A cash flow gap can make it difficult for business owners to meet their financial obligations and make the most of emerging opportunities. To achieve a positive cash flow, your company must have a sound strategy for accelerating cash and delaying outflows. Here are some recommendations from Wipfli and the Wisconsin Institute of CPAs to help boost your company’s cash reserves and help your business grow.

Sound credit practices are essential

It is important that you adequately check credit information on new and existing customers before extending credit. For new customers, you should obtain at least three trade references, and you might also consider using a commercial credit reporting service, such as Dunn & Bradstreet, to verify a company’s creditworthiness. Never grant credit until you are comfortable with the customer’s ability to pay. Also, request a deposit from a new customer, particularly if the order is large. This not only helps your cash flow, but can also cement the relationship.

Bill promptly

Mail invoices the same day you complete the work or ship the product. The sooner you bill, the sooner you’ll receive payment. If you accept a job that will take a long time to complete, notify the client that you will bill in stages.

Accelerate your accounts receivable

Some customers will pay sooner if you give them an incentive to do so. Consider offering a cash discount to fast payers. This could attract new customers who look at cash discounts as a form of price reduction.

Don’t feel guilty about asking to be paid on overdue accounts. CPAs often suggest being hard on the issue and soft on the person. If a good customer is having legitimate financial problems, try to arrange to get at least a small payment each week. Whenever you receive payments, be sure to deposit checks quickly.

Aggressively follow up on overdue invoices. When an invoice reaches 45 days beyond your terms, engage the services of a collection agency. Recognize that the longer someone owes you, the less likely it is you will be paid in full.

Pay bills on time, but not before they are due

When it comes to paying your company’s bills, you should take as long as you’re allotted without incurring late fees or interest charges. An exception to this rule applies when suppliers offer you a discount for paying early. If you have the cash reserves available, do it.

Monitor inventory levels

Your company’s profitability depends on the successful and timely sale of its products and services. Maintaining inventory levels at less than what is needed to support demand may result in lost sales and delays for customers. On the other hand, excess inventory places a burden on cash resources.

Compare your inventory turnover to industry norms, and rely on historical sales data and forecasts to set inventory levels. Remember, stock sitting on shelves for long periods ties up money that could be used for other cash outflows. Sell off outdated, slow-moving merchandise. Donate what you can’t sell.

Manage your suppliers

The easiest way to slow down your business’s cash outflow is to negotiate with suppliers for more favorable terms. While most suppliers want payment in 30 days, some may be willing to extend terms if you are a good customer with a good payment history. Remember, if you can get better payment terms, you will lower your costs.

Developing multiple sources of supplies keeps vendors on their toes. Finally, do not buy more than you need or more than you expect to sell, regardless of how favorable the sale or credit terms a supplier offers.

Consider leasing equipment instead of buying

In the long run, leasing equipment generally costs more than buying, but the cash flow benefits may justify the increased costs. Expensive equipment purchases can tie up cash that could be used for day-to-day operations.

Communicate and manage cash flow strategies

Be sure your staff understands how they can contribute to improving your business’s cash flow and monitor their efforts. If you are cash tight, you may want to consult with a CPA for more specific strategies on improving your company’s cash flow.