To bring home the bacon.

To earn a living for the family.

Example:
"He felt it was his responsibility to bring home the bacon."



To balance the books.

To make certain that the amount of money spent is not more than the amount of money received.

Example:

"The accountant couldn't work out the profit and loss until they had balanced the books."



A ball park figure.

A general financial figure.

Example:

"Until we had costed the project properly we were only able to give the customer a ball park figure."



A bean-counter.

An accountant

Example:

"The bean-counters told us we had to reduce the budget."



Blood on the carpet

A lot of trouble in an organisation often resulting in someone losing their job.

Example:

"After the meeting there was blood on the carpet. "



The bottom line
The total, the final figure on a balance sheet / the most important feature of something.

Example:

"When he told me the bottom line I decided not to go ahead with the project."



To break even

When expenses equal profits.

Example:

"The company broke even after two years."



A cash cow

A product or service that makes a lot of money for a company.

Example:

"The new product has proved to be a real cash cow."



Chief cook and bottle washer.

To be the person who is responsible for everything

Example:

"If you want to set up your own business you have to be ready to be chief cook and bottle washer."



A big cheese.

An important person, a leader (usually about business).

Example:

"Anita Roddick is a big cheese in Body Shop."



To cold call.

To call potential customers without an appointment or previous contact.

Example:

"The sales rep cold called customers from the business directory.