CPA Bulletin

52 CPA Bulletin > February 2025 www.cpa.uk.net LEGAL: 3 The Role of Trading Experiences in Credit Decisions In the world of construction, making informed credit decisions is crucial. Businesses need to rely on timely and accurate information to safeguard themselves against financial risks. Top Service’s trading experiences play a pivotal role in this process, providing companies with the detailed insights necessary to evaluate potential credit extensions. Our industry specific trading experiences provide a real time and up to date picture of how a subject company is paying its other suppliers right now. Sometimes, insolvency proceedings can seem to come out of the blue, when referring to more generic credit information. Whilst it is correct that there are not always a string of CCJs, poor accounting figures, or a mass exit of Directors there are always trade creditors. The Importance of Shared Information Credit Risk Management What are the benefits of sharing payment data and trading experiences: 1. Improved risk assessment: allows businesses to better evaluate the creditworthiness of potential customers, helping them make more informed decisions about extending credit or setting credit limits. 2. Enhanced due diligence: more thorough background checks on potential customers, reducing the risk of fraud or non-payment. 3. Better cash flow management: By understanding the payment patterns of potential customers, businesses can more accurately forecast cash flow and plan accordingly. 4. Early warning system: Shared data can help identify potential payment issues or deteriorating financial health of customers before they become serious problems. 5. Reduced bad debt: By making more informed credit decisions, businesses can potentially reduce instances of bad debt and associated losses. 6. Improved efficiency: Shared payment data can streamline credit approval processes, saving time and resources in customer onboarding. Examples of Trading Experiences Preventing Financial Losses The real-world impact of sharing trading experiences in numerous cases where businesses have avoided significant financial losses. Consider this example: Top Service received a call from a worried member about a suspicious credit application they received, we discovered that someone might be impersonating John Sisk & Son Limited. Thanks to our Credit Management Expert Sally’s thorough investigation, we quickly informed our members, prompting an immediate and effective response. Following the sharing of this information, we received a heartfelt thank you from another one of our members, who was approached for a suspicious £80k application. With our information, she confirmed it was a fraudulent application and avoided a major loss. This incident highlights the critical role of sharing trading experiences in identifying and preventing scams. It showcases the effectiveness of having a community of informed members who can quickly verify and alert others to potential threats. Such examples underscore the importance of staying connected and informed within the industry, proving that these trading experiences are not just a luxury but a necessity for protecting business interests. In conclusion, the role of trading experiences in the construction industry is more critical than ever. As businesses strive to navigate the complexities of credit risk management, having access to timely and accurate information is essential. If this article was of interest to you, and you would like to know more about credit referencing or debt recovery, then please get in touch with Top Service on 01527 518800 or via email helpdesk @ top-service.co.uk This article was kindly drafted by Top Service. Employment Rights Bill With the Government’s drive to protect employment rights, under the proposed Employment Rights Bill, there is a proposal to change the timeframe for an employee to bring a claim to an employment tribunal against their employer. This timeframe will increase from the current three months to six. The government’s rationale for this change to give employees more time to assess their situation, to seek legal advice, and to work through internal workplace grievance procedures before resorting to legal action. Although no defined date has yet been set when this change will occur, the likely implementation date is expected to be sometime in 2026.