#21 - Don’t Be That Guy - Cash Flow Challenges for MSPs (Nicholas Reimer – Alternative Payments)

In this episode of the BMK Vision Podcast, Josh and Ryan welcome Nicholas from Alternative Payments to discuss one of the most critical topics in the MSP world: cash flow. From payment automation to AR challenges, this conversation explores how MSPs can get paid faster, avoid pitfalls, and set themselves up for long-term financial health. Managing cash flow is one of the biggest challenges every Managed Service Provider (MSP) faces.

In this episode of the BMK Vision Podcast, Josh Peterson and Ryan Goodman are joined by Nicholas, Partnerships Manager at Alternative Payments, to break down the realities of accounts receivable, client billing, and the financial systems that keep MSPs running.

Nicholas shares insights from working with over 700 MSPs across North America, including how Alternative Payments is on track to process over $1 billion in ACH and credit card payments. Together, the group explores the real impact of late AR, the risks of manual invoicing, and why cash flow—not profitability—often makes or breaks a business. Ryan reflects on his own MSP journey, from resisting credit card fees to implementing automation, and why even profitable companies can still end up in financial trouble without strong AR processes. Josh brings in lessons learned from BMK consulting, highlighting how MSPs can eliminate payment gaps by embedding billing directly into quoting and onboarding workflows.

If you’ve ever struggled with late invoices, cash flow gaps, or the pressure of financing large projects, this conversation will hit home. You’ll learn how to: Automate client payments with ACH and credit card options Reduce AR days from 36+ down to nearly zero Improve financial onboarding for new MSP clients Build stronger banking relationships for credit and growth 👉 For more resources, tools, and expert MSP consulting, visit https://beringmckinley.com

Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to BMK “Don’t Be That Guy” Webinar Series 00:44 – Introducing Nicholas from Alternative Payments 01:35 – $1 Billion in Payments Processed: What It Means for MSPs 03:33 – The Pressure of Managing Cash Flow 04:35 – Why Timely Payments Matter for Payroll & Operations 05:26 – Ryan’s Early MSP Billing Struggles (Checks Only, Credit Card Fees) 06:02 – Profitability vs. Bankruptcy: Cash Flow Reality Check 07:09 – The Credit Card Points Debate 09:12 – Arbitrage & Credit Card Gaming Stories 11:01 – Passing Fees vs. Offering Options: ACH, Credit Card, Financing 13:41 – Data Insights: Cutting AR Days in Half 15:12 – The AR Problem Across MSPs (20+ Days Late Payments) 16:50 – Why Some MSPs Still Struggle With Payment Automation 18:02 – Big Projects, Down Payments & Line of Credit Issues 20:16 – Municipal & School Clients: Billing Challenges 22:03 – Alternative Payments vs. bill.com & AR Tools 24:30 – Vendor Management & License Reconciliation 27:38 – Banking Relationships & Accounts Receivable Pressure 28:50 – AR Hygiene Problems & Reconciling Reports 29:22 – The Quote-to-Cash Journey Explained 32:38 – Missed Payments & $60,000 AR Mistakes 34:27 – Why Payment Links Need to Be Immediate 36:19 – Ryan’s Direct “Sign Now, Pay Now” Approach 37:32 – Payroll Error Story: Withdrawing Employee Paychecks 39:11 – The Gaps in AR Processes & How Automation Helps 42:22 – MSP Onboarding: Why Payment Setup Is Overlooked 44:08 – Why MSPs Struggle to Charge Properly for Onboarding 45:30 – The Value of Proper Client Onboarding 46:34 – Redefining Alternative Payments: More Than Processing 47:51 – Defining Your Business Beyond the Basics 48:17 – Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways

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