Genesis Ltd was incorporated three years ago and has grown rapidly since then. The rapid rate of growth has created problems for the business, which the directors have found difficult to deal with. Recently, a firm of management consultants has been asked to help the directors to overcome these problems.

In a preliminary report to the board of directors, the management consultants state:

‘Most of the difficulties faced by the business are symptoms of an underlying problem of overtrading.’

The most recent financial statements of the business are set out below Income statement for the year ended 31 October £000 £000 Revenue 1,640 Cost of sales Opening inventories 116 Purchases 1,260 1,376 Closing inventories ( 128 ) ( 1,248 )
Gross profit 392 Selling and distribution expenses (204)
Administration expenses ( 92 )
Operating profit 96 Interest payable ( 44 )
Profit before taxation 52 Taxation ( 16 )
Profit for the year 36 Statement of financial position as at 31 October £000 ASSETS Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment at cost less depreciation Land and buildings 442 Fixtures and fittings at cost 116 Motor vans at cost 64 622 Current assets Inventories 128 Trade receivables 104 232 Total assets 854 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Equity Ordinary £0.50 shares 60 General reserve 50 Retained earnings 74 184 Non-current liabilities Borrowings – 10% loan notes (secured) 120 Current liabilities Trade payables 184 Taxation 8 Short-term borrowings (all bank overdraft) 358 550 Total equity and liabilities 854 Notes :
1 All purchases and sales were on credit.
2 A dividend was paid during the year on ordinary shares of £4,000.
Required:

(a) Calculate and discuss five financial ratios that might be used to establish whether the business is overtrading. Do these five ratios suggest that the business is overtrading?

(b) State the ways in which a business may overcome the problem of overtrading.