Quick Working Capital for Payroll — Accountants & Solicitors

Short answer: Yes — limited companies and LLPs in professional services (accountancy and solicitor firms) can access quick working capital to cover payroll. Fast options include invoice finance (factoring/discounting), short-term bridging or unsecured business loans arranged via brokers, overdrafts and merchant/revenue advances. Speed and suitability depend on whether invoices are eligible, your trading history, regulatory constraints (especially for solicitors dealing with client money) and the amount required (we typically arrange facilities from £10,000+). Complete a Free Eligibility Check to see tailored options: Get Quote Now.

Important: UK Business Loans is an introducer — we do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. We match businesses to lenders and brokers who can provide funding. Submitting an enquiry is not an application; it’s information to help us match you with the right providers.

Can professional services get quick payroll funding?

Yes. Firms structured as limited companies or LLPs in accounting and legal sectors commonly secure quick working capital to meet payroll obligations. The most rapid routes are invoice finance (factoring or discounting) if you have billable invoices, and merchant/revenue advances where applicable. Broker-arranged short-term loans and some online lenders can deliver funds within 24–72 hours once documentation is in place. Overdrafts and bank facilities may be an option but depend on existing banking relationships and credit.

Note: we only match firms seeking facilities from around £10,000 upwards. Want to check eligibility for your firm quickly? Free Eligibility Check.

How payroll funding works for accountants & solicitors

Funding for payroll is designed to cover short-term cashflow gaps so you can pay staff while waiting for client payments or other receipts. Here are common solutions:

• Invoice finance (factoring / discounting) — Lenders advance a percentage (usually 70–90%) of unpaid invoices. Factoring often includes debtor management; discounting leaves collections with you. Advance can be released same day or within 24–48 hours on approved invoices.
• Short-term business loans — Unsecured or secured loans arranged by brokers; amount and speed vary with credit profile. Brokers can often source rapid, short-term offers within 24–72 hours.
• Business overdraft — Flexible for recurring payroll needs but depends on bank appetite; can be slower to set up for new facilities (days–weeks).
• Merchant cash advance / revenue advance — Based on card receipts; less common for professional services but useful if you take card payments frequently.
• Bridging or invoice-backed loans — Short loans secured against imminent receipts or invoices; useful when a single large invoice is pending but payroll is due now.
• Director/shareholder injections — Quick but should be considered alongside tax and company law implications.

Which is fastest? Typically invoice finance and merchant advances — they can provide cash the same day the lender accepts your invoices. Broker-arranged loans vary but can be quick when pre-vetted lenders have appetite.

Important compliance notes for solicitors

Solicitor firms face additional rules where client money and client account protections apply. Key points:

• If your invoices relate to or are settled from client money, many funders will need clarity before advancing funds — some will not take security over client funds.
• You must disclose your regulatory status and whether you hold client money to any prospective lender early in discussions. Failure to share this can delay or prevent offers.
• Some lenders specialise in law firms and will structure facilities around SRA requirements (for example, funding non-client invoices or offering unsecured loans instead of client-money-backed facilities).

If you are a legal practice, tell the introducer or broker about client money at the first enquiry so you’re matched with specialist lenders who understand solicitor compliance.

Eligibility checklist — what lenders typically need

Speed depends on how quickly you can provide the documents below. Common requirements include:

• Company bank statements (3–6 months)
• Copies of unpaid invoices or contracts for invoice finance
• Management accounts or company accounts (last 12–24 months)
• Details of average monthly payroll and staff numbers
• Director ID and proof of address
• Confirmation of any regulatory/client-money arrangements (for solicitors)

Digital accounting (Xero, QuickBooks) and read-only bank access speed the process. Having invoices exported as PDFs and quick authorisation from directors reduces time to funds.

Typical costs, terms and example scenarios

Costs differ by product and risk profile. Below are typical ranges and simplified examples — actual offers will vary.

• Invoice finance: Advance 70–90% of invoice value. Discounting/factoring fees commonly 0.5–3% per invoice or monthly facility fees. Service fees may apply for collections (factoring).
• Short-term loans: Rates range by lender — some fast, unsecured loans have higher fees/interest; arranged loans via brokers may include arrangement fees plus interest.
• Overdrafts: Annual interest plus arrangement/renewal charges; banks may review and withdraw facilities.
• Merchant cash advances: Repayment by a percentage of card receipts — effective cost can be high compared with traditional interest.

Example 1 — Accountancy firm: £40k overdue invoices. Invoice factoring releases 85% (£34k) within 24 hours; remaining balance less fees when clients pay. Immediate payroll covered with modest monthly cost.

Example 2 — Small law firm: £20k shortfall to cover payroll while waiting for settlement. Broker arranges a short-term facility of £25k within 48–72 hours; fixed fee + interest quoted; funds used to run payroll for two cycles.

For more general options on business capital, see our business loans overview on business loans.

Pros & cons of each funding type

• Invoice finance — Pros: very fast, unlocks cash from invoices; Cons: ongoing cost, unsuitable for client-held funds unless structured.
• Short-term loans — Pros: predictable repayments, useful for one-off payroll gaps; Cons: credit checks, potential guarantees, cost varies.
• Overdraft — Pros: flexible; Cons: banks can reduce/withdraw, may take longer to set up.
• Merchant cash advance — Pros: fast, based on receipts; Cons: higher effective cost and daily/weekly repayments tied to card intake.

Which suits you depends on the cause of the gap (late payer vs one-off shortfall), regularity of the need and regulatory constraints.

How UK Business Loans helps

We do not lend. We match limited companies and LLPs in accountancy and legal sectors with lenders and brokers who specialise in business finance. Our process is designed to be fast and to preserve your time:

1. Complete a short online enquiry (takes 2 minutes).
2. We review details and match you to lenders/brokers suited to professional services and your requirements.
3. You receive contact and indicative options — compare offers and choose.
4. Proceed directly with the lender or broker if you wish. No obligation to accept any offer.

All enquiries are treated confidentially. Start your Free Eligibility Check here: Get Quote Now.

Timeline: from enquiry to payroll funded

• Invoice finance: same day–48 hours after approval and invoice verification.
• Broker-arranged loan: 24–72 hours for indicative terms; a few days to funds after paperwork and checks.
• Overdraft: 3–10 days depending on the bank and any security required.
• Merchant cash advance: 24–48 hours once merchant history is verified.

To speed things up: have recent bank statements, prepared invoices, and an authorised director available to sign documents electronically.

FAQ — quick answers

Want to see tailored options for your firm? Complete a quick enquiry and compare offers: Free Eligibility Check.

Ready to get payroll funding fast?

If payroll is due and cash is tight, help is available. Our free enquiry is quick and non-binding — we’ll match your firm with lenders and brokers that can offer suitable solutions for professional services. Complete the short form now and expect contact from specialist lenders quickly: Get Quote Now.

Disclaimer: UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not provide loans or regulated financial advice. Funding decisions, rates and eligibility are decided by the lender or broker. Finance costs and availability vary — always check full terms before accepting any offer.

1. Can accountants and solicitors get quick working capital to cover payroll?
Yes — limited companies and LLPs in accountancy and legal sectors can access quick working capital (typically from £10,000+) via invoice finance, short-term loans, overdrafts or merchant/revenue advances depending on invoices and regulatory constraints.

2. How fast can I get payroll funding through UK Business Loans?
Invoice finance and merchant/revenue advances can release funds the same day to 48 hours after approval, while broker-arranged loans usually provide indicative terms in 24–72 hours and funds a few days after paperwork.

3. What finance product is best for short-term payroll gaps?
Invoice finance (factoring or discounting) is usually best for turning unpaid invoices into immediate cash, while short-term loans or overdrafts suit one-off gaps and merchant cash advances help firms with regular card receipts.

4. Will submitting an enquiry with UK Business Loans affect our credit score?
No — completing a free enquiry with UK Business Loans does not affect your credit score; lenders or brokers may perform credit checks later if you choose to proceed.

5. How much can we borrow to cover payroll costs?
UK Business Loans typically arranges facilities from around £10,000 upwards, with exact amounts depending on invoice values, trading history, security and lender appetite.

6. Can solicitors use invoice finance if they hold client money?
Possibly — funding is available if invoices are not client-account controlled or if specialist lenders can structure around SRA/client-money rules, so disclose client-money status early.

7. What documents speed up a quick business loan or invoice finance application?
Prepare 3–6 months of company bank statements, unpaid invoice copies, recent management or company accounts, payroll details and director ID to accelerate lender checks.

8. What are typical costs for invoice finance and merchant cash advances?
Invoice finance fees commonly range from about 0.5–3% per invoice with advances of 70–90% of invoice value, while merchant/revenue advances can have higher effective costs and repayment rates tied to card receipts.

9. Can start-up accountancy or legal firms get payroll funding?
Yes — some lenders and brokers work with newer firms, especially if you can show invoices, predictable revenue or supporting director guarantees, and a broker can match you to suitable providers.

10. Is the enquiry form an application and do you lend money directly?
No — UK Business Loans is an introducer that does not lend or provide regulated financial advice; the enquiry form is a non-binding way to match your business with appropriate lenders and brokers.