Why Canadian Business Is Turning To Accounts Receivable Financing Via A Factoring Company For Survival And Growth

Balance the Cost and Benefits Of A/R Finance In Canada


Information on accounts receivable financing in Canada . How to determine the benefits and cost of using a factoring company for working capital.





Small and medium sized businesses in Canada are almost always facing a financial challenge with it comes to funding to both grow, and yes even survive. However unfortunate, the reality is that thousands of firms have somewhat limited options to meet the funding challenges of their business.

Is there a solution? The answer, simply, yes. One of those solutions is accounts receivable financing via a factoring company or invoice discounting firm.

So why do those thousands of firms consider a/r financing as an alternative to term loans , or even the costliest method of financing, giving up part of your owner equity . Simply because they are in a position, with the right knowledge, to utilize, rather... monetize one of the largest, if not the largest asset on the left hand side of their balance sheet , their receivables.

A/R financing simply speeds up cash flow and allows you to finance growth by monetizing your receivable portfolio, in whole or in part. The process itself is simple; it’s who you partner with and how you structure your A/R financing (and what you pay for it!) that becomes somewhat of a challenge for Canadian business owners and financial managers.

In Canada two types of working capital finance via invoice finance are available. Under the most common scenario you ' sell ' your invoices to your factoring company - they advance you the cash, pretty well the same day, and they begin a process to collect that receivable as it becomes due from your client.

The other alternative, less common but our absolute recommended solution is that same sale of your receivables, but with you doing all the billing and collecting. In both circumstances there is essentially no limit on the amount of financing you can attain - naturally you have to have the sales to support that financing, but more often than not with most clients we talk to sales isn’t the problem, financing is !

If we had to say what confuses, or concerns the majority of first time clients in accounts receivable pricing we would have to put it down to two issues, the cost, and the daily mechanics of this financing vehicle.

So what's the best way to both understand and justify the cost of A/R finance? This is where the ' rubber hits the road' so to speak. The best way we can explain it to a client is that you have to look at the cost of this working capital from a couple different angles. One is that you are already carrying accounts receivable, so you have a cost. If the clients are low margin profits to you and taking a long time to pay that cost is significant, often as much or more than the cost of A/R finance.

The other way to look at it is that there is a large value to cash in the ongoing operations of your firm. You can maintain solid relations with suppliers and vendors by paying them promptly, taking advantage of discounts, as well as capitalizing on the buying power of your new found cash. A typical discount on, say, a 100k invoice in Canada is $ 2,000. Simply speaking, it has cost you $2000, on a 30 day basis to receive $98,000 for your invoice. But, consider this, take that 98k now and negotiate better pricing of say 3% less on your vendor purchases, and pay your vendor on delivery or via a 2% prompt payment discount. That combination strategy has saved you 5%, plus, you're ' liquid'. Talk about a winning strategy.

The time it takes your clients to pay, as well as your monthly volumes ultimately dictate your pricing in accounts receivable financing in Canada.

As we said the benefits of utilizing a factoring company are quite clear. Unfortunately in Canada the method in which fees and benefits are presented often lack clarity to the first time A/R finance user. Want clarity on pricing and benefits of accounts receivable financing in Canada? Consider talking to a trusted, credible end experienced Canadian business financing advisor for info on this innovative working capital vehicle.







Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –




http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/factoring_company_accounts_receivable_financing.html

Profit From This Money Losing Strategy ! Finance Receivables At A Loss Via An Accounts Receivable Financing Loan

Try This Unique Business Financing Strategy


Information on accounts receivable financing in Canada and how an a/r finance loan facility for your receivables can turn a seeming money losing situation into profits and growth


Profit? From a money losing strategy? Before you question our sanity consider this ! Everyday thousands of firms in Canada are selling their receivables at a loss, they know it, and they still have chosen to tap into one of business financing Canada's best working capital and cash flow strategies, despite the cost and apparent loss!

We're talking about accounts receivable financing, and why those thousands of Canadian business owners and financial managers utilize an A/R finance loan (it’s not a loan per se) to fund their companies.

How many Canadian businesses have had their business credit lines pulled or reduced in last several years? We wouldn’t want to count. Getting that letter in the mail from their financial institution either seemed like a mistake, but more probably a shock.

Naturally there are a hundred reasons why their business credit lines were pulled/reduced. It could be external lawsuits against your firm, failing profits, your inability to produce timely financial statements, etc, etc. And believe us, we're not taking the side of Canadian chartered banks, which are among the best run in the world, the bottom line, and any well run financial institution certainly has its rules and policies... but.. bottom line, you need a new financing solution!

Our recommended potential solution. Lose money. But lets clarify - consdier an accounts receiving financing strategy . Your receivables are sold, as you generate them at a loss . A loss? But this loss is then turned around into a working capital and cash flow bonanza, as you now are in ability to be liquid, sell more, generate new profits previously unattainable, and yes, survive.

Receivable finance has been the savior of thousands of firms in Canada, from start up to even some of our larger corporations. While banks, credit unions and other firms have slowed down in commercial financing the receivable finance industry has stepped in to take its place.

So, some really key points. A/R financing is not a loan as we mentioned, your firm incurs no debt. The Canadian commercial receivable finance industry is generally unregulated - the A/R firms buy your receivables at a discount (hence ... your ' loss” and therefore provide you with unlimited working capital as your sales grow. In general it’s recommended your firm have stable or growing sales when this strategy is implemented.

So what about those ' losses ' and the cost. Quite frankly that’s where we spend most of our time with clients , explaining the concept of invoice discounting, or accounts receivable financing loan finance . Your A/R portfolio is financed by your A/R being sold at a discount - In Canada that discount is in the 2-3% range. That 2 -3% is the loss we've referred to. Simple example, you have an invoice for 10,000 - you receive 9800 dollars when you finance, or sell that invoice. You've just incurred a loss, in reality a financing expense.

But, consider this! Here's the essence of our message today, your firm no long has to wait 30-60, or 90 days for cash flow out of that invoice. You can also use the cash to take a 2% discount with your key supplier, and you might also give him a call and say you'd like a 5% price reduction as you are prepared to give them a cheque as soon as they deliver product to your door. You can also now take on that large order you previously were unable to compete with against competitors who have been taking all your business. And those are new incremental profits to your firm via that new business.

Hasn’t our money losing recommendation just turned into a mini profit machine for your firm? We think it has. So yes, your financing costs may double, but the benefits we think are very clear.

So, the bottom line? As usual, we're keeping it simple. Consider all the costs and financial implications of an accounts receivable financing strategy. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in putting together a facility to work for your Canadian company.







Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -



http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/accounts_receivable_financing_loan_finance.html

What To Consider When Funding Your Company Via Accounts Receivable Financing As An Alternative

Use A/R Finance For business Capital – After You’ve Read This!



Information on accounts receivable financing in Canada . When funding your company with business capital via a/r finance consider these key issues .





So, you're almost there. After evaluating a number of both traditional and alternative business financing and capital cash flow alternatives you've chosen a non bank accounts receivable financing strategy as your new form of company funding.



So far so good. Right? But let's get you some expert help, guidance and tips around selecting the right strategy for your new financing. We'll focus on some key issues that traditionally in our experience have made it hard for client to both understand and be successful with this form of working capital financing.



First things first, so lets cover off a very basic question - which is simply ' how does the facility work on a daily basis?’ You need to understand that the amount you can borrow in A/R financing revolves solely around your ' eligible ‘receivables. So what do we mean by eligible? Depending on who you are dealing with ( we prefer you deal with the good firms, not the less than good ones !) eligibility traditionally revolves around your Canadian and U.S. invoices under 90 days from an a/r aging point of view . Also, if you find you are unable to finance clients who are U.S. based you are absolutely working with the wrong party.



Drawing on a day to day basis on this facility are based on your a/r aging report .Company funding of your receivables revolves around your ability to produce an a/r aging that balances of course, and reflects invoices that are due and owing by your clients .



Many of our clients don’t understand a key process around which your day to day operation works. It’s called a 'blocked account ' process. Sounds complicated, but really isn’t. Here's how it works. Receivables that you submit are financed on a daily basis, with those funds being deposited directly into your regular commercial bank account. An accounts receivable financing company is generally, almost always, NOT a bank, but you still use your general bank account for all financing under this facility. Funds are usually deposited daily, as you need them.



But, when you clients pays, the process changes. You deposit those funds into a blocked account which is in the name of your financing partner. That makes sense, since you have already received the benefit of those funds. At this time any holdbacks that are in place with your facility ( generally no more than 10% are paid back to your firm, less of course , and here it comes .. the financing charge!



And now to that almighty question that we get, pretty well every day these days. What is the financing charge from a funding company for accounts receivable financing? This form of financing in Canada should typically not exceed between 1.5-2% per month. What clients need to bore down and understand is some technical terminology around what the actual charged ' discount ' (aka interest financing charge) rate is, what funds are held back in reserve on each invoice, and any small nominal charges re wire transfers, processing, etc.



Want to understand A/R finance a lot better? It’s easy to get bogged down in the technical terms, and some of the players out there do a great job of confusing this valuable type of financing. Focus on how it works, what it costs, and more importantly who you're dealing with. Consider seeking and speaking to a trusted Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in ensuring this for of business capital works... for your company!





Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -



http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com



Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :



http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/accounts_receivable_financing_company_funding.html

Your Choice - Right Way / Wrong way ? Canadian Accounts Receivable Financing & Business Factoring

Avoiding the wrong way to do something in business is always desirable, who wouldn’t agree on that?

So when it comes to business financing and in particular accounts receivable financing and business factoring lets examine how doing things the right way will save you time , money , and in general give you a strong sense of comfort that you have made the right business financing decision .

Canadian business owners and financial managers who have chosen a/r financing as a cash flow strategy need to understand where they can go wrong, and take that other path! You do that by making the right business finance decisions in three areas - understanding how accounts receivable pricing works, ensuring you have the best facility in place , and finally, by default , feeling confident you have picked the best business factoring partner .

Let's dig in therefore! There is no business financing that is more misunderstood that A/R factoring. And it’s actually not hard to get the basics under your belt. The concept of time and cost is critical in factor pricing. When you sell your receivables and receive cash the same day you understand of course that the longer that receivable is uncollected... well your financing costs are going up.

We recommend C I D as the most preferred type of accounts receivable financing. It's the most logical Canadian solution, or the ' right way ‘. C I D is ' confidential invoice discounting ' - it’s your version of ' mind your own business’! Under confidential invoice discounting you bill and collect your own receivables. Unlike your competitors who use this type of financing - where their clients are put on notice that your competitor has chose to finance their receivables via a non bank solution. But, remember of course that in business factoring never has ' time means money ' been so important, so even though you are billing and collecting your own receivables focus on operational collection policies that allow you to maximize cash flow and lower financing costs .

The ' right way ' around this type of business financing should focus on picking your best partner firm that suits your overall needs. The facility you pick, and the partner that finances it for your company will make or break your success in this type of Canadian business finance.

The landscape in Canada is littered with many firms who are non Canadian, charge too much, disguise their inherent financing fee with all sorts of small administrative charges that add up, and finally, as we noted, insist that they are between you and your customer with respect to collections.

So is there a simple route to taking the right way when it comes to A/R finance. Consider a simple , safe solution by simply seeking a trusted Canadian business financing advisor - someone who understands the business factoring landscape, will recommend and put you in the right facility, and ensure that the cash flow and working capital benefits associated with this type of financing are focused solely on your firm.



Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.parkavenuefinancial.com/accounts_receivable_financing_factoring_business.html

How The Cost of Factoring Finance Makes Sense In Accounts Receivable Financing

Is it possible to overcome the working capital and cash flow challenge you face with a confidential accounts receive financing and factoring facility? And another thing what is the true cost of factoring finance.

Let's weigh in on those two issues and try and help you solve your Canadian business financing needs - our comments are mainly addressed to small and medium sized companies in Canada, but we can assure you the big boys come to talk to us about these problems also.

Problems we said... so what is that problem really. It’s simply that the ability to maintain ongoing liquidity continues to be the largest challenge in business today - simply put, the recession is over _ (the government sent us an email confirming that!) and your business is on track to grow again.

The ability to get proper business financing credit and the perceived cost of factoring finance is always a discussion point we have with clients. Working capital and cash flow are needed to keep up to your day to day operations, let alone grow your business in the manner that you want to.

We don’t want to be perceived as naysayer, so lets address our real subject here, which is accounts receivable financing, the cost of factoring financing ( that’s what it is commonly known as ) as well as the benefits of what we feel is the greatest secret in Canadian business today, a confidential invoice and receivable financing facility.

First of all, what is the facility, and is it somewhat non traditional or alternative in nature? A true accounts receivable financing strategy is actually quite simply - you enter into an arrangement to sell your sales as you generate them - receiving cash, the same day! That of course is better than waiting 1, 2, and yes dare we say 3 months to collect your A/R. That brings us nicely into the area of the cost of factoring finance - which in Canada ranges typically to 1.5-2% per month.

Isn’t that expensive, asks clients. We don’t think so, but you decide based on these facts. This charge, which is known in the industry as a discount fee, not an interest rate per se, can be significantly offset by your new ability to take supplier discounts in the same amount, as well as purchase more effectively. The positive intangible around this is that you will build better supplier relationships than your competitors probably have, simply because suppliers love being paid.

And don’t forget what we said early, which is that you , instead of waiting 60-90 days to get paid have cash flow to sell more and creates profits to offset this financing cost . So in summary the combo of increased cash flow to reduce payables, as well as your ability to in an unlimited based generate immediate cash flow for profits very clearly offset any perceived ' high financing costs '. (We have met customers who have negotiated 5% better pricing with their suppliers based on their new found ability to pay cash.

The best type of accounts receivable financing facility in Canada is what we call a confidential invoice discounting facility. You bill and collect your own invoices, unlike your competitors who use traditional factor financing. And factoring finance cost is the same!

Intrigued? Interested? Hopefully not confused! Investigate the benefits of accounts receivable factoring finance with the use of a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor. It’s a cash flow 101 great strategy.

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Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial -

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 7 years - has completed in excess of 50 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/accounts_receivable_financing_cost_of_factoring.html