Company Number: 13168495

Analysis Date: 2025-07-29 14:13 UTC

Financial Health Assessment: Bentley Gilbert Associates Ltd

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1. Financial Health Score: C

• Explanation: The company shows signs of financial strain with net current liabilities and very minimal net assets, but it remains solvent and operational. The score reflects a cautious outlook due to working capital deficits and limited equity buffer.

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2. Key Vital Signs

Metric	2024 Value (£)	Interpretation
Fixed Assets	1,737	Very modest investment in long-term assets; typical for micro businesses.
Current Assets	41,978	Cash and receivables adequate but only slightly higher than liabilities.
Current Liabilities	43,704	Short-term debts exceed current assets, indicating liquidity pressure.
Net Current Assets	-1,726	Negative working capital; "symptom of distress" in liquidity management.
Total Assets less Current Liabilities	11	Barely positive net assets; very thin equity cushion.
Shareholders’ Funds	11	Minimal equity, indicating limited financial buffer.
Share Capital	10	Nominal share capital, typical for start-ups or small consultancies.

• Liquidity Status: Negative net current assets indicate the company may struggle to meet short-term obligations without additional funding or cash inflows.
• Solvency: Total assets just cover liabilities, but the very low net asset value means the company is only marginally solvent.
• Size and Scale: Classified as a micro-entity with minimal employees (1), reflecting a small operation likely reliant on a single director/consultant.

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3. Diagnosis

Bentley Gilbert Associates Ltd presents symptoms of a small, early-stage professional consultancy facing liquidity constraints. The negative net current assets reveal a “cash flow cold” scenario where short-term obligations exceed readily available resources. While the company is not insolvent, the extremely low equity and minimal net assets reflect a fragile financial state akin to a patient with a weakened immune system—vulnerable to sudden shocks.

The company's stability relies heavily on continued cash inflows and careful management of payables and receivables. The absence of an audit and micro-entity accounting provisions suggest simplicity in financial reporting but also limited financial scrutiny. The business is operational and active but must monitor liquidity closely to avoid distress.

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4. Recommendations

• Improve Working Capital Management: Accelerate debtor collections and negotiate extended payment terms with creditors to improve liquidity.
• Increase Capital Buffer: Consider an equity injection or retained earnings accumulation to build a stronger financial cushion.
• Cash Flow Forecasting: Implement regular cash flow forecasting to anticipate shortfalls and plan financing needs proactively.
• Cost Control: Review overheads and operational expenses to reduce cash outflows where possible.
• Business Development: Enhance revenue streams to improve profitability and generate positive cash flow.
• Contingency Planning: Prepare for potential liquidity crises by establishing credit lines or access to short-term financing.
• Governance: Maintain robust financial controls and consider periodic external review to detect early symptoms of financial distress.

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