It’s important to maintain a strong business credit score in Canada and it’s key to the financial health and the growth of your company.
A high credit score will open doors to better financing options, lower interest rates, and more favorable terms with suppliers among other benefits.
Here are some simple steps you can implement to optimize your business credit score while ensuring your company’s financial stability remains in check and/or grows at the same time.
First, Get to Know and Understanding Business Credit Scores
Before diving into each of the steps, it’s important to get to know and understand what a business credit score actually is and how it’s calculated in Canada.
Business credit scores – much like personal credit scores – range from 0 to 100, with higher scores being a strong indicator of lower risk.
These scores are basically calculated based on several factors, including payment history, credit utilization, on-time payments, length of credit history, and certain public records.
Step 1: Establish Your Business Credit Profile
The first step is to establish a credit profile for your business. This involves taking the following actions:
- Register Your Business: Ensure your business is legally registered. Register as a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. Having a registered business entity is necessary.
- Get a Business Number (BN): Obtain a BN number from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). This number is used to identify your business for tax purposes and various other government programs.
- Open a Business Bank Account: You must separate your personal and business income by opening a business bank account which helps to maintain clear financial records.
Step 2: Build a Strong Credit History
Building a robust credit history is essential for improving your business credit score. Here’s how you can do it:
- Open Business Credit Accounts: Start by applying for business credit cards and trade lines with suppliers, and simply make sure these creditors report to the major business credit bureaus.
- Make Timely Payments: Always pay your bills on time. Payment history is one of the most significant factors influencing your credit score.
- Use Credit Responsibly: Avoid maxing out your credit lines but if you do, pay back the most you can before the next billing cycle. Keep your credit utilization ratio below 30% to maintain a healthy credit score.
Step 3: Always Monitor Your Credit Report
Regularly monitoring your business credit report keeps you on top of your credit status and identifies any discrepancies that might hurt your score.
- Obtain Your Credit Report: Request your credit report from major Canadian business credit bureaus such as Equifax Canada, TransUnion Canada, and Dun & Bradstreet.
- Review for Errors: Check for any errors or inaccuracies in your credit report. Dispute any incorrect information promptly to avoid negative impacts on your credit score.
- Track Your Score: Keep an eye on your business credit score to understand how your actions affect it and to ensure it reflects your creditworthiness accurately.
Step 4: Manage Debt and Credit Utilization
Effective debt management is critical to maintaining and improving your business credit score.
- Pay Down Existing Debt: Focus on paying down high-interest and high-balance accounts first. Reducing your overall debt improves your credit utilization ratio.
- Avoid Overextending: Be cautious when taking on new debt. Only borrow what you can comfortably repay to avoid defaulting.
- Use Credit Wisely: Make use of credit, but don’t rely on it excessively. Balance your cash flow needs with your credit use to maintain financial stability.
Step 5: Foster Positive Supplier Relationships
Building strong relationships with your suppliers can positively impact your business credit score.
- Negotiate Payment Terms: Work with suppliers to negotiate favorable payment terms that allow you more flexibility in managing your cash flow.
- Establish Trade Lines: Ensure that your suppliers report your positive payment history to the business credit bureaus such as Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. This can significantly boost your credit score over time.
Step 6: Keep Your Financials Organized
Maintaining organized and accurate financial records is crucial for monitoring and improving your business credit score.
- Maintain Detailed Records: Keep detailed records of all your financial transactions, including invoices, receipts, and payment records.
- Use Accounting Software: Invest in reliable accounting software to manage your finances efficiently. This helps in tracking your expenses, income, and outstanding debts.
- Regular Financial Reviews: Conduct regular financial reviews to assess your business’s financial health and make informed decisions.
Step 7: Plan for Growth and Financial Stability
Planning for your business’s growth and financial stability is essential for sustaining a high credit score.
- Develop a Business Plan: A comprehensive business plan outlines your goals, strategies, and financial projections. It helps in guiding your business towards growth and stability.
- Budget Wisely: Create and stick to a budget that aligns with your business plan. This ensures you have enough funds to cover expenses and repay debts on time.
- Seek Professional Advice: Consult with financial advisors or accountants to get expert advice on managing your business finances and improving your credit score.
Partner with a Collection Agency to Managing Outstanding Debts
One effective strategy for enhancing your business credit score is to partner with a professional collection agency.
Collection agencies specialize in recovering overdue payments, and thus improve your cash flow, and preserving business relationships, all of which contribute to a stronger credit profile.
If you invest in ensuring that any debts are efficiently handled will keep your business credit score in good standing and provide better financing opportunities and terms.
- Professional Debt Recovery: Collection agencies specialize in recovering overdue payments from clients so by outsourcing collections, you can focus on continuing to run your business while being confident that outstanding debts aggressively are pursued.
- Improved Cash Flow: Debt recovery improves your cash flow and helps you to meet your financial obligations without delays. This positively impacts your credit score and ensures that your accounts are up to date.
- Preserving Business Relationships: Professional collection agencies diplomatically handle debt recovery and do their best to preserve your relationships with your clients. They use tactful strategies to recover payments without damaging your business reputation.
Accessing Government Grants and Loans
The Canadian government offers numerous grants and loans designed to support businesses in different stages of growth. By using these programs, you can enhance your business credit score by providing the funds needed to manage your financial obligations and invest in growth.
- Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP): This program helps small businesses access loans by sharing the risk with lenders. Loans obtained through CSBFP can be used for purchasing or improving land, buildings, and equipment, or for making leasehold improvements.
- Regional Development Agencies (RDAs): RDAs provide financial assistance and support services tailored to the needs of businesses in various regions of Canada. This support can help you manage your finances more effectively, thereby improving your credit score.
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED): ISED offers various funding opportunities for a business, and particularly for those involved in innovative projects. Accessing these funds can help you meet your financial needs without over-relying on credit, thus improving your credit utilization ratio.
Access these government grants and loans to start improving your financial management practices and strengthen the financial stability of your business.
Utilizing Business Advisory Services
A lot of successful businesses use government advisory services to obtain valuable insights and guidance on managing business finances effectively, which in turn enhances their business credit score.
Consider the following services:
- Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): BDC offers financing solutions and advisory services to help businesses improve their financial management practices. This includes advice on cash flow management, debt management, and strategic planning.
- Canada Business Network: This network provides information and tools for starting and growing your business. It offers resources on financial planning and management, which can help you maintain a healthy credit profile.
- Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs): CFDCs support rural communities by offering business loans and advisory services. Engaging with these corporations can provide you with the financial support and guidance needed to enhance your credit score.
Participating in Government Training Programs
The Canadian government offers various training programs aimed to improve the financial literacy and financial management skills of business owners.
- Financial Literacy for Business Owners: Programs and workshops focused on financial literacy can help you understand and manage your business finances more effectively. This knowledge will help you maintain a good credit score.
- Government-Funded Training Initiatives: Many Canadian provinces offer training initiatives to help business owners develop better financial management practices. Participating in these programs can equip you with the skills you need to improve your credit score.
There is no doubt that leveraging government programs and resources is a highly effective strategy for enhancing your business credit score.
Seek Professional Assistance
If you find yourself in doubt or confused about any of the above suggestions, you can consider reaching out to a financial advisor or a business credit consultancy service.
These types of professionals will usually give you personalized guidance and will be glad to help you implement most of these strategies. They’ll help you unlock better financial opportunities and give you the tools to secure long-term success for your company.