Right-Sizing Strategic Financial Management for Small Business: A Modular, Case-Based Handbook for Small Business Owners, Lenders, and Consultants

by Michael Stephen Borish

Right-Sizing Strategic Financial Management for Small Business is designed to help small business managers and owners with easy-to-use accounting and financial information for planning and decision making that helps position companies for loans and investment. It is also designed to enhance the tools offered by professionals providing accounting, lending and advisory services for small business operations and performance. With 52 modules, 31 tables, 18 cases, 14 chapters and dozens of suggested readings, this publication provides a comprehensive, convenient, easy-to-use source to manage financial and operational challenges and risks faced by small business around the world.

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2026

About the author

I'm Michael Stephen Borish, an economist, small business finance specialist, and international financial sector strategist with more than four decades of experience working at the intersection of small business finance, banking and credit, and economic policy and development. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of advising governments, international financial institutions, and private-sector organizations in more than 60 countries, helping them strengthen credit infrastructure and financial systems, expand private sector opportunities, and promote long-term economic growth.

I've worked with the Big 4 accounting firms and international organizations such as the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the World Bank, Export Development Canada (EDC), the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), USAID, and the African Development Bank, among others. As President of Michael Borish and Company, I've led more than 200 consulting assignments focused on credit management, financial sector reform, agribusiness, enterprise risk management, trade and investment, and private sector development.

Writing has always been an extension of my professional work. Over the years, I've authored and co-authored numerous publications on banking reform, enterprise risk management, economic transition, and private sector development. My goal is to bridge the gap between academic research and practical solutions, making complex economic and financial issues understandable and relevant to policymakers, business leaders, students, and curious readers alike.

I hold a Ph.D. in Management from Carleton University, an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. in History from the University of Wisconsin. Whether I'm consulting, researching, or writing, I'm focused on fostering innovation, expanding opportunity, and contributing to a more resilient and balanced global economy.

I hope my books offer readers fresh perspectives, practical insights, and a deeper understanding of the forces shaping economies, businesses, and societies around the world.

Reviews

[Velasquez Nieves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having spent my career in accounting, financial management, and banking regulation, I appreciate resources that combine technical depth with practical application. Dr. Borish has drawn on more than four decades of professional experience to produce a comprehensive handbook on strategic financial management for small businesses. The breadth of topics covered, from financial statements and ratios to financing, risk management, and strategic decision-making reflects both the depth of his experience and the considerable thought and effort invested in developing this handbook. Business owners seeking a comprehensive guide to strategic financial management will find this handbook to be a valuable reference. I believe it will be especially valuable to CPAs, consultants, lenders, and other professionals who advise small businesses. Its modular organization makes it well suited as a reference manual that professionals can return to as specific issues arise. I can also see this handbook serving as a valuable resource for professional development and continuing education for practitioners working with small businesses.

[Marianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a small business owner who has struggled through confusing financial jargon for years, I cannot overstate how refreshing this book is. Dr. Borish has created something genuinely rare: a financial management handbook that is both comprehensive and accessible. What sets this book apart is its practical, modular design. I can jump straight to the section I need without wading through irrelevant material, perfect for someone like me who is always short on time. The 18 case studies bring concepts to life in ways that pure theory never could. With 52 modules and 31 tables, it's a treasure trove of practical tools. Whether you're preparing for a loan application or simply want to understand your numbers better, this book delivers. I've recommended it to fellow business owners and my accountant, it's that valuable.

[Frank Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a commercial lender, and I picked up this book hoping to better understand my small business clients. It exceeded every expectation. Dr. Borish provides frameworks that have genuinely enhanced how I assess creditworthiness and advise my clients. The book is explicitly designed for professionals providing accounting, lending, and advisory services, and it delivers on that promise. The modular structure makes it an excellent reference tool I keep on my desk. The author's extensive international experience also gives the book a global perspective you rarely find in similar titles. If you work with small businesses in any capacity, this handbook will make you better at what you do. A true game-changer for the entire small business ecosystem.

[Thompson Colyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who spent years at the World Bank Group and promoting tech-enabled small
business financing globally, I found Right-Sizing refreshingly grounded. Borish doesn’t theorize
about SME financial management from a distance, he builds a working toolkit, with practical
insights into the daily work of business owners and their accountants. The module structure,
each with a “how does it all apply” lens, mirrors exactly what many SME finance experts have
spent decades trying to standardize. This book does at the firm level what tech-enabled
platforms seek to capture and translate into digital solutions in SME financing: make SME
financial risks manageable and eligible for underwriting!

[Blodgett Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you run a small business? Do you advise, lend to, or consult for small businesses? Then buy this book. Right-Sizing Strategic Financial Management for Small Business delivers exactly what its title promises: a practical, modular, case-based handbook that helps you make better financial decisions. It's not a collection of gimmicks or quick fixes, it's a serious, well-structured resource from an author with genuine expertise and decades of real-world experience. I've read countless business books, and this one stands out for its clarity, practicality, and global perspective. Add it to your library. You won't regret it.

[Kyleigh Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The subtitle says it all: "A Modular, Case-Based Handbook for Small Business Owners, Lenders, and Consultants". This isn't just a book for entrepreneurs. Accountants will find it valuable for enhancing their advisory services. Lenders will gain better frameworks for assessing small business creditworthiness. Consultants will sharpen their tools for client engagement. It's a rare resource that serves the entire ecosystem of small business finance, making it a must-have for anyone who touches this space

[Rogers Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a CPA with decades of experience working with a wide variety of businesses, in different industries, with different funding, I found “Right -Sizing Strategic Financial Management for Small Businesses” a valuable tool for both entrepreneurs and financial service providers.  The chapters are well laid out to get to the issue quickly, with resources and examples to improve understanding of both the issues and the solutions.  The book covers a lot of critical information in a very concise and articulate manner.  I will be recommending this book to other service providers and to clients.

[Rokejic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a read-once-and-forget book. Its modular, reference-friendly design means you'll keep coming back to it as new challenges arise. Facing a cash flow crunch? Flip to the relevant module. Preparing for a major investment decision? There's a section for that. The book grows with your business, providing relevant guidance at each stage of your journey. It's an investment that pays dividends year after year

[Silopi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Financial management doesn't happen in a vacuum. Operational inefficiencies can cripple even the best financial plan. Dr. Borish understands this connection and addresses the operational challenges that small businesses face alongside the financial ones. This holistic approach ensures you're not just fixing your numbers but addressing the underlying operational issues that drive them. It's integrated thinking that produces integrated results.

[Tejag · Rating 5 out of 5]

With 248 pages of content, this book covers a lot of ground. Yet it never feels overwhelming. The organization is intuitive, the writing is clear, and the modular structure prevents information overload. Dr. Borish has achieved something difficult: creating a comprehensive resource that remains convenient and easy to use. It's the kind of book you'll want on your shelf (or your digital device) for easy reference whenever questions arise

[Rasmussen Sørensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the book's underappreciated features is its dozens of suggested readings. For readers who want to dive deeper into specific topics, Dr. Borish provides a roadmap. This transforms the book from a standalone resource into a gateway to further learning. Whether you're a business owner looking to expand your knowledge or a professional seeking continuing education, these recommendations are incredibly valuable.

[Christian Carroll · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Mr. Borish's lifetime of experience in finance, and in particular finance related to small and medium sized businesses, is successfully crystallized into a highly useful tool for business executives seeking a tailored approach to interacting with this business segment. A true wealth of information for professionals engaged in this under-served business category.

[Hammond Laverne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Risk is an inevitable part of running a business, but it doesn't have to be a mystery. This book provides practical frameworks for identifying, assessing, and managing financial and operational risks. Dr. Borish doesn't just tell you that risk exists; he gives you the tools to quantify it and mitigate it. For small business owners who often feel like they're flying blind when it comes to risk, this is invaluable guidance.

[Samuel pearlz · Rating 5 out of 5]

For many small business owners, the loan application process feels like a black box. What are lenders actually looking for? How do you present your business in the best possible light? Dr. Borish pulls back the curtain. He explains what financial institutions care about and how to position your company to meet those criteria. This knowledge alone could save you countless hours of frustration and dramatically improve your chances of securing the funding you need