Is factoring or accounts receivable financing right for my business? With this type of financing, a business sells its accounts receivable to a third party at a discount. As with anything, factoring has pros and cons.

Factoring Pros:

  • Faster cash flow: Factoring can provide quicker cash flow compared to other forms of financing such as bank loans, which can take longer to process.
  • No debt: Factoring is not a loan, so there is no debt to repay. This can be a great option for businesses that do not want the burden of taking on additional debt.
  • Access to working capital: Factoring can provide working capital which can be used to pay bills, invest in inventory, or meet payroll obligations without having to wait for your customers to pay.
  • Flexible qualification requirements: Factoring can be easier to qualify for compared to other business financing options due to the fact they tend to focus more on the creditworthiness of your customers – meaning startups and businesses with bad credit may qualify.

Factoring Cons:

  • Cost: While invoice factoring allows you to get cash quickly, it can end up being more costly than other forms of financing. Typical factoring fees can range from 1-5% of the invoice amount. This can impact a small business’s profit margins.
  • Loss of control: Factoring involves selling invoices to a third party, which means that the business loses control over the accounts receivable process. It is important to pick a factor that lines up with your values and processes and keeps an open line of communication with you.
  • Negative reputation: Some customers may view factoring negatively, as it can be seen as a sign of financial instability.  This is often mitigated by a simple conversation.
  • Issues if a customer fails to pay: If your customer fails to pay their balance back, and it’s a recourse factoring service, you might be required to buy back the invoice.
Factoring can be a great solution for your business to help manage cash flow, cover day-to-day expenses or promote business growth especially if your business does not qualify for other financing options. It’s important for small businesses to carefully evaluate the pros and cons of factoring before deciding if it’s the right funding option for their business.