How to maximise your return on unpaid invoices

According to Zurich's latest SME Risk Index, over half of Britain's SMEs have problems with late payment, with £225bn in unpaid invoices.

These figures highlight the common problem of late payment. Unpaid invoices can have severe consequences for your business.

Our approach is to help you be proactive in preventing bad debts accruing and minimise the disruption (and maximise the return) when they do.

There are four ways this can be achieved:

1. Have a clear credit control procedure

Smaller and rapidly growing businesses tend to prioritise sales and extend payment terms in order to win further work. Alternatively, the processes for effective credit control may not yet be in place, meaning that debts are allowed to accrue.

Ensure you have effective and automated credit control procedures in place so the customers know they are not going to be allowed to use you as a source of cheap (or free!) finance.

Some of our clients also use us as an extension of their credit control. This can help to maintain business relationships by de-personalising the process and also encourages earlier payment.

2. Know your customer

This seems simple however it is crucial to maximising your return on invoices.

1. What type of legal entity is your customer? This could be an individual, sole trader, partnership or limited company. Both the contract and invoices should be addressed correctly to speed up collection.
2. Conduct a risk assessment of your potential customer at the outset by completing a credit application form and conducting a credit check.
3. For added security look to get personal guarantees from the directors of trading partners.
4. Keep up to date customer records.

3. Clear terms and conditions

It is essential that you have clear terms and conditions of business covering aspects including payment terms that are incorporated into your agreements. Ideally, there should be a signed order form or contract at the commencement of any dealings.

Clear terms of business and documentation reduce the chance of uncertainty and therefore maximise the chances of being paid on time.

4. Add interest and late payment compensation to your debt

Interest at 8.25% and compensation between £40-100 can be charged on each unpaid invoice. You are legally entitled to recover these sums if a business customer is late paying. These are automatically added to the debt during the Forbes Collect recovery process, thus maximising your returns.

In summary, there are a number of steps that you can take to prevent debt from accruing, from ensuring tight credit control to getting to know your client or customer. However, if you are having difficulties in recovering monies we can help you maximise your return.

If you have a problem with unpaid invoices and would like help with collection please contact Scott Birchall (Partner and Head of Debt Recovery) on sb@smooth-commercial-law.co.uk.