Function: Finance
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Cash Flow: Importance for Businesses, Portfolio Companies
Why might a good company fail? It’s often as simple as running out of cash.
That’s why it’s so important that business leaders not only understand what cash flow is but also keep a close eye on it.
BluWave CEO and founder Sean Mooney touched on this topic with Gabe Mesanza, partner at Huron Capital, on the Karma School of Business podcast.
Let’s take a closer look at what Mooney and Mesanza had to say about the importance of cash flow, and how private equity firms think about this crucial metric as it relates to their portfolio companies.
READ MORE: Why Hire an Interim CFO?
What is Cash Flow?
Cash flow is the net amount of cash coming into and going out of a business. It has a substantial impact on liquidity.
Without enough cash on hand, a company won’t be able to pay its expenses, ultimately forcing it to shut down.
A Fundamental Beacon for Businesses
When times get tough – especially because of the economy – many businesses act more conservatively. Private equity firms, however, often take advantage of these challenging situations by boosting value creation.
Mesanza said that starts with focusing on fundamentals.
“The basic is focus on cash. Just understand your cash position because that is really the lifeblood of the company,” he said. “If you’re struggling with cash, then you really can’t think about much else, very honestly. That is all-consuming, and it leads you to short-term decisions that are often counter to the long-term goals of the company. That to me is first, second, third. In a crisis, focus on cash.”
READ MORE: Interim CFO for a Financial Crisis
Why Cash Flow is Overlooked and Misunderstood
When a business is performing well, executives are even less likely to focus on cash flow. This, Mesanza said, is a mistake.
“We’ve seen a couple of examples of that here recently. Having worked for large companies, even sometimes we ran into really good executives that ran business units and you ask the question of cash, they never even thought about it,” he shared. “Cash was just something that was there and it was swept at the end of the day. When you needed to do a project, you went and asked for the money and it showed up. The idea of cash is not something that is natural for a lot of people, and it’s surprising the number of people who mistake EBITDA for cash.”
Cash Flow Forecasting and Management
Mooney, who had about 20 years of private equity experience before starting BluWave, said that neglecting cash flow can be a fatal mistake.
“I learned very early on good companies don’t necessarily go out of business because they’re good or bad, they go out of business because they run out of cash,” he said.
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Instead, he suggested, business leaders should forecast cash flow on a 13-week basis – equivalent to a quarter – week-to-week and monitor progress. Mesanza agreed with this approach.
“One of the first things we do is a 13-week cash flow. It’s interesting for founders, a lot of their personal finances are intertwined with the company, a lot of their personal expenses flow through the company, whether it’s a car or whatever the case is,” Mesanza said. “The moment that you start adding debt to a company and you have quarterly debt payments that you have to make, boy, that really becomes some different level of conversation.”
How Private Equity Looks at Cash Flow
Private equity firms perform substantial due diligence before acquiring a new business. When they do move forward with a purchase, it’s because they see significant growth potential.
READ MORE: What Makes a Commercial Due Diligence Firm ‘Specialized’?
“The change to being owned by private equity is that we really only want to put in equity or cash into a company to grow it, to build it, to buy other things,” Mesanza said. “We don’t want to put cash in to run the operations.”
These aren’t just lessons for PE firms and their portcos, though. Any business can reap the benefits of healthy accounting practices coupled with a growth mindset.
The Business Builders’ Network is full of third-party service providers who have helped businesses across various industries accelerate their value creation.
Contact the BluWave research and operations team to set up your initial scoping call. They’ll match you with an exact-fit resource from the invite-only network within a single business day.
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Financial Integration Support for Chemical Manufacturer
Service Area: Financial Operations
Client Type: Lower-Middle Market Private Equity Firm for Portfolio Company
Service Provider Type: Financial Integration Consultant
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing
The Need
Financial Integration for Add-On Acquisitions
A chemical manufacturer operating in the specialty treatment chemicals industry sought assistance with financial integration for their add-on acquisitions. With a focus on bridging the gap in financial onboarding and consolidating reporting packages, the client needed a specialized team to provide hands-on support and help streamline their financial processes.
The Challenge
Improving Financial Systems and Reporting
The client faced challenges in their financial systems and reporting due to the use of QuickBooks and the need for scalable solutions. With add-on acquisitions and plans for growth, they required an evaluation of their current systems and the implementation of appropriate ERP and CRM systems, along with adequate security, governance and controls.
How BluWave Helped
Connecting for Accelerated Growth
BluWave connected the client with a specialized financial integration consultant that provided on-the-ground support in putting together reporting packages, consolidating financials and assisting with financial onboarding. This person was able to hit the ground running and better prepare the portco for its rollup strategy.
The Result
A Solid Foundation for Expansion
Through the assistance of the financial integration consultant, the chemical manufacturer successfully improved their systems and reporting capabilities. This set them up to move into their buy-and-build phase and begin making acquisitions. The financial consultant stayed on for some of the initial acquisitions, buying the company time to select a perfect-fit CFO.
We are grateful to be able to partner with the new team we acquired and look forward to helping them further accelerate growth.
-Portco VP of Operations
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How BluWave Enabled Massive Turnaround of Family-Held Business
Service Area: Interim Executives (CFO and COO)
Client Type: Family-Owned Business
Service Provider Type: Specialized Interim Executives
Industry: Industrial Distribution and Services
The Need
Interim CFO, COO Team for Turnaround
A multi-generation family-owned business faced significant challenges due to declining financial performance and market dynamics. The company also suffered a cyberattack that exposed weaknesses in its IT infrastructure. Recognizing the need for help, ownership sought external expertise to guide them through a comprehensive turnaround.
The Challenge
Revitalizing Profitability, Building Value Creation Foundation
The business grappled with challenges related to its profitability and internal capacity. The cyberattack highlighted the urgency of implementing an effective IT infrastructure and strengthening the leadership team. An outside advisory board, hired by the family, immediately recommended that a multifunctional team with interim CFO and COO turnaround skills was crucial. The objective was to streamline operations, reduce costs and create a sustainable foundation for renewed growth in order to rebuild value for the family and company stakeholders. Trusted advisors introduced the family to BluWave.
How BluWave Helped
Proven Executive Duo a Perfect Match
BluWave sprung into action, first taking time to understand the unique situation and the factors needed for success. BluWave then swiftly matched the family business with a highly experienced interim CFO and COO duo from the BluWave Network who understood the complexities of the company’s industrial markets and possessed a background in turnaround and operational performance improvement. Because of the ready-to-go nature of the PE-grade, pre-vetted Business Builders’ Network, BluWave was able to introduce the perfect fit executives to the company’s family ownership within a single business day.
The Result
Accelerated Profitability, High-Valuation Sale
The transformative efforts led by the interim CFO and COO turnaround team resulted in significant improvements in profitability and operational efficiency. The company quickly took action to stabilize and reinvigorate revenue and optimize human capital, which increased EBITDA from approximately breakeven to more than $10 million in less than 18 months. The cultural shift toward performance and accountability empowered the employee base, enabling them to rise to the challenge and drive positive change throughout the organization. The family was then sold the business to a top private equity firm at a nine-figure valuation.
The collaborative partnership between the family, the interim CFO and COO combo and BluWave facilitated a comprehensive turnaround, leading to increased profitability, operational efficiency and a transformed organizational culture. The company continues to thrive under new leadership, supported by the foundation laid during the turnaround engagement. In fact, the current full-time CFO and the former turnaround interim CFO connected by BluWave keep in touch to this day.
There had to be a tremendous amount of change within the leadership team because we were driving a culture of change toward performance and profitability. They were invigorated by the accountability they saw and the opportunity, and they rose to that challenge.
-Turnaround Interim CFO
Accounting Specialist in a Hurry for a PortCo
Service Area: Accounting Services: Commercial Diligence
Client Type: Large Cap PE Firm
Service Provider Type: Accounting Specialist Firm
Industry: Financial Consulting
The Need
Commercial Diligence: Accounting Services
A large-cap private equity firm was exploring an opportunity in the Accounting Services space and needed recommendations for a market study provider and a river guide who were deeply familiar with the industry.
The Challenge
Niche Need on a Timeline
The client required a market study to gain insights into the Accounting Services industry and understand factors such as reputation, decision-making processes and key selection criteria. Additionally, they needed a river guide who could provide expertise in areas like tech enablement, broader strategy and growth companies, without a strong emphasis on CPA background. And they needed it all as soon as possible.
How BluWave Helped
Exact-Fit Accounting Specialist
BluWave promptly presented the client with multiple industry-specific resources within a short timeframe. The client engaged the recommended service provider, an accounting specialist firm, which demonstrated extensive knowledge of the space. The service provider worked closely with the client to define the scope of the project and accommodated all requests.
The Result
‘Fantastic’ Service Provider
The market study delivered valuable insights into reputation, decision-making processes, and selection criteria within the Accounting Services industry. With the expertise and knowledge of the chosen service provider, the client gained a comprehensive understanding of the industry landscape.
“The service provider is fantastic. They are extremely knowledgeable about the space and were willing and able to answer our questions throughout. Responsive, thoughtful, thorough. I would absolutely work with them again.”
-PE Firm Vice President
Outsourced Bookkeeping Services: Third-Party Accounting Help
At the heart of every thriving business lies meticulous bookkeeping. As businesses strive for operational efficiency, they increasingly turn to outsourced bookkeeping services. This strategic shift allows them to tap into a wealth of expertise not readily available in-house and to free themselves from the time-consuming complexities of financial management.
In the face of a rapidly evolving business landscape, maintaining a competitive edge is key. Outsourced bookkeeping strengthens your financial foundation and equips you with the data-driven insights required for informed decision-making. Furthermore, by choosing to outsource, businesses can shift their focus to core competencies, fostering innovation and catalyzing growth.
Moreover, with the ever-changing labyrinth of regulatory requirements and tax laws, having an experienced accountant at your service ensures your business stays compliant. Navigating these complexities alone can be daunting and fraught with risk. An outsourced accountant stays updated with these changes, protecting your business from potential legal pitfalls.
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What is Outsourced Bookkeeping?
Outsourced bookkeeping involves delegating financial record-keeping tasks to an external specialist. These professionals manage a variety of tasks ranging from bank reconciliation and payroll management to sales tax calculations and financial reporting. The end goal remains the same: enhancing financial health while freeing up internal resources for strategic growth initiatives.
Advantages of Outsourcing Bookkeeping
Outsourcing bookkeeping introduces numerous benefits, the most notable being time-saving. For instance, reconciling bank statements with ledger accounts is a time-intensive task. An outsourced accountant executes this task with proficiency, giving business owners more hours to focus on business development strategies.
Accurate financial record-keeping forms another compelling reason to outsource. To illustrate, an expert bookkeeper can detect anomalies in accounts payable or receivable that could otherwise be missed, thereby mitigating the risk of financial discrepancies.
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From a cost perspective, outsourcing bookkeeping is an economical choice. It eradicates overhead costs associated with full-time employees, such as benefits and training expenses. For instance, a company could save thousands annually by outsourcing rather than hiring a full-time, in-house accountant.
Perhaps the most significant advantage is gaining access to expert advice. Experienced bookkeepers can decipher complex financial reports and guide informed decision-making. A bookkeeper, for example, might identify a recurring unnecessary expense that, when eliminated, could significantly improve the bottom line.
Choosing the Right Outsourced Accounting Service
Picking the right outsourced bookkeeping service requires careful consideration. It’s essential to evaluate the potential company’s experience, expertise, range of services, fee structure and security measures. A firm specializing in your specific industry, for instance, would offer invaluable sector-specific insights.
At BluWave, we match you with top-tier outsourced bookkeeping service providers that align with your unique needs. Each provider in our network is vetted for their expertise, ensuring you benefit from high-quality services.
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Outsourcing bookkeeping is more than just delegating tasks – it’s about streamlining your financial processes, gaining valuable insights and propelling your business forward. It’s about harnessing the expertise of seasoned professionals who can guide you through the financial intricacies of your industry.
A high-quality outsourced bookkeeping service operates as a strategic partner, shedding light on your financial path and enabling you to make smarter business decisions. This partnership can help identify potential cost savings, optimize cash flow and ultimately, boost profitability.
Partnering with BluWave to connect you with the right third-party resource will help ensure financial integrity, deliver strategic insights and propel your business. Trust us to link you with the best in outsourced bookkeeping so you can concentrate on what you do best – running your business.