A profitability measure that strips out non-cash costs and one-time charges, showing true operational earnings. For subcontractors, it reveals how much cash your field operations actually generate. Clients and lenders use it to assess your financial health before awarding contracts or extending credit.
Adjusted Ebitda (earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation)
Related Terms
Rack and Carriage
Cash FlowA pricing structure where subcontractors charge a marked-up "rack" rate for materials, plus a separate fee for delivery or handling. It allows field service companies to recover supply chain costs beyond base labour rates.
Joint Venture Dispute
Cash FlowA conflict between JV (Joint Venture) partners over cost-sharing, scope, or payments that can delay approvals and freeze subcontractor invoices. When JV partners disagree, field service companies often face work stoppages or withheld purchase orders. Always clarify which JV partner holds contracting authority before mobilising.
ITC (Investment Tax Credit)
Cash FlowA federal tax incentive that reduces the taxes a subcontractor owes based on eligible capital investments, such as purchasing equipment or machinery. Field service companies can apply ITCs to offset costs on qualifying assets used in operations. This can improve cash flow by lowering overall tax liability at year-end.
Lien
Cash FlowA legal claim registered against a property or asset when a subcontractor hasn't been paid for work or materials. It prevents the owner from selling or refinancing until the debt is settled. In oil and gas and construction, liens are a key tool for protecting payment rights.
SRF (State Revolving Fund)
Cash FlowA government-backed loan programme that funds municipal water, wastewater, and infrastructure projects. These funds often finance large construction contracts, creating steady work for subcontractors and field service crews. Knowing a project is SRF-funded signals stable, government-secured payment on long-term builds.
Price and Proceed
Cash FlowA directive where a contractor is authorised to begin work before a formal purchase order is issued. The subcontractor agrees on a price verbally or in writing, then mobilises immediately. Common in urgent field situations, but carries payment risk if terms aren't confirmed in writing.
Latest Cash Flow News
Talos Energy Takes 50% Stake in Repsol's Deepwater Mexico Block
Talos Energy will pay up to $50 million to acquire a 50% working interest in Repsol's Block 29 offshore Mexico, targeting FID in 2027 on a discovery holding over 200 MMboe.
2 days agoCash FlowGordie Howe Bridge Set to Open Monday After Canada-Only Ceremony
Windsor held a Canada-only ceremony for the Gordie Howe International Bridge ahead of Monday's opening, after Ottawa scrapped a joint U.S. event amid tariff tensions.
7 days agoCash FlowNew CHPE Line Pushes NY-Canada Power Trade to 18-Month High
The EIA reports New York imported a record 52 GWh of Canadian electricity on July 3 as the new Champlain Hudson Power Express line ran at full 1,250 MW capacity during a summer heat wave.
10 days agoCash FlowDOL's $162M Apprenticeship Fund Ties Payouts to Worker Retention, Not Enrollment
The Department of Labor's $162 million Pay-for-Performance apprenticeship program pays contractors only after apprentices hit retention milestones, with sponsor applications opening this fall in shipbuilding, telecom, and skilled trades sectors.
13 days agoRelated Guides
What Happens to Subcontractor Billing When a Project Stalls, Goes Over Budget, or Never Gets Commissioned
You did the work. The project was cancelled, shelved, or never activated. Here is what subcontractors need to know about billing rights, legal remedies, and how to get paid when no one wants to discuss the invoice.
Cash Flow GuidePost-Completion Warranty and Punch Work: Protecting Your Margins After the Job Ends
Warranty walks, punch lists, and post-completion callbacks eat into subcontractor margins. Learn how MSA warranty clauses work, when you can push back on mobilization costs, and how to document your way out of disputes.
Cash Flow GuideMechanic's Lien Rights for Subcontractors: What to Do When You're Not Getting Paid
A practical guide to mechanic's lien and materialman's lien rights for oilfield and construction subcontractors in Texas, Oklahoma, and Alberta — deadlines, filing steps, and leverage tactics.
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