Running a business can be a challenge at the best of times, but with increased competition in most markets, and the recession meaning people are spending less, it can be even harder to keep a business afloat – particularly if debts are mounting up. Once a business becomes insolvent, it has to take action. A Company Voluntary Arrangement could be the best way of resolving issues with creditors, while allowing the business to continue trading.

For many companies, there are a number of benefits to choosing a Company Voluntary Arrangement as the way to resolve their debt issues. This formal arrangement covers the amount of debt that is to be repaid and the length of time it will take to repay it, and can be the best solution for all parties, as long as terms of the Arrangement are adhered to.

A Company Voluntary Arrangement allows the company to keep trading, while it is protected from any further action by its creditors to recover the money they are owed. This is the case for as long as the business keeps to the terms of an agreed CVA. CVAs are less expensive, and make debt-repayment easier for a business to manage, than if the company went into Administration or Receivership. Creditors also prefer Company Voluntary Arrangement to possible Liquidation, as they are likely to get more of their money back, even though the business may actually be able to reduce the debt it owes by agreeing a CVA.

In order for a Company Voluntary Arrangement to be agreed, 75% of the business’s creditors need to be happy with the debt repayment proposal in the arrangement, which then means all of the company’s debts would then be covered by the arrangement. To ensure that creditors agree to a CVA, it is therefore important that a business puts forward as fair and honest a proposal as possible. It’s in the interest of the creditors and the company with the debts to make sure a CVA is agreed, and that it will work.

If your company is struggling with debt, and you think a Company Voluntary Arrangement could help you to turn your business around, it’s important you get advice from a qualified insolvency practitioner, sooner rather than later. They can advise you on CVAs as an alternative to Liquidation or Receivership, and help you work out a proposal that your creditors will agree to. Once you have the protection of a CVA in place, you can concentrate on building your business back up without the threat of any more action from your creditors.