Strategies for improving cash flow

The Insolvency Report, produced by Australian Securities and Investments Commission shows cash flow issues to be the most ‘nominated cause for business failure’, in seven of the last ten years.

Practical steps

While it is not possible to predict all the challenges of a project, it is possible to be well-prepared and reviewing your systems regularly to identify opportunities to improve cash flow is key.

Acquiring the work 

• Know your client, what are their payment terms, can you negotiate?
• Know the job and start with a reasonable and profitable estimate.
• Be aware of industry trends/potential product price rises to ensure adequate allowances are made with contracts and variations. 

Doing the work

• Spread out your costs by timing goods and labour with work schedule and payment cycles.
• Maintain good relationships to avoid unnecessary disagreements and costly delays.

Tracking the work

• Process variations quickly by reaching an agreement and seeking immediate payment.
• Keep scheduling and documentation up to date, so progress payments go smoothly.
• Invoice immediately and chase late payments.

There are many free resources available to help businesses improve their financial management and avoid cash flow problems:

• Business Queensland’s cash flow improvement tips
• Australian Government’s cash flow template 

Cash flow is one of the fundamental elements of financial management that all QBCC contractors are required to provide details of as part of their financial reporting each year.

Annual financial reporting is part of the Minimum Financial Requirements legislation. It helps to ensure every building contractor who operates in Queensland has a financially healthy business with an appropriate level of working capital, with the goal of reducing the incidents of financial failure, liquidations and bankruptcy.