Invoice discounting is a technique or a process by which a company can borrow cash from financial institutions on the basis of the invoices raised. In other words, invoice discounting is more of a short-term borrowing, where a company can draw cash against the invoices. Let us see in detail the advantages and disadvantages of invoice discounting.
In Invoice discounting the company is liable to collect payments from its customers. Generally, a company can borrow up to 80% of the invoice amount within 24 hours. The actual percentage and duration may vary with different financial institutions and banks. This is very widely used by companies for immediate cash requirements and is one of the working capital sources.
In other words, it is a process in which short-term advances are extended in lieu of unpaid sales receivables. The tenure of the loan is very short. The finance company charges interest on the advance made as well as a monthly maintenance fee from the borrower.
Advantages of Invoice Discounting
It is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of the invoice discounting technique in order to use it effectively.
Quick Cash
Invoice discounting is a comparatively quicker and faster method to procure cash than applying for a Cash Credit in which credit institutions or banks take quite a lot of time in credit appraisal of the borrower. Invoice discounting provides liquid cash to businesses as soon as an invoice is issued. It accelerates cash inflow by converting sales receivables into cash. The cash injection can be invested in increasing sales, pursuing growth, capital investment, repaying critical debts, etc.
Releases Locked Cash
Invoice discounting releases cash that has been locked in customer invoices for a long period of time. Invoice discounting converts the company’s account receivable (debtors) into liquid cash. This may even be used in cases of emergencies.
Reduced Collection Period
The collection period refers to the time taken by accounts receivables to realize into liquid cash. The collection period is generally the credit period allowed. Invoice discounting facilitates the provision of finances by taking an advance from the invoices issued. Thus, a business person may collect his blocked funds without waiting for the entire credit period against a fee.
Improves Cash Flow
Invoice discounting improves cash flow since 80% of the advance invoice amount (receivable) can be converted into cash, thereby aiding shorter working capital cycles.
No Asset as Collateral
Cash can be obtained without using any assets as collateral; only invoices to which customers are yet to pay are submitted for the transaction. Discounting houses require just account receivables as collateral. No inventory or other movable item is pledged/hypothecated. Hence, entities that have a huge amount of pending receivables can release the blocked funds. As the discounting companies require single collateral, i.e. book debts, other movable assets of the business are free to raise additional finances.
No Effect on Business Relations
The business relations between the seller and buyer are not hampered in the case of invoice discounting, unlike the case of factoring. Discounting companies have no contact or correspondence with the buyer. Hence, the buyer is sure that he would continue to be liable to the seller, not to other parties.
Also Read: Factoring Vs. Discounting
Allows More Room for Credit Sales
The company can choose to grow sales in terms of cash or credit. Sales that are on credit can be converted into cash quickly and the company need not bother much about the liquidity issue which comes with credit sales if the invoice discounting process is in place.
Control
The seller continues to exercise control over the sales receivables. He has the sole right to manage the credit terms, negotiate further deals, collect the payments etc. In short, the loan agreement remains between the borrower and lender. The lender does not get to deal with the accounts receivables.
Confidentiality
In the case of invoice discounting, confidentiality can be maintained by the discounting houses. The suppliers and customers need not know about the borrowings of the company against sales invoices. The financial agreement between the borrower and the lender is not disclosed to buyers. Unlike factoring, the buyer does not get an idea of the financial agreement from the lender.
Win-Win Situation for Business
The borrowing company can obtain the cash it needs, whereas the customer can be given the credit period. This creates a win-win situation for the company and the company’s customers, which in turn helps in building a healthy relationship with customers.
Lender of Last Resort
The discounting companies are a sort of lender of last resort. This type of finance opts when other sources are not available. Hence, a businessman can always rely on invoice discounting during his cash crunch time. The finances are released generally within 48 hours, depending on the lender’s policy.
Disadvantages of Invoice Discounting
Decreases Profit Margins
The financial institutions providing invoice discounting generally charge a fee which becomes an additional cost to the company. This decreases the profit margins for the borrowing company. The presence of interest charges and maintenance fees levied by the lender directly impacts the profitability of the borrower. The interest rate is significantly higher than the usual rate of borrowing.
People’s Perception
Some people perceive invoice discounting as a stigma over the company, hence, excessive reliance on invoice discounting may not be taken very positively by all stakeholders.
Only Commercial Invoices
The majority of financial institutions allow borrowing only on commercial invoices. If a company deals with the general public then that company may not be eligible for invoice discounting.
Leniency in Credit Terms Affecting Productivity
Excessive usage of invoice discounting facilities may cause management to be non-focused on strengthening credit norms for debtors. The company should ideally be focussing on shorter credit periods and not invoice discounting as a mechanism to improve working capital cycles and liquidity.
Non-Suitable For New Business
This type of finance is not suitable for new business entities as it would affect their financial statements in a negative way. Their profits are not significant enough to absorb extravagant interest costs and maintenance fees. The presence of high-interest costs in a startup is always a bad sign for any kind of prospective investor too. It is especially recommended for high-profit ventures that need additional funds to pursue extra growth.
Compliance
The lender is required to furnish a statement of accounts receivables to the discounting company at regular intervals. It burdens the administrative and compliance aspect of the entity.
Volatility
The amount of loans that can be extended is highly volatile. It changes with the change in accounts receivables present at a particular point in time.
Excess Dependency
Too much reliance on invoice discounting makes the entity carefree about the receivables department. The company would have no regard for the customers’ credit monitoring, whether the book debts are being realized within the credit period, etc.
Reduced Collateral
Sales receivables constitute a big part of current assets held by a business. Current assets (Inventory, Receivables) are generally pledged for working capital finances. The receivables against which the loan has been obtained will no longer be available for further debt arrangements, which would curtail the drawing power.
Conclusion
Invoice discounting is a quick method to improve cash flow and working capital cycle but one has to keep in mind that invoice discounting should be used as an additional facility and not as a regular process. The key focus should be on improving the working capital cycle by bargaining efficiently with debtors to ensure quick payments. Invoice discounting has its merits, but the demerits like high-interest charges and fees outweigh them. A businessman should only opt for this when other types of finances have been attempted and failed.
Everything has its own advantages and disadvantages.Very detailed article about the advantages and disadvantages of debtor finance.You have mentioned a good point that it helps to improve cashflow and is a quick way to get cash but has a disadvantage of profit loss.But overall it is advantageous.
This is really interesting. I have been researching about invoice discounting for a long time now. I am planning my business venture soon.
Invoice discounting is making a noise in business world. I am quite interested to it as well for my business funding. This article is definitely a good source of knowledge about invoice discounting. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for this information it really helped in my assements and assignments.
Invoice discounting is a technique or a process by which a company can borrow cash from financial institutions on the basis of the invoices raised.