Situation:
A $25M construction subcontractor was unable to produce first quarter
2008 financial statements in July of 2008 after a system conversion
on January 1st. The banking relationship became strained due to a
number of outstanding loans combined with the banks decreased appetite
for risk given the economic downturn and credit crisis.
Solution:
Sidell and Company was hired with less than a week’s notice
before a key bank meeting to review the first quarter statements.
Due to the time constraints, Sidell and Company had to prepare
the first quarter statements outside of the system. The financial
statements were prepared and reviewed with the bank to their satisfaction.
The bank asked for several additional supporting schedules which Sidell
and Company had prepared by the next day. The bank was impressed
with the timeliness and accurate information provided and the banking
relationship with the client has been restored.
Sidell and Company then concentrated on the system issues which
had prevented the preparation of accurate system generated financial
statements. After correcting the system issues, Sidell and Company
was able to prepare second quarter 2008 financial statements in the
system. The borrowing base calculation and financial statements for
the second quarter were submitted to the bank on time meeting the
deadlines in the loan agreements. The owner commented, “this
was the first time in fifteen years that the financials and bank reporting
was on time.”
Sidell and Company was asked by the client to remain in an interim
role to complete many tasks requested by the owner which included:
The client was
very satisfied with the services performed by Sidell and Company.
Timely financial statements and bank reporting is now the norm when
it had never been done in the Company’s history. The quality
of the financial statements is improved as all required journal entries
are recorded monthly instead of quarterly or annually as had been
done in the past. The client also has better visibility in his business
due to the timely financial statements and the financial and cash
flow projections prepared by Sidell and Company.