Case study: Facilities management
Sales ledger stabilised, working capital support restored and credit control function strengthened within 90 days
summary
itsettled was engaged by an invoice finance provider following its client’s acquisition of a commercial cleaning contractor employing approximately 250 staff.
Shortly after completing the acquisition, the new owner discovered significant issues within the sales ledger, including invoicing errors, customer disputes and poor credit control processes that had been inherited from the previous business.
The situation had deteriorated to the point where the invoice finance provider had effectively halted further working capital support (with agreement from the client) until the underlying issues could be addressed.
Working alongside the business and its internal team, itsettled helped restore control of the sales ledger, resolve long-standing disputes, improve collections performance and recruit a dedicated Credit Controller to support the business going forward.
Facts
A commercial cleaning contractor employing approximately 250 staff was acquired by a new owner.
Following completion, it became clear that the sales ledger contained significant historic issues that had not been fully identified during the acquisition process.
Problems included:
• Approximately 250 invoices requiring investigation and correction.
• Invoices being raised in advance rather than in arrears, creating customer disputes and confusion.
• Poor sales ledger management and inaccurate debtor records.
• A growing volume of unresolved customer queries.
• Working capital support from the invoice finance provider being restricted until the situation improved.
The invoice finance provider referred the business to itsettled to help stabilise the ledger and restore confidence in the business’s credit control function.
actions
itsettled worked alongside the business and its existing team to quickly assess the scale of the problem and implement a structured recovery plan.
Our support included:
• Full sales ledger review and clean-up.
• Investigation and correction of invoice errors.
• Resolution of customer disputes and queries.
• Credit control and collections support.
• Improved debtor management processes.
• Ongoing communication with the invoice finance provider.
A key part of the project’s success was working closely with the internal team throughout the process. Our consultant became an extension of the finance function, providing practical support and helping the team work through what initially appeared to be an overwhelming situation. By focusing on achievable early wins, the team quickly began to see progress, which helped improve confidence and maintain momentum throughout the project.
As the project progressed, itsettled also assisted with the recruitment of a dedicated Credit Controller to ensure the improvements could be maintained after the engagement ended.
Results
Within 90 days:
• The sales ledger was stabilised and brought under control.
• Historic invoicing errors were identified and corrected.
• Customer disputes were resolved and aged issues cleared.
• Collections performance improved significantly.
• Confidence was restored with the invoice finance provider.
• A dedicated Credit Controller was recruited to maintain progress.
Responsibility for ongoing collections and debtor management was successfully handed back to the strengthened in-house team. A stronger finance function, a cleaner ledger and a more sustainable working capital position delivered a successful outcome for both the client and its funding partner.
our offices
Bristol Office
Credebt Ltd
Trym Lodge
1 Henbury Road
Westbury-On-Trym
Bristol
BS9 3HQ
Manchester Office
Credebt Ltd
82 King Street
Manchester
M2 4WQ
London Office
Credebt Ltd
Hamilton House
Mabledon Place
London
WC1H 9BD
Credebt Limited: Registered in England Number: 6933734 Registered Office: Trym Lodge, 1 Henbury Road, Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3HQ
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