One thing that has not changed is that profit is an elusive facet in the equation and many farmers rely on BPS payments to see them through – a potentially disappearing income stream? Many have also converted their ‘farm buildings’ into commercial rental units for the many small businesses in their area – a useful income stream, but with tax consequences. However, the industry is resolute and has shown its ability to adapt; something it will need in the post-Brexit years.
The challenges within pure farming have moved many towards land and property management as a way of increasing income, but some of these moves threaten the treasured Agricultural Property Tax Relief enjoyed by the sector and without careful management, could threaten the survival of the estate when passing through the generations. This and other challenges mean that careful planning is required to keep on top of the operation and prepare for the potential changes coming up.
At Playfair Partnerships, we recognise these challenges and we have designed our agriculture and land management business advisory and support packages so that we can help owners and management teams evaluate market opportunities and devise strategy, while also keeping an eye on the income, profitability and cashflow of the business.
- Our agricultural and land management strategy and growth services will help your management team identify and assess the best market opportunities and formulate strategy to address them. We will support this by helping you source the necessary funding required for realising the strategic plans, as well as putting together and presenting the management information needed to monitor and report on the business.
- Our agricultural and land management financial management and control services will help watch over the profitability and cashflow of your business. It is imperative to keep an eye on both, in real time, not after all is finished – and it is too late to take corrective action. We provide comprehensive financial management and control and we have an in-depth knowledge of the uniqueness and specific application of these services in the agricultural and land management sector.
Our agricultural and land management financial management and control services:
- Budgeting and Forecasting; providing comprehensive income and cost budgets and regular reviews to help plan and control the business
- Management accounts – regular, timely, accurate and informative management accounts to keep track of business performance, including a comprehensive commentary highlighting all key issues and KPIs:
o Earnings identification and analysis across all farming and rental income streams
o Profitability analysis including crop, animal, & tenant profit statements
o Detailed cost statements compared to budget
o Bank borrowings, working capital & lock-up ratios
o Cashflow reporting and cash projections
- Cashflow management – planning, monitoring and controlling the cashflow; managing the demands of running costs, drawings and loan repayments
- Working capital reports and assistance with the management and recovery of overdue debtors
- Managing the costs of the employed workforce - with payroll, time-sheets, PAYE and auto-enrolment processes
- Automated production of rental invoices, cash allocation and effective credit control processes
- Statutory Accounting, VAT, Corporation Tax & other tax returns – ensuring all compliance matters are accurately calculated and properly managed
- Tax planning of both firm and stakeholders and the management of annual returns
- Review of business structure, succession and retirement planning
- Review of merger, acquisition and disposal opportunities
- Negotiation with bank and other funders in relation to business and stakeholder funding
- Given the above, we hope your business is in excellent health, but if it is not and is going through a business or financial downturn, our agricultural and land management turnaround services are here to help resuscitate the business, restoring it to long-term profitability and financial stability.
Our breadth of services and knowledge in this sector allow us to work quickly to support your business, with our proactive approach allowing us to integrate with your business, so you have anytime access to the right level and volume of resources without the full-time costs.
If you think that your agriculture and land management business needs some funding, better financial management, advice and support or is experiencing a downturn, please get in touch – we’ll be happy to talk to you.
