Credit Control

7. Working with Big Companies

Because getting cash in is so urgent for a small business it can be hard to realise how different the culture of larger customers, such as big businesses and parts of government, may be.

7.1 You need to know where invoices must go.

• Your invoice may need to be sent for authorisation to the buyer you deal with.

7.2 Large organisations may decline to pay your invoice until they receive a statement.

• Send statements as early as you can in the month, every month.

7.3 Your vital invoice may be gathering dust in someone's in-tray.

• Call the buyer to ensure it has been signed off and put into the payment system.
• Then phone the accounts office to confirm it has been received.

7.4 You must not miss the cheque run.

• Many organisations will only print cheques once a month.
• Find out the date and call a few days before the cheque run to ask for confirmation that you will be paid.