Accounts Receivable Factoring: Definition + Guide

how does accounts receivable factoring work

Alternatively, you can work with a factoring company for several years to grow gradually yet consistently. After you deliver a product or service to your client, you send them an how does accounts receivable factoring work invoice. The factoring company pays you immediately, using the invoice as collateral. Once the client pays the invoice, usually after 30 to 90 days, the transaction is closed.

If you’ve been in business for any length of time, you know profitability is key to success. Belle Wong is a freelance writer specializing in finance, tech/SAAS, small business and marketing. She spends her spare moments testing out the latest productivity apps and plotting her latest novel. Entrepreneurs and industry leaders share their best advice on how to take your company to the next level.

Will I qualify for accounts receivable factoring?

The factoring company makes a profit by collecting on the full amount of the invoice. In non-recourse factoring, the factoring company assumes the risk of customer non-payment. Most traditional financing options require significant assets, such as real estate or business equipment, to use as collateral. Factoring only uses invoices as collateral, so you don’t have to surrender business-critical assets if your business starts to struggle. When looking for factoring receivable companies, we hope this article helps, and you reach out to Bankers Factoring for our award-winning non-recourse factoring receivables and the best financing option. Factoring is financing that includes selling your accounts receivable to Bankers Factoring and getting paid immediately.

However, managing accounts receivable is not easy, especially if you do not have a robust collections team in place. Over the next 30 to 90 days, the factoring company takes charge of collecting the payment from your customers based on the agreed-upon payment terms. Factoring invoices can help you solve cash flow problems quickly, but the cost, time, and energy may not be the best solution for your business. If you do decide to partner with a factoring company, look for one that has a positive reputation in your specific industry and has been in business for many years. Aside from the advantage of getting cash upfront, accounts receivable factoring is also commonly employed as a strategy to transfer payment risk to another party (in this case, the factoring company). Accounts receivable (A/R) factoring, often referred to as invoice discounting, is a type of short-term debt financing used by some business borrowers.

What Happens If Customers Never Pay What’s Due?

Due to the complex nature of receivables factoring, it’s also difficult to compare costs to a loan or other forms of financing. Using the techniques described above, accounting for factored receivables helps understand the total costs involved. Invoice factoring works via a relationship between the invoice factoring company and the client. On the other hand, invoice financing works like a traditional loan via a relationship between the lender and the business creating the invoice.

how does accounts receivable factoring work