Arthur Andersen
One of the Big Six, has an area on their site on family businesses that includes the American Family Business Survey from 1995.

Ernst & Young
Accessing recent Ernst & Young publications like their "Financial Reporting Briefs," which summarize current developments, and "Accounting Releases" that discuss new accounting standards and their impact on financial reporting.

FASB
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is responsible for issuing new accounting standards that will then be used by accountants in preparing financial statements.

KPMG
Also feturing a virtual library which contains KPMG publications on a variety of topics ranging from retirement plan design, HMO contribution regulations, and an interesting article on using employee purchasing cards to cut down on wasteful office supply expenses.

Price Waterhouse
A worldwide accounting firm. Visitors select categories under industries, services, and locations to be taken to descriptions of the services Price Waterhouse provides.

Financial

America's Business Funding Directory
A capital search engine! America's Business Funding Directory matches up businesses searching for funding with funding agents worldwide.

BizQuest
BizQuest's mission is to provide an exchange point for business owners, business sellers, and brokers.

CorpFiNet
A Web publication that helps executives and other professionals find finance-related information on the Internet.

GE Capital Small Business Finance
A licensed SBA lending institution. They offer long-term financing up to $2 million or flexible SBA financing up to $1 million. The site includes a discussion on whether or not your business qualifies (chances are it does) and how to apply.

Small Business Administration-Financing
This site includes details on all 7(a) loan guaranty programs as well as information on their development programs and microloan program.

U.S. Bankruptcy
The U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Insurance

A.M. Best Company
The leading provider of information on insurance products and insurance company ratings.

Chubb-How to Evaluate an Insurance Company
This informative article helps walk customers through the key points. Most important is the financial strength of the company, followed by claim-paying performance, and the experience of the company with your type of policy or industry.

The Complete Glossary of Insurance Coverage Explanations
The site is very well organized, including a link back to the top of the page or back to the index after every letter or explanation.

Legal

American Arbitration Association
For those looking for ways to use alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to avoid litigation.

American Bar Association
Non-members can access their Public Information area to view their Legal Help Center.

Bad Check Laws
This overview by National Credit Systems, Inc. covers not only the basics, but also gives details on bad check laws by state (alphabetized).

Better Business Bureau
Is well known for its role as a consumer advocate, the BBB is currently critical of and make sure they don't appear on one of their lists of bad businesses. They aren't here just for consumers either, They also have a variety of business publications to protect businesses from vendor schemes.

The Company Corporation
Their site includes information on reasons to incorporate, the five types of business structures, reasons for companies to incorporate in Delaware, and commonly asked questions on incorporating.

Consumer Credit Law Materials
There are multiple consumer protection, truth in lending, fair credit reporting, and equal credit acts. This site links to the actual codes involved.

Consumer Product Safety Commission
The CPSC is an independent federal regulatory agency created to protect the public from harm from consumer products.

CyberLaw
Focusing on the legal issues surrounding computers and technology.

LLC-USA
A Web site dedicated to those interested in learning more about limited liability companies.

Uniform Commercial Code (Articles 1-9)
The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) governs almost all aspects of business relationships. The UCC determines how contracts are to be formed, executed, and arbitrated.