Our blog highlights Canadian Business Financing solutions via receivable finance , equipment finance, working capital financing, asset based lending, business acquisition financing,franchise finance, and tax credit monetization via SRED and Film Tax Credits. Our goal is to educate and assist Canadian businesses with their financing needs. You Are Looking For Canadian Business Financing! Welcome to 7 Park Avenue Financial Call Now ! - Direct Line - 416 319 5769
WELCOME !
In 2004 I founded 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL. At that time I had spent all my working life, at that time - Over 30 years in Commercial credit and lending and Canadian business financing. I believe the commercial lending landscape has drastically changed in Canada. I believe a void exists for business owners and finance managers for companies, large and small who want service, creativity, and alternatives.
Every day we strive to consistently deliver business financing that you feel meets the needs of your business. If you believe as we do that financing solutions and alternatives exist for your firm we want to talk to you. Our purpose is simple: we want to deliver the best business finance solutions for your company.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Factoring Costs In Canada : The Receivables Factor Credit Line Solution
Finally ! The Mumbo Jumbo Around Factoring & Receivable Financing Costs Resolved
OVERVIEW – Information on factoring costs in Canada associated with a receivables factor credit line
Receivables financing, via a ' factor credit line ' often conjures up two words in the mind of business owner/entrepreneurs and financial managers - Mumbo Jumbo!
Factoring costs and how these facilities work, including the different types of A/R facilities available have often created mass confusion for Canadian businesses searching for a simple solution for cash flow and working capital problems. The solution? Understand what this financing does, how it costs, and identify which of numerous types works for your goals. Let's dig in.
So what is ' factoring financing ‘? At first glance it seems too simple. Selling your receivables as you generate sales for immediate cash. While originally gearing for specific industries factoring no long discriminates - it's available for all commercial receivables in all industry sectors.
Confusion reigns supreme when it comes to the ' cost ‘associated with this method of finance. We think we know the reason - simply that the way commercial factor company prices receivables finance is associated by their clients as an ' interest rate '. It's not.
Financing your factor credit line on a daily basis works as follows: A specific amt of the invoice - typically 1.5-2% is deducted when funds are advanced. Clients we talk to take those #'s - multiply by 12... and Panic!
The basic answer here is that the ' price' a commercial lender charges in factoring is simply a cost for using money for typical 30 day term, and annualizing that like a fixed term loan with an interest rate is a poor comparison. It's not a loan, and by the way those factoring costs become even lower when you use the cash within that period to take your own supplier discounts, negotiate better vendor prices, and lower the cost of carrying your receivables, which have a true cost associated with them that most owners don’t always consider.
When do you decide to finance your A/R through a non bank 'factor' solution? The factors (no pun intended!) we consider when we talk to clients are:
Your Rate of return you earn on running and profiting in your business
What amount of cash you prefer/need to have on hand
The amount of negative cash balance, i.e. overdraft that will seriously impact your business
The discount fee or ' price ' that factoring firms will charge you
Is there one factor credit line solution that stands out head and shoulders above the rest? Here’s your best choice and why. It's called CONFIDENTIAL RECEIVABLE FINANCING and it's ' confidential ' in that your clients or vendors have no notification of how you are doing your financing. It's your competitive edge while receiving all the benefits of this method of cash flow financing.
So what about some more of that Mumbo Jumbo?! When you're not working with a trusted advisor in business financing you just might find you're a little ' befuddled' around the different types of facilities the industry offers - they include”
A/R DISCOUNTING
FULL NOTIFICATION FACTORING
REVERSE FACTORING
NON – RECOURSE FACTORING
SPOT FACTORING
.... All of which do the same thing - finance your A/R with different nuances around day to day financing of your sales. Heaven forbid we disparage anyone in the industry , but keep in mind that many firms only offer 1 type of this method of financing – leaving you unclear on your other options at a time when you need cash the most .
Looking to clear up some of that Mumbo Jumbo? Seek out and speak to a trusted , credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your Receivable finance needs.
7 Park Avenue Financial :
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Business financing for Canadian Firms , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing , Equipment Leasing , franchise finance and Cdn. Tax Credit Finance . Founded 2004 - Completed in excess of 100 Million $ of financing for Canadian corporations . Info /Contact :
7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL = CANADIAN RECEIVABLE FINANCING AND FACTORING EXPERTISE
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
Monday, December 24, 2012
Mastering Factor Rates and AR Finance Pricing For Canadian Receivables Financing Strategies
We rarely meet a client who is comfortable enough to say they are a ' Master ' of AR financing pricing when it comes to receivables financing in Canada. Let's see if we can help you achieve some ' Master ' status
in this often confusing (but shouldn’t be) area of business financing in Canada.
So why is there a combination of mystery and clarity around using just your accounts receivable for cash flow and working capital financing. It's key to remember that when you look at this type of financing it's important to understand what is happening, shall we say ' beneath the transaction'. Because factoring/receivable financing in Canada is essentially the sale of you receivable and that's how it must be both recorded in your book keeping and accounting.
Let's get some of that ' boring' accounting out of the way quickly.
The entry is pretty basic - it’s a ' CREDIT ' to your receivables and a DEBIT (that’s an increase in your cash by the way) to your cash account. Mission accomplished!
Since your factor company / financing partner takes a discount fee for purchasing your receivables, either once, or on an ongoing basis you also have to take into account the financing charge, so that’s an additional entry as a DEBIT to your interest account .
One final entry, and we promise, it’s the last one, but when complete you will have now understood the actual mechanics of AR finance pricing. That entry involves the ' hold back ' since typically you receive only 90% of your invoices as cash as you generate them. The 10% is a hold back; - you receive that when your client pays, so you need to set up one final entry as ‘DUE FROM FINANCE FIRM '.
If we had to be honest (that’s our preference always!) we would have to say that our favorite/ recommended method of financing receivables is a Confidential Receivable Financing ‘arrangement - that is one in which your firm bills and collects your own receivables, with how you finance your business being your own business!
That type of arrangement still allows you to receive all the benefits of receivables finance:
Immediate cash on your sales generations
Balance sheet strength
Ability to take supplier discounts and achieve better vendor pricing
Etc!
Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can help you simplify Canadian receivable financing.
7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN RECEIVABLE FACTORING EXPERTISE
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 10 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/factor-rates-ar-finance-pricing-receivables.html
7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com
Stan Prokop
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Let’s Go ‘ Person To Person ‘ On Your Cash Flow Management Via Receivables And Inventories
Quality Cash Flow Solutions, And How To Get Them!
OVERVIEW – Information on cash flow management via receivables financing . Inventories also play a key role in working capital needs
Let's go ' one on one ‘ on a critical subject to Canadian business financing success, and that’s' cash flow management '. Typically that involves key current assets such as inventories and receivables, but things like debt load and your firm’s success in generating sales are also key factors.
We meet many clients who simply either directly, or indirectly admit that there current processes just aren't working! They want to know how they can access financing solutions that would make their company more competitive, successful, and effective.
Your ability to access the right type of financing depends on how credible your business is when it comes to having proper financials and reporting in place. So we can make the case that you not only have business assets, but your firm’s credibility is also key to financing and operational success.
So how do you in fact attract the financing that you need from lenders, perhaps other shareholder or investors, etc. That's where performance counts and when it comes to managing receivables and inventories you're going to get ' maximum credibility ' when it comes to loan and financing approvals.
Do lenders actually know how good or bad shape your ' current assets ' are in? (Current assets = A/R, inventory, prepaid and corresponding current liability - payables). They sure do!
There is a great story around a famous Wall Street speculator called Bernard Smith... he simply toured the back of companies - if the smoke stacks weren’t busy and inventories were piling up he sold the company short on the stock market and reportedly made millions .
Things are a lot different today, but it certainly proves our point that a lender and investor has the tools , probably even more so today, to monitor your performance in cash flow management . Smith was an investor, not a lender, but both those two share the same position on the right hand side of your balance sheet - either having a claim on your assets or your ownership!
If you have the ability to show that you understand the relationship between inventories, receivables and sales experts in the field of finance will tell you that you are very ahead of the game. And that’s a good thing.
Let's take a look at A/R as an example. Most business owners (hopefully) know that they can track their A/R performance by a simple calculation called day’s sales outstanding... But you can further enhance your management of A/R, (and inventory) by also tracking the relationship between sales and A/R. Just carrying those extra receivables has a huge cost to your company.
Our bottom line, if you ignore these key relationships your company clearly runs the risk of being accused of poor cash flow management. Additionally you will have difficulty in accessing cash flow financing solutions such as:
Bank credit lines
A/R and Inventory Finance
Asset based lines of Credit
Receivable Financing
Etc!
So, that’s some ' person to person ' advice on how to not have our previously mentioned Mr. Smith not make any judgments on your firm.
Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on cash flow management solutions in Canada.
7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN CASH FLOW FINANCING SOLUTIONS
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/cash_flow_management_receivables_inventories.html
Monday, April 23, 2012
Receivable Finance & Cash Flow Factoring – 8 Questions 8 Answers On Receivables Finance Solutions In Canada
Your Questions Finally Answered On A/R Finance In Canada
Information on receivable finance and cash flow factoring in Canada . Answers to questions you need to ask before entering into the right receivables finance strategy .
Receivable finance in Canada. Boy do we get a lot of questions around this single method of financing receivables in Canada. Another term for the same subject is of course ' cash flow factoring’
So let’s take some of those often asked questions, 8 in total and... You guessed it, answer them!
Question # 1- Does a Canadian start up or early stage company utilize receivable finance? The answer is a resounding yes. The reality is of course that same business is often ineligible to obtain most other methods of Canadian business financing by the very nature of the start up. Since cash flow factoring focuses on the asset of receivables it makes sense it’s a good solution for a start up firm
Question # 2 - Can you set this type of facility up on your own without the assistance of anyone? Again, it’s a resounding yes. However, due to the fragmented and generally misunderstood issues around the subject it would make often more sense to use a Canadian business financing advisor who is aware of the issues, pitfalls, and pricing around A/R finance. Another point is that this method of financing is clearly not all about price after you get into how it works daily mechanics, etc.
Questions # 3 - another great one. Does all of your A/R investment need to be financed at all times? The answer is no... This is clearly one method of financing your business that is essentially ‘pay for only what you use '. Although some facilities might require a minimum usage essentially it’s your call as to what A/R and when to finance.
Question # 4 - Are there contacts involved with respect to committing to such a facility. The answer is that certain facilities require no contract how most cash flow factoring firms do often require a commitment from your firm. That can often be negotiated and allow you to have some flexibility built into it. The reality here though is that you typically will use this type of finance for a year anyway as you move towards a more traditional bank borrowing.
Question # 5 - Does a firm have to have good financials to qualify. In general the answer is no. Unless your firm is in a death spiral past financial challenges your firm faces do not preclude you from obtaining receivable finance. As a rule if your sales are stable or growing you're an excellent candidate for cash flow factoring.
Question # 6 - Who exactly provides cash flow finance in Canada. For a starter it’s not the banks when it comes to invoice financing. There are firms that are very small in nature, some are subsidiaries of U.S. firms, and some are substantial on their own, and Canadian owned. Pricing, qualification, deal size, etc all vary so here again it makes sense to work with someone who is knowledgeable about industry players, their offering, and reputation. Again, beware of the ' low price ' carrot - it’s often, if not always, what it seems.
Question # 7- Pricing. Ah, we though you would never ask. As a general rule factoring in Canada is sin the 2% range, sometimes more, sometimes less. The industry views this monthly rate as a discount, i.e. it buys your A/R at a 2% discount to its value. You can offset this cost by purchasing smarter, taking discounts from suppliers, and selling and collecting more, thereby increasing your profits. And don’t forget, you're simply not carrying receivables for 60 or 90 days anymore, but it makes total sense still to stay on top of your collections to reduce costs to finance.
Last question, Question # 8 - what is the actual difference between A/R finance and a bank facility. As a joke we could say ' the ability to get one ‘! But the reality is that we've partially answered that one already. Receivables finance is the purchase of your sales and receivables as you make that sale and invoice. Banking is simply offering financing that takes your receivables as a back up collateral. That's a simplistic answer, but it’s a basic one.
Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in your receivable finance and cash flow factoring needs.
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/receivable_finance_cash_flow_factoring_receivables.html
Monday, March 12, 2012
Don’t Let Your Company Collapse For Lack Of Cash Flow Financing . Canadian AR Finance For Receivables .
Misconceptions and Truths in Canadian A/R Financing
Information on ar finance in Canada . Why Cash flow financing of receivables works and how your firm can qualify today .
AR Finance, i.e. cash flow financing has the ability to save your company when it fact your firm is faced with survival challenges. Let's examine when a receivables strategy works, and what you need to do to facilitate a financing that makes sense. In essence, ' how it works' and ' why '.
Canadian business owners and finance managers that face challenges of raising cash for their firm can utilize an A/R finance strategy, which is in effect the sale and monetization of your receivables to generate working capital. Our comments are focused on your firm being potentially in ' survival ' mode, but of course they apply to daily operations and growth, or even 'hyper growth ' which is a double edge sword.
If you do in fact require an A/R cash flow strategy are you in fact eligible? Let's examine some key requirements around getting a proper facility in place. We say ' proper' because in our opinion there are certain receivables structures that certainly aren't optimal for your company.
Getting back to those qualifications! As a general rule only commercial, i.e. ' Business to Business' a/r is eligible for financing . (While there are financing mechanisms for consumer A/R in Canada - securitization / merchant advance etc. Invoice financing in Canada general pertains to commercial business receivables)
And by the way, your clients can be in Canada, in the U.S. or foreign - cash flow A/R financing has the ability to capture and fund all of these!
Naturally your firm also has to be selling on credit, as a cash sale environment just does not work!
Size more or less counts when in comes to your ability to set up a proper receivables facility. Although very small facilities can be set up a good rule of thumb is that monthly A/R in the 100k+ range is a recommended size. And by the way, there is NO upper limit on the size of your facility in Canada, as facilities exist for tens of millions of dollars if that is in fact required.
The issue of ‘concentration’ of comes up. As a rule of thumb it’s preferable to have your A/R base spread over a number of clients, with no one client becoming a huge part of your overall sales. That issue is certainly able to be resolved if in fact that's the case with your firm, but widespread A/R clients is in fact the preferred business model.
While in almost all cases Canadian business financing vehicles work best with established companies we do point out to clients that a start up firm can in fact set up a proper facility and benefit in the same manner.
While very small invoice transactions can be financed typically larger invoice amounts lend themselves best to this method of finance.
So those are some of the points that define your eligibility for a cash flow financing facility. To originate a facility you must be able to produce aged receivable reports, financial statements, and basic info around your business model.
Our recommended facility is confidential AR FINANCE, which allows you to bill and collect your own receivables. Generally this type of facility has a higher level of due diligence involved, but your firms reaps all the benefits of cash flow financing and remains in full control of all aspects of the day to day routine.
Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in setting a proper facility that puts you in full survival, and hopefully growth mode for future sales and profits.
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/ar_finance_cash_flow_financing_receivables_.html
Monday, May 9, 2011
At Last ! New Method To Finance A Business - Canadian Confidential Financing Factoring Receivables
A new thing in business is usually a good thing, it’s usually a welcome thing, and a new spin on that same good thing is of coruse even better.
C I D . What the heck is that you say? It's a little known term in Canadian business financing called confidential invoice discounting. Simply speaking it’s a new way of factoring financing your receivables when you want to finance a business.
Let’s ensure we have a clear understanding of financing factoring in general though, and then we'll show you why C I D is clearly head and shoulders above.
Believe it or not, because we run into them almost every day, there are still many small and medium sized businesses in Canada that aren’t aware of receivable financing . Simply speaking its getting an advance on your billed receivables today, with a fee being charged for the use of the funds until that receivable is collected.
Why would something so simple then be so popular and dramatic when it comes to cash flow and working capital for you business. Simply because as your revenues grow you ability to borrow, lock step in turn with those sales, grows also.
In the U.S. alone billions of dollars (yes that’s billions with a ' B') are financed every year. Slowly, almost too slowly we think, this method of financing is becoming more popular every day - even to the extent that some of the largest firms in Canada employ financing of this type. (If the big boys do it, well it must be right ...?).
We seem to spend a lot of time with clients talking about the ' stigma ' of financing factoring your receivables. That is kind of because receivable finance used to be associated with firms that had financial challenges, so to speak! But let’s get serious, after the 2008-2009 global recession and financial implosion even banks and worlds largest corporations were on their knees to some extent, so don't talk to us about financial challenges..!
There is kind of a second part to the whole ' stigma ' issue, which is simply the core of our subject today. When factoring moved into Canada awhile back it’s not surprise it came from the U.S. and European models. That business model for this type of financing has your financing factoring firm confirming your receivables with your clients.
What's that you say...??You find that a bit ' intrusive '?
Voila! Enter C I D - confidential invoice discounting. Simply speaking you are in charge of your own billing and collecting procedures - but, and it's a big ' but ‘... you still get all the benefits of receivable financing when you choose to finance a business in this manner .
Costs for C I D are essentially the same as ' regular ' factoring... so why wouldnt you opt for this type of Canadian business financing solution.
So what's our bottom line, that’s really what clients are looking for? Simply speaking its that if you are considering a bit of a non traditional approach to financing your Canadian business then investigate factoring financing - and when you do don’t forget to ask about C I D - Confidential invoice discounting finance. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who will demonstrate the costs and benefits of Canada's newest kid on the block in business finance.
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/financing_factoring_receivables_finance_a_business.html
At Last ! New Method To Finance A Business - Canadian Confidential Financing Factoring Receivables
A new thing in business is usually a good thing, it’s usually a welcome thing, and a new spin on that same good thing is of coruse even better.
C I D . What the heck is that you say? It's a little known term in Canadian business financing called confidential invoice discounting. Simply speaking it’s a new way of factoring financing your receivables when you want to finance a business.
Let’s ensure we have a clear understanding of financing factoring in general though, and then we'll show you why C I D is clearly head and shoulders above.
Believe it or not, because we run into them almost every day, there are still many small and medium sized businesses in Canada that aren’t aware of receivable financing . Simply speaking its getting an advance on your billed receivables today, with a fee being charged for the use of the funds until that receivable is collected.
Why would something so simple then be so popular and dramatic when it comes to cash flow and working capital for you business. Simply because as your revenues grow you ability to borrow, lock step in turn with those sales, grows also.
In the U.S. alone billions of dollars (yes that’s billions with a ' B') are financed every year. Slowly, almost too slowly we think, this method of financing is becoming more popular every day - even to the extent that some of the largest firms in Canada employ financing of this type. (If the big boys do it, well it must be right ...?).
We seem to spend a lot of time with clients talking about the ' stigma ' of financing factoring your receivables. That is kind of because receivable finance used to be associated with firms that had financial challenges, so to speak! But let’s get serious, after the 2008-2009 global recession and financial implosion even banks and worlds largest corporations were on their knees to some extent, so don't talk to us about financial challenges..!
There is kind of a second part to the whole ' stigma ' issue, which is simply the core of our subject today. When factoring moved into Canada awhile back it’s not surprise it came from the U.S. and European models. That business model for this type of financing has your financing factoring firm confirming your receivables with your clients.
What's that you say...??You find that a bit ' intrusive '?
Voila! Enter C I D - confidential invoice discounting. Simply speaking you are in charge of your own billing and collecting procedures - but, and it's a big ' but ‘... you still get all the benefits of receivable financing when you choose to finance a business in this manner .
Costs for C I D are essentially the same as ' regular ' factoring... so why wouldnt you opt for this type of Canadian business financing solution.
So what's our bottom line, that’s really what clients are looking for? Simply speaking its that if you are considering a bit of a non traditional approach to financing your Canadian business then investigate factoring financing - and when you do don’t forget to ask about C I D - Confidential invoice discounting finance. Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who will demonstrate the costs and benefits of Canada's newest kid on the block in business finance.
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/financing_factoring_receivables_finance_a_business.html
Monday, April 25, 2011
Pick The Best Canadian Receivables Factoring and Financing ! Cost and Rates Of Invoice Finance
We encountered a great term the other day when it comes to business financing - the term was ' expansionary finance ‘. Is it just us or does this term seem to perfectly cover off factoring and receivables financing.
Often though three key issues come up when Canadian business owners and financial managers consider this type of financing. What are those 3 issues ?They are the total cost of this type of financing, the rates associated with this facility, and probably most importantly what type of firm offers the best facility to match your company's own specific needs .
Let's learn and cover off those issues, which will allow you to get more comfortable we think with this type of Canadian business financing.
So, why should you even be considering receivables factoring? Simply because it has become a common way for Canadian business to cash flow their accounts receivable and generate working capital based on your own policy of extending credit terms to your customers.
And, as most business owners know, sales does not equal cash flow and when business financing of your A/R is not available from your bank a logical place to turn to is to an independent finance firm that offers invoice financing.
But, what does this type of financing cost, and who offers it, and an even better question... ‘How do you pick the best factoring partner?
In Canada the financing and factoring of A/R varies widely. As a general rule we can say the cost is between 1-3% per month based on the size of the facility, your overall financial condition, and most importantly, whether you have sought out and picked the finance firm that best suits your needs.
Let’s clarify our comment on your overall financial condition. Receivable financing places much less emphasis on your firms overall financial health - in fact a huge amount of Canadian firms that utilize this type of financing are in stages of turn around, high growth, experiencing temporary financial losses, etc . So don’t despair that your firm isn’t eligible. But, as we said, your client base, the size of your A/R portfolio on a monthly basis and some other factors will dictate your overall pricing.
Frankly the best costs in factoring finance in Canada start to be achieved when your monthly financing capability for A/R is greater than 250k. Is there a ceiling on the amount of facility? Absolutely not, and facilities that go into the several millions of dollars on a monthly basis happen everyday in Canada.
Clients often ask our favorite most recommended type of facility. That’s a simple one - its called C I D - which stands for confidential invoice discounting, allowing you to be in total control of billing and collecting your own a/r without any notification to clients that comes with the U.S. and U.K.versions of a/r finance .
Remember also that when you are addressing the always top of the list issue with firms such as yourself, ' Cost ' that you need to factor in things you might never have thought about. They include your ability to grow your business and generate more profits simply because you now have the capital to do so, albeit at a higher cost. And couldn’t you offset some of the cost of factoring by taking discounts with your own suppliers (and improving relations with them along the way!), as well as purchasing more effectively with your new found working capital?
So , in summary , if you need a financing partner when you are considering a receivable management and financing solution seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who will ensure your cost and partnership with your factoring firm is focused on a mutually beneficial relationship for financing success .
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/factoring_receivables_invoice_rates_cost_financing.html
Monday, March 21, 2011
Canadian Business To Business Factoring Stripped Down – Receivables Cash Flow For Your Accounts
What's our goal here ? It's to explain the art, and science of business to business factoring so your firm can understand the benefits, costs, and ' how to ' of receivables financing for your commercial accounts . (Commercial, because in general consumer receivables can’t be financed in this manner - see .. you have learned something already!).
So where are you in the pack? We think we know already, you are either growing quickly, or running into all sorts of obstacles when it comes to cash flow and working capital financing. Is it possible to actually finally manage that situation successfully? One of a number of possible answers is the cash flowing of your receivables - which can be facilitated by the way on a one of, periodic, or on going full time basis. Bottom line, your firm has options.
So what does business use receivables factoring for ? - its pretty obvious - the general day to day business obligations you have with suppliers re your payables, any loan or lease payments you need to make, admin and salaries, etc.
The reality, (hopefully) is that your ongoing working capital needs fluctuate, and that you are not in constant crisis mode. We are the first to admin that with the recent recession every small and medium sized business in Canada probably felt, to some degree, a tightening of business credit. Suffice to say they looked for alternate or new innovative solutions for business financing.
One of these solutions is business to business factoring, which is the sale of your receivables for cash. It sounds so simply, that’s why we are hoping to convey the ' stripped down' explanation of this type of financing, while at the same time warning clients where some of the complexity and risk lies.
Receivables, your commercial accounts tended historically to be paid in commercial environments in 30 days - these days 60 and 90 days are common occurrences. Your ability to smooth out the cash flow ultimately will reflect in your overall business financing success.
Let's focus in on our core asset, your A/R. Go to any balance sheet and receivables will make up a very large portion of your ' most near liquid ' asset. Your ability to monetize that asset on an ongoing basis creates working capital.
Business owners need to consider that their ability to monetize cash through receivables factoring in essence can become a competitive tool, allowing you to penetrate markets, and generate more sales and profits at the expense of your creditors.
Business to business factoring has been around for 100 years, if not more. Why is it more popular today? The simple ' stripped down ‘reason it is easier to obtain than bank credit, and can often be fully functional in your company within a couple weeks.
Why do business owners like and utilize A/R financing? - simply because it has limited focus on personal covenants of the owners, other asset collateral is not required, and under the right circumstances your customers and suppliers aren’t even aware of how your firm has suddenly become flush with cash .
So that’s all the upside, is there any downside? Only if you don't know what you are doing !You need to focus on what types of business to business factoring is out there, what are the costs ( they vary from 1-3%/month) and if your receivables partner has the flexibility and straight forward processes to accommodate your day to day activity . Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor to ensure our ' stripped down ‘version of business factoring meets your business and cash flow goals.
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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/business_to_business_factoring__receivables.html
Monday, October 18, 2010
Has Your Company Overlooked the business financing of receivables or Factoring as a Working Capital strategy?
Let's do a basic ' primer' on this somewhat unknown or mis-understood form of business financing. Many Canadian business owners or financial managers mistake factoring or the selling of your receivables as a ' loan '. That is not the case, it’s simply the case of monetizing or cash flowing your probably largest current asset, your receivables, and paying a financing charge, or discount fee for the service
In general approximately 90% of the value of an invoice is advance to you pretty well the same day that you issue your invoice. Your normal obligation is to provide some sort of proof of delivery or acceptance of that invoice related to your goods and services.
We're of the opinion that factoring receivables seems to be viewed as a small business financing tactic , but we can assure readers that some of the largest corporations in Canada utilize the tactic also - in some cases its simply jazzed up with a fancier name such as ' securitization' or financing via 'asset backed commercial paper ' , etc. So the big boys are doing it also! Don't forget that.
When clients talk about moving forward on this type of business financing the largest challenges seems to simply be their ability to understand pricing, pick the right firm to work with, and finally, to ensure that the daily flow of paperwork around this type of business financing makes sense . If the wrong factor partner is selected there are countless stories out there of firms who have experience a negative level of customer intrusion around the whole factoring receivables process. So choose your partner well, and probably the best info or advice we share in this regard is to seek the services of a trusted, experienced and credible business financing advisor who can steer you towards financing and cash flow success.
A common question related to our 'primer' on factoring (also called invoice discounting or receivable financing) is: ' Do we qualify '. The short and positive answer is absolutely, if you have receivables you qualify, that's what this form of business financing is about.
Many business owners or their financial manager’s struggle with the cost of this type of financing which typically is in the 1- 2.5% range in Canada. The bottom line on the costs is simply that they will vary relative to the size of your receivables, the perceived credit quality, and the type of firm you contract with in this regard. That’s where the help of a Canadian business financing expert can help you immensely. In fact more often than not that expert can demonstrate how you can significantly reduce the cost of financing receivables to almost zero in some cases, but certainly a reasonable amount in most situations.
So whats our primer summary on receivables and business financing via factoring. It’s simply that if you’re reading this you probably have a business financing challenge. A/R financing is a method to eliminate that challenge. Working hard on your financing is commendable; working smart on your financing with an expert is a must. Investigate the solution that will bring cash to your firm’s door tomorrow.