How To Leverage SRED (SR&ED) Tax Credit Financing And Factoring for Cash Flow

Leveraging your SRED (SR&ED) Tax credit via the financing and factoring of your claim is a responsible way to maximize cash flow and working capital. It’s all about timing, and if your firm requires additional working capital financing the ability to cash flow or discount your claim for working capital today is a clear and viable option.

Canadian business owners that partake of the program in Canada clearly have recognized the benefits of research and furthering their competitive position in product and services. Although tens of thousands of firm take advantage of the program we are always amazed at the number of our clients that either have not heard of the program, much less take advantage of it.

Let’s do a short primer on the program, and more importantly, the financing aspects of your claim. And trust us, we are not talking about going to your chartered bank for that financing, as this type of financing is somewhat boutique and niche requires specialized financing and financing assistance.

The federal SRED program is s of course for private companies that qualify for a non repayable tax credit, in effect a grant from the government for a large percentage of their R&D spending. Your ability to recover that cash flow is of course a very positive aspect, but, the ability to finance your claim as soon as it is filed, ( in some cases before ) simply is one more alternative in today’s challenging cash flow environment to monetize a short term asset and turn it into cash flow .

So how does Sred (Sr&Ed) tax credit financing and factoring work? We use the term factoring because its becoming more broadly understood and accepted in Canada - so what we are simply saying is that your sred (sr&Ed) claim is in effect a receivable, and in the same manner that you would consider financing a receivable is really the same logic and methodology around a sred financing.

Is it difficult to finance a Sr&Ed? We keep that explanation to our clients very simple. If you have a sred that has been prepared by a qualified consultant or accountant and your company has viability then your claim is financeable. Is that complex, we don’t think so.

Have you ever applied for any type of business financing before? What was involved? - Typically it was filling out an application, providing back up documentation, and clarifying, if required to a business lender, any information that required explanation. Guess what, that’s the SRED process also.

A claim can be financed in a matter of weeks, which we think is a very typical time for any type of business financing these days. After a basic business application and review of your sred a term sheet is issued. Typically the main collateral for the financing is of course the sred claim itself. In Canada its typical to receive about 70% LTV for your claim, meaning that if you calim is 300k you would receive immediate financing for 70% of that amount .Whats the monthly payment clients ask? Here's the good news, there is none. You put that cash flow to work and when your claim is finalized, adjudicated and paid by Ottawa then you receive the other 30% of your claim , minus of course the financing costs, which typically are in the 1.5 -2% range per month .

Speak to a trusted, credible, and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on how SRED (SR&ED tax credit financing and factoring works. Cash flow today from a government non repayable grant - How could you not consider that option!

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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 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_tax_credit_financing_and_factoring.html

The Secret of Franchise Financing Loans

It's appealing, we know that. It’s the idea of owning your own business that is a proven brand and money maker. Franchise financing loans can help you address your entrepreneurial vision of owning a franchise in Canada. The ability to own your own business and generate profits and wealth is of course appealing to all.

Picking your franchise in some ways is half the battle, as you probably have been focused on purchasing a new or existing franchise that matches your skills, interest, and experience. The other half of the battle and some say the harder one (we would agree) is arranging franchise financing loans that make sense for your business and your own personal situation.

As we point out to clients, whether entrepreneurs are starting a major manufacturing company that might employ hundreds, or a pizza shop with a staff of three two considerations come to mind, always - they are debt and equity. We're of course referring to how much you will put into the business, and how much business credit for a franchise loan can be accessed.

So are there some great secrets and tips we can share with yourself as a prospective entrepreneur - there sure are.

First tip/secret # 1 is simply to investigate carefully the financial requirements that your franchisor requires. These must be addressed in a solid and dedicated manner. If you don’t understand the requirements how can you address them? So ensure you understand the amount of financing the franchisor recommends. Is that all? Definitely not, that’s where our previous concept of planning was mentioned. Make sure you consider two other aspects of the business financing; they are working capital for daily operations, and some sort of plan for long term growth or expansion.

It's probably not written in stone somewhere, but we have always felt that clients aligning themselves with a major brand that has a larger number of multiple units have a strong chance of financing success. Of course that isn’t always the case, as some new concepts in a number of industries continue to be introduced all the time, but it sure helps if the lender is enamored by the franchisors brand and success.

Another great tip and secret is simply that as opposed to spending all the time on the business itself when you are discussing financing, rather also focus on your own personal financial situation and experience. This is absolutely one of the most important criteria that banks pay attention to - namely how have you run your personal affairs, and at the same time do you have the type of business of management experience.

Some franchisees think because they don’t have very direct experience it might hinder their financing - the reality is by properly positioning your skills in a general sense, i.e. previous sales experience, customer service, etc you can capitalize on general business skills required to run any business .

You may not like to hear the news, but the reality is that you do in these times need a sizeable personal investment into the business, aka your owner equity. Those typical ranges between 30-50% depending on the size and nature of your franchise. In some cases you might be in fact buying an existing franchise from another franchisee who wishes for some reason to 'move on.

Let’s share probably our greatest secret in financing your franchise - the government of Canada. Many clients are surprised to hear that a government program known as the CSBF / BIL program is the largest financier of franchises in Canada. Its underwritten, structured, and supported by the government and offers great rates, terms and structures for amounts up to 350,000.00 - that amount was increased from 250k in previous years.

A final secret - experts are preferred - Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on how you can efficiently and successful gain knowledge on franchise financing loans for your new business.

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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 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/franchise_financing_loans.html

Why Asset Based Lending is the Only Business Credit You Will Ever Need

It's possible, and we've seen it work all the time. How could one type of business financing, i.e. asset based lending, be the only business credit tool our firm will ever need?

Typically when we meet with clients to talk about non-bank alternatives to cash flow and working capital challenges we speak in terms of many type of financing being complimentary to each other - example : factoring and purchase order financing . In most cases one type of Canadian business financing is not necessarily going to do the entire job you need - Except..! Except when it’s an Asset based lending solution for business credit.

'ABL' is sort of the new kid on the block - it’s vastly popular in the U.S. and gradually taking off in Canada, some say in fits and starts, which is partially due to the entry and departure of various firms that dominate the market.

ABL, which is our acronym for the solution can be tailored very specifically to be the total one stop financing solution your firm needs. The two greatest dynamics of ABL is that it offers your business more credit availability (isn’t that what it’s all about) and at the same time can be customized to your industry and specifically, your company!

In its purest form is simply putting in a customize loan facility to allow you to draw daily against the value of your receivables, inventory, and in many cases fixed assets and real estate. It’s kind of the business version of a home equity line of credit we like to explain to clients!

But wait a minute, clients say, isn’t it exactly what a bank does. Well, yes, and absolutely no! Conceptually it is still the same, but the asset based lending business credit facility focuses solely on the assets, so you will rarely , if every hear terms such as rations, covenants, outside collateral, personal guarantees, etc in the context of an ABL solution .

So is it the right financing tool for your firm - we'll let you be the judge of that. But if your firm required a working capital and cash flow revolver in excess of 250k and you have some financial challenges you are immediately a candidate. Oh and by the way, you absolutely need to have receivables, inventory and fixed assets to get this type of facility, that’s really the main premise.
Typical candidates we work with all the time have margin pressures, they don’t have the business financing in place to support sales growth and new orders, , or they have some real business and balance sheet issues revolving around restructuring, turning around, coming off a bad year, receiving a mega contract, etc .. If that sounds like you we can assure you that you're a candidate for asset based lending business credit.

Key benefits of the facility are greater cash flow, no covenants or ratio maintenance, and the ability to take advantage of opportunities otherwise not available.

So is it the be all and end all financing solution. Only you as a Canadian business owner and financial manager can decide - so speak to a trusted credible and experienced business financing advisor to see if this type of business credit is for your firm.
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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 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_based_lending_business_credit.html

Surviving A Working Capital Financing and Funding Challenge

Did we really even have to mention it, but a major CFO survey, just released, stated that ' Cash flow is Top Concern Priority for 2011 ‘. When has working capital financing and working capital funding in general ever been more important.

Let's take a look at the Canadian situation and how you can solve some of those working capital challenges that were re iterated as concerns in the survey, which was done, by the way by TD. And by the way, putting ' surveys' aside, we'll offer some ' real world' solutions to some of the issues highlighted in the bank survey!

Intensity? The survey actually used that word when Canadian business owners and financial managers described their necessary day to day attention to working capital management. As a business owner you have to look at your overall structure and ensure you can manage cash flow on a day to day basis.

The survey intimated that although you could cut costs to manage and conserve cash flow most Canadian business owners don’t feel that’s the optimal strategy, only 7% actually.

Access to working capital financing and working capital funding was a major concern by respondents. We are reminded of headlines that say things like ‘90% of all jobs aren’t advertised”. Well, do you know what, when we sit down with clients we strongly feel that they often don’t understand that 90%of financing options aren’t generally known to Canadian business. Did you know there are hundreds of non - bank finance entities, all very unique in nature, that finance receivables, inventory, purchase orders (yes, purchase orders! tax credits (you can finance a tax credit? - YES you can!).

The survey indicated that technology is by far the top area of planned capital investment, and you should be aware there are a number of solid capital and operating lease solutions that provide you with total flexibility in acquiring, and more importantly, using technology .

Alternately the Canadian lease financing industry is back on its feet and numerous solutions for equipment acquisition via leases, loans, bridge loans, etc are available.

Want those real world alternative financing solutions we talked about - consider non bank asset based lines of credit or receivables discounting. Your cash flow is at risk if you aren’t properly managing your A/R and financing it in a manner that suits your firm’s business model and cash conversion cycle.

You could of course stop your life and spend a lot of time investigating these solutions but we strong recommend to clients that they simply seek a trusted, credible, and experienced business financing advisor to sour the working capital financing and working capital funding they need for short term liquidity and long term survival .
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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 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/working_capital_funding_working_capital_financing.html

Sasquatch ? UFO’s ? Great Asset finance and Equipment leasing Companies in Ontario ? – Myth or Reality ?

We'll go with reality with respect to great asset finance and equipment leasing options in Ontario. With the economy generally improving leasing continues to be a popular and successful method of acquiring the use of assets for your business. And the reality is that this method of asset financing has been in place for hundreds, some say thousands of years, so there is a lot to be said for a proven formula.

There are several key factors that drive the reality success of equipment financing in Canada - they revolve around tax benefits, conservation of capital, and quite simply a solid alternative to ownership. As a Canadian business owner or financial manager you want alternatives to ownership of assets that more often than not depreciate in value. That clearly is the chief advantage of the great asset finance and equipment leasing availability in Ontario.

At the end of the day it’s simply an alternative to ownership, while at the same time you are able to reap all the benefits of the assets without having had the need to put significant capital outlay at the outset. That’s a great option and business financing strategy. There is an age old saying in the lease financing industry which is that you benefit through use, not ownership.

And that additional cash flow allows you to invest in other resources and assets to make your business more profitable and competitive.

Obsolescence is always a concern for business owners who with to acquire new assets, whether they be for production in the plant or technology and computers in the back office. Leasing allows you to battle head on with the obscelescence factor given that you don’t want to outlay significant amounts of capital into assets that might have limited long term use. We continually advise clients to think of their computer needs and purchases in the past, and the constant need to upgrade technology while addressing your current and future needs. Can you even imagine in today’s times owning a computer for 3 to 5 years, it’s very doubtful!

Cash flow and buying power are often quoted in connection with great asset finance and equipment leasing strategies. The reality is that you can buy more if you have a financial strategy in place. Let's look at a simple example - and we will use our old friend computing technology as our poster boy for the example.

Lets say you need a new computer system for 250,000$ and the reality is that an alternate vendor has a better solution for 350,000$. If you were purchasing you have to wrestle down two key issues, laying out 250k , or alternatively coming up with an additional 100k of real cash to complete the second alternative purchase . The monthly lease payment on a 250k 3 year lease would be approx 7700 dollars, and on a 350k deal it would be approx 10 600 dollars . So as a business owner which solution do you want to wrestle with - paying either 250k or 350k out of working capital, or working an additional 3k into your operating budget?

Want to see some real magic? You could actually acquire the 350k system under an operating lease and bring that payment very close to the 250k system, but that’s a technical subject for discussion on another day.

So whats out bottom line, you are welcome to hop on the leasing industry train and take advantage of some great rates, terms, and structures via one of the most comprehensive and flexible asset finance strategies available to business.

So, Sasquatch, Ufo's? We're not sure, but Speak to a trusted, credible and experienced equipment leasing advisor who will help you maximize the benefits of this Canadian business financing proven strategy.
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Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 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_equipment_leasing_ontario.html

A Receivables Financing Counterpunch – Making Factoring Cost Work For Your Company

How much is it? No we aren’t in line at a department store, we're sitting with our clients who are always asking what the true cost of factoring receivables is and if a receivables financing facility is their real solution for working capital problems. They ask other questions also, such as how the facility works and what is the best type of facility for the Canadian business marketplace, so we we'll cover those off also .

We don’t think there is more of a mis understood business financing in Canada, notwithstanding the fact that receivables financing is growing in popularity traction everyday. The biggest stigma around the topic is really the true cost, and we use the word true cost because many Canadian business owners and financials managers simply don’t understand the components of that true cost, and moreso, how these costs can be significantly offset and reduced.

We'll point out that coming up the rear fast and furious behind true cost are the issues of how the facility works and what type of facility is the best one in Canada - as there are several types.

To properly address our issue lets quickly define our subject - factoring, ( also called receivable discounting and invoice financing ) is simply the sale of your receivables to a third party firm, that firm providing you with immediate ( and we mean same day!) cash to finance your business

One of the misconceptions clients have around pricing is related to the fact that you receive (depending on who you are dealing with) 80-90% of your invoice amount in a receivables financing scenario. This must be taken into account when you are looking at total factoring cost.

One thing that constantly disturbs us is that the terminology mumbo jumbo that many factor firms use when they are offering you pricing on your facility. That’s why it makes total sense to talk to a trusted, credible, and experienced Canadian business financing advisor that will work with you through the (industry created) maze of factoring, factoring cost, and day to day paper flow.

You can quickly and easily focus in on the true cost of factoring by simply keeping in mind three things that you need to know - they are:
1. The percentage that you are advanced on your invoice (refer to our previous comments)
2. The discount rate charged on the advance
3. The length of time that you typically collect your receivables in

Most business owners are not readily facility with their DSO, their ' day’s sales outstanding '. You have to be, because it’s an ongoing measure of the time it takes to collect your receivables in days. It’s calculated simply by taking your receivalble on an annual basis, multiplying them by 365 (days) and then dividing that number by your sales for that time period.

Therefore, if you know your collection period, and get an honest, clear answer on our three points you can easily determine the cost of factoring.

Let’s give you a clear example: Your factor firm advances you 80% of your invoice. Their discount rate is 3%. So if you are in the lenders shoes your annual return on the client (that’s you!) is simply: Discount rate % times 365 days Divided by number of days invoice is outstanding.

In Canada that rate is typically going to work out to be in the 1.5-3% per month range depending on the lenders perception of the size and quality of your accounts receivable portfolio.

Is that expensive financing? You tell us, because if you take into account the receivables financing facility provides you with unlimited cash flow to generate sales and profits, and that you can use the cash to offset financing costs, well... we dont think so .Costs can be offset by using the funds to take supplier payment discounts, and purchase in larger volumes and better prices re your inventory needs, etc.

Speak to that trusted, credible business financing advisor we spoke of, he or she will guide you through the receivable discounting maze and set you on course with the right facility at a price that makes sense to you.

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

Is Financing Inventory and Financing Purchase Orders Actually Possible In Canada ? Yes You Can!

It's not a myth or urban legend. Financing inventory and financing purchase orders in Canada is actually possible and in most circumstances the cost of this financing is significantly offset by your firms ability to increase sales, generate additional profits, and lower competitive pressure .The bottom line is of course more larger orders and contracts, in some cases from clients you were not able to satisfy in the past based on our financial strength or other challenges.

Let's step back a bit and define some of our key metrics. In its simple form the financing of inventory is simply your ability to finance, or rather, ' margin' inventory on an ongoing basis. The inventory is of course simply the collateral. Clients talking to us about seeking specialized inventory financing are often in the position of having inventory form a large part of their current assets, in conjunction with accounts receivable of course.

So in a perfect world you go to your Canadian chartered bank and ask they to finance you inventory and free up cash flow. It’s that simple right? We can hear you already in the background, and we'll be the first to admit it’s not a perfect world. Even seasoned Canadian business owners and financial managers realize the inventory is not high on the list of bank financing in Canada, especially if you are a small or medium sized firm that does not have the bench strength to satisfy typical bank criteria which focus around everything EXCEPT inventory, i.e. ratios, covenants, external collateral, personal guarantees, etc.

For inventory financing to make sense you should realize that your inventory has to be marketable, it can’t be old, stale and slow moving. You also have to be in a position to demonstrate that your inventory turns regularly, and that you have sufficient gross margin to carry the financing costs associated with financing inventory and financing purchase orders. P.o. Financing is of course the ' kid sister ' to inventory finance, and such a facility contemplates direct payment to your suppliers by the p.o. financier , allowing you to of course satisfy supplier payment amounts and terms, while at the same time fulfilling client orders and contracts .

So if the bank is not your best bet how actually are these two asset categories financed? The reality is they are financed by specialized firms, and in the case of inventory pure play financing we encourage clients to bundle their inventory financing with a full asset based lending line of credit via a non bank private finance firm. This type of facility margins both inventory and A/R to maximum leverage, giving you in essence unlimited working capital to grow.

To qualify for financing inventory and financing purchase orders you should generally have solid management and industry experience, good accounting and reporting around your inventory, as well as the aforementioned marketable product that can be resold by the financier if a problem arises.

Speak to a trusted credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor on ensuring your understand the benefits and qualifications for this valuable financing tool and strategy.

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Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial - http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com
Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 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/Financing_inventory_financing_purchase_orders.html