Search

Insolvency Warning Signs

A company becomes insolvent when it is unable to meet its financial commitments due to a shortage of cash, or when the total value of its assets is less than the money it owes any creditors. Either scenario can ultimately lead to the winding down of a business, which is why it’s important to spot the warning signs of insolvency before it’s too late.


The common warning signs of insolvency are

01
Overtrading (lack of capital to pursue growth strategy, declining profit margins)
02
Accrued debts with HM Revenue & Customs
03
Significant bad debts & ageing debtor ledger
04
Terminal bank overdraft position – continually at the limit
05
High staff turnover
06
Delays in producing and providing financial information when requested
07
CCJ’s, Statutory Demands or WRITS registered against the Company
08
Loss of major contacts resulting in cash flow crisis
09
Constantly receiving red-top letters from creditors
010
Bailiffs attending to pursue unpaid debts

Three tests of company insolvency

If your Company is encountering financial pressure and you are unsure whether the Company can meet its commitments as and when they fall due, your Company may be technically insolvent. Three test of solvency are:


Expert insolvency advice

The exact point at which a business becomes insolvent is not determined by one single factor but by a range of circumstances specific to each company. It is therefore important that clear, independent advice is sought at the earliest opportunity to enable as many restructuring and recovery options as are available.

As outlined above, a business can be comfortably solvent on a balance sheet basis yet suffer from a poor cash flow position, rendering the company illiquid and unable to settle its liabilities as and when they fall due.

In all circumstances, Parker Andrews can help – contact one of our Insolvency Practitioners for a confidential discussion about your situation.

Here when you need us

Our team is always available by email 
and telephone in the evenings and at weekends, and we can also arrange meetings out of hours if required.
Norwich 5th Floor, The Union Building, 51 - 59 Rose Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 1BY 01603 284 284 Norwich@parkerandrews.co.uk
Cambridge CB1 Business Centre, Twenty Station Road Cambridge CB1 2JD 01483 323173 cambridge@parkerandrews.co.uk
Ipswich Saracens House, 25 St Margaret’s Green, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2BN 01473 530 204 ipswich@parkerandrews.co.uk
Middlesex Stanmore Business & Innovation Centre, Phase 1, Suite 108, 1st Floor, Stanmore Place, Howard Road, Stanmore Middlesex, HA7 1GB 0800 612 7593 Norwich@parkerandrews.co.uk
Portsmouth Gatcombe House, Copnor Road, Portsmouth, PO3 5EJ 023 9309 2045 portsmouth@parkerandrews.co.uk
Kent Pantiles Chambers, 85 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1XP 01892 506 898 David.Perkins@parkerandrews.co.uk
London Broadgate Circle 2nd Floor, 1-2 Broadgate, London, EC2M 2QS 020 7127 6805 london@parkerandrews.co.uk
Plymouth Falcon Business Centre, Falcon House, Eagle Road, Plymouth, PL7 5JY 01752 936099 Lisa.Thomas@parkerandrews.co.uk
Freephone:0800 612 7593