We recently wrote an article in respect of receiving the right advice.
Subsequent to that article we received an enquiry via our website whereby the director had worries about his company’s finances. As a result, he had sought advice, we were told, from two other insolvency practitioners.
Below is a summary of the position:
- Company liabilities were circa £28K to HMRC.
- No Bounce Back loans or other Government Covid support loans.
- No overdraft facility.
- The principal company asset was an overdrawn loan account of circa £47K.
The director claimed those who previously advised him did not mention that the overdrawn loan account would need to be recovered, if possible, in a creditors’ voluntary liquidation and just focused on the cost of the process.
Having asked searching questions of the director it transpired that, whilst he did not have the cash funds to make good some or all of the overdrawn loan account, he did jointly own a property and his share of the equity was circa £100K. At this point it was explained that should the company enter liquidation and given his equity in property; any liquidator would be duty bound to recover the loan account.
As it transpired, he believed his business was viable and could trade on, particularly if he could just get some breathing space. At this point he was urged he speak with HMRC and seek a time to pay agreement together with exploring the opportunity of realising some funds from his equity in property to try and pay in full or in part the loan account and for these funds to help in paying HMRC’s debt.
At the end, the director expressed his gratitude for the full and frank advice provided and would indeed look to trade on as opposed to the apparent pressure received from others to place his company into liquidation. Unfortunately, this is one of an increasing number of cases where the advice has been inaccurate or incomplete. At PBC, we understand the pressures individuals and company directors face and it is imperative they receive the right advice, that includes the wider issues that are all too often overlooked.
If you need honest and frank advice or assistance on any insolvency-related issue, then please contact PBC Business Recovery & Insolvency to discuss your situation on 01604 212150 (Northampton), 01908 488653 (Milton Keynes) or email to enquiries@pbcbusinessrecovery.co.uk. Alternatively, visit www.pbcbusinessrecovery.co.uk for further information.