Whether it’s to raise funds for business growth, continue expansion plans or simply accommodate cashflow changes, we found there’s been a huge increase in the amount of businesses needing funding right now.
Small businesses usually leave themselves 7 days to find funding. However, in our brand new research, an increase of 45% of businesses need their funding urgently, since just March.
This dash for cash indicates a shift in borrowing behaviour and the need for businesses to get finance urgently to keep their businesses growing healthily.
From soaring inflation and supply chain delays to changes to government lending, there’s a lot impacting your small business clients. The need for funding is most likely a direct result of this changing landscape.
However, the massive spike we’re seeing also indicates that these businesses are struggling to look ahead to spot cashflow risks and the need for supporting finance.
On average, we’ve consistently found that businesses would apply for funding just seven days before they needed it. It seems that this month, businesses need funding on the day they are start applying. A concerning statistic.
Less time available means businesses may have less options, and may have to settle for more expensive loans – that could inevitably put more pressure on their bottom line.
At Capitalise, we question how we can help businesses get ahead of their funding needs and better prepare ahead of time. The answer is their accountants and the tools we have to support you!
Here are some Capitalise tips and tools you can use to help support your clients:
1. Start conversations about cashflow
Your clients are dealing with a lot of unpredictability. But the most urgent cashflow problems and funding needs could be spotted with simple habitual conversations.
Being in control of the numbers is a key part of your value as an advisor, but asking the right meaningful questions really sets you apart.
Dive deep into how your clients are feeling about their business health as well as their future plans. This can keep you in the loop with everything going on in their world. Help reveal funding needs and predict what is needed to bring their plans to life.
If they mention difficulties making payments on time, an inability to hire new key staff or buy new equipment or even an expensive project coming up – it may highlight some roadblocks they’re hitting in terms of cash.
Getting to grips with this early, can help you plan with them the resources they need to keep plans moving forward and business ticking along. Now and in the future.
Top tip: Make funding an agenda point in every meeting.
2. Get insights into your clients cashflow changes
The changing landscape puts pressure on your clients. We know this. But, we also know that it makes your role as their advisor that much more important… but, often difficult.
When spare time is limited, yet proactive and consistent cashflow management is required – it can be a challenge to get the insights you need, ahead of time, every time.
With our Monitor platform you can fast-track your conversations. Get real-time accountancy data, credit insights and companies house information to arm you with a 360 view of your clients’ cashflow, credit profile and funding.
Capitalise will be exhibiting at Accountex Summit Manchester the 12 October 2022 at Manchester Central at stand G11. You can register for a free ticket here.