Industry ranking
The average time taken for FOUNDATION FOR CREDIT COUNSELLING to pay invoices to suppliers has remained relatively consistent over the past three years, with a slight decrease from 34 days in 2018 to 31 days in 2023. However, there was a significant increase in the percentage of invoices paid later than 60 days in 2019, which has since decreased but remains above 5%. The percentage of invoices paid within 30 days has also fluctuated, with a decrease from 68% in 2019 to 59% in 2023.
The volatility of FOUNDATION FOR CREDIT COUNSELLING's invoice payment patterns can be seen in the fluctuation of the percentage of invoices paid within 30 days, which has ranged from 41% to 84% over the past three years. There has also been volatility in the percentage of invoices paid later than 60 days, with a high of 8% in 2019 and a low of 1% in 2023.
| Reporting Period | Filing Date | Average Time to Pay (days) | Paid within 30 days | Paid 31-60 days | Paid after 60 days | Not Paid within Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jul 2025 - 31 Dec 2025 | 25 Mar 2026 | 33 | 40% | 56% | 4% | 67% |
| 01 Jan 2025 - 30 Jun 2025 | 25 Mar 2026 | 32 | 51% | 44% | 5% | 61% |
| 01 Jul 2024 - 31 Dec 2024 | 25 Mar 2026 | 39 | 43% | 47% | 10% | 68% |
| 01 Jan 2024 - 30 Jun 2024 | 25 Mar 2026 | 33 | 63% | 33% | 4% | 50% |
| 01 Jul 2023 - 31 Dec 2023 | 31 Jan 2024 | 27 | 63% | 36% | 1% | 69% |
| 01 Jan 2023 - 30 Jun 2023 | 31 Jul 2023 | 35 | 59% | 35% | 6% | 67% |
| 01 Jul 2022 - 31 Dec 2022 | 31 Jan 2023 | 33 | 58% | 36% | 6% | 51% |
| 01 Jan 2022 - 30 Jun 2022 | 27 Jul 2022 | 33 | 49% | 46% | 5% | 61% |
| 01 Jul 2021 - 31 Dec 2021 | 31 Jan 2022 | 31 | 60% | 37% | 3% | 47% |
| 01 Jan 2021 - 30 Jun 2021 | 16 Jul 2021 | 34 | 57% | 38% | 5% | 49% |
| 01 Jul 2020 - 31 Dec 2020 | 29 Jan 2021 | 33 | 55% | 41% | 4% | 43% |
| 01 Jan 2020 - 30 Jun 2020 | 31 Jul 2020 | 35 | 49% | 46% | 5% | 52% |
| 01 Jul 2019 - 31 Dec 2019 | 31 Jan 2020 | 35 | 41% | 53% | 6% | 55% |
| 01 Jan 2019 - 30 Jun 2019 | 30 Jul 2019 | |||||
| 01 Jan 2019 - 30 Jun 2019 | 31 Jul 2019 | 34 | 68% | 24% | 8% | 3% |
| 01 Jul 2018 - 31 Dec 2018 | 29 Jan 2019 | 23 | 84% | 13% | 2% | 3% |
| 01 Jan 2018 - 30 Jun 2018 | 06 Aug 2018 | 34 | 58% | 37% | 5% | 36% |
This information is as reported by the business, and responses are in their own words.
Standard payment terms
The most frequently used payment term for qualifying contracts is 30 days from the date of invoice. However, a range of payment terms is applied depending on the nature of the contract, typically varying between 7 and 60 days. Overall, 30 days remains the standard benchmark across the majority of qualifying contracts.
Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?
No information available
Any other information about payment terms
No additional information
Maximum contractual payment period agreed
60
The Foundation for Credit Counselling is committed to dealing with its suppliers in a fair, honest and transparent manner, whilst seeking best value for the Charity. If we dispute any item on an invoice, we aim to (a) promptly inform the supplier of the disputed item and (b) work with the supplier to (1) explain why the relevant item has been disputed; and (2) reach a mutually acceptable outcome. We operate a no PO no pay on invoices and when an invoice is received with no PO suppliers are encouraged to contact the individual who placed the order for the goods and services or liaise with procurement as a first point of contact. The Charity provides an accounts payable team email address to deal with any queries in relation to payment of invoices.
Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices?
For example, signatories to The Prompt Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.
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Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?
This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.
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Does this business offer supply chain finance?
This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.
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Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
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During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No information available
This registered entity, Foundation for Credit Counselling, trades as StepChange Debt Charity. It provides free, confidential and impartial debt advice and support to individuals across the UK, offering solutions such as debt management plans, individual voluntary arrangements, debt relief orders, bankruptcy advice and Scotland-specific options like the Debt Arrangement Scheme and trust deeds. Founded in 1993, it is a charity regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and overseen by the Charity Commission. It is funded mainly by financial organisations such as banks, credit card providers and energy companies, plus some Scottish Government funding, rather than public donations. It reports helping millions of people manage debt problems since founding, including 546,000 clients in 2025.
Generated from the company's website and Companies House records. Sources: stepchange.org · stepchange.org