5 Tips To Manage Cashflow And Improve Business Costs

Article Contributed by Beth Nicholas

But the four major categories discussed above should be your first concern as they are the foundation for establishing control over your cash flow and the impact it has on your business’ profit, survival and growth.

1. Invoice smarter

Slow-paying customers can present a huge issue for small businesses in particular – especially when those businesses are experiencing the same issues as your business and waiting for their own cash to come in. It can be a tricky cycle.

Ensure your invoicing process is streamlined, invoices are promptly mailed out and the invoice content is clear and easy to read. Simple omissions such as failure to include purchase order numbers and payment terms can bring on setbacks and delays.

Assess whether your business is able to go one step beyond and make the payment process easier and faster for your customers.  Electronic payment systems, or discounts offered for rapid payment of invoices, can speed up transactions and may also improve processing times on your side.

2. Negotiate

Just because a price has been quoted, or you have been paying the same rate for years and years, doesn’t mean that is what you have to pay.

Work hard to negotiate with your suppliers since many are willing to discuss pricing and rates (they want to retain your business after all!)

Every little bit might just help – whether addressing standard utility overheads such as energy and phone bills, or working to pay less for the office stationery  – it could have a significant impact on your bottom line.

3. Get close to your accountant 

Many businesses, particularly smaller ones, look to liaise with their accountant at a time of need.

A solid accountant can provide invaluable advice and serve as a useful resource, sharing knowledge, insight and recommendation all year round.

Services such as cost management, profit management, investment, funding consultancy and general check-ups can help you keep things on track and optimise the health of your balance sheet.

Build a regular relationship and dialogue with your accountant to drive smarter business decisions, higher profits, reduced taxes and improved cash flow.

4.  Explore alternative credit and funding options

A wide range of alternative funding solutions are available in the market – non-bank lending is now at its highest in five years as more and more SMEs recognise the benefit of short-term, affordable cash flow solutions.

Beyond the company credit card, hire purchase agreements, leasing arrangements and overdrafts – cash flow products such as crowd-funding and invoice finance could provide much-needed cash and capital to help you manage seasonal demand, or the challenging peaks and troughs of delayed customer payments. If you have followed the previous tip and have a good accountant, they will be full of advice and recommendation on the best path for you.

Overdrafts, premium funding, lease facilities and cash flow funding products such as factoring can all be excellent tools to help match cash supply with outlays. These arrangements take time to set up, so you need to be prepared in advance. In a pinch, the business credit card can be a good way to ease the crunch as long as it can be paid off before interest kicks in.

5. Plan, plan, plan – and stick to it

Heavily monitor your balance sheet and your cash flow budget.

The continual review and action planning for the credit you allow, the bills you pay, how you pay those bills, and when your payments are coming in are all critical for the survival of a business.

It is important to revise your cash flow budget periodically which an accountant can assist with and deliver as an automated, streamlined process. Simple exercises such as payment prioritisation, strategic management of credit terms, weekly cash flow projections and payment collections all form the foundations of the dynamic accounting function of a business.

A solid system in place such as this, will also allow you to plan for lean times and schedule purchases and allocation of capital when you need it the most.

About the Author

Beth Nicholas is a professional writer for Plus Accounting – a leading accountant firm and business financial services provider based in Brighton, England.