Most Important Things To Look For In Business Credit Report

Introduction

When carrying out credit checks on potential and existing customers you will almost always be drawn to the credit limit of the company and feel assured that if the credit agency states a credit limit then that is all you need to look at, this is not always the case.

This blog looks at some of the other main factors that we suggest are looked at when carrying out credit reports and setting credit terms for customers.

The following points will give you a better view of a respective company as a whole and ensure that you are more aware of potential risk of failure:-

1). Age of Company: This will give an indication if a company has operated for a substantial amount of time, where the likelyhood of failure is statistically less than a newly incorporated company.

2). Filing Dates of Annual Accounts and Returns: Statistically companies who file financial information close to or beyond the year end date are more likely to file poor financial information.

3). Group Structure/Share Capital: If a company is privately owned or as part of a group can give and indication of the likelyhood of failure.

4). Derogatory Information: Within a credit report there will be a section for derogatory information and within this section it will show and CCJ's, Winding Up Petitions, Liquidations and Receiverships.

5). Director Database Information: Within our credit reports we offer a full director database check on the director of said company, this will enable you to look at this Director's other limited companies and show you the credit limit associated with these companies. 

6). Financial Information: Looking at a company's balance sheet and if available profit and loss account will give you a detailed picture of the subjects financial position at the time those accounts are filed at Companies House. Please keep in mind that limited company filing regulations state that a limited company has 9 months from year end date to file the next years accounts. Therefore financial information becomes historical.

Creditserve offers online credit reporting packages to suit all requirements and budgets so please feel free to visit www.creditserve.co.uk or contact me directly on 01992 414222 or email martin@creditserve.co.uk for a free no obligation demonstration.