Maintaining positive cash flow is essential for the smooth operation of your business. Positive cash flow ensures that a business has sufficient liquid assets to meet its obligations. Conversely, cash flow problems arise when a company’s cash outflows surpass its inflows, resulting in a cash flow crisis. These issues can stem from various factors, including macroeconomic events such as natural disasters, economic downturns, and wars, as well as microeconomic factors like business decisions and performance.
Anticipating and planning for cash flow problems can help you mitigate financial risks to your business. Let’s explore some typical cash flow issues and how effective cash flow management and sound accounting practices can help you maintain financial stability:
Insufficient cash reserves
To safeguard your business against revenue drops, it’s beneficial to maintain cash reserves sufficient to cover up to six months of expenses. While accumulating such an amount might seem daunting, identifying the precise amount needed can motivate you to save more and cut unnecessary costs.
Solution for insufficient cash reserves
Project your cash flow by estimating sales, anticipating payment timings, and calculating all expenses (fixed and variable). This approach can provide a target amount for your cash reserves.
Once you determine the required reserve amount, start building an emergency fund. Mebuis can help automate cash flow projections, giving you a clear financial picture.
According to the Federal Reserve, 94% of small business owners faced financial challenges in the past year.
High borrowing costs
Debt payments can strain cash flow when a business struggles to manage its financing. Servicing business loans and high-interest credit cards can consume a significant portion of revenue.
Solution for high borrowing costs
Payment options like supplier financing can help businesses improve cash flow and avoid additional debt. Refinancing loans for lower payments or consolidating debt can also make borrowing more manageable. Lenders offer competitive rates that can enhance cash flow. Additionally, opening a line of credit allows eligible businesses to draw cash from their credit limit or get advances on outstanding invoices, with interest payable only on the borrowed amount.
Declining sales or profit margins
Selling products or services at low prices can lead to thin profit margins. Offering discounts that cut into profit margins can also cause problems. Conducting research on the market and competitor pricing, along with developing systems to accurately track costs, is crucial. Using this information helps create the best pricing strategies.
Solution for declining sales or profit margins
Develop a short-term business survival plan and pricing strategy. Reviewing expenses and pricing allows business owners to decide whether to adjust prices or discontinue low-margin products or services.
The Federal Reserve reports that 54% of businesses facing financial challenges in 2022 cited uneven cash flow as a significant issue.
Outstanding receivables
Late invoice payments can disrupt cash flow for small businesses. Outstanding receivables can tie up funds, putting the business in a precarious financial position.
Solution for outstanding receivables
Review payment terms and collection policies to accelerate accounts receivable. Consider the following actions:
- Send invoices promptly.
- Review billing cycles and payment terms.
- Break up payments into project-based installments.
- Request payments for past-due accounts.
- Ask for deposits or partial payments upfront.
- Encourage or incentivize early payments.
- Accept multiple payment methods.
- Use invoice financing for faster access to funds.
A PayPal survey found that 59% of customers abandon online carts if their preferred payment method isn’t available.
Uncontrolled business expansion
During periods of rapid growth, cash flow management can become challenging. Over-forecasting growth and excessive spending can lead to cash flow shortfalls. It’s crucial to distinguish between profit and cash flow during high-growth phases.
Solution for uncontrolled business expansion
Slow down and focus on getting your finances in order. Rapid growth can make cash flow tracking difficult. Implement new accounting measures to gain a clearer financial picture. Mebuis can help companies build a dynamic Budgeting and Forecasting system to help manage the future in a thoughtful way.
In a 2022 survey, 68% of small businesses reported experiencing cash flow problems.
Excess inventory or seasonal demand fluctuations
Overinvesting in inventory can strain cash flow if sales don’t cover investment costs. Monitoring inventory can prevent overstocking and shortages. Seasonal demand fluctuations can also affect cash flow if not properly managed.
Solution for excess inventory or seasonal demand fluctuations
Consider using an inventory management system to balance inventory levels. Keeping inventory on hand for the shortest time possible can help avoid cash flow shortages. Cash flow projections and accurate sales forecasting can help plan for seasonal changes.
40% of business owners with cash flow problems in 2022 relied on cash reserves to close gaps.
Inaccurate forecasting or bookkeeping
As businesses grow, cash flow management becomes more complex. Without accurate tracking of inflows and outflows, forecasting future needs and understanding current financial status becomes challenging.
Solution for inaccurate forecasting or bookkeeping
Consider hiring a professional accountant or bookkeeping service to identify and correct accounting errors. They can also help create more accurate projections based on historical cash flow data. Larger organization can use Mebuis to optimize the use of their ERP/MRP systems to predict cash flow, equity needs, and to provide financing sources with necessary information on a timely basis.
Other cash flow solutions
Cash flow issues can threaten your business, whether you’re self-employed or have employees. Here are some strategies to address common cash flow problems:
Reduce and negotiate expenses
Reducing or negotiating expenses can promote positive cash flow. More working capital allows you to prioritize expenses and prevent cash flow problems from escalating.
Some strategies to reduce operating expenses include:
- Temporarily discontinuing nonessential services.
- Expanding virtual services.
- Canceling or reducing premium services.
- Switching to lower-cost suppliers.
- Reducing operating costs.
Create a short-term business survival plan
Examine your business plan, processes, operations, income, and expenses. Identify major expenses and profits in products, services, clients, and labor.
Understanding this information helps create accurate cash flow projections and predict the impact of scaling back.
Consider borrowing options
Borrowing can balance cash flow, especially if you established credit lines when finances were stable. Consult your financial provider for options before seeking other lenders.
Short-term loans can provide temporary relief, but consider the long-term implications. Interest rates and terms can have lasting consequences, so read the fine print. A fresh injection of cash won’t solve internal business issues, it will only delay them.
Mebuis can introduce your organization to interested lenders, help you maintain great financing relationships, and help you improve challenging lending requests – even in difficult circumstances.
Choose the Best Payment Setup
Negative cash flow doesn’t always indicate a problem. It’s normal after large payments or seasonal fluctuations. Cash flow issues arise when inflows don’t cover outflows.
Evaluate your cash flow and consider new accounting software to track net cash flow and other financial factors. Meet our finance experts, here to help you manage your finances effectively.
Cash flow problems are more manageable when anticipated. Our expert consultants offer insights and tools to help you navigate cash flow challenges.
