Accountants Business Loans — Secured & Unsecured Funding for Accountancy Practices

Short summary: Yes — UK Business Loans’ partners can provide both secured and unsecured funding to accountancy practices. Which is appropriate depends on the size and purpose of the loan, available security (e.g. property or business assets), credit history and how quickly you need funds. UK Business Loans introduces practices (from limited companies and LLPs) to lenders and brokers who specialise in professional services and practice finance. Complete a Free Eligibility Check to get matched and receive quotes — the enquiry is not an application, it’s information we use to find the best partners for your needs.

Get a Free Eligibility Check

Table of contents

• Short answer summary
• What ‘secured’ and ‘unsecured’ mean for accountants
• Which lenders & brokers in our network offer secured vs unsecured
• When accountants are likely to take secured finance
• When unsecured finance is appropriate
• Other funding options accountants regularly use
• Eligibility, documents & what lenders look for
• How UK Business Loans helps
• How to choose secured vs unsecured — quick checklist
• Example scenarios
• Transparent cost expectations & risks
• Frequently asked questions
• Compliance, privacy & disclaimer
• Final call to action

Short answer — do partners provide both secured and unsecured funding?

Yes. Our curated panel of UK lenders and brokers includes providers of both secured and unsecured finance tailored to accountancy practices. Secured facilities (for example commercial mortgages, debentures or asset-backed loans) are commonly used for larger, longer-term borrowing and property purchases. Unsecured options (including unsecured term loans, merchant/alternative lenders and some specialist SME funds) suit smaller, quicker funding needs and working capital requirements. Your best option depends on loan amount (we arrange finance from around £10,000 and up), term, speed and what security you can offer.

Free Eligibility Check — Get Started

What ‘secured’ and ‘unsecured’ mean for accountants

Secured finance — the lender takes a legal charge over an asset (for example commercial property, business assets, or a debenture over company assets). Security gives lenders confidence to offer larger amounts and often lower interest rates and longer terms. Common security types include fixed charges on property, floating charges over trading assets, and personal guarantees from directors.

Unsecured finance — no specific business asset is charged as security. Providers make lending decisions based on affordability, cashflow and the practice’s trading history. Unsecured facilities are typically faster to arrange but costlier and often shorter-term.

Which lenders & brokers in our network offer secured vs unsecured

We are an introducer that connects accountancy practices with a curated panel of UK lenders and brokers. High-level mapping:

• Secured specialists: commercial mortgage providers, high-street and challenger banks, specialist property lenders — typically handle larger loans and property purchases.
• Unsecured specialists: specialist SME lenders, alternative finance providers, marketplace lenders and some challenger banks — usually faster decisions for smaller amounts.
• Brokers & panel lenders: many brokers work across both secured and unsecured markets and can package the best options for complex requirements.

We match you to the most suitable partners for your practice profile, taking into account loan size, purpose, and how quickly you need funds.

Get Quote Now — our short enquiry helps us match you fast.

When accountants are likely to take secured finance

Secured finance is most common when the required amount is large (for example from roughly £50,000–£250,000 and up, depending on purpose and lender), or when the borrowing is long-term. Typical scenarios:

• Buying or refinancing commercial premises for the practice.
• Funding an acquisition of another accountancy firm.
• Restructuring existing higher-cost debt into a lower-cost secured facility.
• Significant practice expansion requiring large capital outlay.

Advantages: typically lower interest rates, longer repayment terms and access to higher sums. Considerations: the asset is at risk if repayments are not met, and lenders may request director guarantees.

When unsecured finance is appropriate for accountants

Unsecured finance suits shorter-term cashflow needs and smaller sums. Typical situations:

• Immediate working capital to cover payroll or temporary client payment delays.
• Purchasing software, hardware or smaller office fit-outs.
• When partners or the business prefer not to grant charges over property or assets.
• Speed is crucial and you need funds quickly.

Advantages: faster access and no business asset charged; disadvantages: higher cost, shorter terms and sometimes stricter affordability checks.

Other funding options accountants regularly use

• Invoice finance / factoring: unlock cash tied up in uncollected client invoices — ideal for practices with predictable invoicing but long payment terms.
• Asset & equipment finance: fund servers, laptops, office fit-outs or other equipment without a large upfront cost.
• Business overdrafts & credit cards: short-term working capital for immediate needs.
• Refinance & consolidation: combine multiple debts into a single facility to improve cashflow management.

If you’re unsure which route fits, our matching process will connect you to partners with the right specialism.

Eligibility, documents & what lenders look for

Most lenders and brokers expect similar core information. Having these ready speeds up initial quotes:

• Business structure and trading history (Ltd company or LLP; minimum trading period varies by lender).
• Turnover and profitability — management accounts and last 1–2 years’ accounts where available.
• 3–6 months of business bank statements.
• Details of existing borrowing, assets to secure (if any), and director ID (passport/driving licence) and proof of address.
• Clear purpose for the funding and estimated amount required (we arrange finance from about £10,000 upwards).

Tip: you’ll get quicker and more accurate matches if you can provide recent management accounts and bank statements with your enquiry.

How UK Business Loans helps

Our process is designed for speed and simplicity:

1. Complete a short enquiry with basic details (it takes a couple of minutes).
2. We match your practice to lenders and brokers in our panel who specialise in professional services.
3. Partners contact you directly with quotes and next steps so you can compare offers and progress the one that suits you.

Important: the enquiry form is informational only — it is not an application. We use the details to identify the best partners for your practice. We do not lend money or provide regulated financial advice; we introduce you to lenders/brokers who then handle any application.

Start your enquiry — Free Eligibility Check

How to choose secured vs unsecured — quick decision checklist

• Loan amount: larger sums typically favour secured finance.
• Loan term: long-term investments usually suit secured facilities.
• Security: are you willing/able to offer property or assets as collateral?
• Cost sensitivity: secured often cheaper; unsecured typically more expensive.
• Speed: unsecured can be quicker to access.

Not sure? Complete our short form and we’ll match you with a specialist who can explain options.

Example scenarios (how we help)

Example 1 — Small practice needs £25,000
A two-partner limited company needs funds for new practice management software and to cover short-term payroll while client payments clear. Likely route: unsecured term loan or invoice finance. How we help: we introduce you to lenders who provide quick unsecured facilities or invoice finance to bridge the gap.

Example 2 — Multi-partner firm buying premises for £400,000
A multi-partner practice wants to buy office premises. Likely route: secured commercial mortgage or long-term loan against property. How we help: we connect you with commercial mortgage specialists and brokers who handle property security and structuring.

Transparent cost expectations & risks

General guidance — not a quotation:

• Unsecured finance: typically higher interest rates and shorter terms; good for speed and smaller amounts.
• Secured finance: often lower costs for larger sums and longer terms but involves risk to the asset used as security.
• Potential additional fees: arrangement fees, valuation and legal fees, broker fees and possible early-repayment charges — confirm these with the lender/broker.

Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform credit or affordability checks later in the application process.

Frequently asked questions

Do your partners lend to new partner or recently restructured practices?

Yes — some lenders specialise in recently restructured firms or new partner arrangements, though eligibility depends on financials and trading history.

Will applying through you affect our credit rating?

No — making an enquiry with us does not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out checks later if you choose to proceed.

Do I have to accept any quote I receive?

No. You are under no obligation to accept any offer after being introduced.

How quickly will lenders respond?

Often within a few hours during business hours for straightforward enquiries; more complex secured cases may take longer for valuations and underwriting.

What happens to my data?

We share your details only with selected partners relevant to your enquiry. By submitting the form you consent to this — see our Privacy Policy for full details.

Are the lenders regulated?

Some partners are regulated; others operate outside FCA authorisation depending on the product. You will be told which partner you are being connected to and can check their credentials.

Get a free quote — Free Eligibility Check

Compliance, privacy & disclaimer

We are an introducer. UK Business Loans does not provide regulated financial advice and does not lend directly. Our service is designed to connect practices with lenders and brokers that may be able to help based on the information you provide. Our content is for information purposes only — always read lender terms carefully and consider obtaining independent advice where appropriate.

Privacy short note: by submitting an enquiry you consent to us sharing your details with a small number of selected lenders/brokers relevant to your request. See our Privacy Policy and Terms for full details.

Ready to get matched?

Both secured and unsecured funding are available to accountancy practices through our partners. To find the best route for your needs, complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who specialise in practice finance.

Get a Free Eligibility Check — Start now

---

We act as an introducer and do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. The enquiry form is for matching purposes only and is not an application. UK Business Loans arranges introductions only; any offer is made by the lender or broker directly.

1. Can UK Business Loans help accountancy practices find both secured and unsecured business loans?
No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that matches accountancy practices with partner lenders and brokers who offer both secured and unsecured business loans depending on need.

2. Will submitting a Free Eligibility Check through UK Business Loans affect our credit score?
No — completing our Free Eligibility Check is an enquiry only and does not affect your credit score, although lenders may perform credit checks later if you proceed.

3. Is the Free Eligibility Check the same as making a loan application?
No — the Free Eligibility Check is informational only to help us match you with suitable lenders and is not a formal loan application.

4. How much can an accountancy practice borrow through your network of lenders and brokers?
Our partners arrange finance from around £10,000 up to several million, depending on lender criteria, purpose and available security.

5. What’s the main difference between secured and unsecured finance for accountants?
Secured finance uses a legal charge over assets (e.g. commercial property) allowing larger sums and lower rates for longer terms, while unsecured finance relies on affordability and trading history, usually costing more and being quicker to arrange.

6. How quickly will lenders or brokers respond after I submit an enquiry?
For straightforward enquiries many partners respond within a few hours during business hours, while complex secured cases requiring valuations and underwriting can take longer.

7. What documents do lenders typically ask for when considering a business loan for an accountancy practice?
Common requirements include business structure details, recent management accounts and last 1–2 years’ accounts, 3–6 months’ bank statements, ID and proof of address, and details of any assets or existing borrowing.

8. Do you lend directly or provide regulated financial advice to businesses?
No — we do not lend or give regulated financial advice; we introduce you to regulated and specialist lenders/brokers who will handle any application and advice.

9. Can practices with recent partner changes or imperfect credit histories still access finance?
Yes — some lenders in our panel specialise in newly restructured firms or businesses with adverse credit, although eligibility and terms depend on financials and lender policies.

10. What other funding options do accountancy practices commonly use besides unsecured or secured loans?
Accountancy practices often use invoice finance/factoring, asset and equipment finance, business overdrafts or credit cards, commercial mortgages for premises, and refinance or consolidation solutions.