The Best Alternative Finance Lenders for Accountancy Firms in the UK

For UK franchise buyers and operators, this guide compares loan periods and amounts, APRs, and terms across leading providers, with a focus on eligibility and fit. Amounts that could not be verified are left blank prices accurate as of 2025-10-07.

1. Funding Agent

Funding Agent provides tailored financial solutions for accountancy firms, focusing on business loans and financial products that suit SME needs. It facilitates quick access and flexible terms for various funding requirements. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

• Min Amount: £0
• Max Amount: £0
• Min APR: 0%
• Max APR: 0%
• Loan Duration: Unknown⌛

Services & Industries

• Finance Types: Business loans, Tailored financial products
• Industries: Accountancy

Pros

• Tailored solutions for accountancy firms
• Trusted provider

Cons

• Details of specific finance options needed

Sources: https://www.fundingagent.co.uk/financing-options/alternative-finance-for-accountancy-firms

2. ThinCats

ThinCats offers long-term debt funding for UK mid-sized businesses, focusing on sector-specific solutions. It is suitable for firms seeking flexible, secured debt with tailored repayment options. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

• Min Amount: £1,000,000
• Max Amount: £20,000,000
• Min APR: 13.5%
• Max APR: 0%
• Loan Duration: 6-60 months⌛

Services & Industries

• Finance Types: Debt funding, Tailored financing
• Industries: Manufacturing, Leisure

Pros

• Large loan amounts
• Experienced in mid-sized sectors

Cons

• Primarily for larger mid-sized companies

Sources: https://www.thincats.com/business-funding/sector-expertise

3. Fleximize

Fleximize specialises in flexible working capital finance for UK SMEs, offering quick access to funding that can support cash flow or growth. It is suitable for firms needing adaptable repayment options and fast funding. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

• Min Amount: £5,000
• Max Amount: £500,000
• Min APR: 8.9%
• Max APR: 25%
• Loan Duration: Up to 60 months⌛

Services & Industries

• Finance Types: Unsecured loans, Secured loans
• Industries: Various small and medium-sized enterprises

Pros

• Flexible finance terms
• Loyalty discounts

Cons

• APR can be high

Sources: https://www.fleximize.co.uk/

4. Liberis

Liberis offers alternative financing options including cash advances secured on sales, providing quick access for small firms in need of working capital. It is suitable for businesses wanting to manage cash flow with flexible repayment methods. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

• Min Amount: £1,000
• Max Amount: £1,000,000
• Min APR: 0%
• Max APR: 0%
• Loan Duration: Varies as per card sales⌛

Services & Industries

• Finance Types: Business cash advance, Flexible financing
• Industries: Small businesses, E-commerce

Pros

• Flexible repayment
• Adaptable to sales fluctuations

Cons

• Cost varies with sales volume

Sources: https://www.liberis.com/articles/liberis-reveals-its-multi-product-financial-platform-offering-a-further-boost-to

5. Capify

Capify offers short-term business finance, including small business loans and alternative credit options in the UK. It is suitable for firms requiring quick funding with flexible terms. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

• Min Amount: £5,000
• Max Amount: £3,000,000
• Min APR: 67.89%
• Max APR: 0%
• Loan Duration: 3-12 months⌛

Services & Industries

• Finance Types: Unsecured loans, B2B lending
• Industries: Various small and medium-sized enterprises

Pros

• Large maximum loan amount
• Quick decisions

Cons

• High APR

Sources: https://www.capify.co.uk/small-business-loans/

6. iwoca

iwoca offers fast online business loans in the UK, focused on short-term working capital and growth finance. It is suitable for firms needing quick access to unsecured or secured funding with flexible repayment options. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

• Min Amount: £1,000
• Max Amount: £1,000,000
• Min APR: 5%
• Max APR: 20%
• Loan Duration: 1-60 months⌛

Services & Industries

• Finance Types: Short-term loans, Finance lines
• Industries: Various small and medium-sized enterprises

Pros

• Fast approval process
• Flexible repayment terms

Cons

• Requires detailed financial documentation

Sources: https://www.iwoca.co.uk/

7. Spotcap

Spotcap offers flexible, short-term financing options primarily for UK SMEs, supporting cash flow and working capital needs. It is suitable for firms seeking quick, tailored funding solutions with predictable repayment terms. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

• Min Amount: £5,000
• Max Amount: £250,000
• Min APR: 0%
• Max APR: 0%
• Loan Duration: 6-24 months⌛

Services & Industries

• Finance Types: Short-term loans
• Industries: Various small and medium-sized enterprises

Pros

• Online application
• Tailored for SMEs

Cons

• Limited loan amount compared to others

Sources: https://www.expertsure.com/uk/business-loans/alternative-business-loans/

8. Fair Finance

Fair Finance provides social impact loans for small businesses and social enterprises in the UK. It is suitable for firms looking for socially responsible funding solutions that support social change. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

• Min Amount: £5,000
• Max Amount: £50,000
• Min APR: 12%
• Max APR: 36%
• Loan Duration: 12-60 months⌛

Services & Industries

• Finance Types: Business loans
• Industries: Social enterprises, Various small businesses

Pros

• Focus on social causes
• Competitive APR

Cons

• Lower loan caps

Sources: https://www.fairfinance.org.uk/

9. Startup Loans

Startup Loans offers government-backed funding to new businesses across the UK with fixed interest rates and mentoring support. It is suitable for entrepreneurs seeking low-interest, accessible finance for startup costs. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

• Min Amount: £500
• Max Amount: £25,000
• Min APR: 6%
• Max APR: 6%
• Loan Duration: 12-60 months⌛

Services & Industries

• Finance Types: Startup loans
• Industries: Startups, Small enterprises

Pros

• Fixed low-interest rate
• Mentoring support

Cons

• Limited to startups

Sources: https://www.startuploans.co.uk/

10. Choice Business Loans

Choice Business Loans offers diverse borrowing options for UK firms, ranging from secured to unsecured forms with flexible terms. Suitable for businesses needing scalable finance solutions, it supports a variety of sectors. Here's what to know:

Loan Details

• Min Amount: £5,000
• Max Amount: £500,000
• Min APR: 5.9%
• Max APR: 24.9%
• Loan Duration: 6-60 months⌛

Services & Industries

• Finance Types: Brokered business loans
• Industries: Various sectors

Pros

• Wide range of options
• Competitive rates

Cons

• Broker fees

Sources: https://www.choicebusinessloans.co.uk/

How to choose

Match loan size and APR to your budget, check eligibility, and balance speed against flexibility. Consider how repayments fit your franchise cash flow and seasonality. Review lender criteria, fees, and early repayment terms before applying. For 2025, focus on providers that offer transparent terms and quick decisions. Consider whether you want brokered access or a direct lender. Selecting the right option depends on your firm’s size, sector, and financial needs. Always review current costs and conditions before committing.

Conclusion

Matching finance providers to your needs involves understanding the advantages of bank loans, brokered solutions, or sector-specialist lenders. Banks may offer larger amounts and lower rates but can be slower. Brokers provide more options brokered to your circumstances. Sector specialists often tailor products for specific industries and social impact. Always confirm current costs and terms with the lender; pricing may change. Funding Agent is a strong choice for SMEs that want quick comparisons across multiple options. Other providers suit larger amounts, asset-backed needs, or sector specialisms. Always confirm current costs and terms with the lender; pricing may change.