Case Study: How Better Credit Control Reduced Unpaid Invoices by £140k for One Client

Late payments and unresolved invoice queries can quietly build pressure on a business over time. What often starts as a few delayed invoices can gradually affect cash flow, create uncertainty around incoming revenue, and take attention away from running the business.

In this case, the issue wasn’t a lack of work or demand. The business had strong activity and a growing client base. The challenge came from the invoicing process behind the scenes.

Over time, unpaid invoices had built up to more than £160,000, with balances stretching across 2023, 2024 and 2025. A large number of invoices had been placed on hold due to missing information or customer queries, and with day-to-day operations already demanding attention, there simply wasn’t enough time internally to resolve everything consistently.

The result was growing pressure on cash flow and increasing frustration around money that should already have been in the business.

Identifying the Root of the Problem

Many overdue invoices are not caused by customers refusing to pay. In practice, delays often happen because invoices contain missing details, purchase order issues, approval problems, or unresolved queries that prevent payment from being released.

Once those queries begin to stack up, the backlog becomes difficult to manage internally, especially for busy teams already tasked with delivering work and supporting customers.

In this case, the business needed a more structured and proactive approach to invoicing and credit control.

What Changed

The client handed over responsibility for invoicing and credit control to us here at Strive Business Limited.

A weekly invoicing process was introduced, alongside a full review of outstanding balances and customer account queries. Each customer was contacted directly to identify exactly what information was needed to release the payment.

This included:

• resolving invoice queries

• updating missing information

• amending invoices where required

• reissuing invoices for approval

• maintaining regular follow-up with customers

With a more consistent process in place, invoices moved through approval stages much more efficiently, and outstanding balances began to reduce steadily.

The Outcome

Since implementing the new process, unpaid invoices have reduced from more than £160,000 to around £20,000 for current-year balances.

Current invoices are now processed weekly and passed for payment far more quickly, giving the business improved visibility over cash flow and greater confidence in day-to-day operations.

The impact has extended beyond the finance function alone. With cash flow stabilised and administrative pressure reduced, the business has also been able to recruit additional staff to support continued growth.

Why Credit Control Matters

Credit control is often viewed simply as chasing overdue payments, although in reality, effective credit control is usually about creating clear processes, resolving issues quickly, and keeping invoicing moving consistently.

For many businesses, improving cash flow starts with improving visibility, communication and follow-up around outstanding invoices.

When those systems work well, businesses are able to spend less time managing payment delays and more time focusing on growth, planning and delivery.

If unpaid invoices or customer queries are beginning to build up, putting a more structured process in place early can make a significant difference over time.

Do You Need Support With Credit Control or Cashflow?

Outstanding invoices and unresolved account queries can build up gradually, especially during busy periods or growth phases where internal teams are already stretched.

A more consistent invoicing and credit control process can improve visibility over cash flow, reduce administrative pressure, and help keep payments moving without disrupting day-to-day operations.

At Strive, we support businesses with:

• Ongoing credit control and payment follow-up

• Weekly invoicing processes

• Resolving invoice and account queries

• Improving internal finance workflows

• Reducing pressure around overdue balances

• Creating clearer financial systems that support growth

Whether your business needs help managing existing unpaid invoices or strengthening the processes behind the scenes, our team can help you put practical systems in place that support healthier cash flow and smoother operations.

If you’d like to discuss how Strive could support your business, get in touch with our team today.