A
recent survey from asset-based lender Venture Finance and
Accountancy magazine found that 60% of accountants believe that a further increase in SME insolvencies is still to come.
The economy is only showing tentative growth, and lots of smaller businesses are still struggling to keep their head above water. Most small businesses are currently focused on stabilising performance rather than growth and if they’ve built up debt in the depth of recession they may struggle to find a way out.
The survey found that 27% of UK SMEs are shrinking and some even dying due to a lack of working capital. A quarter have been labelled as ‘exceeding their working capital’ with 18% at risk of overtrading.
But
companies in financial difficulty can have a much better chance of surviving than you might think. Acting quickly and taking expert advice will help.
A firm might be able to trade out of the problem, which is where available finance becomes so important.
Unless the banks start lending there are likely to be more difficulties ahead for small businesses. Whilst invoice and asset-based lending are available the banks need to be more forthcoming and more prepared to support SMEs, the lifeblood of our economy.
Andy Parker
Chartered Accountant