Does your business need money now? If you are a small or medium sized business, it’s likely you are looking in different places besides banks for quick cash. Besides small business loans and credit lines, venture capitalists also offer business factoring options, so you can keep your business running smooth.

What is business factoring?

Factoring and discounting, otherwise known as receivables finance, where small businesses sell their invoices upfront at a discount, is the most popular of all the quick cash alternatives out there.

Business factoring is not considered a loan. It is the purchase of a financial asset i.e. a receivable, a financial transaction whereby a business sells its accounts receivables, often their invoices at a discount. Factoring is the sale of receivables differing from invoice discounting-which is considered borrowing, and the receivable is used as collateral.

Business factoring differs from a bank loan because the emphasis is on the value of the receivables- the financial asset, not the firm’s credit worthiness. Also a bank loan involves two parties whereas factoring involves three. The three people are: The Seller of the receivables, the Debtor and the Factor. The factor usually charges the seller a service charge, as well as interest based on how long the factor must wait to receive payments from the debtor.

Different Types of Factoring

Accounts receivable factoring Invoice factoring Domestic factoring Trade factoring Purchase order factoring

Factoring refers to a practice whereby you sell your receivables for a discount before they are due. Today, entrepreneurial companies offering factoring options are willing to buy creditworthy receivables from a variety of resources. Factoring isn’t cheap, you are paying for the cost of the capital, the extra risk including bad debt, and the paperwork factoring requires. But often times for businesses looking for cash, it’s becoming more of an attractive option.

Small businesses are seeking alternative routes to funding for the first time, and entrepreneurs are ready to offer them.



Thanks to Melissa Peterman for contributing this article to our Factoring blog:

Business Capital Financing

A cash flow statement is a financial reporting document displaying the cash outflows and inflows of a company on a monthly or quarterly basis. This report reflects the effects of changes to the balance sheet and income accounts on the cash position as well as analyzing the operating, investing and other financial aspects of the company. When analyzed, the cash flow statement helps assess the short term capability and practicality of the company as to whether it will be able to fulfill its obligations to pay its bills or not.

Those who may be interested in studying the cash flow statement include:

-The accounting department

-Creditors and other lenders who need to assess the repayment capability of the company

-Investors who will judge whether the company is economically sound and viable

-Contractors and would-be employees who need to know whether the company will be able to fulfill its financial obligations

Companies that have limited fluid assets and which are just beginning operations are most in need of cash flow statements because they may be vulnerable and may experience cash shortfalls in spite of having healthy Accounts Receivables balances.

It is important to design a good cash flow statement that will translate the accrual basis of preparing an income statement as well as the balance sheet back into cash basis. The importance of this method is underscored when considering the fact that cash basis statements help in analyzing the actual amounts of cash flowing in and out of the business. Though the accrual basis may accurately reflect the company revenue and expenses the cash flow statement will additionally map out what happens when changes to the balance sheet are made. There are four different kinds of cash flow statements:

-Net cash flow statements that reflect operating activities. The generation of cash inflows and outflows that reflect the daily operating behavior of the business and includes cash received from customers, cash paid to suppliers and employees, and operating expenses, interests as well as taxes, and cash income received from dividend payouts.

-Net cash flow statements pertaining to investing activities. Mainly reflects the sale or purchase of equipment.

-Net cash flow from financing actions. Inclusive of common stock, short or long term loans changes as well as paid out dividends.

-Net changes in cash as well as marketable securities. To check whether the calculated amounts of increases or decreases in cash and marketable securities as arrived at from the above three points are in tune with those reflected in the balance sheet to help ascertain if the calculations were correctly made.

Though there are a number of different people interested in viewing the cash flow statement, each wanting their own perspective of the business, this financial statement is most important to management, lenders, tax officials and investors. The importance of this report is that it reveals the entire picture about the business and this is very helpful as it will reveal whether the business has enough cash or not to meet its obligations.

With cheap cash flow statement documents being available for as low as US$10 it is indeed a bargain to purchase one and use it for one’s business instead of going through the hassles of preparing one from scratch. These prepared documents usually take into account the various needs of different businesses and can also be tailor-made to suit individual needs.



Thanks to Wade Anderson for contributing this article to our Factoring blog:

Cash Flow Funding

Can you answer Simply Blessed’s question about Factoring?:

I am in the process of starting an accounts receivables solution firm for medical professionals. My firm will resolve unpaid accounts that have aged over 90 days and submit and follow-up on tedious appeals to increase the medical professionals bottomline. With that being said, I am wondering what the most cost effective method of marketing would be. Brochures? A marketing specialist? Cold Calling? or Magazine and newspaper advertisements? Serious responses only. Thanks!!

Medical Receivables Factoring

Debt factoring takes place when a business sells its accounts receivable to a specialized finance company known as a factor. The receivables are sold at a discount and the factor has the responsibility of collecting the outstanding amounts. This is also referred to as accounts receivable financing or factoring.

This type of arrangement is used by many businesses to improve cash flow and shorten the cash cycle. The business receives immediate cash from the factor and does not have to handle the collections process. Before entering into a debt factoring agreement, there are several key advantages and disadvantages to consider.

The primary benefit of debt factoring is that it provides a quick method of financing. Instead of waiting to receive cash from customer accounts receivables, the factor pays the business immediately. This can be important if the business needs cash to pursue future growth or expansion. It can also be a viable alternative for business wary of taking on debt or issuing equity to raise capital.

Another key benefit is that cash flow is improved and the cash cycle is shortened. The amount of time it takes a business to turn cash to goods to cash is accelerated. This fast turnaround may allow the business to take on additional customers or purchase additional inventory.

Protection from bad debts is a potential benefit. This would only apply if the business has entered into a non-recourse factoring agreement. Under this type of agreement, the factor assumes the risk of bad debts. In other words, if a customer account cannot be collected, the factor must absorb the loss.

Cost effective collections is another potential benefit. The business does sell the accounts receivable at a discount, but it also hands off the entire process of accounts receivable collections. The business has effectively outsourced the process which can save valuable time or reduce the number of employees needed for back office work.

On the other side of the equation, debt factoring does carry a number of distinct disadvantages. The primary disadvantage is the cost. Under a factoring agreement, the factor purchases accounts receivable at a discount. Depending on the discount percentage, a factoring agreement may imply a higher cost of capital. This cost must be compared to the cost of other methods of financing which are available to the business.

A second disadvantage is that when a business works with a factor, they are introducing an outside influence into their business. Since the factor will be responsible for collecting accounts receivable and may be responsible for amounts which cannot be collected, they may try to influence sales practices. This can include attempts to influence sales policies and timing, as well as the customers that a business with deal with.

Bad debt liabilities are a potential disadvantage. This would be applicable if the business has entered into a resource factoring agreement. Under this type of arrangement, the business is responsible for any amounts that cannot be collected from customers. The discount rate at which the factor purchases the accounts is usually lower, but this must be considered in light of potential charges for uncollectible accounts.

Customer relations are a final potential disadvantage. Since a third party will now deal directly with customers to collect amounts owed, this can negatively impact their perception of the business. This is especially true if the factor engages in aggressive or unprofessional practices when collecting accounts.

Debt factoring represents a complex business agreement. It usually requires a long term contract and the modification of some current sales practices. When evaluating whether debt factoring is a good choice for a business, both advantages and disadvantages must be weighed to make an informed descision.



Thanks to Michael Zielinski for contributing this article to our Factoring blog:

Commercial Finance Factoring