Tweet

Factoring Receivables ? It’s Up To You - Pick The Right Business Finance Company As Your AR Factor Partner

Guest post by: Stan Prokop

Article Overview: Information on factoring receivables in Canada . What type of business finance company becomes your best factor partner in rates and type of financing offered for AR invoice discounting ?

Factoring Receivables ? It’s Up To You - Pick The Right Business Finance Company As Your AR Factor Partner

'Whats best type of business financing company for my firm' often ask our clients when they consider AR (A/R) financing and factoring of receivables. We believe strongly its all about the partner, as much as the facility arrangements and we think we can show you why.



A/R (AR) financing companies in Canada tend to be specialized focused niche lenders in the Canadian business landscape. Unlike our friends in the U.S. these firms tend to be non bank independent finance firms, Canadian, U.S, or U.K. based with respect to ownership.



This type of business finance company has one focus, advancing you cash and working capital on your AR (A/R) similar to a line of credit. The funds you can obtain are unlimited based on all your eligible receivables. ( In general receivable financing works for all receivables under 90 days old, as many clients think they are able to finance a receivable only immediately after it is generated , which is not the case by the way.



So could the right business finance company for the factoring of receivables actually be a bank. There are 1 or 2 players in the Canadian banking landscape that do in fact offer receivable finance, similar to a factoring model, however on a broadly speaking basis we can categorically state that banks don't finance receivables under the invoice discounting model that you are probably looking for .



We guess that anything is possible and one day we might see the banks gravitating to this type of finance... It certainly might be good from a rate and competition basis.



So we have determined that your search for the right firm re factoring receivables should focus on a specialist firm offering the type of facility you are looking for. But do you as a Canadian business owner or financial manager actually know the best facility when you meet it?!



Let's walk you through what we consider the key issues in finding the ' perfect 'AR financing facility in Canada. First of all you want to ensure your partner firm can satisfy your facility size - some firms are very small and have limited capital themselves! which we think is something clients don't often consider. Other key issues are as follow: facility limit, your ability to finance all your receivables, as certain companies impose restrictions on either the total amount for any one of your customers, and believe it or not some firms actually don't like government receivables for some legal and technical issues around their security.



Two other factors to consider is how clearly you understand the advance formula under which you will draw on the facility... and oh yes, did we forget to mention pricing ? That's a tongue in cheek comment of course as the majority of clients we speak to seem totally focused only on pricing, and not the ten or so other issues they should be considering.



Pricing varies significantly in Canada... anywhere from 1-3% of each invoice for a 30 day period. Rates are determined by overall facility size, the quality of your A/R and the number of days it takes your clients to pay.



Whats the optimal facility in Canada for factoring receivables? For us its 'C I D', confidential invoice discounting or financing. This allows you to bill and collect your funds without any notice to your customer. This type of facility is perfect for your day to day operations.



In summary, of course you're the one that will make the final call on the type of facility that makes sense for your firm when it comes to cash flowing your A/R.



Consider also speaking to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can navigate the waters of receivable financing for you on issues such as borrowing formulas, rats, terms and conditions, and your ability to improve on these factors.

Related Articles
  Your Choice - Right Way / Wrong way ? Canadian Accounts Receivable Financing & Business Factoring
  Factoring In Canada – The Most Important Thing You Need to Know
  The Only Disadvantage Of Factoring Receivables And Why Confidential Accounts Receivable Finance Works!
  Cash Flow Solution – Factoring
  Canadian AR (A/R) Finance Exposed – How Receivables Factoring Companies Invoice Finance
  What’s the cost of confidential invoice finance and how does receivable factoring work?
  Receivable Factoring – Three Things You Didn’t Know About Factoring Services
  Factoring Canadian Receivables – What’s all the Commotion about Factoring Canadian Receivables?
  Factoring and Receivable Financing in Canada
  Factoring in Canada – Working Capital Now
  Want Some Business Financing Privacy ? Canadian Confidential Receivables Financing Is An Alternative To Commercial Finance Factoring Funding
  How Medical Supplies Firms Can Benefit from Factoring
  Is Factoring A Solution for my Cash Flow Challenges in the Canadian Business Financing Environment?
  The Truth About Business Factoring And The Real Factor Cost Of AR Finance In Canada
  Working Capital Financing - 10 Reasons Not to Factor Receivables in Canada
  Factoring and Accounts Receivable Financing In Canada
  How The Right Factoring Firms in Canada Can Provide Financing Factor Facilities Confidentially
  What is the Best type of Factoring and Receivable Financing Facility for Canadian Firms?
  Private Duty Agencies can Factor in Today’s Banking Crisis
  Factoring vs. A/R Financing: What’s the Difference?

Article Tags: ar, business finance company, factoring receivables



Related Forum Posts
Different Types of Funding - Finance for business can be obtained through a number of different sources. Let's review some of those channels to help you decide what's right for your business needs: Grants There are over 930 different EU and UK grants and loans available from over 100 issuing bodies. This is the cheapest form of finance and an important part of the funding package that companies and individuals need. We can help you find your way through this maze. Technology Micro Projects: 50% of eligible costs up to £20,000 Research project: For a technical and feasibility study of an innovative idea for new technology 60% of costs up to a grant of £75,000. Development project: For development up to pre production 35% of costs up to a grant of £200,000 Developing an innovative idea: valuable for small companies and individuals at the start of a technical project: 75% of costs of hiring a mentor and consultants. Export To start exporting or moving into new markets grants of 50% of costs up to £20,000 each. Training and Education Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Achieving Best Practice in Your Business, Investors in People Modern Apprenticeships New Deal for various grants. Environment BOC Foundation for the Environment: 25% to 50% of Project cost, typically £20,000 to £100,000 Clean up Fund: Emission reducing equipment up to 75% of cost Community Chest Fund: Up to £25,000 for projects near active SITA sites High Impact Fund: £150,000+ for larger projects near SITA sites Assisted Areas Regional assistance grants of between 10 and 35% for capital expenditure in less favoured areas of the UK. Loans Loans are an excellent source of finance if you have suitable security to borrow against or a reliable earnings stream. This needs to be planned and presented well to obtain funds. Credit cards Provides up to 56 days free credit if you play the game! Overdraft Banks are surprisingly supportive when presented with a well thought through plan and competent management. Bank Loans Lenders tend to look for a good business plan and security. Typically the loan is approved by a centralised back office function rather than the person you meet. Terms and rates depend upon the risk. Repayments can be very flexible to meet your specific needs. Mortgages These can include flexible repayment terms to meet your business needs. This can even be incorporated into your overdraft finance so that you have one flexible account for both personal/ business mortgages and overdraft Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme Up to two years trading: Up to £100,000 Over two years trading: Up to £250,000 However these are difficult to obtain and are a loan of last resort. Export Guarantee Scheme This is government backed insurance against appropriate export documentation. Mezzanine This is a halfway house between loan and equity. It can be an innovative way of raising funds for the more established business. Mostly for expansion capital. Equity This is not as easy as the papers would have you know. Only 1% of business plans received by Venture Capital Funds are successful. However, a good business proposition consisting of a strong demand for the product or service, management track record and a sound financial plan will enhance the chance of success. Business Angels These are high net worth individuals who are successful businessmen looking for investment opportunities. They can provide both time expertise and money. Typical investment size is £25,000 to £250,000 but can go as high as £2m for the right opportunity. Exit within 3-5 years. Venture Capital These are investment funds seeking high rates of return. However typically investments are over a million pounds. Some funds are targeted at lower amounts depending upon the sector and region. These funds are looking for exponential capital growth over 3-5 years. Asset backed finance This can cover machinery, sales invoices even sales orders. It can be a very flexible source of finance to the growing business Leasing This will cover your capital expenditure and spread the cost over a three to five year period. It is particularly useful if you do not have taxable profits to maximise your capital allowances. Sale and leaseback of a property you own is another good source of funds. Factoring Factoring offers a sales ledger administration and debt collection service. Up to 95% of an approved sales invoice is paid within 48 hours, quicker if required. Credit protection is also available to protect against a bad debt. The Factor will own and place a first charge over the book debts and they might also take other charges, depending upon the strength of the financial information. Invoice discounting Invoice Discounting can be Confidential or Disclosed; it depends upon the strength of the financial information. The service is the same as Factoring, except that the sales ledger administration and the debt collection is the responsibility of the client and not the Factor. Pre payment of the approved sales invoice is still up to 95% and the factor will still have a first charge on the book debt and therefore own the debt. This service can also have credit protection cover. All sales invoices need to be for a business to business debt, and some proof of delivery is generally required. Trade Finance This is funding provided against stock purchases, signed contracts and orders whereby the funder will prepay a certain percentage of the value Pension fund It may be possible to use your pension funds for a loan back to the business What do u think about it?
How to valuate a business - Hi Garth - here is how we did it at Northern Crown Capital when I was helping them raise venture capital for Toronto-based entrepreneurs. Assume the start date is 2003 so 2008 projections are 5 years out: How Northern Crown Capital Valuates a Business 2008 Financial Projections Earnings Before Tax $5,865,000 Tax Rate 42% Taxes $2,463,300 Net Earnings $3,401,700 Amount Seeking to Raise Today $3,500,000 Discounted Value of Future Opportunity, 5 Years Out 2008 P/E Ratio 15 Value of Company in 2008 $51,025,500 Discount Rate Applied 30% Year 2008 $51,025,500 Year 2007 $35,717,850 Year 2006 $25,002,495 Year 2005 $17,501,747 Year 2004 $12,251,223 Value of Company at Investment in 2003 $12,251,223 Less: Investment Amount $3,500,000 Present Value $8,751,223 Discount for Risk & Private Company 40% Less: Discount for Risk & Private Company $3,500,489 Private Company Value $5,250,734 Present Value (What the Owner Keeps) $5,250,734 60.00% Financing (What the Investor Gets) $3,500,000 40.00% Total $8,750,734 100.00% I hope this helps!
Re: Finance is the primary requirement of business - [quote="rauljoseph":36x8dadn]Finance is very important in a business. It is all about managing the business' money and other assets. Finance includes the study and analysis of processes, financial institutions, markets and instruments that are involved in the transfer of money or anything that has a monetary value among consumers, businesses and government.[/quote:36x8dadn] Good point. I'll just add that if I was going into business for myself and could only have one skill it would be Sales & Marketing. You need to be able to create customers first and foremost. Finance is more of a support function for entrepreneurs.
Re: Management Processes? - Great question Aaron. Like you and Kevin have indicated, we can get a lot done by creating a management process. I like to: Prioritize what I need to do in order of importance. Pick the top priority item. Brainstorm possible tasks. Pick a task and complete it. Move on to the next task. I find this helps break things down into manageable pieces. It also helps just to take small actions. [Link removed by forum admin]
Finance is the primary requirement of business - Finance is very important in a business. It is all about managing the business' money and other assets. Finance includes the study and analysis of processes, financial institutions, markets and instruments that are involved in the transfer of money or anything that has a monetary value among consumers, businesses and government.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

The Strong Leadership Formula

How To Be Happy at Work? Acknowledge Yourself

3 Health Insurance Misconceptions

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.