Managing your cashflow

What are the things that you need to consider to ensure your cashflow remains as healthy as possible?

Firstly, ensure you have up to date management information. You will need the figures, third parties will need them, and your accountant will need them.

Improved cashflow will help to reduce your management time and professional and finance costs.

What are your current finances for?

• General working capital
• Capital expenditure
• Stock
• Staff costs
• Project
• Taxes
• Your own income

Internal finances

How much of your internal finance is tied up in stocks, debtors and creditors?

Stocks

• Look at and revise your stock levels.
• Sell or return any surplus stock.
• Constantly and regularly review.

Debtors

• Can you look to invoice more quickly?
• Set credit limits
• Agree payments terms in advance
• Tighten credit control
• Prioritise cash collection
• Are you debts insured? If not, can you insure them?
• Clear queries straight away
• Increase prices for slow payers
• Do not supply to bad customers
• 80:20 rule

Creditors

• Can you negotiate extended credit terms?
• Review your payment terms
• Order on ‘just in time’ basis
• Sale or return

Timing

Look at the timing of payments, can you move things to improve your cash flow.

Consider your standing order and direct debits. Think about your VAT periods– you may want to consider accelerating purchase invoices and deferring invoicing (not payment dates) to improve your cash flow. Look at what is in your pipeline to try and spread the liability. Alternatively if you are on the accruals basis you could benefit by moving onto cash accounting for VAT if you meet the criteria.

Overheads

Overheads can be a huge part of your cashflow, especially with the rising cost of energy and fuel. Can you review supplier terms? Look at the costs of your premises.

Can you put off any planned annual purchases and if so, how will that impact your business?

Is there any funding available to help improve your energy efficiency?

Have you thought about changing your company vehicles to electric? There are lots of tax benefits available. Check out our guide to Green Transport for more information on this.

Finance for Growth funding

Finally, don’t forget, if you are a business based in North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, Hull or the East Riding of Yorkshire, there is funding available to help you with your finances to give you a clearer picture of where you are now and what you need to help you through the coming months.

Funding is available for business consultancy for any financial advice we can offer you that sits outside the normal accountancy services.

Some examples of the types of projects we can support include:

• Production of a business plan
• Preparation of financial projections supporting a growth/recovery plan
• Expert advice – financial reviews, strategic reviews, recovery plans, growth plans
• Gearing up for the next stage of financial investment
• Development and introduction of a financial management system/reporting

If you are interested in getting help and advice with your finances, then please do get in touch for an initial conversation on this.

Business grants of between £1,000 and £2,500 (40% intervention rate) are available.

Minimum Grant - £2,500 – Maximum Grant - £6,250

Funding is easy to access, can be available in 5 working days and is running through to June 2023.

Don’t miss out on funding that could help you to a brighter and healthier business.