The Invoice That Is Thirty Days Overdue And Counting
Late invoices create a cash flow problem long before they become bad debt. For Vancouver professional services firms, consistent follow-up can help recover money that is already owed.
Keith Donoghue
By Keith Donoghue | Vancouver City News | September 01, 2026
Editor: Karalee Greer
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A Vancouver marketing consultant sends an invoice on the first of the month. Thirty days later, it remains unpaid.
She sends a polite reminder. It is the first time the client has heard about the invoice since it was issued. The client responds the next day, and payment arrives the following week.
The money was recoverable. The follow-up simply happened late.
The Atradius 2025 business-to-business Payment Practices report found that 44 percent of Canadian B2B credit sales were overdue. For smaller professional services firms, delayed payments can create a significant cash flow gap.
Research cited by Merchant Treasury in 2026 reported that 30 percent of Canadian small businesses experienced cash flow problems linked directly to late payments, with an average of approximately $15,000 in unpaid invoices outstanding.
That money has not necessarily been lost. It is simply not in the bank account when the business needs it.
The problem is often the follow-up process. An invoice is issued, then nothing happens until someone notices it is overdue. A reminder is written manually, often days or weeks after the agreed payment date.
The Intuit QuickBooks 2025 Late Payments Report also found that more than half of surveyed small businesses were owed money through outstanding invoices, with the average exceeding $17,000 USD.
A structured reminder process can remove much of that inconsistency. An initial reminder can be triggered when payment becomes overdue, followed by firmer follow-ups at predetermined intervals.
The purpose is not aggressive collections. It is making sure invoices do not disappear simply because everyone became busy.
Why It Matters
This is not just about overdue invoices. It reflects a broader shift.
Cash flow depends not only on winning work and issuing invoices, but on having a reliable process that follows through until payment arrives.
For professional services firms, improving collections can release cash the business has already earned.
Keith Donoghue | Vancouver City News Keith Donoghue is the founder of Highridge AI Consulting, helping Vancouver small businesses reduce manual work and run more efficient operations.
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