Growing your Business with Invoie Factoring

Is cash a little bit tight? Have you ever risked missing payroll? Have you ever had to pass up an opportunity because you did not have enough money? If so, you are not alone. Every business owner goes through those same challenges every day. Some come out on top. Others perish.

What is the biggest difference between those that succeed and those that perish? Cash flow. And plenty of it.

If you work with commercial or government clients, then you are already used to waiting up to 60 days to get paid by your clients. That is ok if your business has lots of resources and a stash of cash in the bank. But what if you don't?

One of the most frustrating things that can happen to a business owner is realizing that his company is invoice rich and cash poor. Meaning, you have tons of money owed to you by clients (and payable in 60 days) but little cash to show for it. This does nothing for you, if you need to meet payroll in 3 days or need money to buy supplies for a new project. Fortunately, there is an easy way to turn those invoices into cash, without using any collections or heavy-handed tactics.

The solution involves factoring your invoices. Never heard of invoice factoring? You are not alone. Factoring is one of the most used and least talked about business financing tools. It allows you to convert your invoices into immediate cash. It helps you turn your invoice rich business into a cash rich business.

Qualifying for factoring is simple and only takes a few days. As opposed to business loans, you don't need a long business history or reams of financial statements to qualify. All you need are invoices for credit worthy commercial clients or government clients.

And how does factoring work? Well, it simpler than you think. As soon as you have completed a job, you submit an invoice to your client and send a copy to the factoring company. The factoring company will advance you a substantial portion of your invoice, usually within a day. Once your client pays the invoice, the transaction is settled.

As you can see, factoring provides you with immediate cash as soon as you invoice. This helps you meet payroll, pay suppliers and take on new jobs. With factoring, you can streamline your billing cycle and grow your company, without ever needing a business loan.

Commercial Capital LLC Looking for a factoring company? We can provide you with a factoring, invoice factoring or accounts receivable factoring quote? Please call Marco Terry at (866) 730 1922 for more information

Factoring Software

Factoring software can be defined as an interacting, continuing, future-oriented structure of equipment and procedure, designed to generate and process information flow that can aid business executives in the management of their programs.

Factoring software involves broader and more inclusive activity then, say, research. It includes determining and specifying the data needed, the generation of this information by means of research then the processing of this data. While this is a system concept, research usually deals with fragmented, unrelated research projects, done to solve an existing problem identified by some executive.

Software is used on a continuing basis, serving as both a prognosis and a diagnosis. It is preventive as well as curative medicine for factoring companies. Defining the information needs is the most important step in the development of factoring software. The efficacy of the system as a whole depends on this basic step. When clarity is lacking with regard to information needs, the software as a whole gets misdirected and handicapped. Good software recognizes that different executive levels in the company require different types/ segments of information and it ensures that information needs of various executive positions in the company are defined by the concerned executive themselves.

Good software should fulfill the following requirements. It must be unified. It must be conceived and used as a decision support system. It must be compatible with the company and with the overall level of sophistication of the firm. It must be user oriented and it must secure the involvement of users. It must also involve and motivate the suppliers of the information. It must be economical. The cost value ratio of the information processed by the software should be favorable to the firm. It must be capable of absorbing smoothly any changes that may become necessary in the system.

Factoring provides detailed information on factoring, credit card factoring, loan factoring, invoice factoring and more. Factoring is affliated with Invoice Factoring Discounting

Factoring

A factor is basically a financial institution that purchases accounts receivable from businesses. The factor normally bears the credit risks associated with the accounts receivable purchased by it. There are about twenty firms in the United States engaged solely in factoring. These firms raise their operating funds by issue of equity and debt capital.

The factoring agreement governs the relationship between the factor and the business whose accounts receivable the factor purchases. The following conditions are typically found in factoring agreements. The factor will select only those accounts receivable which appear to be acceptable to it. The sales of accounts receivable will be done to the factor on a non-recourse basis. This implies that the factor has to absorb the losses arising from uncollectible accounts.

The factor would set up an account, similar to a bank deposit account, for the firm. Monies will be deposited in this account as payments are received or as due dates arrive. The firm can freely withdraw amounts from this account. Surplus balances in the account earn a certain rate of interest. The factor is liable to pay the firm on the last day of the credit period or when the account is collected, whichever occurs first.

The factor will advance money to the firm against not-yet-collected and not-yet-due accounts receivable. These advances, representing a negative balance in the firm's account, carry a certain rate of interest. Factoring costs consist of three elements: factoring commission, interest levied on advances, and interest paid on surplus balances. Factoring commission is payment to the factor for administering the tasks of receivables management and bearing the risk of bad debt. Factoring commission is usually 1 to 3 per cent of the face value of the accounts receivable factored. The interest period on advances may be 2 to 4 per cent higher than the prime rate.

Factoring provides detailed information on factoring, credit card factoring, loan factoring, invoice factoring and more. Factoring is affliated with Invoice Factoring Discounting

Factoring. Cash Without Borrowing

How to Increase Cash Flow Without Borrowing

Cash flow is one of the main reasons businesses fail. At one time or another, every business, even successful ones, have experienced poor cash flow. Cash flow does not have to be a problem any more. Do not be fooled -- banks are not the only places you can get funding. Other solutions are available and you do not have to borrow.

What is Factoring?

One solution is called factoring. Factoring is the process of selling accounts receivable to an investor rather than waiting to collect the money from the customer.

Oh, the Irony…

Factoring has an ironic distinction: It is the financial backbone of many of America's most successful businesses. Why is this ironic? Because factoring is not taught in business colleges, is seldom mentioned in business plans and is relatively unknown to the majority of American business people. Yet it is a financial process that frees up billions of dollars every year, enabling thousands of businesses to grow and prosper.

Factoring has been around for thousands of years. Factors are investors who pay cash for the right to receive the future payments on your invoices.

An unpaid receivable or invoice has value. It is a debt your customer has agreed to pay in the near future.

Factoring Principals

Although factoring deals exclusively with business-to-business transactions, a large percentage of the retail business uses a factoring principal. MasterCard, Visa, and American Express all use a form of factoring in their retail transactions. Using the purest definition of the word, these large consumer finance companies are really just large factors of consumer paper.

Think about it: You make a purchase at Sears and charge it to your MasterCard. The store gets paid almost immediately, even though you do not make payment until you are ready. For this service, the credit card company charges Sears a fee (typical fees range from two to four percent of the sale).

The Benefits

Factoring can offer many benefits to cash-hungry companies. Rather than wait 30, 60, 90 days or longer for payment on a product or service that has already been delivered, a business can factor (sell) its receivables for cash at a small discount off the amount of the invoice.

Payroll, marketing efforts, and working capital are just a few of the business needs that can be met with this instant cash.

Factoring provides the means for a manufacturer to replenish inventory and make more products to sell: There is no longer a need to wait for earlier sales to be paid. Factoring is not just a cash management tool for manufacturers: Almost any type of business can benefit from factoring.

Generally, a business that extends credit will have 10 to 20 percent of its annual sales tied up in accounts receivable at any given time. Think for a moment about how much money is tied up in 60 days' worth of invoices: You cannot pay the power bill or this week's payroll with a customer's invoice, but you can sell that invoice for the cash to meet those obligations.

Factoring is a fast and easy process. The factor buys the invoice at a discount, usually a few percentage points less than the face value of the invoice.

The Drawbacks

People consider the discount a small cost of doing business. A four-percent discount for a 30-day invoice is common. Compared with the problem of not having cash when you need it to operate, the four-percent discount is negligible. Look at the factor's discount as though your business had offered the customer a discount for paying cash. It works out the same.

Companies consider the discount the same way they treat a sales price: It is simply the cost of generating cash flow, much like discounting merchandise is the cost of generating sales.

Factoring is a cash flow tool used by a variety of businesses, not just those who are small or struggling. Many companies factor to reduce the overhead of their own accounting department. Others use factoring to generate cash, which can be used to expand marketing efforts and increase production.

Why Factoring Appeals to the Start-Up

Factoring is especially appealing to young and rapidly growing companies. Since the process shortens their business cycle, these businesses can grow faster. The ability to make more products to sell while waiting for invoices to be paid is largely eliminated. Such businesses usually net much more profit with factoring than without, even when the discount is considered.

Factoring vs. Bank Loans

So, why not simply go over to the friendly banker for a loan to alleviate cash flow problems? A loan can be difficult if not impossible to receive, especially for a young, high-growth operation, because bankers are not expected to decrease lending restrictions soon. The relationships between businesses and their bankers are not as strong or as dependable as they used to be.

The impact of a loan is much different than that of the factoring process on a business. A loan places a debt on your business balance sheet, which costs you interest. By contrast, factoring puts money in the bank without the creation of any obligation. Frequently, the factoring discount will be less than the current loan interest rate.

Loans are largely dependent on the borrower's financial soundness, whereas factoring is more interested in the soundness of the client's customers and not the client's business itself. This is a real plus for new businesses without established track records.

There are many situations where factoring can help a business meet its cash flow needs. It provides a continuing source of operating capital without incurring debt, which can result in growth opportunities that dramatically increase the bottom line. Virtually any business can benefit from factoring as part of its overall operating philosophy.

Every good businessperson must understand the concept and benefits of factoring in order to operate as profitably as possible. The following chart can help you understand the differences between factoring and other sources of funding.

For more information on factoring and other non-traditional ways to obtain funding, contact Fred Coutts at (206) 364-9613 or Fred@FredCoutts.com. Please visit my website at http://www.fredcoutts.com/index3.htm for more information on powerful funding programs without going through a bank

Fred Coutts, CPA, CMA. All Rights Reserved.

Since 1980, Fred Coutts has been crafting powerful cash flow solutions for businesses and individuals alike, from entreptreneurs to "Fortune 500" companies. He has built a solid foundation of financial and operational experience through many executive roles, including those as CFO and Controller. Fred is well versed and experienced in finance, accounting, and business operations.

Over the years Fred has developed relationships with funding connections nationwide, both traditional and non-traditional sources to help you meet your cash flow needs.

Professional Certifications:

---Certified in Public Accounting(CPA)

---Certified in Management Accounting(CMA)

Factoring vs. Bank Loans

Is factoring a type of loan?

No. Even though invoice factoring is commonly referred to as “ factoring loans”, it is a financial practice involving a B2B transaction, but no bank. To further explain, account factoring, it is when a company, like Peacock Capital, purchases your accounts receivable invoices at a discount and provides you with immediate cash. A traditional bank loan uses your company’s accounts receivable as collateral, where account receivables factoring looks primarily at the financial soundness of your customers, not your company. Banks are regulated heavily; large finance companies generally are public and driven by pressures in the financial markets. When times are tough, banks and finance companies limit lending. A small business, too new to have a track record, with a weak balance sheet, with a history of financial problems, in turnaround mode or undergoing big changes, often cannot find a willing lender at any price. That is why factoring is best for small to mid-sized businesses.

Does a bank loan make more sense for my small business than invoice factoring?

No. Banks often have restrictive lending requirements relating to cash flow, profitability, equity, and years in business, which prohibit them from making loans to small to mid-sized businesses. Since factoring companies are not in the lending business and there is really no such thing as “ factoring loans”, the decision to purchase invoices is influenced primarily by the quality of your customer base and their financial stability, and not the financial fundamentals of your company.

Do I have to jump through the same hoops for account receivables Factoring as with bank financing?

No. All Peacock Capital needs to produce a proposal is a completed pre-approval form, summary of accounts receivable aging, summary accounts payable aging and some other basic financial information.

Do I have to be an established business operating a minimum number of years to start an account factoring relationship with Peacock Capital?

No. Peacock Capital prides itself on working with companies in all stages of business, including recently developed small to mid-size businesses. Even pure start-ups are usually not a problem for Peacock Capital. If your company has verifiable invoices and creditworthy customers, Peacock Capital will happily speak with you about an account receivables factoring relationship.

Are my receivables held as collateral while my company is factoring?

Yes. Peacock Capital requires a first position on all accounts receivable while you are factoring with us.

Does Peacock Capital require additional collateral when my company is factoring?

No. Within our traditional account factoring programs, a first position on accounts receivable is all that Peacock Capital requires while you are factoring. In some situations, Peacock Capital may take an available security interest in other company’s assets.

Afra AmirSanjari is the Principal for Peacock Capital. Peacock Capital specializes in solving the cash flow challenges of Small/Medium Businesses, Government Vendors and Individuals with innovative financial solutions by providing a network for securing operating capital.

http://www.peacockcapital.com; info@peacockcapital.com