Short answer
Business Funding for Professional Services Firms: what matters first
Professional services firms such as accountants, lawyers, consultants, engineers, architects and agencies can usually access business funding from $10,000 to $500,000 with an active ABN, at least 3 months of trading and $10,000 or more in monthly revenue. The main pressure is timing: salaries are paid every cycle, while work in progress is billed later and clients may take 30 to 60 days to pay. Lenders look at revenue consistency, debtor days, client concentration and existing debt. Invoice finance can release cash from unpaid invoices to business clients, while a line of credit suits recurring gaps between payroll and collections.
Who it is for
This is for established firms whose cash is tied up in salaries, work in progress and debtors.
- Accounting, bookkeeping and advisory firms
- Law firms and legal practices
- Consulting, engineering and architecture firms
- Marketing, creative, IT and digital agencies
Common funding uses
Funding usually bridges the gap between paying people and getting paid.
- Salaries while debtors are outstanding
- Hiring ahead of signed work
- Technology, software and office upgrades
- Tax and BAS timing
- Practice growth or new service lines
What affects eligibility
Lenders focus on billing reliability and the quality of the client base.
- Monthly revenue and billing consistency
- Debtor days and aged receivables
- Concentration on a few large clients
- Existing loans, ATO debt and bank conduct
- Trading history and credit file
What documents are needed
Bank statements come first; invoice-based products also review the debtor ledger.
- Recent business bank statements, usually the last 3 to 6 months
- ABN, entity and director details
- Requested amount and a clear funding purpose
- Basic turnover, trading history and contact details
- Aged receivables listing for invoice finance
Frequently asked questions
Can a firm borrow against unpaid client invoices?
Often, yes, when the clients are businesses. Invoice finance advances part of each approved invoice and settles the balance when the client pays.
Does work in progress count?
Unbilled work is harder for lenders to rely on than issued invoices. Billing promptly and in stages generally improves funding options.
Can funding help with hiring ahead of new work?
It can when there is evidence of the incoming work, such as signed engagements or a reliable pipeline.
Check options
Get a practical view before you apply broadly.
Tell us the funding amount, turnover and purpose. A lending specialist will review what looks realistic and explain the next step if there is a lender fit.