How To Get The Best Factoring Financing From Your Receivable Investment And How Factoring Firms Differ in Canada
Article Overview: Information on factoring financing in Canada and how the financing of your receivable investment can be achieved at the bests costs depending on your choice of factoring firms. Information on confidential invoice discounting .
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How To Get The Best Factoring Financing From Your Receivable Investment And How Factoring Firms Differ in Canada
Clients who are in the process of investigating factoring financing want to know their receivable investment is being financed in the best manner possible. So... are factoring firms different - oh boy - you dont believe how different they are.
Let's examine some of the key issues around factoring and receivable financing in Canada - lets look at what the best type of facility is (in our opinion at least!), how the financing works, and most importantly, why you should consider using it.
Let's address the last issue first, namely why you should be using, or at least considering factoring financing. The reality is that your business is in one of several categories - they might be as follows: you are unable to unable to obtain traditional bank type financing; your business is growing at an exceptionally fast rate to support bank financing approval, your firm has financial challenges re operating losses and other issues.
So how do you choose among the many factoring firms out there in the Canadian environment? This is where it gets tricky, and you will save probably thousands of dollars when it comes to working with the factoring firms that make sense for your needs.
Here's the basic ' lay of the land' in a nutshell. Canada has hundreds, and we mean hundreds of factoring firms that come in all shapes and sizes, small local boutique operations, branches of U.S. and U.K. firms, and everything in between. We recommend a Canadian receivable financing firm that is local to understanding your needs, and one that offers confidential invoice factoring, which by far in our opinion, is the best type of A/R financing.
As most Canadian business owners and financial managers know invoice discounting, aka factoring is simply the sale of your receivables, on a one of, or entire basis, for immediate cash. Sounds simple and sounds great, right. It is, but the type of facility you choose and what you pay can make or break your decision to finance your A/R investment.
Costs of financing your A/R with factoring firms differ greatly - Generally you can be expected to pay between 1-3% per month based on a few key issues such as the size of your A/R investment, the industry you are in, and your receivable turnover, or DSO as its known in the business.
We strongly recommend clients search for a confidential invoice discounting facility - by far the best. Your firm retains all the advantages of factoring financing, but bills and collects your own receivables, receiving cash instantly as you invoice. This facility compares to the other 99.9% of the industry which uses a cumbersome system that involves notification to your customers around your financing arrangements.
There isn’t a day when we aren’t asked by clients about the cost of factoring, which is perceived as high by many clients. We can assure you that yes, it is higher than bank financing, but ask your bank if they will give you an unlimited line of credit based on your receivables . Keep us posted on that one, because we thing you know the answer already.
Also, if you used receivable factoring prudently you could actually in many cases achieve the same costs as you have in bank type lines of credit, but that’s a subject for another day.
Unsure of how factoring finance works - lets cover it off then! You invoice you client for work or services or product done/shipped, etc. You receive the same day, cash flow wired into your bank for that invoice or invoices. Typically 90% is advanced same day, the other 10% is a buffer , held back and remitted to you when your client pays, less the factoring costs themselves .
So whats our bottom line then - we think we can sum it up as follows. There are different types of factoring - we maintain confidential invoice factoring works best. Cost vary between firms and you should ensure you work with a trusted , credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor to get the facility that makes most sense financially for your company .
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Related Forum Posts
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!
In-depth understanding of Cash-flow
- Accounts Payable and Receivable can get a lot of businesses in trouble. You really do need to be careful to ensure you don't come unstuck.
Having a credit card or overdraft facility can help in these circumstances though.
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?
Investment Advisors vs Faciltators
- Investment advisors provide advise to investors on public companies or investments. Leadsco is a telemarketing company for advisors - providing leads.
Investment advisors will not put you in touch with investors. Violates compliance regulations.
Facilitators are the best way to help you with strategy and offering for private investors or venture capital.
Extended Warranty
- I'm usually against Extended Warranties but I just bought two:
1. On my new LCD TV: it was an investment and took the 4 yr warranty for peace of mind as I have heard of LCDs going bust. Sounds like I'm rationalizing my purchase but I'm going to check out Kevin's link.
2. On my new Apple Macbook: same reason - Investment and since I know nothing about a mac I'm not sufre if I comfortable troubleshooting anything on it like I am with a PC.
i'm sure that there should be a cooling off period for any Extented warranties/insurance purchased here in Canada. Typically it's 10 business days and I'm still within it so I better start doing some homework.
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