Published on 07/07/2018 by Any Business.Com.Au

New financial year, new financial position

A key part of your business plan should be to improve the financial position of your business. There are many aspects to this and it is well worth considering all of the points below in your strategy.

If you haven't already done so, consider talking to an accountant or business adviser about your financing needs and options. An adviser or accountant may be able to suggest other ways of improving your cash flow or provide options for sourcing funding internally.

Some ways you can improve your financial position and cash flow include:

Recover outstanding debt

Chase up as many outstanding payments as you can. If you don't have the time, consider outsourcing your debt collection with a reputable debt collection agency. Before you make a sale, always make sure you have a condition of sale agreement in writing that outlines your terms and conditions. Include how long your debtors have to settle the debt and any percentages applied for overdue payments.

Reduce/rearrange expenses

Analyse all of your expenses and figure out which of these you could reduce or rearrange. Some options include:

• arranging a deferred or periodic payment plan for larger expenses

• switching insurance companies, banks or suppliers to get a better deal

• modifying the quantity and/or timing of your stock purchases to coincide with higher cash flow periods

• switching to cheaper alternatives for consumables such as managing your energy use.

Sell assets

Selling unwanted assets can be a good way to get some cash and reduce your storage costs. You could also consider leasing your main assets to help spread the cost over a longer period.

If you're selling on terms such as retention of title, or leasing out valuable goods, consider registering a security interest on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). Registering a security interest in goods that you're selling can help you recover the debt if a buyer doesn't pay or becomes insolvent.

Offer markdowns

Applying markdowns to full-price products or services can attract sales and shift surplus stock or discontinued products. If you're offering markdowns, ensure you always comply with pricing legislation. See the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for more information on pricing and your obligations.

Increase prices

Increasing prices can be a valid option for businesses facing rising costs, even if it's not popular with customers. If you consider this option, ensure your prices always comply with pricing legislation.

Consolidate debt

Look at your current debts and see if you can combine them into a low interest and low fee product. When considering refinancing your current debt arrangements, make sure you shop around to see if you can you get a better deal elsewhere.

Use new marketing techniques

Putting more effort into marketing doesn't necessarily require spending more money. For example, using the internet and social media can be a cheaper and smarter way of getting your message across.

Offer additional payment options

Offering additional payment options such as credit, e-commerce, or additional payment systems (e.g. BPAY, BillPay or PayPal), can open up different markets and improve your bottom line.

Look for government grants

Generally, the government doesn't provide finance to people who want to start up or buy a small business. However, you may be eligible for a grant in certain circumstances, such as business expansion, research and development, innovation or exporting.

Invest your own money

Investing your own money or that of your family or friends may give you a better chance of obtaining finance. Generally, lenders require a certain amount of equity invested in the business (self-finding) before they will lend you money. Before you decide on this option, you should first carefully consider how this arrangement can affect your relationships.

Keep track of your cash flow

A cash flow statement lists all your incoming and outgoing cash items for the next 12 months. This will help you plan ahead and make sure you can cover your expenses.

Find out what you need to include in your cash flow statement. It is also important that you have a book-keeping system to keep track of your cash flow.

Improve your cash flow

There are simple ways you can improve your cash flow, such as:

• making sure you send a correctly formatted invoice at the time of purchase

• following up on outstanding customer payments as soon as you can

• reducing your expenses – you could try finding cheaper suppliers or consolidating your debts for a better rate. Options include organising a periodic payment plan for larger expenses

To cope with changes in your cash flow, you could also consider taking out a business loan. Before you do, it's a good idea to assess your financial needs.

AnyBusiness.com.au

Curtis is a leading expert in the business-for-sale industry, serving as a senior content creator at anybusiness.com.au.

With a career spanning over fifteen years, Curtis has accumulated extensive knowledge in the domain of business sales, acquisitions, and valuations. His deep understanding of market dynamics and his ability to translate complex industry jargon into accessible insights make him a trusted resource for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to buy or sell businesses.

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