Who wouldn’t dream of having a working capital requirement (WCR) reduced to the bare minimum? 

Mastering payment terms is a key issue for effectively managing your cash flow. And yet, many businesses struggle to get paid on time—even when due dates are clearly defined, whether legally or contractually.

At RollingFunds, we’ve seen that this challenge is even more strategic for companies in the construction materials trade, supply chain, freight and logistics sectors, marketplaces, and the pharmaceutical industry—where smooth cash flow is essential to support growth and strengthen customer loyalty.

If you're looking to regain control over your payment terms, here are 5 practical levers you can activate right away:  

Payment Terms: Between Legal Framework and Business Reality

Whether in B2B or B2C, one rule remains the same: getting paid quickly is vital to a company’s financial health. Smooth operations, the ability to invest, pay suppliers, and support growth all depend directly on it. 

That’s why legislators have established a clear framework, designed to prevent abuses when it comes to payment deadlines. But as always, there’s a gap between theory and real-life practice. 

What the Law Says About Payment Terms 

In France, payment terms between professionals are strictly regulated: 

  • By default: 30 days maximum after delivery or completion of the service.
  • By contractual agreement: up to 60 calendar days, or 45 days end-of-month in some cases. 
  • Specific sectors: certain industries (transport, agri-food, healthcare, etc.) are subject to special regulations. 

These deadlines must be clearly stated on invoices, along with the required legal notices: late payment penalties, flat-rate recovery fees, and the applicable interest rate in case of delay. 

But in reality… delays are still common

Despite this legal framework, late payments remain widespread. Whether due to cash flow issues, lack of discipline, or poor intent, many businesses exceed the agreed-upon deadlines. The result: a direct impact on working capital (WCR) and a domino effect throughout the economic chain. 

At RollingFunds, we help B2B companies anticipate and accelerate their cash collections through a flexible, automated B2B Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solution. Because when there’s a gap between rules and reality, it’s critical to stay in control.. 

1. Taking Control of Your Payment Terms – A Strategic Lever Often Overlooked 

Good payment term management doesn’t start with chasing unpaid invoices or financing your working capital. It starts with clearly defining and enforcing the conditions you set for your customers.. 

Here are the key best practices to adopt: 

  • Know the legal framework: In France, the standard is 30 days; 60 days is only allowed by contractual agreement. Make sure you're aware of any sector-specific regulations that may apply to your business.
  • Assess your negotiation leverage: Depending on the commercial relationship and the contract type, shorter payment terms may be proposed without harming the client relationship. 
  • Benchmark your market: Compare your payment terms with those used by your competitors. Overly generous terms can become a competitive disadvantage. 
  • Use smart incentives: Early payment discounts can help speed up cash collection while reinforcing your flexibility and partnership mindset. 
  • Make your invoices watertight: Include all legally required information—late payment penalties, recovery fees, etc. A clear, well-structured invoice reduces disputes and reinforces your credibility. 
  • Monitor your DSO (Days Sales Outstanding): This KPI is the key indicator of your accounts receivable health. Tracking its fluctuations helps you anticipate cash flow tensions. 

2. Assess Customer Risk Upfront: Prevent, Don’t Just React

A promising prospect can turn out to be a problematic payer. Before processing any first order, a thorough risk assessment is essential to secure your cash flow. 

We recommend a structured approach before opening a new customer account: 

  • Verify eligibility and creditworthiness: Analyze the company’s legal structure, financial statements, and credit ratings, or consult specialized databases to detect early warning signs.
  • Use smart guarantees: Advance payments, payment on order, or pre-delivery settlement—these tools can secure your transactions without blocking the sale.
  • Set up a credit protection buffer or credit insurance: By establishing credit limits, you can mitigate default risks while maintaining commercial flexibility.  
  • Define credit limits from day one: Integrate these thresholds into your management tools to avoid deviations right from the first order.

Anticipating risk means strengthening your financial foundation. The better you control the early stages of the customer relationship, the more predictable your cash cycle becomes. 

3. Speed Up Invoicing to Shorten Your Cash Conversion Cycle

Sell, deliver… and invoice without delay. Too many companies lose days — or even weeks — between completing a service and issuing the invoice. The result? A cash flow gap that directly impacts your treasury. Accelerating invoicing means starting the countdown to payment sooner.. 

3.1. Issue invoices as quickly as possible: a golden rule 

Every day of delay in issuing an invoice is a day of lost cash flow. Implement a clear, smooth, and automated process to quickly convert a delivered order or completed service into a customer invoice. This not only helps meet contractual deadlines but also prevents oversights and disputes. 

3.2. Move to digital invoicing and prepare for electronic invoicing 

Today, many invoicing tools allow you to: 

  • Generate invoices from a quote or purchase order with just a few clicks, 
  • Automatically send invoices to clients (by email or via B2B portals), 
  • Integrate entries directly into accounting without manual re-entry.

The upcoming mandatory rollout of electronic invoicing for B2B transactions in France fits perfectly into this trend: less paperwork, fewer errors, fewer delays. The result is a more transparent and faster Procure-to-Pay process. Preparing for this change means gaining a competitive edge. 

4. Structure and Energize the Management of Your Accounts Receivable 

Sending an invoice doesn’t guarantee quick payment. To effectively control your payment terms, active and structured management of your accounts receivable is essential. It’s a key factor in preserving your cash flow and anticipating working capital tensions. 

Regularly Analyze Your Balances

Start by setting up periodic monitoring of your aging reports, identifying overdue payments by time brackets. This insight allows you to prioritize follow-ups and detect friction points before they impact your cash flow.

Anticipate Disputes to Avoid Payment Blocks 

A single disputed invoice can freeze the entire account’s payments. Implement a clear and proactive dispute management process to quickly unblock suspended payments.  

Automate Pre-Reminders and Engage Your Sales Teams 

Sometimes, a simple automatic reminder before the due date is enough to prevent forgetfulness. Integrate systematic pre-reminders into your workflows and structure your collection strategy like a funnel—from gentle alerts to more direct actions. Involve your sales teams to strengthen the relational impact of your follow-ups. 

Stay Agile in Detecting Early Warning Signs 

Some delays signal temporary difficulties. By identifying these early, you can propose tailored repayment plansthat preserve customer relationships while limiting your financial exposure. 

Outsource When Needed 

If all internal efforts and reminders fail, consider calling in specialists like RollingFunds. Sometimes, outsourcing is the best way to recover funds without overburdening your internal processes. 

5. Finance Payment Terms to Protect Your Cash Flow 

Even with tight control, payment delays can disrupt your cash position. If your business model requires you to offer extended payment terms or pay your partners quickly, financing your accounts receivable becomes a a strategic growth lever to maintain smooth working capital operations.

B2B BNPL: A Solution to Accelerate Your Cash Flow 

This innovative solution allows you to transfer your client invoices to a third party and receive 100% payment upfront. At RollingFunds, our B2B Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solution offers built-in financing directly to your clients, encouraging them to purchase your goods or services more frequently and with greater flexibility. Our financing solution is seamless, integrated, and real-time: 

  • For every invoice issued, you are paid 100% automatically by Day +1, 
  • We assess credit risk in real time, 
  • You no longer need to handle collections or follow-ups, 
  • Your clients repay in 30, 60, 90, or even 180 days, depending on the terms defined.

By choosing a client financing solution that’s simple, modular, and tailored to your B2B customers, you protect your cash flow, strengthen your business relationships, and sustain your growth momentum. It’s a practical and powerful response to the pressure of extended payment terms.