WELCOME !

Thanks for dropping in for some hopefully great business info and on occasion some hopefully not too sarcastic comments on the state of Business Financing in Canada and what we are doing about it !

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.



Showing posts with label working capital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label working capital. Show all posts

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Asset Finance: A Smart Way to Secure Your Business's Credit Line and Working Capital

 

YOUR COMPANY IS LOOKING FOR WORKING CAPITAL FINANCING SOLUTIONS!

Maximizing Your Cash Flow: How Asset Based Financing  Can Help Fund Your Business's Credit Line

You've arrived at the right address! Welcome to 7 Park Avenue Financial

Financing & Cash flow are the  biggest issues facing businesses today

ARE YOU UNAWARE OR   DISSATISFIED WITH YOUR CURRENT  BUSINESS  FINANCING OPTIONS?

CONTACT:

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

Direct Line = 416 319 5769


Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

 

 

Building Your Business's Future with Asset Finance for Working Capital 

 

Business line of credit needs are often best solved when your firm understands why you need this type of financing/working capital facility. And the good news? 

 

 

What You Need to Know About a Business Line of Credit Via An Asset Finance Strategy 

 

Using asset finance as a business line of credit strategy provides companies with a flexible financing solution to borrow funds as needed for day-to-day short-term expenses. It allows the company to explore growth options. As a working capital strategy, asset-based lending provides the same revolving credit lines based on a higher loan-to-value ratio for borrowing based on asset finance eligibility.

 

 

 

ASSET BASED LENDING IS YOUR ' HACK ' FOR IMPROVING CASH FLOW 

 

Cash flow management is a critical requirement for any business, large or small. By focusing on effective asset turnover and proper management of accounts receivable and inventories, all companies' short-term cash flow gaps experience by all companies can be met by focusing on an ' ABL ' solution.

 

 

 

ASSET FINANCE EXPLAINED 

 

Asset finance is a method of financing a business that uses business assets of the company such as receivables, inventory, and fixed assets as collateral for borrowing. Companies obtain working capital via collateralized loans as a flexible financing option.

 

As a business owner, you don't need one of those ' Artificial Intelligence Bots ' ( such as Chatgpt )  to run thousands of algorithms around your cash flow needs.

 

It's all about understanding how your company is doing and what type of solution is available!

 

Cash flow is vital to all businesses. 60% of business owners say they regularly struggle with cash flow and 40% say the absence of access to cash flow financing restricts their business growth.

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TERM LOAN VERUS A LINE OF CREDIT?

 

Both term loans and lines of credit are types of typical business financing - Term loans are lump sum cash flows requiring regular installment payments over a fixed amortization period at a specified interest rate from the lender.

Business lines of credit are revolving credit facilities that businesses use to access funds as required based on a predetermined credit limit.  The line of credit options typically offers more flexibility as it revolves and is used only as needed.

 

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CASH FLOW PROBLEMS

 

Common causes of poor cash flow problems are:


Collections too slow - accounts receivable management and financing of a/r is critical around unpaid invoices

 

The operation capacity (or ability) you have available for your company might be unreliable due to a lack of sales and the ability to meet current liabilities -  Take the time to research various Canadian business financing options with a focus on the nature of your industries and the actual need for working capital - that might be for equipment, real estate, inventory, etc.

 

 

 

SHORT / MEDIUM / LONG TERM FINANCING - WHICH ONE DOES YOUR COMPANY NEE D

 

Small business owners often struggle to find the right financing for their companies. They face many options, including short-term, medium-term and long-term loans - but what does this all mean?

 

If you don't select an appropriate length of time based on your needs as a small entrepreneur, then it could hurt not only your prospects but also your financial stability in general.

 

MATCH CASH FLOW TO LOAN TERMS!

 

Business owners and their financial managers should choose financing terms that align with their current and future cash flow needs.

 

The shorter loan terms offer shorter repayment times but more sizable monthly payments. Longer loan terms mean small monthly payments but longer amortizations --and they may not work unless you have a steady cash flow coming in regularly.

 

 

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF CREDIT SCORES

 

 

Business loans will often, but not always, require a good credit score. Safe to say, though, that business owners with good credit will more likely be approved for loans, but those with bad credit may not.

 

 

DON'T MAKE THIS MISTAKE! STAYING AHEAD OF THE GAME VIA PROPER CREDIT LINE USE

 

A working capital line of credit should be used for short-term needs, not long-term ones. Don't confuse short-term working capital needs with long-term, permanent requirements.

 

If credit lines provide one thing it certainly is  ' flexibility ' as it relates to your financing ' wiggle room '. You're borrowing what you need and, of course, only incurring charges for amounts you use which hopefully are constantly revolving as you turn over key assets such as receivables and inventory. Invoice financing is key to running a successful growing business.

 

 
FACTORS AFFECTING LOAN TERM OPTIONS 

 

When considering the type of business loan that will best suit your needs, it's essential first to determine what you hope to use this money for. Beyond deciding which term is right for our situation and given financial circumstances, two other factors are involved in choosing a financing solution: interest rate and potential cost versus cash flows.

 

REASONS YOUR FIRM MIGHT NEED MORE WORKING CAPITAL

 

The cash flow of your business can be volatile. You may need additional capital during the peak seasons or to keep up when there’s less money coming in due to time pressures from suppliers, employees, and government regulations demanding attention all the time.

 

Almost all companies will experience times when more working funds are required just so obligations such as payrolls go through without interruption! ...but these instances typically come at different intervals.

 

Seasonal fluctuations in business cash flow are not uncommon. This can be because many companies need added capital at peak seasons or when they receive less revenue. Others may require more money so their operations keep running smoothly during these slower times of year without cutting back on expenses.

 


Almost all businesses will experience boom-and-bust cycles. Even more, flexibility comes around simply knowing and understanding that your firm can handle the day-to-day surprises ' - aka ‘bulge ' cash flow needs around one of, or seasonal business expenses.

 

Credit lines are of course, also not term debt - while your business assets typically collateralize them, it's at the end of the day, somewhat unsecured.

 

Knowing and understanding the true financial health of your business will often dictate what type of facility you're eligible for. Key to that of course, is how long you've been in business, what type of financing rates your firm can handle, and speed and accessibility to financing approval.

 

Thousands of businesses with SME COMMERCIAL FINANCE needs take advantage of short-term working capital loans, often marketed (or disguised?) as business credit lines and typically not used for more established businesses.

 

They are sought after because they offer quick approvals and approval criteria are far less restrictive than those solutions offered by Canadian chartered banks and provide the additional working capital needed.

 

From a financial perspective, your company's health will typically dictate the type of credit line your firm can access. The two most typical solutions are traditional banking or asset-based lines of credit for funding current assets offered by non-bank commercial lenders.

 

UNSECURED LINES OF CREDIT

 

Unsecured, revolving lines of credit  & unsecured loans are effective tools for augmenting your working capital for a more established business. They provide you with a valuable tool via the ability to finance temporary needs via a small business line of credit.

 

The Line of Credit is a business tool that can be used to help you grow your company. It's important for businesses since they may not always want or need one. Still, instead, use it as needed based on their revenue and balance sheet needs -your firm will pay interest on the facility used at any given time -A personal guarantee is required on unsecured credit lines.

 

Banks as an example, will consider focusing on issues such as business credit history and looking into the healthiness (and longevity) outside an individual’s financial statements: working capital ratio, networking cash position versus annual revenues, copies of bank statements, etc. Although many factors may affect the size of your working capital line of credit, a rule of thumb is that it shouldn’t exceed 10% of your company’s revenues.

 

Knowing how well your business is running and how to calculate working capital needs in the short term is key to both supplier and credit line provider relationships. While volumes are written on how business financial health is determined, the real world dictates it all boils down to:

 

Profit/loss generation

Operating Cash Flows

Positive/Negative net working capital positions

Existing debt

 

 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS - ASSET FINANCING AS A WORKING CAPITAL CASH FLOW SOLUTION 

 

Asset Financing is tied directly to business asset values.

 

Asset finance for working capital is a good choice if options are limited for other cash flow financing needs.

 

Business lines of credit  are asset-based loans around a fixed amount based on asset values

 

Lines of credit can be secured or unsecured.

 

Businesses use working capital facilities to fund seasonal or cyclical cash flow gaps and fund day-to-day needs and expenses.

 

 

 

 
 
CONCLUSION - THE BENEFITS OF ASSET FINANCING FOR A BUSINESS CREDIT LINE AND WORKING CAPITAL GROWTH

 

If you’re looking for solid assistance and the cash flow/working capital solutions available in the Canadian marketplace call  7 Park Avenue Financial, a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can provide business credit line offerings and business growth strategies that meet your needs in the small business lending marketplace.

 

Let's explore those asset finance advantages: a working capital loan solution or a business credit line via traditional lenders or non-bank alternative financing firms.

 

FAQ/FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS / MORE INFORMATION

 

 

What is working capital financing? 

 

The funding of working capital financing is borrowing solutions focused on a company's ability to cover day-to-day expenses and commitments around current liabilities. This type of financing should not be used to purchase equipment and other long-term assets or real estate.  Businesses can also use short-term working capital loans or business credit for immediate cash flow needs.

 

 

What are the benefits of using asset finance for business credit lines and working capital?  

 

A key benefit of using an asset finance strategy for a business credit line is that it allows businesses t obtain financing using only the business assets as collateral while at the same time retaining the full use of those assets. This method of financing a company provides a flexible financing option versus the constraints around traditional bank loans as funding can be achieved more quickly and easily. The ability to generate additional revenue and profits based on cash resources is a key benefit.

Firms that are financially challenged but who have or can increase good gross margins can typically absorb the higher interest rates that come with non-bank business credit lines, often referred to as 'ABLs' -  Asset-Based Credit Lines.

 

How can businesses determine if asset finance is the right option for their credit lines and working capital needs?

 

Businesses should consider several factors when deciding if asset finance is the right option for their credit lines and working capital needs.  Issues that should be considered include the value of key business assets and the amount of cash flow financing/working capital the business needs. 

 

Asset financing should be compared to other potential financing options such as unsecured credit lines offered by banks to determine the best suitable option for running and growing the business. Borrowers should also ensure business loan requirements are understood around key issues such as business creditworthiness and credit history.

 

What is an asset-based lending line of credit?

Asset-based lending lines of credit, also called ' ABL'S) is a type of business borrowing and financing where business lenders provide revolving credit facilities based on accounts receivable generated by ales, inventories, and fixed assets - If a company owns real estate that can also be factored into the facility.  These credit lines are used by businesses that can't access some of the business credit they need to fund working capital needs around cash management. These facilities allow a company to arrange borrowed capital they require in the future.

 

How does asset finance work in Canada?

 

Asset finance allows Canadian firms to use assets as collateral for a loan or line of credit. Lenders value assets and provide financing based on that value. In addition to working capital lines of credit asset finance is a valuable asset strategy that can also be used to describe equipment financing and real estate financing in business operations.

Friday, March 24, 2023

Understanding Working Capital: Key to Successful Business Financing





YOU ARE LOOKING FOR WORKING CAPITAL AND BUSINESS FINANCING!

Business Financing 101: How to Manage Your Working Capital

You've arrived at the right address! Welcome to 7 Park Avenue Financial 

Let us help your firm just like our hundreds of other satisfied clients.

        Financing & Cash flow are the biggest issues facing businesses today

   ARE YOU UNAWARE OR DISSATISFIED WITH YOUR CURRENT BUSINESS FINANCING OPTIONS?

CALL NOW - DIRECT LINE - 416 319 5769 - Let's talk or arrange a meeting to discuss your needs

Or Email us with any questions on Canadian Business Financing

EMAIL - sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

 


 

Unlocking Your Working Capital Potential: Innovative Business Financing Solutions

 

If you're like most of us Mom never really gave us a lot of advice on working capital!

 

That's why for such an important business financing subject we recently read an older article in Canadian Business magazine that covered a total of 15 - yes that’s 15! - ways to finance your business. Perhaps these were the secrets of the Holy Grail that Mom never taught us, we thought. Turns out some were, but most were not! So let's dig in and get serious on the subject of cash flow financing your business needs.

 

CASH FLOW FINANCING SOLUTIONS

 

Cash flow financing is a business finance option for businesses that are growing and require either business loans or upfront investment to generate further revenue as well as to fund ongoing operations.

 

That ability to fulfill existing debt obligations and to have the financial capacity to grow the business requires solid cash flow forecasting and short-term financing strategies for funding cash flow to run and grow the business.

 

Cash flow loans can include working capital term loans, business lines of credit,  receivable financing strategies and other innovative traditional and alternative finance solutions. Financing your business properly enhances the chances of business growth with proper working capital efficiency!

 

"In business, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield." - Warren Buffett

 

 

WHAT IS A WORKING CAPITAL LOAN? 

 

A working capital loan is a type of financing in a term loan structure that allows a business to fund ongoing day-to-day business expenses such as accounts payable,  rent, purchasing of inventory, and other miscellaneous overheads.

 

This method of financing covers short-term gaps in cash flow and provides businesses with essential capital to run a business smoothly.

 

The majority of working capital loans are unsecured and require no collateral - loans are ' backstopped' by the cash flows of this business - as well as the guarantees of business owners- Loan amounts and repayments are structured based on the type and amount of financing - so amortization is on an installment basis and may be short term or several years in duration.

 

Working capital loan financing is provided by banks, business credit unions,  online lenders, and other alternative financing providers. Typical information required to process such a loan includes the financial statements of the companies, tax returns and other basic business information on the business - in some cases, a business plan will benefit the chances of approval.  Cash flow projections will typically be provided by the borrower to show the overall stability of the business as well as repayment capability.

 

 

DO YOU UNDERSTAND YOUR CASH CONVERSION CYCLE?

 

The cash conversion cycle,  aka  (CCC)  is a financing measurement tool that allows a business to assess its working capital needs and uses - that allows the business to assess the cash needs of day-to-day operations. The cash conversion cycle calculation measures the amount of time it takes for a company to both meet obligations as well as factor in cash inflows from collections - A shorter timeframe is generally accepted as a better number.

The calculations used in the measurement include asset turnover ratios such as inventory, receivables, and payables - All information is based on information in the financial statements such as cost of goods, dso, sales, and ending payables.


 

WHAT ARE SOME COMMON USES OF WORKING CAPITAL FINANCING

 

Working capital financing has a wide range of uses such as the ability to invest in inventory and other required materials.

Many businesses are seasonal or cyclical in nature and will often require upfront capital to meet requirements during off-peak periods - Also in the business many short-term opportunities arise such as purchasing material or inventory at better prices /costs.

Staffing and labour costs can also be met by working capital finance solutions.

 

WHAT IS MEZZANINE DEBT?

 

Mezzanine debt is an unsecured cash flow loan provided by private finance firms. In almost all cases, it focuses solely on cash flow as the repayment vehicle. The bad news on mezzanine debt is that it typically is available for larger transactions in excess of several million dollars, which certainly doesn’t work for most small and medium business owners. For the record mezzanine financing rates are higher, and often in the low to mid-teens.

 

 

DOES YOUR BUSINESS QUALIFY FOR VENTURE CAPITAL FINANCING ( SPOILER ALERT- PROBABLY NOT!) 



VC money is often bandied about and sought by many corporations. Venture capital in Canada is struggling in the 2023  environment, any fundings seem to be going to firms that have been previously funded and are getting additional capital (to stay alive?). 

 

Any Venture capital firm expects a high rate of return relative to the risk they are taking in financing your firm on an equity basis - in fact traditionally, as the article stated, the venture capitalists are looking for a 5 times return.  Unfortunately for many Canadian business owners, these types of funding go to the sexier industry segments such as biotechnology, high tech, etc.

 

 
CONCLUSION -  WORKING CAPITAL IS THE FOUNDATION OF BUSINESS FINANCING

 

The common types of cash flow and working capital financing for SME businesses will include term loans, business credit lines, invoice financing such as factoring, and short-term working capital loans known as a ' merchant cash advance '. Small business loans under the Canada small business financing program now include working capital facilities based on changes to the program that Industry Canada made in 2022.

 

Many businesses use business credit cards to cover small operational costs,  while term loan structures for cash flow are for more established companies that can prove positive cash flow for repayment. Line of  Credit facilities are useful for any business requiring the need to address cash flow gaps around the investment a company makes in a/r and inventory and the company will pay interest only on funds drawn under the facility.

 

Short-term merchant advances are smaller installment loans geared to a formula around company sales and the business owner's personal credit scores and are readily accessible but come with higher interest rates.

 

Call 7 Park Avenue Financial, a trusted, credible and experienced business financing advisor who can provide you with an up-to-date realistic alternative to business funding and business loan needs.

 

 
FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PEOPLE ALSO ASK MORE INFORMATION

 

 

 

How do you calculate working capital?

Working capital is calculated by subtracting current liabilities on the balance sheet from the company's current assets also listed on a balance sheet 

 

Why is working capital important?

Working capital is important because it represents the funding that the company has available to service day-to-day operations. Positive working capital that includes good asset turnover in balance sheet accounts will ensure the ability of the company to pay bills and invest in growth opportunities. When working capital turnover is poor businesses struggle and may be perceived as having credit risk to business lenders who focus on calculations around the working capital cycle and debt service coverage ratios.

 

What is a good working capital ratio?

 

A good working capital ratio is in the 2 range if asset turnover is reasonable - If the working capital ratio, also known as the current ratio, is negative then the company may be breaching loan covenants and may be considered insolvent.  - When the ratio is exceedingly higher than 2 it suggests asset turnover around days sales outstanding, inventory turns, and payables are poor.

 

Can working capital be negative?

Working capital can be negative in certain circumstances,  It is not always cause for concern as many businesses and business models such as retailers selling on a  cash basis can operate with negative working capital efficiency ratios.

 

Is  SR&ED Financing A Source of Working Capital

The sr&ed program provides billions of dollars of capital for any firm in Canada that qualifies for research spending and adheres to the program guidelines. SRED claims can also be financed, similar to a receivable, as soon as they are filed, which supercharges the program even more from a working capital business financing perspective.

Click here for the business finance track record of 7 Park Avenue Financial

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Factoring Financing For Working Capital Needs Factoring Finance In Canada - A Lot Easier To Understand Than Bitcoin!





YOUR COMPANY IS LOOKING FOR FINANCING VIA  WORKING CAPITAL  FACTORING!

YOUR GUIDE TO CAPITAL  AS A WORKING CAPITAL SOLUTION IN CANADA

You've arrived at the right address! Welcome to 7 Park Avenue Financial 

        Financing & Cash flow are the biggest issues facing businesses today

                              ARE YOU UNAWARE OR DISSATISFIED WITH YOUR CURRENT BUSINESS FINANCING OPTIONS?

CALL NOW - DIRECT LINE - 416 319 5769 - Let's talk or arrange a meeting to discuss your needs

EMAIL - sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

 

THE BENEFITS OF FACTORING FOR IMPROVING WORKING CAPITAL

 

Factoring for working capital needs in Canada is quickly becoming a recognized and traditional strategy for cash flow financing. We say traditional because for many years factoring via Canadian factoring companies in Canada was viewed as a non-traditional and alternative financing strategy.

 

 

 

A bank is a place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it starts to rain." - Robert Frost 

 

Poet Robert Frost probably wasn't talking about factoring accounts receivables to obtain cash, but he highlights the risk around being too heavily reliant on traditional financing options such as bank credit!

 

INTRODUCTION - ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE  FACTORING AS A FINANCING SOLUTION IN CANADA

 

Small businesses in Canada constantly struggle with cash flow management issues - that challenge of covering operating expenses, the purchasing of materials, and asses for the business is a challenge - Factoring services helps those cash flow issues business experiences, allowing the company to finance accounts receivable at a slight discount to third party business factors.

 

 

The simple explanation around this financing tool is that it allows Canadian firms to access financing and cash flow immediately to smooth out the ups and downs of any company's business cycle.

 

WHAT DOES A FACTORING COMPANY FINANCE

 

Firms in Canada utilize the strategy for short term working capital needs. Invoice factoring is not a term loan. Most business owners don’t realize that factoring as a financing strategy brings no debt on the balance sheet. We could comfortably argue that your balance sheet looks better when using this financing tool. It, in effect, allows you to satisfy short terms needs for payroll, purchase of inventory, etc.

 

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF FACTORING IN WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT?

 

Factoring is a valuable tool to manage working capital in your business because businesses can instantly convert sales, i.e. accounts receivable, into cash.  By financing ( selling ) invoices to the factoring company, the enterprise receives immediate same-day cash to fund day-to-day business needs around suppliers and current liabilities on the balance sheet - The bottom line?  Cash flow is improved, and the business can operate more efficiently and effectively.

 

By reducing the need for traditional financing via term loans or lines of credit, the company can maintain liquidity at times when conventional channels for funding are limited for a business - A factoring company focuses on the creditworthiness/credit quality of your accounts receivable base versus the financial health of your business - Many companies cannot access some of all of the traditional bank financing they need to run and grow a business which is why accounts receivable financing is a valuable solution.

 

Using traditional factoring solutions, businesses also can transfer both credits and collect risk to the factoring company if they so choose - At 7 Park Avenue Financial, our focus is often on recommending a Confidential Receivable Financing factoring agreement, allowing a business to bill and collect its customer payments while reaping the immediate benefit of factoring -  CASH FLOW!


Most factoring solutions will also allow the business owner and financial manager to finance the receivables invoices they choose to finance, so this finance solution is the ultimate in short-term cash flow gap solutions. Any business requiring ongoing cash flow needs to operate successfully and manage asset turnover, and credit risk should consider receivable financing as a Canadian Business Financing solution.

 

 

BENEFITS OF FACTORING -  IMPROVED CASH FLOW / QUICK ACCESS TO FUNDS / IMPROVED RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSET TURNOVER  

 

A factor financing strategy has significant benefits if utilized properly (more about that later). Some of these benefits include:

 

  • The ability to purchase more inventory on a short-term basis at preferred pricing and quantities

 

  • Access a working capital credit facility that many times are significantly higher than what your firm could achieve with bank financing.

 

  • Increase sales with the right customers by offering better payment terms than your competitors (cash flow is king for your customers also!)

 

  • Take advantage of payment discounts offered by suppliers – many firms offer discounts such as 2% ten days – by taking advantage of these discounts, you can remove a huge portion of your factor financing discounts

 

EVALUATING FACTORING AS A WORKING CAPITAL SOLUTIONS

 

We can’t overemphasize the need to ensure you understand the Canadian factoring market. It differs significantly from the U.S., and some enhancements to a factor financing strategy can supercharge your cash flow. For instance, by combining an A/R facility and an inventory financing scenario, you can often at least double all your firm's previous liquidity. That’s a powerful cash flow statement.

 

Also, for firms that are factoring now, we are quite convinced, after talking to clients, that they either don’t understand factoring pricing or in some cases have been misled about what they are really paying for this type of financing. Even improving your factor facility by ½ % can drive profits straight to the bottom line.  Clients are encouraged to seek a trusted, credible, and experienced advisor such as the team at 7 Park Avenue Financial  in this area , who can help them achieve the right factoring facility for their firm.

 

We also encourage clients to seek out factor facilities that don’t lock you into long term contracts, as our experience indicates your firm might be a candidate for other forms of financing at some point down the road.

 

WHEN SHOULD A  COMPANY  CONSIDER FACTORING?

 

 

5 REASONS TO CONSIDER FACTORING FINANCE 

 

1. The ability to cash flow slow-paying customers will allow a business to fund daily operations and invest in growth

 

 2. Companies with a limited credit history or who do not have the financial strength to access financing via traditional financial institutions such as banks can access business funding for ongoing capital needs

 

3. Businesses that have cyclicality or seasonality to some aspects of their business can benefit from  overcoming cash flow fluctuations that help smooth out the cash flow cycle of a business

 

4. Growth opportunities such as expansion into new markets or international markets can be funded by sales financing and receivable factoring

 

5. Service-oriented businesses  that do not have assets or collateral required by banks can still access working capital

 

 

We spoke previously of properly utilizing a factoring financing strategy. By that, we mean that you should ensure you understand what you are paying, as some firms have methods of presenting factoring in a method to confuse the customer about overall ‘all in' cost.  Things to look for are clear per diem pricing – you want to ensure you only pay for what you use in your facility. Open contracts make more sense for your firm; why would you let a finance firm lock you into a contract? Other things to look for are the advance rates on your transaction.

 

Most business owners understand the basic mechanics of factoring – they are of course:

 

  • Your firm ships or delivers your goods and services
  • You invoice and receive same-day cash for your invoices – usually in the range of 80-90%
  • Your customer pays the invoice and at that time you receive the original amount that was held back, minus the factoring discount fee

 

U.S. Based firms that offer factoring in Canada are heavily involved in the entire process that we just walked through. They often insist on verifying your invoices, talking to your customer about payment, etc. Our recommended solution to eliminate this intrusiveness is a factoring or working capital facility that allows you to bill and collect your own receivables.

 

 

KEY TAKEAWAY - WORKING CAPITAL FACTORING 

 

Factoring improves cash flow by providing immediate cash for  outstanding invoices generated by business-to-business sales

 

Cash flow access is immediate - often the same day or the next day at the latest

 

Obstacles to traditional financing are eliminated as  receivable finance is a viable alternative to traditional bank loans that have significant requirements around  personal guarantees,  collateral,  and the  bank requirement for strong financial statements.

 

Companies can better manage  credit risk by utilizing non-recourse financing solutions, credit insurance,  or  utilizing the collection expertise of business factoring companies

 

Factor financing is often tailored to a business or industry's particular needs around the cash flow gaps in the business.

 

Any business selling on trade finance/credit terms to business customers domestically or internationally can access factor financing working capital solutions.

 

Increased buying power - cash flow from receivable financing can be used to maximize inventory purchases.

 

Factoring will often be an intermediate solution for a company to improve the business credit history and make the journey back to traditional financial solutions.

 

 
CONCLUSION 

 

Factoring for working capital is a proven strategy. The challenge becomes being an educated business owner. Find out what benefits apply to your firm when utilizing this type of financing, and investigate the best facility for overall ease of doing business and pricing. That’s cash flow 101! For working capital factoring.

Call 7 Park Avenue Financial, a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor to discuss your business financing needs.

 

 
FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS / PEOPLE ALSO ASK / MORE INFORMATION 

 

What is factoring, and how does it work as a working capital solution?

Factoring is a business financial transaction in the area of asset based lending which allows a business to finance its sales by selling unpaid invoices to a third-party commercial factoring company at a discount to obtain immediate cash instead of waiting for payment from the client. This form of financing allows a business to finance daily operations and cover business needs around current liabilities and short-term obligations.

 

 

How can factoring benefit businesses in terms of working capital? 

 

Factoring benefits businesses by providing access to cash needed to cover the investment a business makes in working capital accounts such as accounts receivables and inventory - Cash flow is improved when the company cannot access traditional financial options from banks for short-term working capital loans or business credit lines to fund business operations. Companies cash choose between non recourse invoice or traditional recourse factoring based on credit and collection policy and bad debt experience.

 

What potential drawbacks or risks are associated with factoring as a working capital solution?

 

Factoring financing is more costly than bank financing based on the factoring fee that the invoice factoring company charges. Firms using traditional notification factoring have a potential loss of control in the collection process, and customer relationships can become a concern.  Not all businesses are suitable for factoring.

 

What types of businesses can benefit from factoring as a working capital solution?

 

Any business that sells on trade credit in any industry has the potential to benefit from factoring. Longer payment terms can be offered to clients that can be financed via a factoring solution.

 

 

 

How can businesses determine if factoring is the right working capital solution? 

 

Businesses should consider factoring receivables for working capital by assessing factors determining their working capital needs with a business advisor to determine if they can benefit from factoring as a working capital solution for immediate cash flow as a line of credit alternative.

Click here for the business finance track record of 7 Park Avenue Financial

Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Working Capital & Business Lines of Credit and Loans To Optimize Cash Flow





YOUR COMPANY IS LOOKING FOR CANADIAN  BUSINESS FINANCING SOLUTIONS!

 

HOW TO MASTER BUSINESS CASH FLOW VIA WORKING CAPITAL AND LINE OF CREDIT SOLUTIONS

 

You've arrived at the right address! Welcome to 7 Park Avenue Financial

Financing & Cash flow are the  biggest issues facing businesses today

ARE YOU UNAWARE OR   DISSATISFIED WITH YOUR CURRENT  BUSINESS  FINANCING OPTIONS?

CALL NOW - DIRECT LINE - 416 319 5769 - Let's talk or arrange a meeting to discuss your needs

EMAIL - sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com


 

 

WORKING CAPITAL LINE OF CREDIT SOLUTIONS 

 

 

" If you can't manage your cash you can't manage your business " - Grant Cardone 

 

Business lines of credit & the right loans for your business deliver on working capital, cash flow, and growth for your company; they can come at a painstaking price it seems sometimes.

 

We're exploring the strategies that allow you to have business financing success in this area. Let's dig in.

 

 

WHAT IS WORKING CAPITAL? 

 


Working capital is all about the amount of cash a business can generate to fund day to day expenses and operations of the business. Business lines of credit allow a company to borrow up to predetermined limits and repay as cash flows come into the business. Working capital lines of credit loans and other monetization strategies give a company the flexibility to cover short-term obligations as sales revenues and expenses fluctuate.


 
 
FUELING  BUSINESS GROWTH-  WORKING CAPITAL AND A LINE OF CREDITS BOOST THE GROWTH OF YOUR BUSINESS  

 

 

When business owners and financial managers have successfully negotiated working capital facilities or term loans it should not be the end of the story. By that, we mean that the business owner and financial managers must continually focus on what the bank or other financial institution requires, and more importantly, how lenders view the customer from a control point of view. So how does the lender exert control over your business?

 

 

USING THE BALANCE SHEET TO FUEL BUSINESS GROWTH 

 

Knowing the balance sheet must be a top focus for the business owner - once a firm is over-leveraged, i.e. borrowing too heavily, the bank or commercial lender generally starts positioning around their overall security or your ability to de-leverage.

 

Balance sheet accounts in the working capital equation include inventories, accounts receivable, and pre-paid accounts - Short term liabilities include payables, emergency repair costs,  and fixed costs around items such as rent, utilities, etc, Some businesses must balance deferred revenue and accrued expenses in their day-to-day cash management of everyday business expenses.

 

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CASH FLOW  'TRIGGERS '

 

Borrowers must be comfortable and knowledgeable about the use of 'triggers '. Triggers are the implied actions the bank or institution will take when things aren't working out. This can include everything from general poor financial performance to very specific pre-agreed-upon financial ratios. And the business owner must remember that he or she agreed to and concurred with these ratios.

 

 

BANK FINANCING FOR BUSINESS NEEDS 

 

Banks want to see cash flow ' flowing ' - flowing to repay their debt - so there may be triggers put in place by the bank to ensure that minimum cash flow standards are kept, and also that owners and shareholders do not withdraw excess funds.

 

Over time business owners will probably find, in our experience, that the bank and business credit union restrictions either tighten up or loosen, depending of course on the overall comfort level the bank has with the firm. Clearly, firms that seem temporarily challenged in profits and balance sheet quality will receive much more scrutiny when it comes to approval for working capital lines.

 

Business owners can do some very solid and valuable preparatory work in the negotiation of bank triggers. If they have a solid long term history of earnings this should be a very strong negotiating point with the institution.

 

WORKING CAPITAL IN BANKING

 

Simply by self-introspection of the firm can the owner or financial manager focus on what is going to go wrong regarding sales, pricing, forex, etc? The owner needs to be able to talk about these issues and show how he could address them. Also, remember that traditional lending sources such as banks are not the only way to finance a business these days.

 

WORKING CAPITAL FINANCING OPTIONS

 

Other solutions in the alternative sector for SME/small business owners  include: Choosing the right type of financing for your business needs

 

A/R Financing/ Factoring

Inventory Loans

 Purchase Order Financing

Non bank asset based lines of  revolving credit

Tax Credit Financing

Sale leasebacks

 

Using 'what if 'scenarios help immensely and will position yourself as knowledgeable about your business.

 

Discussions with your bank need not be absolute and immediate on any time of loan negotiation - you can get a great informal sense of what the bank is thinking and work from that point forward. Try and read between the lines as to what is hot, and what a Vis is not with the bank Vis their perception of your firm, industry, etc.

 

In summary, business owners need to show maximum flexibility in working capital and loan negotiations. Negotiations should be from strength, accentuating the positive.

 

Example - strong forecast sales and profits can potentially offset a weaker balance sheet. That's when those alternative financial solutions should well be investigated. Trade-offs with the bank are also encouraged - and fewer triggers and covenants are better than more! Understanding the pros and cons of using a line of credit facility is key to effective business cash management.

 

 

 

' Never take your eyes off the cash flow because its the lifeblood of business ' - Richard Branson

 

 

 

 
CONCLUSION  - SECURE YOUR BUSINESS FUTURE VIA FLEXIBLE  WORKING CAPITAL SOLUTIONS 

 

And yes, there is more than one bank in the world for small businesses, although business owners should be cautioned that shopping around is not always optimal, and can in fact backfire, particularly for a small business. Business owners beware! Speak to 7 Park Avenue Financial,  a trusted, credible, and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can help avoid those painstaking finance errors.

 

 
FAQ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS PEOPLE ALSO ASK MORE INFORMATION

What is working capital, and why is it important for businesses?

 

Working capital is the funds availability that a company has that allows it to cover day-to-day operations Maintaining effective cash flows in the business allows the company to operate effectively and manage current liabilities such as accounts payable - A positive working capital position allows a business to capitalize on short-term opportunities.

 

What is a line of credit, and how does it differ from other types of financing?

Business lines of credit are a type of loan financing that allows a company to draw down on funds - Unlike term loans these facilities allow a business to pay interest only on funds that are used and drawn down on the facility - In optimal situations, business credit lines fluctuate according to sales and cash inflows from collections.

 

 

How can businesses determine their working capital needs, and what factors influence the need for cash flow?

 

 

Businesses determine working capital needs by utilizing financial measurement techniques such as the current ratio formula which subtracts current liabilities from current assets on the balance sheet to provide a net working capital amount as an example.  Other factors include the size of the business and the asset turnover in key balance sheet accounts such as accounts receivable and accounts payable. Some businesses and industries have a seasonal business aspect to sales revenues which also impacts cash needs.

 

What are the benefits and drawbacks of using a line of credit for working capital?

 

Companies that utilize a line of credit for working capital need to benefit from the flexibility to access funds as needed when there is a cash flow shortage  - Drawbacks for business owners to consider include interest rates and costs of financing and the danger of overborrowing or over-reliance on the facility.

 

What are some alternatives to a line of credit for working capital, and how do they compare?

 

Alternative financing solutions to a line of credit for a company's working capital needs that are short term financing based include financing solutions such as business credit cards and invoice financing, aka ' factoring ', as well as merchant cash advances which are short-term working capital loans repaid on an installment basis based on a credit limit calculated around monthly revenue and owner personal credit score and credit history. This type of small business loan / working capital loan is easily accessible but more costly.

Many firms use invoice financing as an alternative to a traditional bank business line of credit when traditional financing is not available to the business. This also eliminates overreliance on lines of credit. This method of financing allows funds to be deposited into the business bank account as sales are generated.

 

What are some best practices for managing working capital and using a line of credit effectively?

 

Businesses can utilize best practices around working capital management that include maintaining regular cash flow forecasts and monitoring asset turnover utilizing calculations for days sales outstanding and inventory turnover. Cash flow facilities should not be used to fund long-term assets - these assets should be funded via the use of equipment loans and lease financing which allow a business to match cash flow to useful asset life.

 

Click here for the business finance track record of 7 Park Avenue Financial

Friday, January 15, 2021

Business Cash Flow Solutions: The Other Side Of Cash Flow Financing And Working Capital Problem






Business Cash Flow Problem Working Capital | 7 Park Avenue Financial

How To Recover From Cash Flow Shortage Shock

Your business cash flow problem seeks a solution. The age-old situation of a working capital/cash flow shortage often is a ' shock ' situation to many Canadian business owners and financial managers.

 

CASH MANAGEMENT AND ASSET TURNOVER HELP CREATE PROFITS

 

Every business goal pretty well revolves around creating profits.  As that process works itself through your business you should be constantly trying to both manage cash and improve asset turnover.

 

The business owner's ability to manage, and finance working capital allows it to generate equity, pay taxes and employees, keep supplier short term relations positive, etc.

 

Calculations around working capital cash flow typically revolve around the relationship of current assets and current liabilities on your balance sheet.

 

WHAT IS THE OPERATING CYCLE

 

A great way to look at your business is to constantly be focusing on what we call the ' operating cycle '. It's essentially the ' journey ' that a dollar takes as it travels through your business.

 

Two drivers in understanding your cash and working capital are your:

 

1. Revenue recognition

 

2. Accounts payable management

 

Business owners should also check out their cash flow statement which is a key part of business financial statements allowing you to see cash from a ' where got /where gone ' perspective.

 

DON'T FORGET PAYABLES MANAGEMENT

 

While not often directly understood, most business owners /managers understand that managing payables is a key part of the cash cycle. You increase your cash from operations by delaying payables to the extent that you can, given you don’t want to damage supplier relations. Delaying payables, your major ' current liabilities ' asset is working capital management to the extent you can given vendor payment terms, etc.

 

FINANCING YOUR INVESTMENT IN  A/R AND INVENTORY

 

If your business isn’t a retail or online business you have an investment in accounts receivable. Numerous financing solutions exist to allow you to better access real cash, as opposed to the A/R and inventory build-up on your balance sheet that is not liquid.

 

Those solutions include:

 

A/R Financing


Inventory Loans


Access to Canadian bank credit


Non bank asset based lines of credit


SR&ED Tax credit financing


Equipment / fixed asset financing


Cash flow loans


Royalty finance solutions

 

Purchase Order Financing

 

Short Term Working Capital Loans/ Merchant Advance

 

Securitization

 

WHAT THOSE TEMPORARY CASH FLOW CRUNCHES!

 

If our businesses were a straight line with totally repeating ongoing transactions a lot of cash flow shortage shock would go away. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case, so seasonal and bulge situations often occur, often along the lines of the ' cash flow shock' we talk about.

 

The owner /manager's ability to forecast seasonality and bulges in business will always alleviate working capital shock .

 

WHAT TYPE OF BORROWING FACILITY DO YOU NEED?

 

At the end of the day, the most common solution to the business cash flow problem is the ability to ensure you have a borrowing facility in place that allows your company to address future cash flow uncertainty.

 

If your firm has profits, historical cash flow and acceptable financials chartered banks and business credit unions are the solutions for the long term.

 

FINANCING THE BALANCE SHEET

 

As long as you have business assets (receivables, inventories, equipment, orders/contracts) numerous non-bank solutions exist to allow you to feel that you have cash flow availability. Funding current assets is a key part of addressing a cash flow crunch.

 

CONCLUSION

 

If you're looking to avoid small business cash flow problems shock and ensure you have access to financing solutions that address the right stage your company is in ( start-up, mature, high growth, turnaround, etc ) to grow products and services, so seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian  Business Financing Advisor who can assist you with your financing needs. It's all about the amount of cash you need to satisfy enough cash for funding your company.

 



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


Direct Line = 416 319 5769



Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Click Here For 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL website !




7 Park Avenue Financial provides value-added financing consultation for small and medium-sized businesses in the areas of cash flow, working capital, and debt financing.



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.


' 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. He is an experienced

business financing consultant

.

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 financing 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.


Click here for the business finance track record of 7 Park Avenue Financial








7 Park Avenue Financial/Copyright/2020

Friday, October 2, 2020

Got Cash Flow In The Cross Hairs? The Agony And Ecstasy of Working Capital And Lending Solutions In Canada!





 

 

 

 

 It’s Changing Times In Canadian Business Finance!

 

Has your firm got cash flow in the crosshairs? Confused about that ' working capital formula ' you keep hearing about.

 

For many Canadian business owners and financial managers, it's clear - something isn’t working.  Business seems kind of back to the usual collapses (of everything), pandemics included, and the average SME business owner and financial manager find they have less working capital and lending solutions available than they had in the past.

 

DO YOUR COMPANY  HAVE ACCESS TO BUSINESS CREDIT AND WORKING CAPITAL CASH FLOW SOLUTIONS

 

Industry experts point out that the actual access to business credit and cash flow solutions is more and more a great predictor of survival.

 

Naturally, our banks and major financial firms have websites and advertisements that indicate they are providing more credit to great companies like yours. Sorry for the sarcasm...

 

It's no secret that lending standards are tighter than in the past, there are certainly not a lot of looser credit standards and criteria these days.

 

Here's a big irony - a large number of businesses in Canada actually run their businesses on credit cards - both business, and... You guessed it, personal. Working capital providers looking at loans for startups also place a certain emphasis on the credit profile and management experience of the owner/owners.

 

THE DANGERS OF MIXING PERSONAL CREDIT AND BUSINESS CREDIT

 

The one danger there of course is that the owner’s personal financial life is significantly mixed into the business. Banks are a good example of placing a strong emphasis on an owner's ' credit score ' . In general, that's not a good thing. One study in the states indicated that business owners seem to squeeze about 5k of revenue out of every 1k they spend via business credit cards... it could be worse we guess. All of a sudden that 0% interest rate on a new card must seem tempting we suppose.

 

In a perfect world (and we know it isn't) you want your company to be able to have enough cash for all your business needs, all the time. That’s of course where the imperfect world comes in.

 

What really happens is that you spend a lot of cash sometimes, and in those good months you receive a lot of cash from clients for goods and services delivered... For start-up firms or companies with a lot of seasonality in their business, it's even a rockier road.

 

If the business owner and financial manager track 'the numbers' over time he or she will find that at times when they have high inventories and receivables they are generally running out of much-needed working capital/cash flow.

 

MAINTAINING A BALANCE IN YOUR CASH FLOW NEEDS

 

Here's a fundamental concept that every business needs to get a handle on: You can raise cash flow by drawing down all the cash you have in the bank, borrowing via lending solutions - short term or otherwise, or raise additional owner equity. But you can’t keep doing any one of those all the time!! There needs to be a balance and a strong look at why you are always running low on cash.

 

Is there a most recommended way to access cash flow? More often than not it’s an internal solution, reducing A/R and inventory and managing payables carefully.

 

9 SOLUTIONS TO BUSINESS CAPITAL WORKING CAPITAL / CASH FLOW

Great lending solutions for your cash needs both traditional and alternative and  include:

 

A/R Financing


Inventory Loans


Access to Canadian bank loans/line of credit


Non bank asset based lines of credit


SR&ED Tax credit financing


Equipment / fixed asset financing


Cash flow loans


Royalty finance solutions


Government Of Canada Small Business Loan Program  - The Guaranteed federal business loan

 

CONCLUSION

 

Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in your business financing needs.

 

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


Direct Line = 416 319 5769



Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Click Here For 7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL website !




7 Park Avenue Financial provides value-added financing consultation for small and medium-sized businesses in the areas of cash flow, working capital, and debt financing.



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.


' 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. He is an experienced

business financing consultant

.

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 financing 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.


Click here for the business finance track record of 7 Park Avenue Financial



 

 
7 Park Avenue Financial/Copyright/2020/Rights Reserved