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In times of distress, we know where to focus to get things done. That’s why at Middlebrooks, we offer a range of professional advisory options, so we can support you with corporate and commercial finance, restructuring and consulting.
Our services can help your business, whether it’s a major international corporation or owner-managed business. We’ll work with your management teams to spread best practices, improve your capital management, and introduce systems across your business that will monitor and maximise liquidity and profit.
We aim to consistently exceed our clients’ expectations and ensure we are delivering creative and effective solutions.
We understand every business is different and so are their needs. That’s why every advisory situation is bespoke, and tailored to you. Generally, these are the most common things you might be needing support with:
CORPORATE FINANCE
If you’re looking for advice on a disposal or you’re in the process of acquiring another business, we provide a full spectrum of corporate finance transactions.
Our corporate finance specialists can move swiftly to complete deals efficiently and effectively. And our in-house analysts work with a network of specialists to identify promising targets for you company as it’s looking to grow.
Also, if you’re wanting to explore the potential for selling part or all of your business, we can quickly match you with reliable companies who are serious about making strategic acquisitions.
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
Well-managed working capital makes an essential contribution to business success. In companies of all sizes across all sectors and industries, a proactive approach to capital management will create efficiencies and unlock new sources of value that can have a major impact on stability, growth, and results.
FINANCIAL CONSULTING
Whether you’re focused on growing your business through an acquisition or merger, need assistance with recovering non-performing loans (NPLs), or require a valuations specialist, we are here to help you. Our specialist Debt Advisory team offer a full range of services and will assist you through every stage of the process:
FINANCIAL OPTIONS
You might be looking to secure finance for a whole range of purposes. Perhaps you’d like to purchase a vehicle or property, or want to maintain a healthy cashflow. Whatever your goal, we will deliver independent and tailored advice to you on:
RESTRUCTURING
When cashflow stops working as it should things can deteriorate quickly. Debts can mount up and insolvency becomes are real concern.
If increasing productivity, sales and profit margins hasn’t helped, then restructuring a business could be a way of getting out of this situation. Our experienced team can help you analyse your business, the costs, the essential and non-essential resources, staff, offices and more. By understanding exactly what is essential and what can be changed we can help businesses reduce costs and move out of a poor cashflow and debt situation. Company restructure can be more than just looking at costs and staff however, we also look at the legal and operational aspects too.
TRANSFORMATION
Your company might have brought in a new management team, or secured private equity backing. There could be a new acquisition to integrate into a group structure – or you’d like to update your business model.
Whatever the situation, our team has a wealth of experience in transforming enterprises across industries, sectors and jurisdictions. Working side by side with management, we conceive, plan and execute ambitious new operational strategies where they’re most needed – and get you real and immediate results.
If your business incurs a bad debt it means one of your customers hasn’t paid for the service or product provided, and you’re unable to collect the money. Essentially, this sum is lost and needs to be written off in your books.
Failing to deal with frequent or high levels of bad debt can cause your business to decline, and suggests changes need to be made to credit control and credit management procedures.
It’s possible to reduce the risk of bad debt by setting up effective policies and procedures around credit management, and making sure strong internal control systems are in place. This applies to taking on new customers as well as with regard to your existing customer base.
Credit check new customers
Assessing the creditworthiness of new customers before you offer any credit is an important part of the process, and you can carry out credit checks online.
Set realistic credit limits
Setting a reasonable credit limit for new customers minimises losses through bad debt. Credit limits can always be increased when a new customer demonstrates their reliability.
State your terms and conditions clearly on business documentation
Clearly stating your terms and conditions for trading, including when invoices become due and the fact that you’ll charge interest on late payments if necessary, establishes firm boundaries for business.
Send invoices quickly
Make sure to send invoices out as soon as you’ve delivered the service or product. Invoicing only at the end of a month introduces a delay that takes away the urgency of payment and could influence debtors to either pay late or nIf your business incurs a bad debt it means one of your customers hasn’t paid for the service or product provided, and you’re unable to collect the money. Essentially, this sum is lost and needs to be written off in your books.
Failing to deal with frequent or high levels of bad debt can cause your business to decline, and suggests changes need to be made to credit control and credit management procedures.
It’s possible to reduce the risk of bad debt by setting up effective policies and procedures around credit management, and making sure strong internal control systems are in place. This applies to taking on new customers as well as with regard to your existing customer base.
Credit check new customers
Assessing the creditworthiness of new customers before you offer any credit is an important part of the process, and you can carry out credit checks online.
Set realistic credit limits
Setting a reasonable credit limit for new customers minimises losses through bad debt. Credit limits can always be increased when a new customer demonstrates their reliability.
State your terms and conditions clearly on business documentation
Clearly stating your terms and conditions for trading, including when invoices become due and the fact that you’ll charge interest on late payments if necessary, establishes firm boundaries for business.
Send invoices quickly
Make sure to send invoices out as soon as you’ve delivered the service or product. Invoicing only at the end of a month introduces a delay that takes away the urgency of payment and could influence debtors to either pay late or not at all.
Chase payment immediately a debt is overdue
Chasing overdue payments straight away and relentlessly following up with written reminders, emails, and phone calls, shows your determination to collect your company’s debts. It sends a strong signal to debtors, and as part of a defined credit control system, can considerably lower your overall risk of incurring bad debt.
If you would like more information on bad debts in your business, Middlebrooks can help. We are insolvency experts and will provide the guidance that helps you avoid incurring debts of this type.
Chase payment immediately a debt is overdue
Chasing overdue payments straight away and relentlessly following up with written reminders, emails, and phone calls, shows your determination to collect your company’s debts. It sends a strong signal to debtors, and as part of a defined credit control system, can considerably lower your overall risk of incurring bad debt.
If you would like more information on bad debts in your business, Middlebrooks can help. We are insolvency experts and will provide the guidance that helps you avoid incurring debts of this type.
Many external factors not necessarily under an owner’s control can have the most impact on a business’ valuation.
Here are a few factors that have an influence, both positive and negative.
Circumstances of sale
If circumstances are such that the sale is forced, business value can be considerably compromised. Whether it’s for health reasons, or the business is experiencing irresolvable financial issues, selling in such a pressurised environment can easily lead to a business owner accepting an early speculative offer.
Cash flows and financial presentation
Given that a poor cash position and a shortage of working capital often causes business failure, presenting an operation that has strong cash flows and reliable profit projections offers serious potential for prospective buyers.
Asset values
Owning tangible assets, such as machinery, office equipment, property, or vehicles, positively impacts value, enabling a business to leverage them to secure vital funding if necessary.
Management
If the business depends excessively on the current owner for its smooth running and continued success, this presents a significant risk to buyers.
Age of the business
New businesses have to rely on future sales and profit projections when it comes to value, or on new products or services to disrupt an existing market. This contrasts with more established businesses that have a proven track record and can confidently produce hard facts and figures to support their claims to prospective purchasers.
Economic climate and state of the industry
The wider economy, market demand, and state of the industry in which the business operates, all influence value, but specific circumstances can also make a significant impact. This can significantly bring down values due to lack of investment.
Risk
Risk is a huge issue in the buying process, and good relationships and stable contracts with suppliers, employees, and customers, reduce the perceived risk for prospective buyers, so boosting a business’ value.
For more information on business valuation, please contact our expert team at Middlebrooks.
If your business incurs a bad debt it means one of your customers hasn’t paid for the service or product provided, and you’re unable to collect the money. Essentially, this sum is lost and needs to be written off in your books.
Failing to deal with frequent or high levels of bad debt can cause your business to decline, and suggests changes need to be made to credit control and credit management procedures.
It’s possible to reduce the risk of bad debt by setting up effective policies and procedures around credit management, and making sure strong internal control systems are in place. This applies to taking on new customers as well as with regard to your existing customer base.
Credit check new customers
Assessing the creditworthiness of new customers before you offer any credit is an important part of the process, and you can carry out credit checks online.
Set realistic credit limits
Setting a reasonable credit limit for new customers minimises losses through bad debt. Credit limits can always be increased when a new customer demonstrates their reliability.
State your terms and conditions clearly on business documentation
Clearly stating your terms and conditions for trading, including when invoices become due and the fact that you’ll charge interest on late payments if necessary, establishes firm boundaries for business.
Send invoices quickly
Make sure to send invoices out as soon as you’ve delivered the service or product. Invoicing only at the end of a month introduces a delay that takes away the urgency of payment and could influence debtors to either pay late or not at all.
Chase payment immediately a debt is overdue
Chasing overdue payments straight away and relentlessly following up with written reminders, emails, and phone calls, shows your determination to collect your company’s debts. It sends a strong signal to debtors, and as part of a defined credit control system, can considerably lower your overall risk of incurring bad debt.
If you would like more information on bad debts in your business, Middlebrooks can help. We are insolvency experts and will provide the guidance that helps you avoid incurring debts of this type.
Overtrading is when the level of orders you have taken on is impossible to fulfil, or when you take on an excessive amount of work in order to cover up existing cash flow problems.
As a business owner you should be aware of the perils of overtrading.
If you are worried your business is overtrading, or have any other concerns about the financial health of your company you should seek expert advice as soon as possible. Middlebrooks can advise you on a range of business rescue and recovery methods to get your company back on a solid financial footing.
If you’re still feeling confused, feel free to drop us an email or give us a call.
Need to speak to one of our financial experts or refer a client?
Claire Middlebrook, Scott Bastick and Katie McLachlan are authorised to act as insolvency practitioners in the UK by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
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