Helping Clients Keep Cash Flowing in December
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December is a strange and tricky month for business. Money goes out faster than it comes in, staff expect bonuses, customers vanish on holiday, and suppliers close early. The world slows down, but cash flow definitely does not. For many small businesses, this is the time when things go wrong quietly and quickly. This is exactly where CBAPs step in. Your guidance can save your clients from a very expensive festive season.
Seeing December for What It Really Is
The first thing clients need to understand is that December is not just December. It is December and January merged together in one big cash wave. Businesses pay bonuses, year-end expenses, supplier balances, and then a full January salary before they even open their doors again. Customers pay late, invoices get ignored until they return from holiday, and sales take time to recover.
When you help clients create a simple cash forecast that shows all of this clearly, they suddenly realise why their bank account feels flat every year.
Handling Bonuses Without Panic
Bonuses are one of the biggest pressure points. Some businesses plan for them, others simply hope for the best. CBAPs bring realism and calm into the picture.
You can help clients work out what they need to pay, agree on a date, and put the money aside early. A separate savings account works wonders. And if the money really is not there, you can guide them through honest options like delayed payments, smaller bonuses, or other incentives. Clear communication with staff is key, and you can help clients prepare for that too.
Get Cash In Before Everyone Disappears
December is the worst time to rely on late-paying customers. Collections drop sharply once people start taking leave.
Your clients need the opposite. They need to bring money in early. Encourage them to send invoices and statements ahead of time, follow up in November and early December, and give customers enough time to settle before closing. Just a small push in those early weeks can make the difference between smooth cash flow and a crisis no one asked for.
Paying Suppliers Without Emptying the Tank
Suppliers love closing off their books before going on holiday. That means earlier payment requests and less room for negotiation.
Your role is to help clients make smart choices. Not every supplier has to be paid first. Some can wait. Some can accept split payments. Some offer more flexible terms if you ask early enough. You help clients protect their relationships while keeping enough cash for their own survival.
The January Surprise That Should Never Be a Surprise
January is the real troublemaker. Expenses hit immediately while income trickles in slowly and politely.
CBAPs help clients plan a January cushion. Salaries, rent, electricity, stock purchases, and even VAT or provisional tax must all be paid before the sales rush returns. When clients prepare for January during November and December, they walk into the new year with confidence instead of fear.
Festive Spending and the Art of Self-Control
The festive season brings joy, and also the urge to overspend. Year-end parties, gifts, upgrades, decorations and “why not, it’s December” expenses sneak up quickly.
You help clients stay fun without being foolish. A simple budget for celebrations keeps spirits up and the bank account alive. The goal is to enjoy the season without regretting it in January.
Turn Dusty Stock Into December Cash
Many businesses buy too much stock before closing. It sits on the shelf like a forgotten decoration.
You can help clients identify old or slow-moving items and clear them out before the holidays. A quick promotion or clearance sale can turn dusty stock into fresh cash that helps pay bonuses or fund the January restart.
Communication: The Secret Weapon
Nothing causes more December stress than silence.
Clients should tell staff when bonuses will be paid, remind customers of payment dates, and let suppliers know what to expect. You can help them draft these messages in a clear, friendly way. When everyone knows what is happening, the entire ecosystem becomes calmer.
Support the Owner, Not Just the Numbers
Many business owners feel December pressure personally. Your role is not just financial but emotional. You help them understand that nothing is wrong with them or their business. December is simply a challenging cash flow season, and with planning it becomes completely manageable.
Why CBAPs Matter Most in December
This is one of the months where your value shines. You help clients see the bigger picture, plan ahead, and avoid a financial hangover. With your guidance they can pay bonuses, close the office peacefully, enjoy their break, and return in January ready for a fresh start instead of a scramble.
