Not all businesses have Finance Directors, and there is a common attitude that only large, enterprise level companies need them – and afford them. However, many growth businesses need help from a finance director before reaching enterprise level, understanding the role of a financial director can be the first step towards gaining the expertise of an individual that can literally make the difference between the success or failure of a business.

The primary functions of a financial director can be summed up in six points:

1. Finance Directors are responsible for managing the finance function of the business which would include overseeing such things as transaction recording, cash flow management, internal controls management and statutory reporting, finance department personnel management and development , external auditors and tax advisors.

2. The FD manages the financial and business planning of the business, including budgets, forecasts, strategic business reviews, financial strategy, cash and finance requirements and formal business plans that can be presented to third parties such as potential investors.

3. FDs manage relationships with important external interested parties including funders, bankers, outside investors, solicitors and corporate financiers as well as the aforementioned auditors and tax advisors

4. A finance director with a commercial business background is often able to contribute to and manage functions such as IT systems, legal, HR, property and other facilities. Special projects such as mergers and acquisitions and internal change management are also often handled by the finance director.

5. The FD will be the numbers interpreter and translator. A good Financial Director will not only produce good quality numbers using sound and robust systems and processes but will be able to describe what the numbers mean. Furthermore, this interpretation encompasses not only what has happened but what might happen in the future, using indicators and key metrics. The translation of numbers into facts on the ground is probably the main differentiator that a good Finance Director has over a good financial controller.

6. Finally, but crucially, the FD is perfectly placed to be the business number two to the MD, the ideal business partner, devil’s advocate, conscience, voice of sanity and where occasionally necessary, the brake. A good FD can talk finance to finance people as well as present finance issues affecting the day-to-day running of the business in a clear and concise way to the management team.

It might be logical to conclude that with all of these responsibilities, a Finance Director is a full time role required by bigger companies. However, more and more businesses are discovering that there is a crucial period in the life of a growing business where the skills and experience that can deliver the above services are required, but not on a full-time basis, and that a flexible Finance Director is a low risk, cost-effective bridge between using a bookkeeper/accountant combination and acquiring that first full-time FD.

What is a “flexible” Finance Director?

A flexible, or part-time FD does just about anything one would expect a permanent Finance Director to do, as long as it’s not illegal, unethical or immoral! Some clients have just a bookkeeper, others have a financial controller leading a finance team and the flexible finance director adapts to the resources of the client.

Generally, flexible Finance Directors work on an on-going basis with clients on projects of strategic value but are also happy to oversee the finance function in all its entirety.

Moreover, a flexible FD doesn’t go native as they are not working within the company full time. The main advantage this gives is the ability to retain an external perspective on issues. This can be very important when management teams in SMEs are often very overworked and do not have quality time to stand back from issues to see them in a fresh light.

Lastly, having a flexible FD model enables growing businesses to afford that critical expertise at a fraction of the cost of a full-time Finance Director.

How Construction Factoring Finance Works

Construction Factoring Finance operates in a similar manor to a normal invoice finance facility. However, the invoice finance company will often involve a quantity surveyor who has the expertise to value complicated and often contractual construction related deals. This is normally outside of the expertise of a conventional invoice finance company.

Using Construction Finance, the invoice finance company can typically fund up to 70% of the value of invoices, as they are raised, with the balance being paid to you once the customer pays (less charges). This can release a significant amount of cash for any use within your business and as you raise more invoices, more cash is released so you no longer have to wait to be paid.

There are a number of product options that are available including credit control – the collection of the outstanding invoices and bad debt protection (non recourse) if required. The credit control collection of outstanding sales invoices can be handled on a completely confidential basis so that your customers are not aware that you are using a construction finance facility i.e. the factoring company undertakes the credit control function in the name of your business so your customers are unaware.

Which Types Of Businesses are Eligible for Construction Finance Funding?

There are a number of different sectors and trading methods that may qualify for Construction Factoring Finance but would not qualify for conventional normal forms of invoice finance. The following situations are suited to Construction Factoring Finance:

* If you have a CIS UTR number for your business.

* If you raise applications for payment – these can be considered for funding even if they uncertified applications for payment.

* Invoices raised on a stage payment basis – invoices that are raised in stages during the course of a contract that has not been fully completed may be eligible for funding.

The following sectors may also be eligible for funding:

* Construction contractors
* Construction sub contractors
* Construction of partitions
* Plastering
* Diamond drilling
* Tiling
* Dry lining
* Demolition
* Shop fitting
* Supply and installation of bathrooms
* Supply and installation of kitchens
* Supply and fit of double glazing
* Joinery
* Traffic management
* Flooring
* Scaffolding
* Landscaping
* Decorating
* Fabrication of steelworks
* Earthworks
* Interiors
* Property refurbishment
* Painting
* Electrical contracting
* Ceilings

Summary

To summarise, the development of Construction Factoring Finance by a few invoice finance companies has enabled construction sector businesses, that would not normally be considered for conventional invoice finance, to access funding of up to 70% of the value of their outstanding sales invoices. In addition, the invoice finance may be able to assist with collections in your name and provide bad debt protection.

Many Canadian would be entrepreneurs and business owners find that financing a franchise is often as challenging (if not more so) than the process and work and due diligence in selecting the right business to purchase.

Lets share some hands on, ‘real world’ advice and tips on franchise finance in Canada. Fantasy might often work for you, but NOT in business financing!

Business financing is a challenge on any level, major corporations wrestle with it everyday, and you are wrestling with it as you contemplate your new business venture. Naturally all our comments and advice relate to both a new franchise or your purchase of an existing business that is being sold by a franchisee.

A lot of franchises would do well to understand how the franchise industry is regulated in Canada and what types of disclosure and protection are in place for both you, and, to be fair, the franchisor. Those rights and obligations you have are under something called the ‘Arthur Wishart Act’ if you are in Ontario – other provinces have similar legislation. We strongly recommend that you look at the Act, and quite frankly your lawyer might be the best one to do this.

Clients always ask us what rate they might be expected to pay on a franchise finance loan in Canada. We are very clear on that, and the answer is ‘ it depends ‘! Would a rate in the 5-6% range sound good to you. We certainly think it does given you are a small business and in many cases viewed as a ‘start up ‘, notwithstanding your franchisors depth and reputation. That interest rate is available to you through a loan technically known as the BIL loan, also called the CSBF loan. Lay people call it the government Small Business Loan, and it is categorically the way in which a majority of the franchises in Canada are financed. Speak to trusted, credible an experienced advisor in this area of franchise finance who can successfully complete this financing for you.

Is a BIL franchise loan the only way to finance a franchise? Definitely not, other alternatives include a cash term loan, equipment financing for any hard assets in the business, and the final piece of the puzzle, which is your own owner equity or cash investment into the business. All business is financed by borrowing (debt) plus the owner equity contribution.

Can you get a franchise finance loan without any personal guarantees – the quick tip and answer is ‘ no ‘, we don’t think so, but we also point out to clients the aforementioned BIL loan requires only a 25% personal guarantee.

Clients always ask if a franchise can be financed with no down payment – here’s our quick tip on that – No, absolutely not. Whether you are financing a pizza franchise or building a car mfg plant any lender in North America will look to some owner financial involvement in the project. The balance act becomes how much, as there are pros and cons of putting down too much or too little equity.

Can you purchase a franchise without some thought around a business plan – we don’t think so, and info act the best tip we can give you is to do a business plan, and if you aren’t preparing it personally at least stay involved in the input and the process. It will steer you towards a common sense level of financial success in your business.

Prospective franchisees are always asking if an appraisal is required. Generally it is, but the biggest tip we can give you in this area is that the modest cost of an appraisal can actually be the largest financial benefit to your franchise financing, as it has the ability to increase lender confidence and lower your estimated personal financial commitment to the business.

Franchise finance has many small twists and turns along your process – investigate financing options thoroughly and our tips should help you to minimize personal risk and maximize the financing of your business.