Yrityksellä voi olla hyvä tilauskanta ja kannattavaa liiketoimintaa, mutta silti liian vähän rahaa tilillä. Kun asiakkaiden maksuajat pitenevät, tulot viivästyvät, mutta palkat, verot, vuokrat ja ostolaskut on silti maksettava ajallaan. 

Long payment terms can make it harder to run the day to day business, slow down growth and force the company to seek financing in a hurry. However, cash flow can be strengthened through planning ahead and choosing solutions that fit the situation. 

A good result does not always mean a strong cash position 

Profit and cash flow are not the same thing. A company can make a profit even when its money is still tied up in outstanding sales invoices. 

Problems can arise especially when a company pays employees’ salaries, materials and other costs before the customer pays their invoice. If a customer’s payment term is 60 days while the company’s own invoices are due in 14 days, this can easily create a temporary cash flow gap. 

The more a company grows, the larger this gap can become. New orders increase sales, but at the same time, fulfilling them requires money before the income is received. 

Invoice quickly and actively monitor outstanding receivables 

One of the easiest ways to improve cash flow is to send invoices as soon as possible. If invoicing is delayed after the work is completed, receiving the payment is also pushed back. 

Invoices should include all the information required by the customer. A missing order number, incorrect reference number or unclear invoice breakdown can stop the invoice from moving through the approval process. 

Outstanding receivables should also be monitored regularly. If a payment is delayed, it is a good idea to contact the customer quickly. A clear reminder process helps prevent overdue invoices from remaining unpaid for a long time. 

Negotiate payment terms early 

Payment terms should be agreed on before starting the work. A company does not have to automatically accept a long payment term proposed by a large customer. In many cases, different options can be discussed. 

In larger projects, a company can suggest an advance payment or invoicing in stages. This means that the company does not have to finance all costs itself until the project is completed. 

It is also possible to negotiate longer payment terms with your own suppliers. When customer payments and the company’s own expenses take place closer to each other, managing cash flow becomes easier. 

A cash flow forecast reveals future challenges 

An up to date cash flow forecast shows when money is coming in and when the company’s invoices are due. In addition to customer payments, the forecast should include salaries, taxes, loan repayments and other significant expenses. 

Future payments should be estimated realistically. If a customer usually pays one week after the due date, the forecast should use the likely payment date rather than only the due date shown on the invoice. 

When a potential cash flow shortage is identified early, the company has more time to compare different options. Arranging financing is considerably easier before the situation becomes urgent. 

Example: a growing company is waiting for a customer’s payment 

A construction company wins a large project that requires material purchases and additional employees. The customer’s payment term is 60 days, but materials and salaries must be paid during the project. 

The project is profitable, but the company does not have enough money to cover all the costs before the customer makes the payment. At the same time, there is a new project available that the company cannot start without additional capital. 

The problem is not a lack of sales, but the different timing of income and expenses. In this situation, invoice financing or a credit line can help ensure that growth does not come to a halt because of outstanding invoices. 

Choose a financing solution that suits your cash flow needs 

Invoice financing is suitable for situations where a company has money tied up in outstanding sales invoices. It allows the company to access part of the invoice amount before the customer makes the payment. 

A credit line, on the other hand, works as a flexible buffer for recurring and short term cash flow gaps. The company can use the credit line when needed and repay it when customer payments arrive. 

The right solution depends on the company’s financial situation, invoicing and the length of its financing needs. The costs and terms of financing should always be compared carefully. 

Don’t wait until a cash flow shortage becomes an emergency 

When the next salaries or taxes are already due, there is little time left to compare different options. In a hurry, a company may end up choosing financing whose costs or repayment terms do not suit its situation. 

Konkretia Rahoitus helps assess the company’s cash flow needs, compare financing providers and negotiate a suitable solution. The goal is to ensure that the company has enough working capital to run its day to day operations and take advantage of future opportunities. 

Frequently asked questions about securing your company’s cash flow 

Can invoice financing be used for only some sales invoices? 

This depends on the financing provider and the agreement. In some solutions, the company can choose which invoices to finance as needed, while in others, the financing applies more broadly to all invoicing. Before entering into an agreement, it is worth finding out how flexibly the financing can be used and whether costs arise even when there is no need for financing. 

What information does a financing provider need to finance cash flow? 

A financing provider usually looks at the company’s financial situation, revenue, ability to pay its obligations and the reason for the financing need. In invoice financing, the customers being invoiced and outstanding sales invoices are also relevant. Up to date accounting records, financial statements, a cash flow forecast and a breakdown of outstanding receivables make it easier to assess the situation. 

When does a cash flow shortage indicate a bigger problem? 

A temporary cash flow shortage can be caused by long payment terms or the normal timing difference between income and expenses. However, if there is regularly not enough money to cover expenses even when customers pay on time, the reason may be, for example, pricing that is too low, weak profitability or an overly heavy cost structure. In that case, additional financing alone will not solve the problem, and the company’s finances should also be reviewed as a whole. 

How large should a company’s cash buffer be? 

The appropriate cash buffer depends on the company’s fixed costs, industry, payment terms and the predictability of its income. The adequacy of the buffer should be assessed based on how long the company could cover salaries, taxes and other essential expenses if customer payments were unexpectedly delayed.