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.



Sunday, January 20, 2013

Business Financing Challenges ? How Are You Solving The Problem Of Sources Of Capital And Finance In Canada?






What Seems To Be Your Problem .. When It Comes To Business Finance








OVERVIEW – Information on business financing and sources of capital in Canada . How do business owners address the issue of what type of finance makes sense depending on their stage of need and development ?




Here's a question. Are you getting any? What else could we be referring to other than your business financing? In the case of Canadian business it pretty well always comes down to the fact that your company is in a stage , and that stage of development pretty well dictates they type of financing you need, the type of financing you can get, and the amount involved . No mystery there.

So when we sit down with clients and talk about their current failures in raising capital or monetizing assets what seems to be the problem? Do you want to know the answer to that question? We think it’s because a solid majority of business owners and financial managers aren't able to match the sources of capital with their actual needs. Or even more basic, who to turn to when they need some help in making that match.


One glaring mistake we often seem is that many businesses are focused on venture capital and private investors / angel investors, business incubators, etc. The amount of financing that is done in this area is minute compared to the other debt and asset monetization solutions that are in fact available. Sorry to burst your bubble on that one.
The major differentiator in business financing that’s available, as we’ve hinted, is whether your first is in start up or early stage, or if it in fact up, running, and growing. While certain types of non bank financing might seem expensive at times the reality is there is nothing more expensive than giving up equity ownership.

We would say though that for many medium sized firms that are growing, profitable, have good niches, etc that solutions such as an IPO or reverse take over might in fact make sense. In a perfect world, (and we know it’s not) the reality is that successful business financing comes when you have the right mix of capital without giving up any levels of flexibility and ownership.


Can we offer up some solid tips of just conceptually being ‘successful ‘when it comes to business finance in Canada? Consider this: just spending some time on learning ‘the lingo ‘in some of the different types of financing you consider is worth the time. You then will of course be less intimidated. Secondly, look for some of the hidden costs in any financing solution that’s proposed or offered up. Thirdly, look at any source of capital or financing as a journey, without losing track of the big picture. Many of the solutions we work on are in fact intermediate and the business owner and manager forgets they aren’t locked in to any solution forever. So in summary we’re talking about getting to know your sources of finance as well as the techniques and attitude you need to adopt in closing those deals.


Are we able to provide a concise list of sources of capital and financing for the busines owner to consider? We think we can come pretty close. Assuming we are out of the start up phase consider and investigate the following:



The Canadian Govt SBL loan
Equipment financing
Asset based loans
Commercial bank lines of credit
Royalty/Contract Financing
Receivable financing
Inventory Financing
Asset based lending
Tax Credit monetization
Supply chain/PO finance
Unsecured Cash Flow Loans
Mergers
Capital Pool Companies



All of a sudden our comments about learning some of the ‘lingo’ around these might make a lot more sense, right? Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with you in completing your journey for business finance capital.



7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN BUSINESS FINANCING EXPERTISE



Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/business-financing-sources-of-capital.html



7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653


Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com





































Saturday, January 19, 2013

Is The Government SBL Loan For Your Firm? Business Financing That’s Pretty Close To Perfect?








Better than sliced bread? Government guaranteed business loans in Canada



OVERVIEW – Information on the Canadian government SBL ( small business loan ) . Eliminate many of the challenges of business financing by taking advantage of the BIL/CSBF program.


Is business financing via a government SBL loan the best thing since sliced bread?



For the record we've always thought that ' sliced bread' comment is a bit over rated, given than people rarely eat the whole loaf... but we digress...

Business owners in Canada, whether they are a start up or established firm use the BIL/ CSBF program ( that’s the technical name for the program ) either to raise funds for a start up or to grow their business . It's worth spending a moment on the word ' SMALL ' as it is important to note that the program has two key size elements to it:

1. Your business must be new or under 5 Million dollars in actual or projected revenue

2. The loan size is limited to a maximum of $ 350,000.00, which isn’t exactly chump change!



In our experience with clients we use the concept of a short concise road map as the best way to achieve loan financing success when you're looking to complete an SBL loan, either on your own, or utilizing a trusted, experienced advisor.

Let's look at some of the elements, or components of that road map. Key to the whole process is a business plan and cash flow project. That should not scare the would be entrepreneur or business owner , because completing that document is just a common sense overview of you, your experience, your business, and some responsible projections for your growth and cash flow . The cash flow is clearly the key to the document in many ways, as it is there that a final decision is made around your ability to repay the loan.

SBL loans in Canada typically range from 3-7 years. More often than not a 5 year term is the typical loan amortization. Rates are currently just several points over bank prime, and numerous other elements of the financing should appeal to the business owner.

Other key benefits of the loan are:

Only a 25% owner personal guarantee

Repayable without penalty

You can also finance leaseholds, as well as equipment, computer, application software, real estate, etc

Only a 10% permanent equity or down payment scenario is required as your contribution to the financing



We seem to spend a lot of time coaching clients around the fact that the whole process is not as complicated as some people maintain. By the way though, if you are unprepared for an application point of view, or if you by inexperience are working with a banker that doesnt know the program the bad news is that you're doomed to failure.

Contrary to most business owners beliefs your loan approval isn’t really subject to whether the bank has an emotional attachment to your industry. They do have an emotional attachment to high risk and loss though, so that’s where a solid common sense business plans and loan application backup data make total sense. Your plan and loan package simply give the bank, and the government as your guarantor a strong sense that you know where you are going.

One final tip or piece of advice - ensure your package reflects something that appeals to a banker, not a venture capitalist. The typical VC is looking for high growth and tremendous profits and valuations. Your government SBL business loan application should reflect basic loan repayment. Simple as that!

Need help? Seek out and speak to a trusted credible and experienced Canadian busines financing advisor who can help you limit personal risk, fine tune your plan, ensure financials make sense, and ensure you've answered the key questions .

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT SBL LOANS EXPERTISE



Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/government-sbl-loan-business-financing.html







7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com















Friday, January 18, 2013

OMG ! Tax Credit Financing Is Alive And Well For SRED And Film And Animation Video Incentive Credits In Canada. Yes You Can!






Is That Weird Or What – You Can Finance Tax Credits In Canada?!


OVERVIEW – Information on tax credit financing in Canada . Sred ( SR&ED) film, tv and video animation credits can all be financed / monetized for cash flow and working capital .




You're forgiven. Simple as that. For what ? For not knowing that tax credits can be financed in Canada ; and we're talking about two specific ones, the SRED ( aka SR&ED) non refundable tax incentive, as well as film , TV and animation FX credits .

Tax credit financing is simple relatively unheard of unless you're familiar with the industry , or even better, have a need for cash flow and working capital for your company or specific project .

Some have called it a lucky break, whatever you choose to call it monetizing tax credits in Canada can help you access capital needed.

As we said we're focusing on two key types of tax credits - one related broadly to the film and TV industry, and the other related to Canadian research and tax credits.

Let's focus on the former first. The Canadian government, on a combined federal and provincial level spends hundreds of millions on what they term as incentives for the film, TV and animation industry. As the borders broaden for these genres some refer to them as ' transmedia'.

While it's no secret that government budget cutbacks are pretty well everywhere these days to the surprise of most the film / television production tax credits remain strongly in place. In Canada these credits are a combined credit at both the federal and provincial levels. Generally speaking all provinces have a program in place; the reality is that British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec seem to have the brunt of the action when it comes to actual content filming, production, etc.

From the governments perspective Canada reaps economic benefit from the industry, i.e. employment, taxation, cultural attributes, etc. And if you're an American production shooting or producing in Canada you are still eligible for the tax credits, as well as the financing. At the end of the day we can simply say that the larger the production the larger the tax credit and available cash flow if you choose the financing route.

While the rules for qualifying for and calculating tax credits might be considered complex by some (not if you have a good tax credit accountant) the actual financing of these claims is a lot simpler. Being able to provide both a realistic budget , as well as domiciling your project in a special purpose entity , as well as being able to validate your actual spend via payrolls, purchases, etc is key to the financing of your claims.

Financing of film, TV and animation credits (animation credits seem to be the fasted growing part of the industry) is typically done on a ' bridge loan' type basis. Approximately 70% of your claim is advanced to your project, based on the tax credit, once you have filed. The balance is paid to your firm on receipt of your federal and provincial funds, less the financing costs which vary depending on size of claim, quality of your project / mgmt team, etc.

Let's move on to our second type of tax credit financing we're covering today, that's the SRED program.

Again, billions have been committed to the program, and despite some radical updates to the program we can safely reiterate that your SR&ED tax credits can be financed also. Claims are financed in relatively the same manner, it 70% loan to value, and no payments are made during the course of the ' bridge loan '. The most interesting part of SR&ED financing is that some newer finance innovations are in place - including the ability to finance next years claim before you have filed. And in some cases an actual business line of credit can be set up allowing you to draw funds for your spend . That's creativity!

And the requirements for a SRED financing? It's not rocket science, unlike some of the actual research itself. You need to demonstrate you can produce business financials, your claim should be prepared by a qualified SRED consultant, and you need to be in a position to allow the claim to be collateralized if in fact some other financing party to your company is claiming security on the SRED. That’s usually achieved by a simple postponement of claim in favor of your SRED finance firm.

So our bottom line today - whether you're part of Hollywood North, or in the lab or on the shop floor you have access to a very powerful tax credit financing that is both creative , flexible, and provides capital for your company or project .

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your SRED or film/tv/video tax credit financing needs .


7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN TAX CREDIT FINANCING EXPERTISE


Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :


http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/tax-credit-financing-sred-film-video-credits-tv.html
















Thursday, January 17, 2013

Get Rid Of Business Line Of Credit Phobia . Why Asset Based Lending Via An ABL LOC Works !






Business Credit Lines In Canada . Are There Options?



OVERVIEW – Information on the business line of credit known as ABL Asset Based Lending facilities . Why this credit facility eliminates business financing fears.




The business line of credit. Many entrepreneurs often fail to achieve the financing they need if not for the reason that they simply have a bit of a phobia

around the issue. We're told that a phobia is an ' irrational fear of a specific object or activity ... leading to a compelling desire to avoid it '.
Unfortunately , we can't afford to Not address business financing!

Could that be the case with many Canadian business owners and financial managers? In discussions with them we certainly think that might be the situation . Let's try and cure that phobia. And the way in which we think we can demonstrate that is to show you that your firm is in fact very viable when it comes to business financing - it's just that you might not know where to go and what sources of lending might be optimal for your firm.

Enter the ABL , which is an asset based lending arrangement that mirrors in daily activity a commercial bank line of credit - its simply a bit easier to achieve and in many cases delivers more . That's what Canadian business financing is all about, right?

We often feel that Canadian businesses don't achieve the bank financing they need because the requirements of such a facility, as low priced as it is, are simply too narrow to allow your business to ' fit in’. Your firm needs to fit what the finance and credit folks call ' THE BOX '- If you don't fit you don't belong.



Bank commercial credit lines, as opposed to our ABL solution , require that you can produce sound financials- Repayment is clearly linked to your balance sheet and cash flow. While the approval process in Canadian banking can only be described as somewhat... shall we say ' rigorous' (as opposed to painful?) The reality is of course that the low rates associated with bank financing alone make that journey often worth it and Canadian banks are among the best on the planet .

So if you can pass the financial tests such as debt to equity, cash flow coverage, profitability, etc it’s definitely with it to purse Canadian chartered bank lines of credit. In the old days we spoke of the 5 C's of bank credit approval. They included your personal character and finances, cash flow capacity, collateral company and personal, capital or equity, and, dare we finish with ' comfort and confidence ' by the bank in you or your company.

But what happens when your business can't meet bank criteria? The reality is that an asset based lending solution, commonly known as an ABL line of credit is in fact the perfect solution you were looking for - you just didn’t know it existed.

Asset based credit lines are more often than not delivered by commercial non bank finance companies. The facilities revolve, just like the bank line, and the total focus of getting approved revolves solely around the value of the business assets. And what are those assets? They include receivable, inventory, fixed assets, and even real estate if that is in your company asset mix.

The ABL facility is most appropriate for firms that have assets, can’t get Canadian bank financing, and are experiencing situations such as high growth, turn around, temporary under capitalization, etc.

Asset based lending lines of credit are sometimes priced the same as bank lines if you have a large facility in the 5-10 Million dollar range, but the majority of facilities range from 250k and upwards , and are priced higher thank bank rates. If you have good assets and can produce proper financial reporting on items such as receivables and inventory you are in a position to get approved - fairly quickly all things being equal.

Have we cured that phobia about being able to get a proper business line of credit in place? We hope so. Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your financing needs, and give your real scoop on ' ABL '.


7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN BUSINESS LINE OF CREDIT EXPERTISE





Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/abl-line-of-credit-asset-based-lending-business.html





7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com





















Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Business Cash Flow Finance And Working Capital . Out With Old Problems And In With New Solutions






Have We Got A Story ( On Working Capital ) For You !


OVERVIEW – Information on business cash flow finance in Canada . Managing and solving working capital challenges and problems for growth and daily operations is key to success .





The way in which you manage and solve business cash flow finance and working capital in your business... well... makes or breaks you. It's as simple as that. Ironically many business owners and financial managers spend a tremendous amount of time in and on their business doing everything EXCEPT addressing those two aspects of their business. And the result? Well quite frankly, you don't want to know!


The management and solving of business cash are tremendous indicators of how well you are running your company. In the eyes of lenders, owners and anyone else that has a vested interest in your firm your ability to address working capital management makes is a critical part of the ' scorecard ' on your business.

When we talk about business cash flow it’s a combination of two things, your ability to manage in the short term, i.e. operate, pay employees, buy products and services ... as well as a longer term focus on viability and meeting lender commitments.

Furthermore, if you have a handle on today's topic you’re in a position to spot future problems, then not having to fight those business cash brush fires

that seem so common when we talk to clients.

Part of the problem in the way owners and external folks look at and address the issues is the simple fact that information is coming from different places. Some look at the balance sheet, some look at the income statement, and few, yes few look at the cash flow statement.




Case in point? Many years ago when we toiled in the bowels of corporate finance we got in financial statements from a client. But it was just the balance sheet and income statement. We were asked how the cash flow was by my management. We replied ' there was no cash flow statement’
The response ' why don't you create one?'

We can pretty well assure you that if we hadn’t done that already the business owners hadn't also. With the balance sheet and income statement in front of us we jotted down net income and depreciation from the income statement. Then we went to the balance sheet and measured the changes in receivables and inventory - thereby giving us the most pure indicator - operating cash flow. Voila - we were done. Quite frankly this was all so long ago, (and we're getting older) that we don’t remember if that clients cash flow was positive or negative. Suffice to say it was a key indicator of our ability to deal with the client - i.e. lend funds.

Using simple ' ratios' in your financials (we like to call them relationships)
you can get a strong sense of how you're doing and further be able to anticipate upcoming cash flow challenges.

That of course allows you to implement solutions - In Canada they might include:

Commercial bank credit lines

Non bank asset based credit lines

Receivable financing/factoring

Tax credit monetization

Securitization


All of those come with different costs, take a short or long amount of time to implement, and have different effects on how you can grow your business.

Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in solving the mystery, aka the measurement and solving of business cash flow finance problems.


7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN BUSINESS CASH FLOW FINANCING EXPERTISE




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/business-cash-flow-finance-working-capital.html




7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653
Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com









Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Can A Leasing Company Empower Your Asset Finance Needs ? Understanding A Lease Companies Offerings








Maximizing Benefits of Lease Finance

OVERVIEW – Information on asset finance in Canada . How a leasing company provides lease financing solutions that empower business owners and managers.





Does your ability to deal with a leasing company empower your asset finance needs? We checked out ' empowerment' in the dictionary and its all about giving ' power and authority '. Your ability to master dealing with and recognizing the benefits of the right leasing company and solution clearly put you in empowerment mode.

Let's explain!

At the heart of leasing finance is its ability to be both straightforward, yet creative when it comes to financing assets your business needs, or needs to replace! We constantly hear the term ' win / win ' in business and nothing embodies that more that your ability to properly finance assets.

Lease finance in effect empowers you to have greater control over a number of key aspects of your business - they include cash outflows, balance sheet and income statement consequences, and the ability to profit using assets acquired under the lease. Some of those assets might in fact be needed in the normal course; some allow you gain a competitive edge over the competition.

When Canadian business owners and managers acquire assets from major manufacturers they are often pleasantly surprise to find out that these corporations have independent finance related companies that are incented to move product. That’s to your benefit of course, and taking advantage of their financing options is a clear example of empowerment.

What are some of those finance options? They might include staggered cash flows, low or no down payments. Operating leases with greater flexibility at end of term, etc. And on it goes.

Quite frankly we can’t think of one other form of business financing that allows you to gain a certain level of control over technology, financial statement presentation, cash flow management, as well as the opportunity to match the economic life of certain business assets to your own firms financial condition.

Feeling locked or trapped in, in any form of business is not a great feeling. A leasing company allows you to manage the concept of upgrading, whether that be on the shop floor or in the computer room. We're constantly told we are living in a ' knowledge based ' environment , so just managing tech assets such as computers, telecom assets, and application software all can make or break your business . With what other financing mechanism other than an equipment lease can you in fact transfer the risk of obsolescence to the lessor, your lease company? The answer - basically none!

Owners and managers of corporations of all size are beholden to their shareholders (in some cases themselves!). Leasing companies offer you solutions that allow you to report a higher level of return on assets and equity.

Many managers in medium sized and larger corporations are ' victims 'of 'corporate budgets. At lease it certainly feels that way sometimes. Lease companies allow managers that are constrained by capital budgets to acquire the assets they need to run their division or business. That's empowerment! And again let us make the point that what other finance tool allows you to acquire more expensive and better assets while keeping monthly payments or budgets in line. As we said, we can't think of one.

Want to get a bit more ' empowerment' when it comes to financing business assets? Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your asset finance needs.


7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN LEASE FINANCING EXPERTISE



Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com

Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/leasing-company-asset-finance-lease.html




7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com

















Monday, January 14, 2013

Is Selling Receivables Via AR Finance Factoring A Viable Cash Flow Solution?







Assessing Viability of Canadian Receivable Finance Strategies


OVERVIEW – Information on selling receivables as a cash flow financing strategy in Canada . Why AR finance, aka ‘ factoring ‘ offers a viable business capital solution for Canadian business owners and managers.



It's not only a great legitimate question... it's a great question. Is selling receivables via AR Finance factoring a solid way to generate cash flow and growth for Canadian business? We're all for painting a balanced view of this common question so let's examine some key facts.

Factoring in Canada is not borrowing - it's selling. So just that simple concept is critical to understanding how A/R financing differs from traditional bank commercial credit lines. It's fundamental to understand the paperwork and legal concepts behind this process - and quite frankly it’s not that difficult. Let's use a $ 10,000 invoice as an example. If your terms are 30 days and you client actually pays you in that time frame (some don’t by the way!) then here's how the process works.

No loan is in place here. You sell that 10k invoice at a discount, which is typically, using our example at a discount of 150-200$. You are in a position to receive those funds, if you choose, immediately upon issuance of your invoice to the client. In effect you have transferred the ownership and the rights of that ownership in your sale to your factor firm.

Here is where some additional clarification is required. Two key points come to mind. One is that the majority of factor firms in Canada (let’s say 99 %!) typically take over the collection process. After all they have purchased your accounts and given you funds, right?

Not so fast mister!

An even better solution at this point is to utilize a confidential receivable financing facility. Under this program you still are 100% in charge of collecting your accounts, and maintaining the client relationship. And you still have received the benefits of that instant cash flow. Talk about the proverbial double whammy!



Are there any guarantees in life and business? We can think of one, which is that the debate on the cost of selling receivables under an AR Finance program will probably never end! We can though strive to provide some clarity around the issue, which is simply that you need to have a handle on three aspects of invoice factoring.

What are those three key underpinnings then? They are as follows:

The holdback that is imposed by the factor firm

The actual discount percentage (clients mistakenly refer to this as ' the rate ')

The advance amount under your borrowing facility


You will also recall that when we used our 10k example we made the assumption that your clients will pay in 30 days. As we joked, no really we were joking... many firms don't pay in your stated terms. How then does the A/R financing industry handle this? Well, if you're dealing with the right firm your costs will be then calculated on a per diem basis, so that if you clients pay in 47 days you will only be charged a fee that reflects those additional 17 days.

Why then to experts maintain that the cost of factoring is in fact not as expensive as perceived. It comes down to some basic reasons:

Your cash flow accelerates immediately

By turning over more sales and assets with those new funds you generate more profits - You are no longer ' the bank' for your own clients, as you never intended to be! What we are really talking about is a trade off between more financing costs than the bank but the ability to earn profits on more sales and asset turnover. Oh and by the way, some firms seem never to be able to be in a position to get approved for bank financing - but there will always be an A/R solution to their working capital problems.

One quicker example. Let's say your company determines it needs 250k of extra working capital. You could, if your firm is bankable, approach your bank for a 250k working capital cash flow term loan. Typical term might be 3-5 years. You might well find that these costs are much higher than a factoring facility which is all about asset turnover.

Today’s key point? Simply that keeping an open mind to selling receivables as a cash flow strategy might just be the most viable finance structure you have looked into! Seek out and speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you with your A/R financing needs.

7 PARK AVENUE FINANCIAL
CANADIAN CASH FLOW FINANCING EXPERTISE




Stan Prokop - founder of 7 Park Avenue Financial –

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com


Originating business financing for Canadian companies , specializing in working capital, cash flow, asset based financing . In business 10 years - has completed in excess of 80 Million $$ of financing for Canadian corporations . Core competancies include receivables financing, asset based lending, working capital, equipment finance, franchise finance and tax credit financing.
Info re: Canadian business financing & contact details :

http://www.7parkavenuefinancial.com/selling-receivables-ar-finance-factoring.html




7 Park Avenue Financial
South Sheridan Executive Centre
2910 South Sheridan Way
Suite 301
Oakville, Ontario
L6J 7J8
Phone = 905 829 2653
Fax = 905 829 2653

Email = sprokop@7parkavenuefinancial.com