Invoice Factoring2023-12-20T14:04:05-05:00

The Small Business Owner’s Guide to Invoice Factoring

Get the cash you need for your B2B business today using invoice factoring.

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WHAT IS INVOICE FACTORING?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHY CHOOSE FACTORING
INVOICE FACTORING VS. OTHER FINANCING
HOW INVOICE FACTORING WORKS
OTHER VALUE A FACTOR PROVIDES

What Is Invoice Factoring?

Invoice Factoring Definition:

Invoice factoring, in layman’s terms, is selling your business’s invoices to quickly get the cash you need to pay for your business expenses. It’s one of the oldest forms of business finance and is a great form of alternative financing. It’s simple: you sell your business’s invoices to a factor and they do the rest.

A factor is a third party that will be able to advance you most of the money from an aging invoice and collect it from your customers for you. A factor can also provide you with guidance and financial advice throughout the process. When you work with a factor, you’ll be able to focus on running your business, not chasing down customers to pay their aging invoices.

The Finer Details

What’s important to remember when you look at the invoice factoring definition, it isn’t a loan. With a loan, you only have a finite amount of capital at your disposal, and you still have to pay back the principal amount plus interest. You also have to go through an application and approval process. Depending on how immediately you need your money, you might not have time to wait for a loan.

Factoring isn’t a line of credit, either. With credit cards, you may have a certain amount you can use and an annual APR that could cost you thousands of dollars if you have an unpaid balance over time. If you have an APR of 17% or even 22%, financing everything with a credit card isn’t a very realistic option. Even if you only need to use the credit card a few times, the interest can make that small principal enormous in the end, so you pay back far more than you took out originally.

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Invoice Factoring vs. Other Financing

With factoring, you don’t need to worry about a 10-year payback period. The money the factor advances you is technically your money in the first place, and the fee a factor might charge for their services is far less than the interest you could be stuck with for a conventional bank loan.

Here’s how invoice factoring compares to other types of financing options you may be considering:

How Factoring Compares to:

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Factoring: the Easiest Way to Get Your Funds

Invoice factoring, compared to other conventional forms of business financing, is a much easier method of securing funds for your company. You don’t need to worry about interest rates, daily withdrawals, or having to pay off all the money borrowed plus interest at the end of the term loan. And as an additional benefit, your Factor handles the Collections, freeing you up to spend your time successfully running and growing your B2B business.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about invoice factoring services for your B2B business? We have answers.If you’re unsure if factoring is right for you, read over our FAQs to get more information.

What is invoice factoring?2023-08-03T10:27:59-04:00

Invoice factoring is one of the oldest types of business finance and is one of the best alternative financing options available to small business owners. Factoring involves the purchase of your accounts receivable for cash, at a slight discount to your invoices face value, in order to quickly provide working capital for your growing business.

By purchasing your accounts receivables, a Factor advances you typically 80% – 90% of your invoice value and then collects it from your customers for you. A reliable factoring firm will also provide you with guidance and financial advice throughout the process. By working with a trusted Factor, you’ll be able to focus more time on running and growing your business, not chasing down customers to pay their aging invoices.

How does invoice factoring work?2023-08-03T10:28:17-04:00

There are five simple steps to invoice factoring:

1) You deliver your goods/services to your Customers.

2) You send invoices to your Customers.

3) You sell your invoices to a factoring company and get paid a cash advance of between 80% – 90% of the invoice face value, less a nominal fee.

4) Your factor collects payment directly from your Customers, typically 30-45 days later.

5) Once your factor has been paid in full, they’ll pay you the remaining invoice balance.

Can I use factoring if I’m a new company?2023-09-13T14:12:34-04:00

Absolutely! At ei Funding, we love new companies. Every big company today was at one time a new company. Unlike banks, factors generally don’t call for very much history of a company since we rely heavily on the creditworthiness of your customers.

This allows you to get going almost immediately and focus on what you do best — grow your business. With years of factoring experience working with small companies, we at ei Funding are in a position to help you get the results you deserve.

What is SmartPricer?2023-09-13T14:17:44-04:00

SmartPricer, a sibling company of ei Funding, has created advanced software to make the process of getting a home mortgage easier and more efficient. We use our software to analyze all the available mortgage options in the market and then recommend the best ones that match your unique requirements. This helps you make quicker decisions, save money, and receive top-notch customer service.

What’s the difference between a bank line and factoring?2023-08-03T10:28:07-04:00

People often wonder: “Is factoring a loan?” The answer is no, and here’s the difference between the two:

With traditional bank financing, rates tend to be slightly lower, however, the approval criteria along with other restrictions, have grown recently, making it much more difficult to obtain, especially for small businesses and start-ups. When banks provide a line of credit, this is a debt, which will show up on your company balance sheet and be tied to some form of collateral of yours or the company’s, creating further restrictions.

Factoring, on the other hand, is not debt, but rather an advance against your invoice for products or services. Each advance is tied to a specific transaction, and as a result, is used only when you want to use it. It grows as your company grows, and is there for as long as you need it, since the money provided you are advances made against your own, earned invoices.

Learn more about how factoring compares to other financing online now.

Can I use invoice factoring services if I have bad credit?2023-05-08T17:22:19-04:00

Yes. If you, or your company, have a blemish on your credit record, we understand that. What makes invoice factoring special is that the focus of our credit analysis is not based entirely on you, but also on your company, and the quality of your clients, since ultimately it is they who will be paying your invoices. So although bad credit is not something we encourage, it is not a show stopper for obtaining factoring services for your growing business.

Are there any long-term contracts and penalties?2022-08-30T03:34:36-04:00

Contracts spell out the rules of the game for both sides, and at ei Funding, we do our best to make sure ours are clear so that everyone knows how things work. As far as contracts go, you can cancel your factoring agreement at any time, and the only thing we require is that it be done in writing 30 days before your intended stop date.

We are committed to a simple and transparent rate structure designed to help you keep more of your hard-earned money. And finally, if for whatever reason we don’t meet your service expectations, then we don’t want to stand in your way to find a service provider who does.

How much does invoice factoring cost?2023-05-08T17:22:04-04:00

This is something we are asked all the time. There’s a misconception that factoring is a costly option compared to bank financing, when actually, a business ends up paying only a few pennies for each dollar factored.

As an example, a $1,000 invoice will typically cost anywhere between $25 – 40 in factoring fees, so when we say it only costs cents on the dollar, we really mean it.

Is factoring considered debt?2022-08-30T03:06:26-04:00

No. Invoice factoring is not considered debt. It involves the purchase by the Factor and the sale by the Client, of invoices for goods and services.

Because of this fact, small businesses may use invoice factoring even if they already have a line of credit with a commercial bank.

What are the advantages of factoring?2023-08-03T10:27:32-04:00

There are many advantages of choosing factoring as an alternative for financing your business. Here are some of the best reasons to use invoice factoring for your business:

  • Immediate cash advances, typically same-day, for your Invoices
  • It’s not debt, so no monthly term payments
  • It’s flexible — you use it only on the Customers you choose
  • It inexpensive, costing your business only pennies on the dollar
  • You receive 80 – 90% of your invoice amount up front, in cash
  • It grows with your business
  • It provides necessary cash flow to manage through potential slowdowns or Seasonality which are a normal part of your business
Which industries use invoice factoring services?2023-07-20T17:09:52-04:00

Any business that invoices their company clients can use factoring to get the funds they need. Businesses in industries from manufacturing to professional services can use invoice factoring to their advantage. So long as you produce an invoice for goods you deliver or services you render, you can use invoice factoring.

While any company can use invoice factoring, there are a few types of businesses that can benefit the most from using it. These include: cable construction services (for telecommunications), staffing services (for hotels, restaurants and rental car agencies), retail distribution companies, manufacturing, marketing and PR agencies, and craft distilleries and breweries, just to name a few.

How do I get started with invoice factoring?2023-08-03T10:27:11-04:00

First, we recommend you familiarize yourself with what invoice factoring at ei Funding entails, if you haven’t done so already. If factoring seems like something you’re interested in pursuing for your business, submit an online invoice factoring application to begin the process. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us at 407-734-4155.

What do I need to apply for invoice factoring?2023-05-08T17:21:16-04:00

When applying online, we recommend you have all of your most important documents on hand. This includes your driver’s license, Social Security number, articles of incorporation of your business (LLC, Corporation, or other), and your business tax I.D.

You’ll also need financial documents that account for at least two years:

  • Balance sheets
  • Profit and loss (P&L) statements
  • Corporate tax returns
  • Three months of bank statements
How long does invoice factoring take to get started?2022-08-30T03:07:59-04:00

We like to do things right, so we typically take a week to 10 days to get you set up, once we’ve received all the necessary information from you, although if needed, we take as little as 24 – 48 hours.

From our experience, we’ve learned that what’s most important to you in the long run, is not the fast setup, but the fast funding — of the correct amounts, when and how you need it. We do our best to get you set up quickly, but since we also depend on you providing us the requested information, we’ll work to get it done in as little time as possible.

You can easily apply online any time. And once you’re approved and set up, in cases where you already have invoices to approved customers, it’s likely we can get you funded on those right away.

What will my customers think about me using invoice factoring?2022-08-30T03:08:21-04:00

Factoring is widespread in many industries including Staffing, Construction, and Transportation, and many Customers including Shippers and Brokers actually prefer dealing with Factors for accounts receivables management.

To these Customers, it shows you take your invoicing seriously and see the value of putting accounts receivables management with us, and therefore allowing you to focus on what you do best — running and growing your business.

What other business financing services can ei Funding help me with?2023-08-03T10:26:49-04:00

As you know, running a small business takes a lot of work. Although our focus is Factoring, we also offer Purchase Order Financing and Debt Consolidation as part of a factoring facility set-up. We are focused on finding the best solution that works for your growing small business, because at ei Funding, your success is our success.

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How Invoice Factoring Works

With factoring, you don’t need to worry about a 10-year payback period. The money the factor advances you is technically your money in the first place, and the fee a factor might charge for their services is far less than the interest you could be stuck with for a conventional bank loan.

Here’s how invoice factoring compares to other types of financing options you may be considering:

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The Process for Factoring an Invoice

factoring page process step 1
STEP 1

Deliver goods or services as you normally do for your Customers.

Provide your product or service as you normally do. This part is easy because it doesn’t require you to change anything you’re currently doing within your organization’s processes.

factoring page process step 2
STEP 2

Send invoices to your Customers.

Send an invoice to your Customers. Once you’ve provided your product or service, you send an invoice with the amount owed to your business.

factoring page process step 3
STEP 3

Sell your invoices to a factoring company and get paid an advance of 80 – 90% of the invoices.

Sell your invoices to a factor and get paid. You select a factoring company to work with and then sell them your raised invoices. Once the invoices have been verified as valid, your factoring company will immediately advance you the majority of the amount being invoiced (usually between 80 and 90%) minus a small fee so your cash flow is freed up. This advance can help B2B businesses through beginning-of-the-year droughts in accounts receivable or help growing companies make immediate changes to their processes so they can continue on their upward trajectory.

factoring page process step 4
STEP 4

Your factor collects payment directly from your Customers.

Your factor collects payment from your Customers. It can be difficult — especially if your customers are friends or acquaintances — to constantly follow up and chase after customers to get paid. But a factor can give you cash upfront so you get the funding you need right away. And because you’ve sold your invoices to a factor, it’s now their responsibility to collect on payments directly.

factoring page process step 5
STEP 5

Once your factor has been paid in full, they’ll pay you the remaining invoice balance minus the fee for factoring.

Once the factor has been paid in full, they’ll pay you the remaining balance. Your factoring company will secure payments from your Customers and provide you with the remaining invoice amount owed.

Why Choose Small Business Invoice Factoring?

Factoring is one of the best-proven methods of alternative financing for businesses across a variety of industries and locations throughout the world.

It’s a way for any growing company to get paid quickly. It’s a chance to boost your cash flow while waiting on Customers to pay their outstanding invoices. It’s a cash boost to support quickly growing companies. Each business situation is different, but at the end of the day, this kind of alternative financing is extremely versatile and makes sure you’re not leaving money on the table when you need it most.

Take our factoring quiz to learn if invoice factoring is right for your business!

Who Can Use Factoring?

Any B2B business that invoices their customers can use factoring to get the funds they need. Businesses in industries from manufacturing to professional services can use invoice factoring to their advantage. So long as you produce an invoice for goods you deliver or services you render, you can use invoice factoring.

While any company can use invoice factoring services, there are a few types of businesses that can benefit the most from using it. These include:

Some of the Biggest (and Best) Reasons to Use Invoice Factoring Services

How do you know if you really need invoice factoring? If your outstanding A/Rs are holding you back from purchasing the supplies you need, making payroll or even hiring new people, small business invoice factoring is an option for you.

Here are some of the best reasons to use invoice factoring for your business:

Your B2B Business Is Growing2022-08-30T03:09:01-04:00

Just like children, developing businesses have growing pains, too. And while that’s a great problem to have, you still need a solution. If you want to sustain growth for your company, you’ll need fast and immediate access to cash. If you don’t have the liquidity to hire more staff, you could find yourself swamped with work and stretched too thin to complete it all.

Factoring is a quick way to keep pace with your growing needs, whether it’s for recruiting, new software or something else to keep your business growing.

You Need Liquidity Right Away2022-08-30T03:09:21-04:00

If you need to keep the lights on, pay for new supplies to ship an order or make payroll today, liquidity is everything. Factoring can often be a lifeline for businesses that have outstanding receivables piling up. In moments like those, you can’t afford to wait on a client to pay the invoice or go through the waiting period that applying for a business loan entails.

Imagine having access to the funds you need to make all of those possibilities happen! Small business invoice factoring can provide just that.

You Don’t Want a Loan on Your Balance Sheet2022-08-30T03:09:37-04:00

When you take out a loan, you have the bonus of putting it on your balance sheet. But in some cases, you may not have the assets necessary to secure a loan in the first place. That can include sufficient cash, A/R, inventory, machinery or equipment to collateralize debt.

Instead of trying to come up with enough assets to secure a loan, you can just sell invoices to get the money that you’re already owed for a modest fee. And because factoring isn’t a loan, you don’t have to worry about interest rates either.

You Have a Less-than-Perfect Credit History2022-08-30T03:09:50-04:00

We all know it: things can happen that ruin your credit. If you have a low credit score, though, or if you just don’t have enough credit at all, a bank may reject you for a loan. Bankruptcies or legal disputes caused by debt can give the bank a quick reason to discount your application because it represents a risk to them as the lender.

You wouldn’t want to give someone $20 if you knew they’d never give it back, right? A bank also doesn’t want to give out money to anyone that might not be able to pay the principal and interest back in full.

The Bank Turned Your Business Down2022-08-30T03:10:15-04:00

We’ve said it before, but the application process for a bank loan can place incredibly high pressure on a small business owner just trying to find their footing. There are dozens of reasons a bank can turn you down for a loan, like risk or already having too much debt, which can make things complicated.

Having a poor credit score alone can limit your ability to take out a loan, but you can get trapped in a vicious cycle if you run to a credit card instead.

You Have Big-Ticket Customers, But They’re Slow to Pay2022-08-30T03:10:41-04:00

Your book of business might be made up of a healthy mix of “high roller” customers and smaller accounts, or you might rely on a few major accounts. While it’s generally a good idea to have a balance between these big and small accounts, new and returning customers and your revenue mix at large, we all know that doesn’t always happen.

What happens when a few big accounts that are slow to pay? You may end up in a feast-and-famine cycle for your cash flow. Factoring can help alleviate some of that strain when you’re waiting for your customers to pay and get you out of that vicious cycle.

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What Other Value Can a Factor Provide You?

When you work with a trusted and professional factor, you can rest easy knowing you’re working with a financial advisor and business partner that has your company’s best interest in mind. Often, a factor can also help guide you through tough or unexpected situations, especially when it’s your funding that’s on the line.

In the case of the unexpected, being prepared with a trusted factor can make a huge difference for your B2B business. Beyond invoice factoring, a factor can also consolidate your debt and keep fulfilling your customers’ orders to keep growing your company. At ei Funding, for example, we can also help with debt consolidation and P.O. financing.

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Debt Consolidation

Debt consolidation is when you, the business owner, roll short-term funding loans like Merchant Cash Advances (MCA) into one loan. This lowers both the amount of interest you pay out as well as the payback period for your loans.

Like the name implies, debt consolidation doesn’t magically make the debt go away, but it does make it easier to manage. Short-term funding options like MCAs can add up quickly. Having one, two or even three MCAs to pay back can really put you under financial stress if you try to pay off everything at once.

Debt consolidation, like factoring, helps to put you back in control of your cash flow. “Stacking” too many MCAs can result in variable amounts coming out of your accounts. But with debt consolidation, you have one loan and a known amount being withdrawn from your business account each month.

P.O. Financing

P.O. financing, or “purchase order financing,” is a form of asset-based financing that enables you to fill orders for your customers. When you use P.O. financing, you don’t sell equity or take on debt. Rather, it helps you finance manufacturing transportation suppliers so you can fill an order with the invoice securing the financing itself.

P.O. financing is a little more restrictive than simple invoice factoring. P.O. financing can only be used to finance purchases that help you fulfill your customer’s order. However, it still isn’t a loan, so you don’t have to worry about a lengthy application process.

As far as business finance options go, P.O. financing can be a great choice for wholesalers, manufacturers and other similar businesses. It can be especially useful if your orders come in a seasonal cycle, with a spike that outstrips your liquidity or available capital to fill the order.

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Learn more about the benefits of invoice factoring by downloading our free guide today!

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