We are regularly involved with financial modelling for stakeholders to assist with business investment options and decision making. Over 20 years experience in this broad area provides a strong patform for sound advice and to quickly formulate a strategy.

Stakeholders expect financial forecasting to be done well as part of a wider strategic plan. Illustrating forward profit and investment requirements on reliable software will enable the team get to grips with where the business is heading and what the cash flow and funding needs are. Quality information and a good team generally leads to better decisions.

Assisting clients with finance includes strategies to improve profitability, increase the level of support from bankers, financiers, equity investment. Many years of experience in rural banking and finance has provided the skills and experience to cummunicate at a high level.  This includes support with writing loan applications, communicating with financiers and navigating a business out of difficult situations.

Equity Partnerships we have been involved in are either a step to farm succession, an avenue to farm investment or an option to take capital out of the property to invest off farm. To be successful they need to be set up well at the beginning with good governance and management for the term of the investment.

When we are engaged to assist with development the focus is either assessing the order of priority, or if the development is worth doing. Either way we are often part of the dicussion to assist with decision making.

Succession planning is the progress of a strategy that ensures transition of the family farm, from one generation to another with minimal disruption. Succession planning can often be a living document to safeguard all family relationships and future ownership of assets, aspirations and involvement in the farm. For further information refer to the succession section of our website. 

Start with the end in mind. Before purchasing a business or property a decision has been made that the acquisition is a good fit in the wider strategic plan. The opportunity will have been quantified, have a timebound investment timeline and an exit strategy.  How easy an asset will be to attract finance, labour and capital is one thing but ultimately it needs to be relatively easy to sell either to a family member or a third party. This needs to be well considered at the beginning.

Crafted to fit the situation to protect both parties, commonly used by related parties to protect assets and as a farm succession mechanism in family farms to fit the situation. Also commonly used in farm investment situations for those people that want to remove themselves from the trading risk. This creates an opportunity for another party to invest in the business of farming the property without having to outlay as much capital. One example being an equity manager that owns the business that leases the farm and may also have an equity share in the property. Whatever the situation it is important to seek advice to get it structured right.  

Sometimes to get the best out of ourselves we all need to be accountable to someone else. To do this well reporting needs to be effective for the situation. On a family farm it could be your trusted adviser. In large or multiple ownership situations an advisory board is appropriate. To be effective meetings need to be timely and timebound with an agenda that includes the information required to make decisions.

If there is resistance to engaging the other party then an independent mediator that is qualified and experienced in this area is an option. This will more than likely provide the best chance of settling differences. Without mediation there is a risk settlement is delayed for months or even years. Steve Goodman is an associate of AMINZ and an approved farm debt mediator.