Industry: Professional Services

Summary

A fast-growing Ottawa-based accounting and advisory firm had spent five years executing a strategic acquisition strategy that grew revenues from $1M to nearly $10M per annum. Their existing lender could not keep up. When the firm asked for additional working capital to support the next phase of growth, their bank declined and told them to wait until the next fiscal year. DBLS stepped in, restructured the entire banking relationship, and secured an $8M facility with a banking partner in a matter of weeks.

The Challenge

This firm had done everything right. Five strategic acquisitions over five years, a team that grew from a handful of people to over 50 professionals, and a diversified client base spanning construction, healthcare, and professional services. But their bank saw none of that. When the firm requested working capital to support continued growth, the lender declined and suggested they come back after their next fiscal year-end. For a firm growing at over 20% annually with seasonal working capital demands during peak tax season, waiting was not an option.

The Solution

DBLS did not just find a new lender. We built the full financial narrative from the ground up. We demonstrated how five years of strategic acquisitions had created a firm with institutional-grade bench strength, diversified revenue streams, and a clear path to continued growth. We restructured the credit request to include a refinancing of all existing debt, a dedicated working capital injection, and a right-sized operating line to support the seasonal demands of a professional services firm. We packaged the entire story for a banking partner that understood where the business was going, not just where it had been.

The Results

Full-relationship facility secured with a bank including a term loan, operating line of credit, and corporate credit card, all at competitive rates. The client told us they could not believe the deal was placed at a top tier bank. The right advisor does not just find capital. They find the partner your business deserves.

Summary

The client was unable to sign new clients or service additional business from existing clients due to lack of working capital. Growth was restricted and there was a risk that clients would go to competitors.

Our Solution

Plan a solution and execute successfully by:

• Reviewing the business history and potential growth opportunities
• Shoring up the weak balance sheet through outside security
• Preparing a loan proposal that addressed the need for a sizeable operating line
• Reduce costs of expensive private debt which was straining cash flow

Impact

• We were able to secure a line of credit and swap expensive private term debt for more manageable Bank debt
• The client was a able use additional working capital to double their business within one year
• With cheaper debt on the books the company is more profitable due to substantial savings on interest costs