You’ve been working hard on your ecommerce business, and it feels like it’s paying off: you’re making more sales, attracting new, loyal customers and increasing your profit. 

Despite all these positive signs,  there are still times when you feel cash-starved. You’re worried about paying suppliers late, stressing over bills and constantly checking your bank account to see if you have enough money to cover operations.

If this sounds familiar, then you have a problem with your ecommerce business’ cash flow.  A healthy cash flow is vital to the success of your business, so it’s important you address this issue quickly. Here are three common reasons retail businesses struggle with cash flow, and how to fix them: 

You’re investing in new assets 

Investing back into your business is a smart move. If you want to grow, you’ll need to put some of your profits towards purchasing new assets, like machinery, vehicles or computers. While purchasing assets might drain your cash reserves in the short term, they also increase your overall net worth and, if you invest wisely, will help you bring in greater profits in the future. 

However, you need to make sure you’re consulting your books before making large purchases.

At a minimum, we recommend performing a quarterly review of your business to understand how you’re performing and what investments you can make. Even better than a quarterly review is actual management accounts, which include more details like a Profit and Loss report and cash flow forecasts. With these reports, you can see how a new asset will affect your bottom line and when is the right time to make a new purchase. 

If you’re still confused, it’s time to consult with your accountant. Their job is to analyse all your financial data, including cash flow forecasts, and give you advice so you can make decisions confidently and control your ecommerce business’ cash flow.. 

You’re struggling with stock control 

Stock control is a massive factor in an ecommerce business’ financial health. Your goal is to optimise your inventory so you can meet customer demand while still minimising costs. 

If you’re struggling with cash flow, it may be due to poor inventory management. Here are a few questions you can ask to improve your stock control and, eventually, your cash flow: 

  • How can I improve my supply chain? Are you happy with your current suppliers? Are they reliable and high quality? Are you getting your money’s worth in the value they provide your business, or could switching to a different supplier be a better investment? 
  • Which products can I restock quickly, and which are harder to get? If you can get a product quickly, there’s no need to keep large amounts in stock. With the products that are harder to get, however, you may have to invest in keeping greater quantities in store. 
  • Which products sell the most? Another example of where management accounts come in handy! Understanding which products sell the best will help you improve your stock control and your overall Profit and Loss. 

Poor or unreliable ecommerce business cash flow is incredibly stressful

The good news is, once you find the cause of your cash flow issues, you can also find a solution. In our Financial Review, we dive deep into all the details of your accounts to catch mistakes or areas of concern and then give you a step by step plan for how to fix them.  By reviewing how your business works now, we can start tailoring it to work how you want it to. 

 

Book your review today. 

 

Katie

Senior Accountant

My favourite part of what I do is seeing our clients grow and enjoy their success. From helping clients with tax returns to undertaking monthly and quarterly reviews, I relish the variety of tasks and great people I get to work with in my day-to-day. Having gone back to college in my 40s to gain my accountancy qualifications, I now love working in an approachable, helpful team…and I pride myself on making a top-notch cuppa for my colleagues in the office!

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with the people who make me happy. You’ll find me going for walks with my family, friends and adorable labradoodle. My motto? Work hard, play hard!

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Sarah

Director

I founded Tailored after spending many years in the corporate world craving a work-life balance. Wanting to spend more time with my young children without sacrificing my career, my aim was to help small business owners achieve that same balance. I’d always loved numbers and how they can tell a story, explain the past and help predict the future, so I wanted to use that power to support entrepreneurs. 

It’s been an incredible journey growing my business while also seeing our clients also grow theirs. I’m now surrounded by a wonderful team, united in our values of family and learning. We’re a people-oriented firm that loves face-to-face client meetings over a hot cuppa, and we always prioritise the work/life balance Tailored was built on.

Outside of work, I’m a huge advocate for increasing support in schools for children with autism and ADHD. I love staying active, enjoying a stroll in the woods or going to the gym, and one of my proudest achievements is completing the “Couch to 5k” challenge!

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Tula

Office Manager

I’m all about building strong client relationships, and due to the nature of my role I’m lucky enough to work with almost all of our wonderful clients. I make sure they’re onboarded properly and have a friendly point of contact for any admin queries, as well as liaising with them to complete confirmation statements, payroll and bookkeeping.

My role also means I get to arrange events and office celebrations for our fantastic team. Outside of work, you’ll find me spending time with family and friends, drinking copious amounts of coffee or dancing the night away at a concert!

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Hayley

Senior Accountant

Before our firm merged with Tailored in 2022, I was the owner of Martin & Co Accountants for 13 years. I love working with and helping our clients of all sizes, from small sole traders to multi-million-pound companies. I’m FCCA qualified and my role means I deal with all aspects of accounting, from bookkeeping to management accounts and tax returns.

Many moons ago I used to play ice hockey as a goalie, and while I’m no longer on the ice, you might well find me in the snow! I love to travel, whether it’s soaking up the sun on a beach, skiing down a snow-topped mountain or scuba-diving among schools of colourful fish!

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Kerri

Trainee Accountant

I’m currently doing my accounting degree, which means I get to apply everything I learn in my university course to my role at Tailored. It’s a fantastic way to get hands-on experience with lovely clients and a collaborative team, and my next step will be working towards an ACCA qualification.

I mainly work with sole traders and limited companies, assisting with their bookkeeping to organise their transactions. When I’m not at work, I enjoy doing watersports and love spending time with animals, whether it’s walking my dog or horseriding.

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Julie

Semi-Senior Accountant

As the go-to person for all things related to management accounts, I work with clients of all sizes. I’m a fully qualified chartered management accountant. From one-man bands up to large limited companies, I love the variety of businesses I interact with every day.

In the office, you’ll find me organising clients’ transactions and payrolls fuelled by a hefty cup of my favourite coffee and a sweet treat. Outside of work, I’m somewhat of an adrenaline seeker; I once abseiled down Table Mountain in South Africa!

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Ruth

Assistant Accountant

For me, it’s all about the end result. I get great satisfaction from compiling data to produce accounts, and it’s made even better by the approachable and friendly clients I work with. My favourite part of what I do is putting together management and year-end accounts, and I love the fact we get to help local businesses.

I have a penchant for organisation, even running the admin for my son’s football team! It’s something we’re all involved in as a family, with my husband also helping out with coaching. When I’m not cheering on my boys’ football team, you’ll find me flexing my creative muscles. I love art and design and enjoy getting involved in anything crafty.

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Sarah R.

Senior Accountant

I like to take a people-first approach in all of my work. From cutting out the financial jargon to using clear communication to help clients develop their business, I always aim to connect to the human. I trained in industry alongside Sarah Taylor and I’m also a fully qualified chartered management accountant.

I’m the office go-to person for property and e-commerce accounting, and take pride in providing accountancy services and tax expertise to small businesses in a timely manner. The outdoors is my happy place, and I love going for walks with my family and breathing in the fresh air. A few years ago I climbed the Three Peaks; Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scaffel Pike…but not at the same time!

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Will

Bookkeeper

Supporting local and family businesses is something that’s close to my heart, as Tailored’s founder Sarah is my sister! I look after the bookkeeping and VAT returns for a variety of clients, including those in the film and TV industry.

My day-to-day involves getting hands-on with Xero and QuickBooks and helping business owners make sense of their finances. When I’m not helping clients harness the power of their numbers, I love spending time with my young son or enjoying a classic episode of Only Fools and Horses. Of course, all with a good brew in hand.

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