You may have a client or two who are not prompt in paying their invoices with you.  This is an issue for the cash flow and financial stability of the business.

Here are some tips for collecting accounts receivable now outstanding, and improving the situation in the future:

Check the Contract

Are the fees due clear in your client contract? What about payment terms? Have you provided that interest will be charge on overdue accounts? Should you require a deposit, interim payments at certain milestones, or a credit check?

Follow Up

It is best to have an established practice for following up with clients regarding their overdue account. The invoice may have been forgotten, misplaced or sent to an old address. A follow up phone call may be uncomfortable but is a good way to find out if the client is having cash flow problems or has some other reason why they haven’t paid.

Demand Letter

A lawyer can send your client a scary letter indicating why the debt is owed and when it...

Contracts 101

When you operate a business, contracts are as common as the air that you breathe.

You enter contracts by clicking “I Agree” buttons on websites, and by selling products and services to your customers.

A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more persons for a particular purpose.

Contracts can be done verbally or in writing.  The problem for a business owner with a verbal contract is that if is more difficult to enforce because you may not remember or be able to prove all of the terms that were agreed to.

What if a supplier presents you with a “standard” contract that they routinely use with companies they deal with. Does this mean that you should just sign it?

At the very least, you should understand what you is agreeing to in the contract. At best, you can find a few important items in the contract and improve your business’ position through proper drafting and negotiation.

What to look for:

• Parties...