Factoring and invoice discounting

There are a number of advantages to factoring but it is also worthwhile to consider any potential drawbacks.

Advantages of factoring

Factoring provides a quick boost to cashflow. This may be very valuable for businesses that are short of working capital.

Other advantages:

• There are many factoring companies, so prices are usually competitive.
• It can be a cost-effective way of outsourcing your sales ledger while freeing up your time to manage the business.
• It assists smoother cashflow and financial planning.
• Some customers may respect factors and pay more quickly.
• Factors may give you useful information about the credit standing of your customers and they can help you to negotiate better terms with your suppliers.
• Factors can prove an excellent strategic - as well as financial - resource when planning business growth.
• You will be protected from bad debts if you choose non-recourse factoring.
• Cash is released as soon as orders are invoiced and is available for capital investment and funding of your next orders.
• Factors will credit check your customers and can help your business trade with better quality customers.

Disadvantages of factoring

Queries and disputes may have a negative impact on your available funding. For this reason, factoring works best when a business is efficient and there are few disputes and queries.

Other disadvantages:

• The cost will mean a reduction in your profit margin on each order or service fulfilment.
• It may reduce the scope for other borrowing - book debts will not be available as security.
• Factors will restrict funding against poor quality debtors or poor debtor spread, so you will need to manage these funding fluctuations.
• To end an arrangement with a factor you will have to pay off any money they have advanced you on invoices if the customer has not paid them yet. This may require some business planning.
• Some customers may prefer to deal directly with you.
• How the factor deals with your customers will affect what your customers think of you. Make sure you use a reputable company that will not damage your reputation.