Since 1995, Simons Bitzer & Associates has been committed to helping business owners and their teams realize growth, improve efficiencies, and maximize profitability. With that in mind, we are pleased to announce the launch of the Simons Bitzer weekly blog where we will discuss timely and effective business strategies, most often as they relate to the field of accounting. We truly hope you will enjoy our posts and we look forward to receiving your feedback as we enter the age of social media.

If we don’t get paid, we go out of business. With more debtors delaying payment in these tough times, taking action to collect money should be a top priority for business owners. Few small businesses can afford to turn customers away, but being timid about stretched credit terms puts your company in danger. If you are not being paid on time it is harder to find money to settle your own outstanding debts. How can you collect money owed, and at the same time, avoid bad feelings developing between current and new customers who begin to fall behind on payments?

It is worth the fee to do a background check on new clients, despite the temptation to automatically take on any new clients when business is slow. The cost of your staff’s time chasing money and the potential price of debt collection later is not worth the risk. A reference check should be accepted as “company policy” by new customers.

The best time to get the message through about payment terms is when you close the sale. Outlining credit expectations early sets the right tone and foundation for late account follow-up if necessary. Make it a prominent part of the agreement when customers place orders.

For more guidance on accounts receivable and other accounting issues, please contact Simons Bitzer & Associates by visiting www.simonsbitzer.com or calling 782-3070 and receive a free one hour consultation with one of our team members.