Profit oriented enterprises are nowadays able to raise money faster to finance their overall operations. This is facilitated by other willing enterprises through a process known as factoring. Typically, business ventures receive money in exchange for goods and services offered to their customers. At times, this cash may delay thus the necessity for enterprises to acquire business receivable factoring services during these challenging occasions.
The third parties that buy these receivable accounts are normally known as factors for they determine the speed in which funds will be acquired. The attributes related to this procedure vary depending on the enterprise seeking to engage in it. There are time limits and interest rates based on the finances obtained by an enterprise.
Funds allocated during this process can either be refunded directly or indirectly. Direct modes entail paying exact amount of cash borrowed inclusive of the interests. On the other hand, the indirect ones include the factor accessing funds at intervals through customers who receive certain goods and services.
Factoring funds must not be confused with bank loans at all times because of restrictions dictated by each financial source. These restrictions have higher impacts on bank loans and thus firms are compelled to meet certain conditions. This type of strictness lacks in the factoring process because lenders only require customer invoices for them to disburse funds.
The lending company ensures that invoices for certain service delivery are provided prior to the factoring process. Advance money is received after a business enterprise has adequately provided the invoices and payments are collected directly from their customers for a specific period of time.
Factoring cash can be obtained within a day after its application and this is also another reason why it is mostly preferred by profit oriented enterprises. This short term perspective helps in fixing money issues that may have been recorded thus efficiency in goods and service delivery. In addition, this amount of money is not indicated in the balance sheet as a debt.
Historically, ancient business ventures employed this financial tool to help in fixing cash flow that rose in their daily operations. Most cash flows required urgent attention hence quick funds were to be raised. Industrial and technological revolution also boosted this practice as demands for better goods and services rose worldwide.
All in all, enterprises dedicated to meet public demands are part of the diverse economic activities initiated by man. These ventures may at times require extra funding to boost their service delivery and this is the main reason why factoring is essential in the commercial sector.
Connor G. Schiffman has 27 years of experience in commercial lending including factoring, asset based lending, and banking. Connor helps readers manuver through all the account receivable options providing practical and useful knowledge to better understand all your lending options. If you want to learn more about Purchase Order Funding he recommends you check out www.receivablefactoring.net.