A lot of people are under the impression that a new business will not be able to get equipment leasing financing and so they either don’t try or ask around a few places and become convinced it isn’t going to happen so they give up.
Let’s look at some key issues around sourcing working capital for your Canadian business, although we are quite sure our information applies universally. How you have managed or are managing your internal financing is directly related to what solutions you have available.
Ten, yes ten solid reasons to consider a leasing company for your right choice of asset finance. Let’s recap them: technological obsolescence protection, accounting benefits, cash flow management, potential tax savings, the right to own or not own the asset at the end of the lease, convenience, ability to match the asset financing to its useful economic life, quick credit approval ( boy do we like that one!) and finally often a lower cost and cash outflow.
We have mentioned how you manage your cash flow. Most business owners we meet do it intuitively, i.e. your business has a flow or rhythm around paying suppliers, billing your product and services, and finally creating receivables and getting paid. We also find working capital an interesting term, because in reality the accounts we mentioned, i.e. a/r and inventory are in effect tied up. They are unable to be monetized or cash flowed, and that’s why you need working capital solutions.
Canadian business financing got really challenging in the last couple years. Traditional financial institutions that funded equipment such as banks and insurance companies quite frankly simply stopped funding your business leasing needs. The leasing company you probably worked with also borrows, just in case you didn’t realize it. Somehow we all survived and as we head into 2011 the equipment financing industry is on a pretty good roll.
We keep coming back to flexibility when clients ask us about what the best choice options are in business leasing. Always remember that when you choose to finance an asset you can enter into a lease to own scenario, aka a ‘capital lease ‘, or, continuing on our theme of flexibility, you can opt for an operating lease – which simply states your desire to use an asset, not own it. Equipment that depreciates quickly, needs to be replaced due to technology, etc, is the perfect choice for an operating lease option.
The solutions to cash flow financing in Canada are as follows: asset based lending, receivable financing, purchase order financing, and working capital term loans. All these solutions are either very suited to your firm or not applicable. Our favor rite and probably most recommended client solutions asset based lending; it’s simply a revolving line of credit on which you borrow daily against A/R and inventory. Yes, we said inventory. And these facilities are not loans per se; they are simply credit lines you access for your assets. Smaller firms should consider C I D invoice discounting, it’s our recommended solution, allowing you to bill and collect your own receivables but monetize them when you want. That’s true cash flow financing.
Whatever your challenge speak to a trusted, credible and experienced Canadian business financing advisor who can assist you in accessing working capital and cash flow financing that most makes sense for your business growth and profits.
Harris Smith offers advice on home equity line of credit and obtaining credit. Debt Consolidation provides nationwide debt management services for those who are struggling with moderate to severe debt issues.