One of the primary issues facing all businesses, no matter what size, is cash flow. Most businesses must spend money to make money, which means they are using the companies cash flow to pay overheads or purchase inventory and typically cannot replace that money until a sale is made. If a business grows too fast, they may be spending more than they are bringing in which can potentially threaten the survival of the business.

If cash flow is a problem, a business should consider invoice financing.

Invoice Financing

Invoice Financing is a means of obtaining cash equivalent to what is owed on outstanding invoices before the customer pays needs to pay the invoice.

To attract new customers and be competitive in their market businesses are often forced to offer financing or credit plans. Offering this can provide a greater opportunity for their customers to make a purchase.

Invoice Finance works using a third-party financial institution for the business to borrow money based on the value of their outstanding invoices. The financial institution will pay the company a significant portion of the money owed on the invoice before the invoice is paid by the customer. The financial institution, paying the amount of the invoice, will either be responsible for collecting against the invoice or the company will pay back the financial institution when they receive payment for the invoice.

There are two primary methods of Invoice Financing – Invoice Factoring and Invoice Discounting.

Invoice Factoring

Invoice Factoring is the more common form. The financial institution or factoring company will simply by the invoices from the business. They will then be responsible for collecting what is owed against the invoices. Once the customer pays the invoice, the factoring company takes out their commission or fee and then passes the remainder of the money collected to the business.

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Whenever money changes hands, there is a need for accountants. In the world of commerce, the accounting profession keeps businesses operating smoothly. Within Accountancy, there is a great deal of variety, since all types of financial transactions in multiple industries must be reported and accounted. Even in the midst of a recession, there are opportunities for accountants.

Chartered Accountants work in independent accountancy firms. On the other hand, certified accountants work as employees within a business or organisation.

Business managers and auditors use the on-going financial information compiled into special reports. The accountants who create these reports work within a specialised form of discipline known as management accounting.

Management reports are quite different from annual reports compiled at the end of the fiscal year for tax and legal purposes. Financial accountants create the year-end reports with the information gathered then publicly shared with entities such as government agencies, economists, financial analysts, vendors, banks, and current and potential shareholders.

The Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP, spell out the rules that must be adhered to when compiling these financial accounts. Management accounting is not so strictly regulated. The US GAAP and the International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, are other rules which may be mandatory, depending upon the scope of the organisation.

Jobs For Accountants

Are you considering a career in accounting?

The accounting industry is chock full of opportunities and has become quite sophisticated with the introduction of high-tech tools. As the laws and procedures continue to become more complex, the industry has been forced to change with the times with new regulations.

In addition to preparing audit reports, budgets, and balance sheets, accountants who excel at their job often move into careers as business advisors.

There is plenty of room to find a position which takes advantage of your most highly honed skills and that allows you to find work in an area that most interests you. Because of this high demand, high-quality graduates with a degree in accounting have an excellent opportunity to find a rewarding and challenging career.

Accounting Skills And Qualifications

New accountants typically have to continue to study once they start work. Within large organisations, they must be flexible enough to work with many different departments. In independent accounting firms, they will spend time working directly with clients.

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Individuals who look into financial planning are believed to be forward thinking, conservative and caring people who wish to enjoy their retirement years, would like to financially help their families, and would like to have peace of mind to know that their lifestyle may continue.

Some individuals do financial planning for themselves, while other seek assistance from a professional. If you are thinking about hiring professional help then it is important for you to know what you can expect a good financial adviser will provide you, as well as have the ability to discern the difference between someone who is a salesman and somebody offering fiduciary financial planning advice who carries a valid designation or certification.

Financial Planning Defined

The process of financial planning includes:

Understanding what your financial goals are; knowing when your money will need to be used, and what you will need to use it for. Next a plan of action needs to be laid out with specific steps taken in order for those goals to be achieved.

For a financial adviser (also referred to as a financial planner) to provide good advice, he must collect financial and personal data about you. This data is used for creating projections that inform you how and when you will be able to accomplish your goals.

What activities are performed by a financial adviser?

• What you should do differently
• How much money you need to save
• What kinds of retirement accounts you should use.
• What kind of mortgage you should get
• How much and what kind of insurance you need (it would include disability, long term care insurance, life insurance. Some financial advisers also provide advice on health, casualty and property insurance)
• How much money should be kept in your emergency fund
• Which changes can help with improving your tax situation
• The rate of return that will need to be earned to accomplish your goals within a particular time frame
• Whether it is sensible for you or not to pay your house off
• What the appropriate investment risk level is for the different kinds of accounts you own
• Many financial advisers provide tax planning and estate planning services.

What areas should a financial adviser provide advice on?

Ask which of the questions above they address, and if their advice is put into writing.

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