PROVIDENCE – Citizens Financial Group Inc. is joining the Small Business Month celebration by offering eight business cash flow tips.
Quincy Miller, president of business banking at Citizens Bank, said in a statement that managing cash flow is one of the “most important yet under-appreciated” small businesses challenges, according to a press release.
“Companies that have accelerated their receivables, streamlined their payroll and established more-advantageous payment terms and processes with their vendors, suppliers and customers, have a definite competitive advantage in today’s marketplace, no matter their business,” Miller said.
The bank offers the following tips:
Understand your operating cycle: Regardless of size, every business must deposit, monitor and manage cash; make payments; fund purchases; invest in their company; and receive payments. Reviewing and understanding each step in this cash flow cycle can help a company work more efficiently
Encourage faster payments: Can you provide an incentive or discount to customers or vendors to encourage them to pay faster? The sooner a payment is received, the sooner you can put that revenue to work for your company. Collections services like lockbox also can help post payments to your accounts more quickly
Consider remote deposits: Some banks offer customers the opportunity to make remote check deposits from their mobile device, sparing them trips to the branch. This allows companies to save time and to keep their workforce focused on operations – a benefit of particular importance for companies with only a few employees
Review your payroll process: If you pay your employees twice a month instead of every other week, you will be managing 24 payroll periods instead of 26 during the course of a year, making your company more efficient. Direct deposit of employees’ paychecks into their accounts can also create efficiencies
Evaluate real-time wires: If your small business is buying or selling overseas, real-time wires may be an option in lieu of visiting a bank branch. Some banks have the ability for customers to make ACH payments from their desk or office, which saves time and increases productivity
Manage outgoing payments in an advantageous manner: Banks can help establish relationships with credit card companies that can speed up payments from customers while giving additional timing or flexibility for repayment to settle your account.
Look at opening a business credit card: A business credit card has many advantages, including the establishment of a clear separation of business and personal finances. In addition to providing clarity in the day-to-day operations of your business, this arrangement can eliminate confusion during tax preparations. If you have employees with company cards, consider solutions that allow you to monitor, track and control the way those cards are used
Have a Plan B: If you assume you can borrow funds to cover a cash shortfall, be sure to have a loan or line of credit set-up before the cash is actually needed. Waiting until the shortfall occurs leaves you in a ditch as most financial institutions will hesitate to lend money when your business is already in financial straits
