How to Finance Production Tax Credits in Film, Television and Digital Animation in Canada

We read very recently that critics of film tax credit financing in the U.S. ( This was in Philadelphia ) felt strongly that the benefits of tax credit financing were negligible and did in fact not stimulate economic growth or tax revenue .

We certainly don’t intent to weigh in on U.S. politics, but it seems very clear that the Canadian governments , both federal and provincial still strongly feel that the economic benefits of the recent tax credit increases over the last year or two in fact do bring in some cases a multiple of 5-10 times in financial benefits to the government . The bottom line is that film, television and digital animation credits in Canada are some of the most generous in the world, and these credits play an integral part in the financing of many productions in our aforementioned 3 key entertainment areas.

In order to stay on top of film TV and digital animation financing it is necessary to understand key elements of tax credit financing in the Canadian environment. Financing of a production can be a daunting, frustrating, and complex journey. Ultimately you want to also ensure you have access to an experienced, credible and trusted financing advisor in this specialized area of finance.
Two key strategies are most commonly used in tax credit financing - essentially the actual financing of a tax credit when it is certified and in fact filed, and , equally ,or perhaps more popular, the financing of tax credits now on the assumption they will be certified and eligible for government financing . This 2nd process we have describe here could be called ‘accrual tax credit financing ‘.

As a producer, director, or owner of a project (Perhaps you are all three?!) you want to ensure you interpret the different tax credits properly – that will allow you to maximize the financing you are eligible for.
Most commonly use also want to set up a separate legal entity for each project, one that allows you to maintain specific and separate legal and financial records for that project.

As unpopular it might be to focus on areas such as payment of taxes, keeping filings up to date, etc you must ultimately attend to these key issues as they are intrinsic to the proper financing of a tax credit.

The financing of a tax credit is clearly one of the most innovative methods in which you can generate valuable cash flow and working capital for your production. In many cases other parts of your debt and equity financing will always come back to your ability to both generate tax credits, and even moreso, finance them in a timely and economical fashion.

When you utilize a film finance tax strategy you are in effect helping to reduce part of the complexity of the film financing process. We can’t keep forgetting that our advice also refers to television and digital animation credits also.

Monetizing your film tax credits demonstrates your ability to ensure you are exploring the latest trend in entertainment finance – While equity and banking credit are more challenging to obtain then ever the tax credit finance strategy clearly creates a win for all parties .

It monetizes a great source of financing, and the fact that you are not giving up expensive equity or taking on additional leverage debt clearly makes for a positive financing strategy. No payments are made on tax credit financings, and your advance is ultimately set off against final receipt of government funds, which can be sometime in the future.

---

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 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details:
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/Finance_Production_Tax_Credits_Film_Tax_Credit.html

SRED Financing - Finance SR&ED Claims Today

SRED financing is simply the method by which you can, our firms own option, monetize or ‘cash flow ‘ you Sr&Ed tax credit and generate needed working capital and cash flow for ongoing operations or of course further investment in your r&d processes and development .

We have all seen the oil change commercial where the mechanic states ‘you can pay me now or pay me later ‘. Well financing your sred claim has a similar ring to it – of course you have the option of waiting for the government at the federal and provincial levels to mail your firm your cheque – that could take anywhere from 1-12 months – Or you can arrange to finance that claim now and utilize those funds for any business purpose .

Are we eligible to finance our sr&Ed claim? Clients often ask. We can only replay that if you have a claim, and have filed it, your are in fact eligible. In fact, under certain circumstance it can be arranged to receive funds even prior to filing.
Clearly the pure financial benefits of the sred grant program in Canada are numerous – you receive significant amounts back from expenditures made on research, including wages and salaries associated with that research, as well as major portions of material and equipment expenses.

All of those above noted expenses are ‘cash out ‘to your firm – the funds have been spent .So why not consider financing your claim and receiving those funds back in an extremely timely manner.

We can almost hear some of your questions now as you review our information, as they are typical of what many clients ask:

- How exactly do I monetize the sred claim
- What exactly is a sred loan – is there additional debt involved
- How long does it take and what does it cost?

Let’s cover off some of those very basic questions so you can feel comfortable about the sred financing process. The sred financing, or the monetization or cash flowing of you sred claim is simply a business financing that uses the actual sred claim as collateral. You receive approximately 70% of the full federal and provincial total as a short term cash loan that is collateralized by the sred itself. Of course the additional 30% is still yours, it is simply held back as a buffer for any adjustments that are made to your claim.

No payments are made on your sred loan, and the final cheque to you firm (you have already received 70%) is the holdback amount less the financing costs. So you have pure cash flow and additional working capital, no long term debt associated with a loan per se, and no payments are made. That is truly creative business financing for which most Canadian business owners are not even aware.

The typical process to create a sr&Ed financing is approximately 2-3 weeks, you should quite frankly view it as any other business application – the usual business info and backup on your firm, plus of course the details of the sred financing.

In summary, have your claim prepared by a qualified sred consultant - recent submission rules and styles have changed.
If you have unlimited cash flow and working capital resources by all means wait for your cheque – if you want to cash flow or discount your claim speak to a credible , experienced and trusted business financing advisor in this area .

----

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 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details:
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/SRED_Financing_Finance_SR_ed_claims_today.html

How to Finance Your Franchise Investment

You have made the decision to purchase a new or existing franchise then quickly realize that basic question - How do you finance your franchise investment.

Money or funding as quickly becomes a top priority and your ability to successfully finance your investment in your new business will ultimately play a large part in your success or failure in your new role as a Canadian entrepreneur.

For non- financial people, those not trained or comfortable in finance that challenge suddenly looms large – at the same time you have read in the papers that business financing continues to be difficult as Canada comes out of the global financial meltdown of 2008-2009.

So how can you be successful then and finance your franchise investment in a manner that allows you to take advantage of your independent business opportunity. The reality is as follows – franchise financing is available in Canada today – it is some what of a custom made financing, and the three largest assets you can bring to the table to succeed are the ability to seek out a trusted and experienced franchise financing advisor, as well as your own business and credit experience, coupled with a relatively reasonable down payment.

The true secret to your overall franchise financing success is the ability to put together a solid, slick proposal that at a high level demonstrates your ability to run the business, the potential financial success of the business, and then presenting that information to sources of franchise financing in Canada.

A key ingredient in all of your planning should be a carefully tailored business plan that highlights the basics we have discussed – this would include a summary of your business experience (and why you will make the business successful), some key financial such as, at least, your sales and profit projections for one to perhaps 3 years. And equally as important in this data is carefull documentation of your costs and expenses.

So let’s assume you have that completed – you now have to present it to a franchise financing and funding source, and ensure you have properly describe the amount of equity of personal funds you will put into the business, as well as the debt component, or total borrowed funds. The magic relationship of the right amount of debt and equity in your business will leave you, as the financial textbooks describe, as ‘properly leveraged’. By that we mean simply that it is probably very wrong to purchase your business with all cash, and equally or moreso as wrong to assume you can or will borrow all the funds needed. Either of those strategies is not recommended!

How are franchises funded in Canada asking our clients? In our experience they are financed mostly by the government sponsored Small Business Loan. In addition that is supplemented by equipment financing where applicable, as well as your own personal investment in the business. Two other sources of financing sometimes come into play; they are a vendor take back on part of the financing, either by the franchisor or the franchisee you might be buying an existing franchise from. Also available in certain cases is the ability to negotiate a cash working capital term loan from the one institution we are aware of that provides that type of financing.

The proper mix of all of the above components of franchise financing will should in fact allow you to successful complete your acquisition.

--

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 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details:
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/How_to_finance_your_franchise_investment.html

How to Choose the Best Invoice Factoring Company in Canada

A client once asked us how to go about choosing the best Invoice Factoring Company in Canada. We replied with a question, which was simply, would you prefer in any aspect of your business and personal life to work with an expert, or a non expert. The answer is of course obvious. Experts are good!

If you are looking at alternative sources of financing for your business and don’t feel comfortable in assessing all the options, benefits, and of course the pitfalls we recommend that you seek the services of a trusted, reputable and experience and successful business advisor in this area.

Factoring, also known as receivable discounting, or aka ‘receivable financing ‘is one of the fastest growing parts of business financing in North America. Thousands of firms in Canada factor their invoices and in many cases the firms utilizing this financing are newer firms, perhaps in total start up mode, or in some cases they are established businesses that for whatever reason cant access traditional financing such as a bank line of credit or operating facility.

Although many other types of term financing are available for your business, the use of an invoice factoring company is really the main source of working capital and cash flow for many businesses on a day to day basis. This type of financing works for Canadian business in challenging times (we are just coming out of the 2008-2009 global meltdown) and in good times. The reality is that good times bring strong growth and many businesses are unable to finance strong growth simply because more current assets than current liabilities requires financing – putting it more simply, you nee capital in order to maintain higher levels of receivables and inventory
.
The challenge in choosing the right Canadian invoice factoring company is simply knowing how pricing and daily practices and procedures work. It is simply as that.

The true benefit of receivable financing is simply that you receive funds on the same day that you invoice, assuming your invoice is legitimate and goods and services for that invoice can be properly recognized as earned an treated as revenue .
So what do you need to know in assessing the proper factor partner – We can boil the technical pricing issues down to three main issues – they are:

1. How much will you receive as soon as you generate your invoice - practices differ widely in Canada, and you can receive as much as 90% or as little as 75%?
2.
3. The most widely discussed and mis understood issue is what discount fee you are being charged by the invoice factoring company – Our clients view this as the ‘ interest rate ‘ but you should clearly understand that all dialogue with your financing partner will be in terms of a discount rate .

4. Time to pay – or your average days sales outstanding. Prudent business owners and financial managers know the payment habits of their customers, and of course seek to enforce their own payment terms with their customers to the best of their ability without damaging the client/customer relationship by being too aggressive. Let’s assume you can negotiate a 1% / month factoring discount rate with your invoice factoring company – If your terms are 30 days and your customers pays in 60 –90 days you’re financing costs actually double and triple in the case of a slow pay customer.

In summary, factoring is becoming a very accepted method of financing in Canada. The landscape is dominated by Canadian and foreign owner firms, some are small, some are large, some bring U.S. and U.K. practices to Canada thinking they will work. They work for them but they might not work for your firm.

Experts are good things to have – just as you rely on a good accountant or a good lawyer. Speak to a business financing expert to determine what benefits of factoring work for you, how the financing would work relative to your business model, and which invoice factoring company is the best fit for your business.

--

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 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details:
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/invoice_factoring_company_factoring_receivables.html

Why Asset Finance, aka Asset Based Lending is the Ultimate Working Capital Financing Solution to your Business Challenges

Can you please explain asset finance, or asset based lending to me? Is a common question we get from clients who want more information about Canada’s newest business financing solution? They keep hearing how this solution has solved the problems of their competitors and want to know more.

So is it a difficult concept to understand? Hardly. Asset based financing, often called ‘ABL’ by those in the industry, is simply the method of obtaining the maximum working capital you need from your assets, which include typically receivables, inventory, and in many cases some equipment and/or real estate. That’s as simple as it gets. It is a little different when we explain how the whole process works, but simply view it as your ultimate working capital tool for financing your business.

Although it’s been in existence for many years, in the past asset finance or asset based lending (we also call it a ‘working capital facility “) is coming into vogue. It doesn’t take rocket science to understand when, given traditional financing almost totally collapsed in the 2008-2009 global meltdown, and customer began searching for options and alternatives to their business financing needs.

Lenders like asset based financing simply because they are using their expertise and knowledge in your assets to help you cash flow your business.

Although many companies turn to asset based lending when they cant access traditional bank financing the reality is that this type of financing has some unique characteristics that allow you to utilize the financing for major expansions, acquisition of a competitor, or even more common, a ‘bridge ‘financing prior to re structuring your firm and accessing the traditional capital markets again.

As we stated, it’s very simple for us to explain to clients what an ABL facility is, it’s a bit more complicated to get them to understand how it works. The best way to explain it though is to simplify it all and say that you should consider asset finance via a working capital facility as simply a ‘ revolving line of credit around all your business assets ‘. Can that be anymore simply to understand? We don’t think so.

Typically the process is as follows - After the traditional ‘ application ‘ process there is an agreed upon value put on all your business assets - as we said , 99% of the time the assets under this financing include receivables, inventory, equipment, and in some cases real estate . The most common assets though are receivables and inventory.

Your firm provides regular monthly, and in some cases weekly updates on the values of these assets, and you in turn use your regular bank account to draw down on funds, as you need them, to run your business. Similar to a bank revolving line of credit facility your asset based financing facility fluctuates everyday as a dollar of capital flows through your business – you purchase product, you generate a receivable, you collect your receivable, and of course the process repeats itself. The beauty of this type of facility is that as your assets grow the line of credit grows with you – you can truly say that you have unlimited financing.

Asset based financing, or asset finance in Canada is highly specialized. Speak to a trusted, credible business financing advisor in this area to ensure you understand the options, and of course the benefits, of this unique and creative method of business financing.

--

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 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details:
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/asset_finance_asset_based_lending.html

Sources of Financing for Working Capital Cash flow in Canada

Tapping into sources of financing must for most business owners and financial managers in Canada seem like finding the hold grail of financing; particularly after the tough time they had in 2008-2009 after the global economic meltdown.

The problem , or should we call it a challenge for business in Canada is the ability to source working capital and cash flow , and long term financing as prospects for growth, sales and revenue seem to improve and the cash flow and working capital prospects seem to have gotten tougher!

When we meet with clients who have been denied bank loans we can of course commiserate, but at the same time Canada’s banks seem to have survive somewhat unscathed compared to bank failures all over the world. The bottom line quite frankly is that Canadian business is looking to alternative sources of financing for working capital, cash flow, and asset acquisition. The Canadian government has a full scale bank that is a non bricks and mortar bank, i.e. not branches, and they are committed to providing working capital and equipment financing.

However, the bottom line reality is that if you can access the business financing you need you should consider non bank financing, because it is these firms that seem to be the current bench strength in asset and receivable financing – these firms include:

Leasing companies

Asset based lenders – equipment, receivables and inventory

Purchase Order and Inventory financing firms

Factoring firms – i.e. receivables

Tax credit monetization firms – i.e. sred/Sr&Ed credit financing

When we talk to clients they often use the term ‘government grants and loans ‘– We feel that term is not realistic, in that that the only two real world programs out there are the Canadian SR&ED program, which is the non repayable grant for r&d, and also, the government Small Business Loan – A lot of misinformation exists about this loan as it only finances equipment and leaseholds – many clients seem to think it provides cash, or working capital financing. It does not!

There is always the equity consideration, but most business owners we meet have already contributed the maximum equity they can, and are reluctant to borrow further from personal resources, and the proverbial ‘ friends and family ‘.

Working capital financing in our terms means several very clear solutions –

Monetizing your current assets such as receivables and inventory

Cash flowing items such as Sr&Ed credits

Entering into a government working capital term loan

Negotiating a working capital/receivables financing facility – which in larger dollar terms is referred to as an asset based lending (ABL) arrangement.

When looking for sources of financing for working capital and cash flow is sure you understand the meaning behind the jargon. Determine whether you are looking for liquid operating capital, or a longer term working capital solution. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible, and experienced financing advisor who can guide you through the Canadian working capital maze and determine what the best cash flow and source of financing is for your long term growth 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 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details:
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/sources_of_financing_working_capital_cash_flow.html
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/commercial_equipment_lease_financing_equipment.html

Benefits of a Commercial Equipment Lease for Canadian Business

Canadian business owners and financial managers are constantly challenged to come up with financing alternatives for both working capital and the asset acquisition.

Let’s focus on why a commercial equipment lease provides your firm with some of the best financing benefits and alternatives. In order to be successful in financing equipment it is important to know several key things - we can summarize those in a few critical categories:

- Understanding what lease company is the best fit for your firm

- Focusing on what benefits are important to you in an asset acquisition

- You must have the ability to de-mystify lease pricing and rates and structures to ensure you are getting a competitive market rate and structure

When you make the equipment asset purchase decision you are always faced with what is known as the ’ lease vs. buy ’ scenario. We don’t intend to make out information shared here an accounting lesson, but either using a lease vs. buy calculator or template, or, even better, speaking to your accountant you can easily come up with a rudimentary analysis of what the best financing option is . If it is lease financing then you are ready to move forward.

We talked about our critical point # 1 - which is simply to understand who your best lessor might be. The factors that determine this might seem like common sense - they are: The type of asset you are acquiring, the dollar value of the asset, and the overall credit quality of your firm you are in a position to focus on the firms that finance this type of asset.

The good news is that there are hundreds of lease financing sources in Canada - the flip side of that coin is that you might not have the time to invest in speaking to 100 different firms.

In most cases in makes a lot of sense to seek out the service of a lease financing expert who will be in a position to source the optimal funding as well as the best rate, term, and structure.

We advise all clients that, if they can, they should try and determine if the manufacturer provides financing - this is known as ‘captive ’ financing and 99% of the time is your best deal - and fastest approval . That’s simply because the mfr. finance arm is incented to move product, as well as earn some income on the financing of course!

We talked in point # 2 about focusing on benefits - Leasing has numerous benefits. It would be rare that every benefit applies to every firm - so we recommend to clients that they outline what is most important to them with respect to the financing of this asset - those considerations might be a lease to own financing, or in some cases, an ’ operating lease, which is akin to a short term rental, although a typical operating lease might range between 2-3 years in duration. The benefit of that type of financing is simply that your benefit from the use of the asset, not the ownership of it, and profiting through use of the asset is what it’s all about in business.

We tell clients that we aren’t necessarily overly proud of the way the industry sometimes confuses customers with a myriad of terminology and options, these includes references to FM, skip payments,
First and last, full payout, bargain purchase option, etc.

The most important piece of advice we can give a client is simply that by properly positioning their current financial position, demonstrating profit through use of the asset, and knowing whats important to them re payments, approval, lease term, etc should in fact allow them to maintain a control position in any lease financing negotiation.

Be an informed lessee in your search for a commercial equipment lease, understand that the market is competitive and people do want your business, and focus in on what financing equipment benefits work best for your firms sales and profit prospects.

---

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 6 years - has completed in excess of 45 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations .Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details:
http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/commercial_equipment_lease_financing_equipment.html