The Pros and Cons of Factoring Invoices 2013

By: Chris Lanchech

If your company is in dire need of ready cash for your working capital, one way of securing that money is by factoring invoices that your business has accumulated and has not yet collected on. This is just one way of securing quick cash for the company (other typical ways include securing a business loan or establishing a line of credit), and although it is not as common as other options, many companies have found it compatible with their particular needs and circumstances.

What is Factoring?

If your company offers credit to customers, then the accounts receivable (which in the accounting books of customers are labeled as “accounts payable”) constitute part of the company’s assets. It has not been turned into cash just yet—and this is what a factoring company does in a very short amount of time. Instead of waiting for the customers to pay the balance of their accounts, your company can sell those invoices at a discount. For example, your company can receive $900 right away for an invoice that calls for a $1000 payment. When the customers pay their invoices in full, that payment goes to the factoring company.

Advantages of Factoring

Quick ways of securing cash for companies have their own sets of pros and cons, and factoring invoices is no exception. These are the advantages that your company receives should it decide to factor its invoices to a factoring company:

  • Some businesses may find it difficult to get a small business loan or establish a line of credit. Invoice factoring is much more possible to secure.
  • This practice allows the company to receive the money it needs much more quickly than waiting for the customers to pay the balance of their accounts. Typically, your company should receive the money about two to five business days after your agreement with the factoring company has been finalized. Some companies even receive their money in as fast as 24 hours.
  • The money your company will receive is generally larger than the amount you can get from a business loan.
  • Invoice factoring also saves your company the effort of collecting the accounts receivables, as the work is done by the factoring company.

Disadvantages of Factoring

There’s no such thing as a perfect solution for getting large amounts of cash for a company, and factoring has its downsides as well. This is especially true if you have less than ideal customers. If they are slow to pay or if they have a dubious credit history, this can affect the fee that the factoring company will require.

Your customers must also pass the standards set by the factoring company; if they do not or if the factoring company thinks your customers are unreliable then you may receive a lower percentage of the accounts receivable up front.

But in spite of the drawbacks, factoring your invoices via a factoring company will be beneficial for your business. It will provide you a steady flow of cash that your business needs to operate and grow.

 

Factoring Is Faster Than Small Business Loans

Well for starters, if you have ever received a small business loan then you know small business loans require a lFactoring Is Fasterot of paper work. Small business loans also require you to submit paperwork out the wazooo…

This is why many business owners are turning to factoring invoices as a stronger solution. Simply put there is not as much red tape, and the contracts for lending can be as short as 30 days.

Factoring Invoices has always been a financial method to raise capital.  Cash on hand allows businesses to expand, market, put on new employees, take advantage of supplier discounts, or just manage overhead better.

Additionally, credit is becoming more difficult to get for small businesses without years of financials or vendor references. Therefore factoring is a way to quickly raise cash for working capital needs.

As mentioned above, getting a bank loan can be difficult and take months. As opposed to factoring in which you can have funds within 2-3 days.

Approval for bank loans for small businesses is difficult to come by, as loan requirements get stiffer and stiffer in the post- credit crisis world.  Bank loans also require application fees, lengthy application procedures, and lots of paperwork and preparation. And don’t forget the interest on a bank loan.

DEBT

That’s right, a large benefit of factoring vs. a bank loan is that with factoring you do not add debt to your company. Factoring established a credit line against your incoming sales. A bank line establishes a credit line against you, your business and its assets.

Invoice factoring gets your business cash fast, without the paperwork and debt, this is why it is a growing finical tool for small business.