Skipton Business Finance vs Accelerated Payments Invoice Finance

Skipton Business Finance, part of Skipton Building Society, focuses on providing invoice finance solutions to UK SMEs through products such as invoice factoring, invoice discounting and its Skipton Select facility, as outlined on its main site and dedicated invoice factoring and invoice discounting pages. Accelerated Payments Invoice Finance is a selective, international invoice finance provider that allows businesses to fund individual invoices without long term contracts, based on its invoice finance product page and how it works overview. Both lenders aim to improve cash flow by advancing a percentage of invoice value, but they differ in structure, eligibility and how closely they integrate with a client’s credit control processes, as described in Skipton’s invoice finance FAQs and Accelerated Payments’ about page. This comparison looks at each lender’s products, costs, service model and application journey using publicly available information up to 2026 to help UK businesses understand which might align better with their needs.

1. Products and terms at a glance

Skipton Business Finance specialises in invoice finance for UK businesses. Its core products include invoice factoring, invoice discounting, CHOCs invoice factoring and Skipton Select. These facilities are designed to provide ongoing working capital by advancing funds against unpaid B2B invoices.

Accelerated Payments offers selective invoice finance. Instead of funding every invoice through a full ledger facility, businesses can choose specific invoices to fund. This can be useful for companies with large invoices, international buyers or occasional cash flow gaps. Its model is outlined on the invoice finance and how it works pages.

Invoice finance allows a business to raise money against unpaid invoices rather than waiting for customers to pay. The British Business Bank guide to invoice finance explains that providers may advance a percentage of invoice value, with the remaining balance released after the customer pays and fees are deducted.

Skipton Business Finance product structures

• Invoice factoring: Skipton Business Finance provides funding and manages credit control and collections on behalf of the client.
• CHOCs invoice factoring: The client handles their own collections while still using Skipton Business Finance for funding.
• Invoice discounting: The client receives funding against invoices while retaining responsibility for credit control. This can often operate more confidentially than factoring.
• Skipton Select: A simplified invoice factoring product promoted as interest free, with a clearer fee structure and no separate banking charges.
• Bad debt protection: An optional feature that can help protect against customer insolvency or protracted default, subject to terms.

Accelerated Payments product structures

• Selective invoice finance: Businesses can choose which invoices to fund instead of placing the whole ledger under a facility.
• No long term full-ledger commitment: Accelerated Payments states that businesses do not need to finance every invoice from a buyer.
• International invoice support: The provider can support invoices involving approved buyers in OECD countries, subject to eligibility.
• Platform-led process: Businesses apply online, upload invoices and request funding through the platform.
• Security approach: Accelerated Payments states that it does not normally require personal guarantees or additional security beyond the receivables, subject to conditions.

In simple terms, Skipton Business Finance is better aligned with businesses that want a structured, ongoing invoice finance relationship. Accelerated Payments is better aligned with businesses that want selective invoice funding when specific invoices create a cash flow need.

2. Costs and repayments in practice

Neither Skipton Business Finance nor Accelerated Payments publishes a full standardised pricing table for all clients. Costs usually depend on the business, invoice value, customer quality, payment terms, risk profile and how the facility is used.

Skipton Business Finance fee structure

Skipton Business Finance promotes Skipton Select as an interest free invoice factoring facility with no separate banking charges. The client pays a set up fee and a single factoring fee, although exact fee levels are not published publicly and will vary by client.

For broader factoring and discounting products, Skipton’s client guides refer to fee components such as administration charges, handling charges and charges for additional services. These are explained in its guide to factoring and guide to invoice discounting.

Accelerated Payments fee structure

Accelerated Payments describes its pricing as transparent, but it does not publish fixed UK pricing tables for all business types. Its selective invoice finance model means costs are typically linked to the funded invoice, the debtor, the payment term and the risk assessment.

On its recruitment finance page, Accelerated Payments gives an example where a percentage of the invoice value is advanced and the remaining balance is paid after the buyer settles, less fees. This shows the funding mechanism, but businesses should not treat one sector example as a universal rate.

Illustrative comparison table

Worked example 1, ongoing invoice factoring facility

This example is illustrative only and is not a quote from Skipton Business Finance.

• A business raises £300,000 of eligible invoices each month.
• The provider advances 85% of invoice value.
• The business receives £255,000 shortly after submitting invoices.
• Customers later pay the full £300,000 into the facility account.
• If the total fee impact were 3% of invoice value, the cost would be £9,000.
• The remaining reserve would be released to the business after fees are deducted.

The benefit is faster access to cash. The trade off is that the business pays fees for earlier access to money that would otherwise be tied up in debtor balances.

Worked example 2, selective invoice finance for an exporter

This example is illustrative only and is not a quote from Accelerated Payments.

• A UK exporter has one approved £100,000 invoice due from an overseas buyer.
• The provider advances 80% of the invoice value.
• The business receives £80,000 shortly after approval.
• The buyer pays £100,000 at the end of the invoice term.
• If the illustrative fee were 3.5%, the cost would be £3,500.
• The remaining balance after fees would be released to the business.

This type of structure can suit businesses that do not need a full ongoing facility but want to unlock cash from specific large invoices.

3. Speed and service

Skipton Business Finance and Accelerated Payments both highlight speed and simplicity, but their service models are different.

Skipton Business Finance service model

Skipton Business Finance promotes a relationship-led service with regional offices and relationship managers. Its factoring product can include credit control and collections, which may appeal to businesses that want support managing debtor payments.

Clients can also use Skipton’s E3 online system to submit invoices and manage account information. This gives businesses a more structured facility management process alongside relationship support.

Skipton does not publish a single guaranteed onboarding or decision timeline for every facility. Approval speed will depend on the business, debtor book, facility type and due diligence requirements.

Accelerated Payments service model

Accelerated Payments uses a digital, platform-led process. Businesses apply online, upload invoices and request funding on selected approved invoices.

The provider emphasises quick decisions and fast funding, with some product materials referring to rapid approval and funding after checks are complete. However, timing will vary by case, especially where buyer checks, international invoices or additional verification are required.

This model may suit businesses that prefer a technology-led process and want access to invoice finance without setting up a traditional whole-ledger facility.

4. Who each lender suits

Skipton Business Finance may suit:

• UK businesses that issue regular B2B invoices on credit terms.
• Companies that want an ongoing working capital facility linked to their debtor book.
• Businesses that want the option to outsource credit control through invoice factoring.
• SMEs that prefer a relationship-managed lender with regional UK support.
• Firms that want access to factoring, discounting, bad debt protection or a simplified facility such as Skipton Select.

Accelerated Payments may suit:

• Businesses that want to finance selected invoices rather than commit their whole ledger.
• Companies with large invoices that create short term cash flow pressure.
• Exporters or businesses selling to approved overseas buyers.
• Firms that want a digital, platform-led application and management process.
• Businesses that want to avoid traditional long term facility commitments where possible.

In practical terms, Skipton Business Finance is likely to suit businesses looking for a more traditional invoice finance relationship. Accelerated Payments is likely to suit businesses looking for selective, flexible invoice funding on a case-by-case basis.

5. How to apply

Applying to Skipton Business Finance

Businesses can enquire with Skipton Business Finance through its online enquiry page, telephone channels or regional offices. The enquiry process usually starts with basic business details, turnover, sector and funding requirements.

The onboarding process may include:

• Reviewing recent financial accounts and management information.
• Assessing the sales ledger and key customers.
• Reviewing invoice values, payment terms and debtor concentration.
• Agreeing facility limits, advance percentages and fees.
• Confirming whether credit control, bad debt protection or other features are required.
• Signing facility documents and setting up access to online systems.

Applying to Accelerated Payments

Accelerated Payments uses an online application process. Its how it works page explains that businesses apply digitally, provide company and invoice information, and receive a decision after review.

Typical eligibility points may include:

• The business being based in an eligible country such as the UK, Ireland, USA or Canada.
• The buyer being based in an approved jurisdiction, often an OECD country.
• The invoice being a valid B2B trade receivable.
• The invoice being undisputed and within acceptable payment terms.
• The buyer passing credit and risk checks.

Once approved, the business can upload eligible invoices, request funding and track repayment through the platform.

6. Final verdict

Skipton Business Finance and Accelerated Payments both help businesses unlock cash from unpaid invoices, but they solve slightly different problems.

Skipton Business Finance is the stronger fit for businesses that want a more traditional invoice finance facility, especially if they issue regular B2B invoices and want ongoing access to working capital. Its product range is broader across factoring, discounting, CHOCs, Skipton Select and bad debt protection.

Accelerated Payments is the stronger fit for businesses that want selective funding. It may be more suitable for companies that only want to fund certain invoices, need support with larger invoice values, or work with international buyers.

Choose Skipton Business Finance if:

• You want an ongoing invoice factoring or discounting facility.
• You want the option to outsource credit control.
• You prefer a UK relationship-managed provider.
• You issue regular B2B invoices and need recurring working capital support.

Choose Accelerated Payments if:

• You want to fund individual invoices rather than your full ledger.
• You sell to larger or overseas buyers.
• You want a digital application and funding process.
• You want more flexibility and fewer long term facility commitments.

Businesses should treat this comparison as a starting point, then request tailored quotes from both lenders. The right option will depend on invoice value, customer quality, payment terms, sector, trading history and the level of control the business wants over its customer relationships.

7. Sources

• Skipton Business Finance main site
• Skipton Business Finance invoice factoring page
• Skipton Business Finance invoice discounting page
• Skipton Business Finance CHOCs explanation
• Skipton Select product page
• Skipton Business Finance bad debt protection
• Skipton Business Finance invoice finance FAQs
• Skipton Business Finance guide to factoring
• Skipton Business Finance guide to invoice discounting
• Skipton Business Finance enquiry page
• Skipton Business Finance complaints procedure
• Companies House entry for Skipton Business Finance Limited
• Accelerated Payments main site
• Accelerated Payments invoice finance product page
• Accelerated Payments how it works page
• Accelerated Payments recruitment finance sector page
• Accelerated Payments about page
• Accelerated Payments contact page
• Accelerated Payments platform terms and conditions
• Global Trade Review article on Accelerated Payments UK expansion
• British Business Bank guide to invoice finance
• Moneyfacts invoice finance guide
• Billtrust guide to invoice finance costs
• FundingGuru article on invoice finance costs
• Funding Agent guide to selective invoice finance