Frequently asked questions - Yrittäjän talousapu

1. Who can call the Yrittäjän talousapu counselling service?

We provide assistance and counselling for entrepreneurs experiencing financial distress. You can also call us if you are a loved one or other person who is assisting an entrepreneur. Please note, however, that we need the company’s information in order to provide the best help possible.

2. Who takes the Yrittäjän talousapu helpline calls? Can I trust that my information is not passed on to other parties?

The people taking the calls are trained and experienced experts who specialise in financial difficulties. Your conversations with them are absolutely confidential.

3. I have run out of money, what do I do?

There is no one answer that fits all. Please contact us so we can go over your situation together and figure out your options. In English: Mon.–Fri. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., tel. 0295 024 880 (local network/mobile call charges apply). We recommend calling as soon as possible. Nowhere does the saying “time is money” apply better than in financial difficulties.

Contact request form (in Finnish) (webropol.fi)

4. Do I need to prepare for the call somehow?

We recommend pulling out any documents and financial records related to your business, such as the latest financial statements, bank statements, accounts payable, invoices etc. This way we can map out your situation and provide you with the best help possible. You can also prepare by writing down any questions you would like to ask.

5. Is the counselling really free of charge?

Yes, you only need to pay the price of the call.

Call prices are determined and charged by your subscription’s telecommunications operator, this includes the time you spend in the queue (mobile charge or local network rate). If you are using a call package, remember to check with your telecommunications operator whether calls to 0295 numbers are included in your package. Your telecommunications operator will begin charging for the call after your call is connected.

6. What happens during the call?

Our expert asks you questions, assesses the financial situation of your business based on the information you’ve given them and gives you advice you on what to do next. Just one phone call is often enough to get help, so do not be afraid to reach out! If necessary, the expert may direct you to contact a regional service.

7. Am I entitled to any financial support?

Please contact us and we will go over your business situation together and figure out if applying for financial support is an option.

8. What are the warning signs of financial distress?

You are at risk of ending up in financial distress if your payments are delayed or your bills go entirely unpaid. Seek help as soon as possible and contact us!

9. I have difficulty with financial matters, I don’t understand the terms or what I’m supposed to do. How can I get help?

The experts at the Yrittäjän talousapu counselling service will explain to you in layman’s terms what is happening and what you should do next. You do not need to be an expert of finances. However, it is important for an entrepreneur to understand their own finances and accounts.

Further information:

10. May I call the Yrittäjän talousapu service even if I do not have unpaid invoices? I am worried about the future of my business.

You may call us. It’s great that you are thinking ahead when it comes to the finances of your business! Call us and we will assess your situation.

11. I am unable to pay the lease for my business premises, what do I do?

You can contact us and we will guide you forward. We suggest you also contact the lessor and negotiate payment arrangements.

12. I have tax debt, what do I do?

Contact the counselling service as soon as possible so we can go over and map out your situation together.

13. I have not paid for the YEL insurance. What do I do?

YEL is a mandatory, statutory insurance for entrepreneurs for covering things such as illnesses, parental leave or pension. Please contact the counselling service so we can go over your situation and options.

14. How do I close my business?

You have several options depending on your business and its state. Please contact the counselling service so we can map out your situation.

15. How do I apply for debt arrangements?

The financial and debt counselling provided by the state legal aid offices is responsible for debt arrangements. Please contact us and we will tell you whether your business is eligible for debt arrangements and guide you forward.

16. My bookkeeping is a mess, what do I do?

Please contact the counselling service and we will give you advice on how to proceed.

17. Do you answer questions outside office hours?

We do not take calls or other contact attempts outside office hours (Mon.–Fri. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) You can submit a contact request on our website at any time and our counsellors will contact you.

Contact request form (webropol.fi)

18. Are your services available in languages other than Finnish?

Yes, we provide assistance in Swedish on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 0295 024 881 and in English Mon.–Fri. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 0295 024 880 (both numbers are subject to a local network/mobile call charge).

Frequently asked questions about the Yrittäjän talousapu counselling service