Accounting & Finance

2024 Finance Trends: What Small Businesses Should Know to Stay Ahead of the Game

Stay informed and stay ahead of the competition.

  • 4 min Read
  • December 30, 2023

Author

Escalon

Table of Contents

With another year in the books, it’s time for small business owners to gear up for 2024. 

While no one can predict the future, entrepreneurs can monitor trends to prepare for challenges and opportunities in the coming year. Especially in finance, the sooner you know what’s coming next, the more time you have to capitalize and secure a competitive advantage.

Schedule a call today

This article lists the top finance trends that should be a part of your small business strategy in the new year.

1. The coming of age for AI


Artificial intelligence is poised to significantly impact more sectors and companies, making it impossible to ignore. With regards to AI, experts foresee the following:

  • Integrating AI-powered financial planning and analysis tools into accounting automation platforms and other related business applications.
  • Automating fraud detection, investment management, risk assessment, and tax compliance checks.
  • Generative AI tools to expedite tasks like writing financial reports, refining marketing materials, and generating legal documents.

2. Regulatory technology (RegTech) to gain prominence


RegTech products are revolutionizing compliance in the financial industry by simplifying and streamlining the process. This technology will become more prominent in 2024 due to the growing complexity and volume of compliance and regulatory requirements in financial services, particularly personal data and privacy regulations.

3. Big surge of metaverse technology


The metaverse can play a significant role in enhancing customer experience. It enables customers to interact with products and services online, bridging the virtual and the actual gap. Additionally, this technology allows companies to improve their after-sales service massively.

Talk to us about how Escalon’s essential business services can help you access advanced technologies and systems. 


With its ability to simplify the order-to-cash (02C) process, the metaverse will revolutionize order management in 2024. Besides, the technology should impact other enterprise-level operations, allowing businesses to trade with other companies and form partnerships in innovative ways.

4. Rise of financial super apps


Financial super apps focus on hyper-personalization and provide consumers convenient and easy access to various financial services, such as banking, payments, investments, and insurance. 

Super apps like WeChat, Alipay, Grab, and LINE have gained notable popularity in Asia. Similar super-app payment solutions will take shape in the US in the coming years. Several financial institutions are integrating their consumer product lines into a unified app, aiming to serve as a comprehensive solution for all consumer needs.

5. Real-time payments to take off


Real-time payments (RTPs) are revolutionizing the financial industry by facilitating immediate transaction processing and settlement. Beyond expediting transactions, RTPs empower businesses to enhance liquidity management, accurately forecast cash flow, and optimize working capital.

A 2023 survey by AvidXchange, a fintech company, reported RTPs as the most common means to pay vendors, followed by credit cards and Automated Clearing House (ACH). This is unsurprising, as RTP platforms have become more pervasive following the Federal Reserve’s new instant payment service, FedNow. In 2024, real-time transaction volumes will grow even more due to suppliers’ desire for quicker payments and cost control.

The final word


As entrepreneurs navigate the uncertainties of the coming year, a proactive approach to trend monitoring will be valuable in staying ahead of the curve and making informed decisions — steering businesses toward success.

Schedule a call today

Want to know more about startups and what it takes to get started? Since 2006, Escalon has helped thousands of startups get off the ground with our back-office solutions for accounting, bookkeeping, taxes, HR, payroll, insurance, and recruiting — and we can help yours, too. Talk to an expert today. 

This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. Escalon and its affiliates are not providing tax, legal or accounting advice in this article. If you would like to engage with Escalon, please contact us here.

Talk to our team today to learn how Escalon can help take your company to the next level.

  • Expertise you can trust

    Our team is made up of seasoned professionals who bring years of industry experience to the table. You gain a trusted advisor who understands your business inside out.

  • Quality and consistency

    Say goodbye to the hassles of hiring, training and managing in-house finance teams. You will never have to worry about unexpected leave of absence or retraining new employees.

  • Scalability and Flexibility

    Whether you’re a small business or a global powerhouse, our solutions scale with your needs. We eliminate inefficiencies, reduce costs and help you focus on growing your business.

Contact Us Today!

Tap into the latest insights from experts in your industry

Private Equity

The Key to Private Equity Success: Strong Financial Oversight and Compliance

Private equity deals are becoming larger and more complex, making financial preparation a critical part of the process. Take Novartis’s...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Navigating Grant Management and Financial Reporting for Biotech Startups 

Biotech startups operate in a unique financial landscape, where securing grants, venture capital, and government funding is crucial for driving...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Financial Compliance in the Decentralized Era: What Web3 Startups Need to Know 

As the world leans into the decentralized era, Web3 startups are at the forefront, exploring the possibilities of blockchain, cryptocurrencies,...

Read More
People Management & HR

Payroll Services: Streamlining Processes in High-Turnover Consumer Goods Settings 

  Managing payroll can be complicated in any industry, but it becomes especially challenging in the consumer goods sector, where...

Read More
Accounting & Finance

Navigating Payroll for Nonprofit Organizations: Staying Compliant with Grant Funding Rules 

Nonprofit organizations often rely on grant funding to carry out their missions, whether that involves community development, education, healthcare, or...

Read More
Media & Entertainment

Compliance in the Media World: Navigating Intellectual Property and Contracts 

In today’s hyper-connected media landscape, safeguarding intellectual property (IP) and expertly managing contracts are indispensable for success. Media companies—from traditional...

Read More
Accounting

Introducing C3: Your All-in-One Financial Management Platform

Managing your business’s finances can often feel like juggling too many tasks at once, especially when you’re trying to keep...

Read More
Startups

Sourcing Passive Candidates: Strategies for Expanding Your Talent Pool with Outsourcing 

  One of the most valuable sources of talent for startups is the pool of passive candidates—individuals who aren’t actively...

Read More
Startups

Managing Cash Flow in SaaS: Leveraging Outsourced Accounting to Scale Faster 

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, and this holds especially true for Software as a Service (SaaS) companies....

Read More