Short answer: Yes — here’s what that means

UK Business Loans introduces accountancy firms to brokers and lenders who, where required by law or market practice, hold FCA permissions and operate under recognised conduct standards. We carry out partner checks and ongoing monitoring to make sure you’re referred to reputable providers with relevant experience in professional practice finance. UK Business Loans itself is not a lender and does not give regulated financial advice — we are an introducer only. Ready to be matched? Free Eligibility Check.

Why FCA authorisation matters for accountants

What FCA authorisation protects you from

• Fair treatment and transparent terms — regulated firms must meet FCA principles of conduct.
• Clear and accurate financial promotions — adverts and product information should not be misleading.
• Access to complaint routes — regulated firms are subject to FCA supervision and complaints procedures.
• Appropriate systems for money laundering checks, data protection and professional conduct in financial dealings.

Typical authorisations relevant to practice finance

Professional practice finance for accountants often sits in the commercial/SME perimeter rather than consumer credit. That means:

• Brokers who provide regulated advice or act on behalf of customers usually hold FCA permissions and a firm reference number (FRN).
• Some commercial lending activities may be outside specific consumer protections, but regulated firms are still expected to meet FCA principles and rules on financial promotions.
• Even where a product is technically commercial, working with FCA‑authorised brokers or lenders gives an additional layer of transparency and accountability.

How UK Business Loans vets partners

We accept partners to our panel only after a structured verification and onboarding process designed to protect businesses and preserve quality referrals.

Initial checks

• Proof of identity and business registration.
• Verification of FCA authorisation where applicable — we check the FCA Register for FRNs and permissions.
• Evidence of relevant sector experience (for example, lenders or brokers who have arranged finance for accountancy or other professional practices).
• AML/KYC, data protection and privacy policies.

Ongoing monitoring

• Regular re-checks of FCA status and permissions.
• Monitoring of complaints, service quality and customer feedback from referrals.
• Removal or remediation where conduct or performance falls short of our standards.

We match firms to partners by sector expertise and product fit so accountants are paired with brokers and lenders who understand practice acquisitions, invoice finance, bridging, or asset finance. Start a short enquiry to see specialist matches: Get Quote Now.

Are all partners FCA‑authorised? Exceptions and what to expect

Most brokers we refer will be FCA‑authorised where the activity is regulated. Many mainstream commercial lenders and authorised brokers hold permissions — but there are legal nuances:

• Some specialist commercial lenders (for example certain asset finance houses or private funding vehicles) may operate under different regulatory frameworks where specific FCA permissions are not required.
• When FCA authorisation is required for the activity, our preference is to work with authorised firms; where authorisation is not required, we only work with trusted providers who meet our conduct and transparency standards.

Before passing your details to any partner we will disclose partner identity and you are free to verify their status on the FCA register. If you’d like a match tailored to accountancy firms, see our specialist accountants page: accountants business loans.

How accountants typically use finance — common loan types and what lenders look for

Accountancy practices commonly approach finance for growth, acquisitions and cashflow. Typical facilities include:

• Practice acquisition loans — funding to buy another practice or partner buy‑ins. Lenders assess client ledger, recurring fees, profitability and continuity plans.
• Working capital / short‑term cashflow loans — bridging seasonal gaps or covering payroll during busy periods.
• Invoice finance and factoring — unlocking cash tied up in outstanding client invoices (important where debtor days are long).
• Asset and equipment finance — funding for office IT, software licenses, furniture or practice refits.
• Refinancing / debt consolidation — replacing multiple facilities with a single, more manageable arrangement.
• Short‑term bridging finance — for time‑sensitive purchases or to bridge cashflow ahead of invoicing.

What lenders and brokers will typically consider: turnover, recurring fee income, time trading, client concentration, partner/director guarantees, and personal/business credit history. For a quick, no‑obligation match with specialist brokers for accountants, Get Quote Now.

How to verify FCA authorisation yourself

To check whether a broker or firm is FCA‑authorised:

1. Ask the firm for its FCA firm reference number (FRN).
2. Visit the FCA register at https://register.fca.org.uk/.
3. Search by FRN or company name — confirm status, permissions and any restrictions.
4. Keep a screenshot or record of the register entry before proceeding.

Always ask partners for written details of any fees, costs and the proposed product key terms. If something looks unclear, ask the partner for clarification before sharing sensitive documents.

What to expect after you submit an enquiry

Our enquiry process is designed to be quick and low friction:

1. You complete a short form (business name, contact, time trading, loan amount and purpose).
2. We match you to one or more suitable partners from our panel based on sector and product needs.
3. A selected broker or lender contacts you to discuss options, request documents and provide indicative pricing.
4. Compare offers and proceed directly with the provider you choose — there’s no obligation to accept any offer.

Typical initial contact is often within hours during business days, with full proposals in days depending on complexity. Start your enquiry: Free Eligibility Check.

Compliance & transparency — our role and how we’re remunerated

UK Business Loans acts purely as an introducer. We do not provide regulated financial advice and we are not a lender. We receive a fee from partner brokers or lenders when a referral leads to a completed business arrangement — this does not increase the cost to you. We require partners to follow fair, clear and not misleading promotions in line with FCA and advertising best practice.

Important: UK Business Loans is an introducer and not a lender or regulated financial adviser. We do not provide regulated financial advice. All partners must hold appropriate permissions where required; you should verify FCA details before proceeding. Using our service is free and does not affect your credit file.

Frequently asked questions

Is UK Business Loans an FCA‑regulated firm?

No. We are not a lender or an FCA‑regulated adviser. We connect businesses with lenders and brokers; many of those partners hold FCA permissions where applicable.

Will using UK Business Loans affect my credit score?

No. Submitting an enquiry is a soft process and will not affect your credit score. Lenders or brokers may carry out credit checks later when you apply for a specific product.

How quickly will a broker or lender contact me?

Often within hours during business hours; for complex requests allow up to 24–48 hours for an initial response.

What loan sizes do you arrange?

We typically match businesses looking for facilities from around £10,000 upwards to suitable brokers and lenders.

Can I verify a partner’s FCA status?

Yes — ask for the firm reference number (FRN) and check the FCA register at https://register.fca.org.uk/.

Next steps — get your free eligibility check

Ready to explore options for your accountancy practice? Complete a short, no‑obligation enquiry and we’ll match you to trusted brokers and lenders who specialise in professional practice finance.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

We only share your details with selected, approved partners. You will be informed which partner(s) will contact you before any data is passed on.