There are several differences between a business checking account and a regular checking account.

Professional

The first difference is that business checks are going to look a lot more professional. This means that you are not going to want to have kittens or puppies on your business checks unless you have a vet clinic. It is just not a good idea to be too cute when it comes to the designs of your business checks. It is better to be simple and a little bit boring. This is the best way that you are going to be able to have a professional image.

Security

The second difference is that the business is going to have enhanced security. This is because it is going to have more security features. This means that all of the finance documents like the checks are going to be better protected from fraud. You don’t want a check to bounce because they are going to be held financially liable for the bounced check. Some of the features of the business checks are going to include fluorescent fibers, holograms, heat sensitive ink, and watermarks. All of these things can help protect the business from business forgery.

Features

The third difference is some of the additional features that are going to be able to get on the business checks. Some of these features are going to include a larger memo line, larger payee area, easy mailing, bigger signature area, and additional room. The larger payee area means that the address is going to be printed on the check. The easy mailing is because it is made to fit the size of a double window envelope. The signature area can accommodate two signature lines. The additional room is for the information messages like authorized signature only or void in 90 days.

Protection

The fourth difference is check conversion protection. Regular checks are not going to be eligible for automatic conversion. This means that the checks are going to need to be presented for the payment so that they can be converted into the debit from the payment. Most of the time, as a business, you are not going to want your account to be debited electronically. Instead, the business is going to want to have a copy of the paid check that they are going to have some type of proof that the payment was actually made.

Finances

The fifth difference is that you don’t have to worry about intermingles with your finances. As a small business owner, it is a good idea to have a business and personal checking account that is separate. This is one of the best ways that you are going to be able to keep your books straight. Plus it is going to show that you are committed to being a professional business. This also means that you are going to be able to protect yourself a lot better legally. This is something that you are going to want if the business happens to go into bankruptcy.

Taxes

The sixth difference is that tax time is going to be a lot easier to do. This is because all of your business and personal expenses are going to be separated from each other. But if you only have one account, then it is going to be very easy for that line to be blurred. This is going to be especially true if you have a home business because it is going to be harder to explain what the difference between your business expenses and personal expenses are to the department of revenue or IRS.