Knowledge is important. That is why we organize knowledge sessions for our team. This time the theme: Balance sheet optimization for annual figures.
Knowledge is an important asset. Without knowledge we get nowhere. Whether it concerns a production company, a consultancy organization or a healthcare institution. And that is what we find at NCN Capital. As already indicated in our New Year’s preview, we organize knowledge sessions in this context. The pilot version of this initiative took place at the end of December. Marc van Nassau of Du Prie construction & development b.v. provided the session with a theme that is important to him: balance sheet optimization for the annual figures.
In this brief report, we take you through the most important learning points for our team.
Du Prie construction & development is a family business with approximately 100 employees. The construction company is active in non-residential construction, residential construction, renovation, restoration and project development. The third generation is currently leading the company. A healthy company and guaranteeing continuity are very important to them. As a developing construction company, they understand the wishes and expectations of their clients in great detail. Mark van Nassau is a financial controller at Du Prie. In addition, he has specialized in creating and implementing information systems that connect to the financial records.
Mark likes to get ahead of the music. Eh? We were talking about balance sheet optimization for annual figures… That’s right, it’s his wording of a timely payment, both by his customers to him and from him to his suppliers. To this end, he maintains intensive contact with both customers and suppliers. And coordinates the sending of the invoices. A construction company benefits from good contact with clients and suppliers. Is there close and good contact with clients? They are then more likely to pay the outstanding invoices. This allows the construction company to pay the invoices of its suppliers more quickly. And that in turn affects the contact with the suppliers, their willingness to continue to deliver and their satisfaction.
It is his way of ensuring that at least the part of the Du Prie chain remains healthy in the sector. Liquidity will increase, the companies in that chain know where they stand and have a healthy financial position. If the complete industry would work this way, it would be completely healthy in no time.
Another goal of Mark is related to the annual figures. Make sure they remain stable and do not fluctuate too much compared to other years. Excessively fluctuating annual figures arouse suspicion among stakeholders and cause unrest. Even if the organization regularly participates in tenders, it is important that figures such as solvency and current ratio are comparable.
Wanting to keep it stable is one thing, but getting it done is another matter. Mark has his own strategy for this. He ensures that he sends all invoices by November at the latest. The year-end closing therefore actually starts a month earlier. That way he knows what is still outstanding and what is being paid. If he himself receives a large invoice at the last minute, which could have a significant impact on the balance sheet total, he anticipates to it in the month of December. For example, the month of December is entirely devoted to keeping the balance sheet total and annual figures in order. And no longer in the sign of chasing (outstanding) invoices. To keep the balance sheet in total, he applies one last rule… Pay suppliers from received funds and not from equity. This way you do not withdraw equity from the company, the balance sheet total remains the same and the current ratio and solvency are also stable.
Not all our employees are trained in business economics. Through these kinds of knowledge sessions, they learn a bit of theory, but also how it works in practice. After the session on balance sheet optimization with Mark van Nassau, the reactions were unequivocally enthusiastic. The team is already looking forward to the next session. We are still looking for a guest speaker. And perhaps you are the one? Do you have an interesting theme, a special focus that you use or your own working method? Let us know and who knows, maybe you will brush up on the knowledge of our team!
For more information about our knowledge sessions or about NCN Capital and what we do, you can always contact our employees. By telephone on +31 85 029 33 20, by mail at info@ncn-capital.com or by completing the contact form on our website. We are happy to help you out.