6 Steps To Put Your Client’s Finance Strategy At The Top Of The Agenda

UK businesses have had a rollercoaster of a ride over the last two years with many able to ride out the storm with the ongoing commitment of their funders and the generous round of support initiatives put in place by the Government. One thing has become clear – the importance of good financial planning can make or break a business when the going gets tough. Phil Chesham explains why we all should be encouraging clients to put a financial strategy in place and what they need to consider from a funder’s perspective if seeking out funding.

We all recognise the importance of SMEs to our economy. There are 5.5 million of them representing 99.9% of all businesses, accounting for 16.3 million jobs (61% of the national total) and a combined turnover of around £2.3 trillion (52% of the nation). When these businesses face a tough time, the livelihoods of millions of people are at stake as is the UK’s economic health. This is why we all – funders and their advisors - need to ensure that they have a finance strategy in place to support their businesses in good times and in bad.

Finance strategies need to take a long-term view. During the pandemic, businesses benefited from the Government support measures in the form of loans but also a reduction in expenses such as rates relief whilst also having the option of putting back HMRC payments. With the worst of the pandemic behind us, businesses need to recover and grow to support economic growth. The burden of paying back these loans, however, is now a reality. Recent statistics showed that 88% of UK SMEs received some sort of support from financial institutions and/or the Government - 35% of which are now concerned about their ability to repay. Not surprisingly, 51% also list one of their challenges as recovering from the pandemic, indicating that they will likely require ongoing support from financial institutions.

It is therefore crucial that we work together to do everything we can to support businesses and help them put a financial plan in place to ensure it covers these repayments but also gives firms the flexibility to continue building back from the pandemic and investing in their business growth over the coming years. Ensuring fast and easy access to funding when required will be fundamental.

1. Understand what the objective is

Having clarity on what your client is trying to achieve not just in the short term but long term. Many businesses have been seeking out cashflow solutions to support survival but as time passes funding will be required to support long term committed repayments and investing for growth. Thinking this through can help secure a robust funding solution from the outset.

2. Do your due diligence

Most businesses want fast access to a funding solution, but the process can be held up because relevant information is not available meaning that the funder does not have full transparency on what is going on in the business from a finance perspective and cannot establish its overall general health. They should at the very least:

▪ Ensure they have at least 2 full sets of management accounts (and possibly longer if their business has been impacted by the pandemic and they want to demonstrate how it performed pre-Covid)

▪ Sell their potential, which is critical so be able to demonstrate past, existing, and future incomes

▪ Be clear on the assets they own – machinery and equipment – and if they are owned or financed

▪ Be upfront about their liabilities and any payment plans in place to cover Government loans or HMRC arrears

▪ Understand their cost base – paying attention to areas that may have reduced during the last two years, but which will be re-established

▪ Revisit their business plans to understand the cost required to make these plans happen

3. Be clear on how much funding your client needs

Having done your due diligence, you and your client will be clearer on what level of funding is required. This helps both the funder but also the business as it helps with forward planning. In uncertain times there can be a tendency to err on the cautious side and to take as little as they need but having a flexible supply of funding to enable them to maximise opportunities as they arise is so important. Putting a funding solution in place that is inadequate means you would need to go through the whole process again which is inefficient use of resources.

4. Choose the right financial solution(s) not just the most common

When determining the right funding solution, businesses can sometimes opt to take the first solution offered by their bank. But this might not be the right solution for their business and what they are trying to achieve. It can be daunting to decide which option is best but the advice that financial advisors give can be invaluable. Your knowledge of what is on offer and what funders are like to work with can ensure a right match for your client.

Outside of the traditional loans and overdrafts that a bank will focus on there is a range of alternative finance solutions that support a business in different ways. As an alternative funder, Time Finance can offer an extensive portfolio of solutions:

Asset Finance – enables the purchase or lease of vital business machinery and equipment to make business happen. We can also offer options which support the refinancing of existing equipment to provide an injection of funds back into the business

Commercial Loans – both unsecured and secured - a flexible source of funds to support current and future plans

Invoice Finance – providing an upfront injection of funds and ongoing cash against invoices as they are raised ensuring the business has improved cashflow to bring plans to life

Vehicle Finance – from a single car to funding your fleet, spreading the cost over time keeps you on the road

5. Choose the right funder

Funders are all different and a client will only understand that after they have started working for them. This is where financial advisors can deliver real value. You have experience of how different funders work with clients. How do they rate in terms of speed, accessibility, flexibility and being easy to do business with? Matching your client to the right funding partner is an important part of the whole process. We are a people business, and we recognise the importance of effective working relationships in helping your clients realise their objectives.

6. Review, Communicate, Adapt

Nothing is certain! Things will change. Make sure you have regular review sessions to understand where the business is, how their funding solutions are working form them and what if anything needs to change. Make sure you continue communicating with the funder – by keeping them in the loop and avoiding any surprises makes for a smooth and beneficial relationship.