Business Accounts Receivable Financing

Why is business accounts receivable factoring so popular today? Who is doing it, why are they doing it and when is the best time to explore accounts receivable factoring agreements? The main reason for the popularity of factoring is the economic cycles that businesses experience.

As economic cycles turn downward and banks tighten up credit, loans become hard to come by as was in my case during the global recession of 2008-2009. In these tough times, accounts receivable factoring companies are filling in the need by offering the capital businesses need to keep their doors open, and even to grow and expand.

Factoring has become a key alternative finance strategy for many small businesses today. In fact, many small businesses are now preferring factoring over applying for loans with banks and the small business administration (SBA), who often have a more rigorous and lengthy process.

It's also much quicker to access capital when factoring as opposed to the long and painful process of obtaining a loan. What are some of the more common ways companies are engaging in business accounts receivable factoring?

Trucking companies factor freight to cover wages and salaries for drivers. Staffing agencies factor their invoices so they can pay their head count / staff. In medical accounts receivable factoring, which is a very specialized niche, medical companies factor out receivables owed to them by insurance companies and even the government to fund their day to day needs (expenses) in the short term.

Businesses of all sizes are also pursuing accounts receivable factoring companies because these companies also often offer purchase order refinancing, working capital credit lines, growth or expansion funding, inventory financing and other types of asset based lending where businesses take a loan by pledging their physical assets.

Here are answers to three common questions that must be going through your mind right now: Why should you factor?

Simple. It is easier, faster and in many cases can be cheaper. Once you are accepted or have a relationship with a solid accounts receivable factoring company, you essentially have a revolving line of credit with them. Think about it, if a company factors your invoices once, chances are they will do it again, and again, and again. They win, and most importantly YOU win.

Here is the other thing. You no longer have to worry about who will process accounts receivables at your business. when you factor, you are essentially outsourcing the entire function. Let them worry about it while you worry about growing your business!

What size business can factor?

Any kind really. However factoring is most common with small to medium size businesses as large Corporates have their own alternative capital or funding sources. The answer is actually simpler than that. If you have receivables, you can for sure factor.

When should you consider business accounts receivable factoring?

Do you need cash to grow and expand your business? Do you need more funding to run your day to day operations? Who doesn't?

Are you having trouble or simply don't want to acquire a business or SBA loan? If you answered yes to any of these questions and you feel you are ready to take the next step in your business, then YOU SHOULD consider accounts receivable factoring.

Read more about receivable factoring on Curt Matsen, CPA's website here: http://www.accountsreceivablefactoringhq.com

Working Capital Financing Options To Raise Business Capital

It is no longer unusual to hear about start up and small business struggling with the finances of their ventures. More often than not, this does not stem from a lack of proper planning, and from profits that were never realized. There are simply times wherein business capital is no longer enough to cover for all the expenses needed to keep the business operating. And in times like such, business owners need reliable financial institutions that can offer them the working capital financing that they need. In this way, they will not have to waste a day of operations because they do not have money to spend.

Through working capital financing, business owners can have a good range of options when it comes to raising or increasing their business capital. They can select from options like applying for small business loans, making cash advances, credit card factoring, and opening business lines of credit. These are only some of the few financing options that business owners can resort to during those times when they need additional capital for their business.

Among these options, small business loans appear to remain as the most popular. However, it is not all too easy to qualify for a small business loan. A business must have a good credit history to qualify. And to most small business owners, having good credit ratings can be quite elusive. This is because building business credit requires time and time is something that most start up business owners do not have.

This leads most small business owners to consider other alternatives. A merchant or business cash advance is seen as an easier way of gaining additional business capital. So does business lines of credit and credit card factoring. These options do not require good credit scores. What matters more to these options is for small business owners to have good monthly sales volumes. The method of payment and repayment are also less burdensome. Payments and repayments do not come in fixed schedules. Instead, payments and repayments often come as a small percentage of the monthly sales that the business is able to generate.

You can learn more about these working capital financing options through financial firms near your area. You can also go online to learn more about them. Most financing firms already have online presence and these days, you no longer need to physically travel to the nearest financing office to apply for business capital financing options.

Angel Investors and Hard Money

Hard money mortgages are becoming a very popular alternative source of finding among both entrepreneurs as well as angel investors. This is primarily due to the fact that there are very high interest rates associated with the usage of a hard money mortgage that is providing by a private funding source. As the economy is struggling, the demand for high yielding financial instruments is increasing as it relates to investors that have a significant amount of cash on hand. As such, if you or your business is seeking bridge financing, a real estate acquisition, or the purchase of tangible equipment then working with an angel investor to provide you with a hard money mortgage may be in your best interest. However, it should be noted that these loans often come with a number of covenants and caveats and you must be careful prior to obtaining to this type of funding.

Generally, hard money comes from angel investors that want to lend against tangible property. The capital does not require that you give any equity to a third-party investor, but instead are hypothecating a piece of property with the risk that you might loss the asset if you do not make timely payments on your loan. As such, you should work closely with your certified public accountant or financial adviser to determine whether or not obtaining this very expensive form of capital is in your business' best interest. You may find that there are a number of alternatives, including potentially selling a portion of your business to an angel investor, that are less expensive then a high yield debt instrument.

One of the things that you will be required to have as you seeking this type of capital is a well written business plan that showcases the financial results of your business. This is extremely important, especially as it relates to the cash flow of your business, as you will need to show that you can repay the debt financing on a timely basis. On a side note, you should also showcase that you are able to afford the upfront fees that are normally associated with a hard money mortgage or similar debt instrument.

Your business plan and documentation package should also discuss the loan to value ratios that will be associated with the real estate purchase or equipment acquisition that you intend to undertake. A professional valuation provided by a third party expert may be required of you by the angel investor or capital brokerage that is working with you on this specific deal.

In regards to finding this type of investor, most mortgage brokerage and mortgage banking firms have extensive contacts among individuals that specifically provide this type of loan. As such, you may want to approach them first prior to finding a private funding source on your own.

In closing, using a hard money mortgage may be in your best interest if you have the requisite capital to support the very high interest and principal repayments. As always, you and your accountant should thoroughly evaluate this type of capital before making any decision.

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