Understanding Receivable Financing Pricing And Rates Is Not Impossible! Invoice Discounting 101

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Information on receivable financing and invoice discounting rates in Canada. Understanding Factoring Prices

' Misunderstanding all you see '; those are lyrics from

the Beatles ' Strawberry Fields ', and talk about being a bit appropriate for the confusion around receivable financing and invoice discounting rates in Canada.

So, talk about confusing... let's try and clear up some real basics around receivable finance in Canada -mostly along the lines of how it works and how it is priced. Clients are always providing their version of what they think they are getting but the reality is often far from that.

A/R finance is used by thousands of firms in Canada to address cash flow shortages when in fact more traditional financing simply doesn't make sense or can't be attained.

A good way to clear up some of the confusion around this method of business finance in Canada is to address it head on, which is simply to say that this finance mechanism isn't financing per se, it's simply the sale of one of your assets at a discounted rate. So from that perspective even we own up to being guilty sometimes around the terminology!

Another way of looking at our issue to frankly address what might be perceived or real drawbacks or negatives around A/R financing. The discount rate used on receivables when you sell them, in Canada, ranges anywhere from 1-5%. To be fair, the average discount rate tends to be in the 2% range.

Invoice discounting rates make the most sense when they are used to take advantages of opportunities for growth and higher profits and sales via asset turnover.

Part of the reason A/R finance is viewed as confusing by many is that it's essentially part of an unregulated industry. Clearly our banks are regulated and you know what you get (when you can get it!)

So what does that all mean to Canadian business owners and financial managers. Simply 4 words. Pick a solid partner! Or adviser.

Where invoice discount financing gets confusing is in the terms/contracts, and the rates.

So how do you address that pricing in terms of benefits? Several factors have to be taken into consideration. They are the quality and age of your receivable portfolio, the ' opportunity cost' of what you can do with additional cash flow, and the actual cost of carrying your receivables and inventory as opposed to monetizing them more quickly via a receivable financing strategy.

As we have said in the past carrying receivables anywhere from 60-90 days can easily cost you anywhere from 10-20% when you factor in days to pay your firm, admin costs, lost opportunities, your current financing costs, etc.

So why do Canadian business owners and their finance staff stumble on the issue of receivable finance. It's partly, as we have shown due to their inability to overlook the total pictures in the areas we have demonstrated above.

Invoice discounting rates makes the most sense when you look at opportunity cost. If you finance your receivables as you generate them you lower the balance sheet investment and reduce your day's sales outstanding.

A quick example - if your annual sales are 1.2 million and your daily sales are $3300 per day for example you could add $10,000 to cash flow by a 3 day reduction in DSO. A 30 day reduction adds 100k to cash flow!

Charges or costs for a 100k per month facility equate to a 2k per month cost if you are turning your A/R promptly.

So, confusing. We hope not, although we're the first to admit it takes a bit of time. Speak to a trusted credible and experienced Canadian business financing adviser for clarity on achieving best invoice discounting rates and benefits for your firm.

Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 13 years - Completed in excess of 100 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 & Contact Details :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8

Direct Line = 416 319 5769

Office = 905 829 2653

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

' Canadian Business Financing with the intelligent use of experience '

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Stan has had a successful career with some of the world’s largest and most successful corporations.
Prior to founding 7 Park Avenue Financial in 2004 his employers over the last 25 years were, ASHLAND OIL, ( 1977-1980) DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, ( 1980-1990) ) CABLE & WIRELESS PLC,( 1991 -1993) ) AND HEWLETT PACKARD ( 1994-2004 ) He is an expert in Canadian Business Financing.

Stan has over 40 years of business and finance executive experience. He has been recognized as a credit/financial executive for three of the largest technology companies in the world; Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment and Cable & Wireless. Stan has had in depth, hands on experience in assessing and evaluating thousands of companies that are seeking financing and expansion. He has been instrumental in helping many companies progress through every phase of financing, mergers & acquisitions, sales and marketing and human resources. Stan has worked with startups and public corporations and has many times established the financial wherewithal of organizations before approving millions of dollars of financing facilities and instruments on behalf of his employers.


Stan Prokop

















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