Businesses don’t go under because they’re unprofitable on paper. They go under because they run out of cash.

Accounts receivable (AR) — the money clients and customers owe you— is one of the biggest drivers of cash flow. Yet it’s often the most neglected. Inconsistent billing, loose payment terms, and weak follow-up systems create cash crunches that can stall growth or even shut the doors.

Why AR Deserves More Attention

You might think, “We’re busy and sales are stong— we’ll be fine.” But revenue doesn’t equal cash in the bank.

When AR piles up, you might find yourself scrambling to cover payroll.

You might have to delay paying vendors, or worse, taxes, because there’s no cash.

You can’t hire, make strategic investment or worse, pay yourself, because your money’s sitting in someone else’s account.

The Real Cost of Poor AR

Every day an invoice goes unpaid, you’re essentially giving an interest-free loan to your client. Multiply that across dozens of invoices, and suddenly you are financing their businesses.

And the ripple effects add up:

Lost profit: If you’re borrowing to cover expenses, interest eats into your margins.
Credibility risk: Vendors, banks, and employees lose confidence if payments are late.
Stress and distraction: Instead of focusing on growth, you’re chasing cash.

How to Create an AR Power Surge

A few small shifts can make a huge difference:

Set clear terms upfront. Clients should know exactly when and how they’ll be billed — and when payment is due.
Automate invoicing and reminders. The less manual chasing you do, the faster you’ll get paid.
Offer easy payment options. Make it simple for clients to pay you: credit card, ACH, auto-pay.
Reward prompt payment. Small discounts for paying early often cost less than the stress of collecting late.
Review AR monthly at a minimum. Catch slow payers and patterns before they become a problem.
Pre-capture COGS. Bill up front for the direct costs of goods or services instead of billing in arrears. This ensures you cover your expenditures during the engagement and keeps your cash position stronger throughout the project.

The Bottom Line

Strong AR practices aren’t about being pushy with clients. They’re about protecting your business, your team, and your future. With the right systems in place, you can grow without the constant fear of running out of cash.

Schedule a Breakaway Growth Accelerator session today, and let’s bulletproof your cash flow so you can scale with confidence.

AR Power Surge: Cash Flow Without the Stress

Gretchen Roberts