There's no question that businesses and cash flow have been affected by the recession and pandemic. Some companies have taken advantage of this time to pivot, rebrand or change focus to save their businesses and keep their customers happy. In the middle of all of that, you might be facing the stress of lacking resources necessary to keep going. You might also be surprised to learn that you actually already have the company funds you need.
No matter the type or size of your business, accounts receivable and collections is a valuable part of your operations and cash flow. B2B (business-to-business) accounts receivable and collections, however, is very different than B2C (business-to-consumer) for a number of reasons. In this post, we will uncover the differences between these two types of businesses and how their receivables and collections processes are different.
First party collections, in which your business relies to manage delinquent and non-paying accounts, are a valuable resource to get invoices paid. Getting your invoices paid on time helps ensure working capital and sets your business up for success. In house collections specialists, therefore, are beneficial and necessary, especially in a growing business.
While many businesses are trying to return to a new normal after the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, some have opted to move to remote work for the rest of 2020. For paper-based A/R departments, this move has been especially challenging. Sending invoices and receiving checks are necessary components to maintaining working capital and cash flow but what happens when the employees responsible are no longer in the office?
When you think about your business reputation, you may be looking to customer testimonials or surveys to determine how well you're doing. Obviously, your branding and online perception is going to influence sales and ultimately your revenue. Another part of your business' reputation, however, is how you approach the financial aspects of your business.
COVID-19 cases are still increasing as the United States reopens and now the National Bureau of Economic Research has declared that the U.S. economy is indeed in recession. According to the announcement, the economy was heading into recession when the coronavirus hit and, as businesses were shutdown, any gains were erased during March and April. If you're a business owner or accounts receivable professional, you may already know that cash flow has been affected by the events of the past few months.
If you regularly bill clients, you have likely had the experience of chasing down money. It's frustrating, uncomfortable and a little intimidating. Now add in a global pandemic, climbing unemployment statistics and the amount of small businesses closing shop and suddenly, asking for what's owed to you can be downright worrisome. Let's take a step back and consider a new way of dealing with outstanding or overdue invoices, shall we?
Cash flow is critical to any business, no matter its size. With poor cash flow management, even a profitable business can end up in bankruptcy. If the amount of cash coming in is less than what's being spent, businesses are unable to make investments or will need to borrow money to stay afloat.
When the Small Business Administration announced a forgivable loan program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, small businesses and independent contractors rejoiced. The only requirements to qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program loan are fewer than 500 employees and to have been in business by February 15, 2020. If your growing business is economically affected or you're a freelancer who has lost clients due to the pandemic, this program was made to help.
During an economic downturn, it is not uncommon for accounting departments to notice an increase in DSO (Days Sales Outstanding). As receivables start to drift beyond payment terms, you’ll want to be sure your team is ready to act fast. Depending on the circumstances, the accounts receivable response may be varied from demand letters to payment plans.
