Cashflow is the lifeblood of every business. Even profitable companies can run into trouble if money isn’t coming in fast enough to cover day-to-day expenses. Delayed payments from clients, unexpected costs or overstocked inventory can all put pressure on your cash position and that stress can keep even the most experienced business owners up at night. The good news? With some proactive planning and smart strategies, you can take control of your cashflow and protect your business. Here are five practical tips to help you do just that. 1. Give your accounts receivable a boost Invoice your client as soon as the job is completed, or consider invoicing in instalments once key milestones are reached. Also, make sure you have strict payment terms in place. 2. Negotiate longer payment terms Talk to your suppliers to negotiate 30 or 60-day payment terms. This delays payment for your most common overheads, helping you spread the cost over a longer period. 3. Always have a cash reserve in place Putting surplus profits into a cash reserve gives you a buffer to draw on when cashflow is challenging. This can be a great way to get through quiet periods or cover unexpected costs. 4. Make the most of your cashflow forecasting tools Use the cashflow tools in your accounting software or forecasting app to create a rolling cashflow forecast. This helps you spot the potential cash shortfalls and budget accordingly. 5. Keep a close eye on inventory levels Review your inventory levels and warehouse stock to make sure capital is not tied up in slow-moving stock. Think about a leaner approach that reduces your costs. More helpful advice on managing your cashflow: If your current cashflow position is worrying you, come and talk to our team. We’ll give you tailored advice on how to boost your cash inflows and reduce your cash outflows. Call us today on 04 970 1182.

At the start of the year, it’s a good idea to review your repeating bills in Xero to ensure they’re still accurate and up to date. Repeating bills are often created once and then left running in the background. Over time, amounts may change, services may no longer be required, or accounts may need updating. If they aren't reviewed, outdated repeating bills can lead to incorrect expenses and inaccurate reporting early in the year. Taking a few minutes now to check your repeating bills helps keep your financial information accurate and reduces the need for corrections later. For those who need a reminder, you can find your repeating bills under Purchases > Bills > Repeating and update or stop any that are no longer needed.