Top Professional Services Finance Providers in the UK for 2026
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Top 10 Professional Services Finance Providers Compared
| Rank | Lender | Best for | Published loan range | Loan rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance for enterprise | Asset-backed lending for professional practices | £1,000 to £2,000,000 | interest 6.5% to 13.5% |
| 2 | eCapital | Invoice finance for professional service firms | Up to £500,000 | interest 7% to 14.5% |
| 3 | Treyd | Established consultancies and larger practices | £15,000 to £1,000,000 | interest 1.4% to 2.5% |
| 4 | Time Finance | High-value funding for growing professional firms | Up to £5,000,000 | interest 5.5% to 13.5% |
| 5 | PennyFreedom | Fast unsecured lending for professional services | Up to £500,000 | interest 7.5% to 15% |
| 6 | WeDo Business Finance | Large-scale finance for established practices | Up to £25,000,000 | interest 3.5% to 9.5% |
| 7 | Tide Bank | Invoice factoring for professional service firms | £500 to £20,000,000 | interest 5% to 11.5% |
| 8 | FundingAlt | Selective invoice finance for professionals | Not published | interest 8% to 16.5% |
| 9 | Acorn Business Finance | Debtors funding for professional firms | £15,000 to £5,000,000 | interest 8% to 15% |
| 10 | HSBC Bank | Asset-backed lending from a major bank | £1,000 to £300,000 | interest 8.6% to 11.3% |
Professional services finance helps solicitors, accountants, consultants, architects and other regulated practices access working capital without offering personal guarantees or property security. Unsecured business loans and invoice finance for consulting firms are the most common options, used to bridge cash flow gaps caused by long client payment cycles, fund partnership buy-ins, or invest in practice expansion.
Comparing lenders for professional services finance means looking beyond headline rates. The best providers understand how professional firms operate — they assess recurring revenue streams, client concentration risk, and the value of professional qualifications rather than just tangible assets. Speed, flexibility around partnership structures, and experience with regulated sectors all matter when choosing a funding partner.
Why professional services firms compare lenders carefully: Professional practices often show strong turnover but irregular cash flow due to milestone billing and extended payment terms. Lenders familiar with this model can structure facilities that align with your billing cycle, avoiding unnecessary strain on working capital between client payments.
Funding Agent
Published loan rangeFrom £10,000 to up to £1,000,000
Rate typeInterest or factor rate
Why it is included:It is included because many business owners need to compare several finance routes before choosing where to apply.
Funding Agent can help businesses compare suitable options across a lender panel, especially when eligibility depends on turnover, sector, trading history, credit strength and available documents.
Best use case: When the borrower wants to avoid applying to one lender at a time.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Why it stands out
- Useful when a business wants to compare lender fit rather than guess which lender to apply to first.
- Can help position the application around the funding purpose, trading profile and available documents.
- Works well as a conversion route for readers who are unsure whether a direct lender will approve a larger unsecured facility.
Need to know
- Funding Agent is a broker, not a lender.
- The lender, not Funding Agent, sets the final rate, term, fees and approval decision.
- The best match may be unsecured, secured, revolving credit, invoice finance or another product depending on the case.
Expert take
Funding Agent is a useful honourable mention for business owners who want to compare lender options before submitting a full application. A larger unsecured loan is not always approved by the first lender a business finds, so understanding lender fit early can reduce wasted time and avoid unnecessary declines.
Finance for enterprise
Published loan range£1,000 to £2,000,000
Rate typeinterest 6.5% to 13.5%
Overview: Finance for enterprise provides asset-based lending that lets professional services firms borrow against unpaid client invoices. It suits solicitors, accountants and consultants managing large billed engagements with extended payment terms.
Facilities from £1,000 to £2,000,000 give growing practices room to scale. Funding can be drawn flexibly as new invoices are raised, helping bridge the gap between billing and collection without disrupting client relationships.
Best next step: Check your eligibility in minutes
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Flexible drawdown against invoices
- Facilities up to £2m available
- Three-day typical funding speed
Need to know
- Depends on invoice quality
- May require personal guarantee
- Costs can rise with usage
Expert take
A solid fit for professional practices with strong B2B invoicing and reliable corporate clients. The flexible structure mirrors how billable-hour firms actually earn.
eCapital
Published loan rangeUp to £500,000
Rate typeinterest 7% to 14.5%
Overview: eCapital converts unpaid B2B invoices into working capital within hours, helping professional services firms access cash tied up in client bills without waiting for 30- or 60-day payment cycles.
With facilities up to £500,000 and rates starting from 7%, eCapital suits mid-market practices needing predictable cash flow. The speed of funding helps firms cover payroll, supplier costs or partner distributions on time.
Best next step: Get a quote today
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Funding in as little as one hour
- Facilities up to £500,000
- Simple invoice-backed model
Need to know
- Invoice quality is key
- Debtor concentration matters
- Client payment behaviour assessed
Expert take
Speed is the standout here. For professional services firms facing sudden cash gaps between large client payments, eCapital offers a responsive solution worth considering.
Source:https://ecapital.com/en-gb/
Treyd
Published loan range£15,000 to £1,000,000
Rate typeinterest 1.4% to 2.5%
Overview: Treyd helps professional services firms fund supplier and operational costs by leveraging invoice and purchase-order backing. It works well for consultancies and practices with predictable project-based billing cycles.
Loan sizes from £15,000 to £1,000,000 and competitive rates starting at 1.4% make Treyd an attractive option. Funding within 24 hours supports firms that need to pay contractors or third-party specialists before client receipts arrive.
Best next step: Apply online in minutes
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Competitive rates from 1.4%
- Funds up to £1m available
- 24-hour funding turnaround
Need to know
- Purchase order dependency
- Supplier strength assessed
- Debtor quality matters
Expert take
Treyd's low headline rates are appealing, but the product is best suited to firms with strong supplier relationships and project-based work that generates clear purchase orders.
Source:https://www.treyd.io/
Time Finance
Published loan rangeUp to £5,000,000
Rate typeinterest 5.5% to 13.5%
Overview: Time Finance combines invoice finance, asset finance and revolving credit into a flexible funding package. Professional services firms can draw against invoices while also financing equipment like IT systems or office fit-outs.
Facilities reach up to £5,000,000 with rates from 5.5%. The revolving structure means firms can draw and repay as cash flow fluctuates, a useful feature for practices with seasonal or project-driven income.
Best next step: Explore your funding options
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Up to £5m in facilities
- Revolving credit flexibility
- Multi-product funding mix
Need to know
- Limits can be reviewed
- Costs rise with usage
- Asset eligibility checks apply
Expert take
The blend of invoice and asset finance makes Time Finance versatile. Larger professional practices funding growth or office expansion will find the higher ceiling useful.
Source:https://www.timefinance.com/
PennyFreedom
Published loan rangeUp to £500,000
Rate typeinterest 7.5% to 15%
Overview: PennyFreedom provides invoice finance that releases cash from unpaid client bills in as little as two hours. It suits professional services firms that need rapid working capital without lengthy application processes.
With advances up to £500,000 and rates from 7.5%, PennyFreedom targets small to mid-sized practices. The straightforward product design keeps the focus on invoice quality rather than complex underwriting hurdles.
Best next step: See if you qualify
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Two-hour funding speed
- Up to £500,000 available
- Straightforward application
Need to know
- Invoice quality assessed
- Debtor concentration limits
- Client payment track record
Expert take
PennyFreedom is a practical choice for smaller professional firms that value speed and simplicity. The two-hour turnaround is among the fastest in this list.
WeDo Business Finance
Published loan rangeUp to £25,000,000
Rate typeinterest 3.5% to 9.5%
Overview: WeDo Business Finance offers invoice finance with facilities stretching to £25,000,000, making it one of the highest-limit options available. It suits large professional services firms managing substantial client receivables across multiple engagements.
Rates from 3.5% are competitive for the sector, and funding within 24 hours keeps cash flowing. The scale of facilities means even major law firms, accountancy practices and consultancies can find headroom here.
Best next step: Request a facility proposal
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Facilities up to £25m
- Rates starting at 3.5%
- 24-hour funding window
Need to know
- Invoice portfolio quality key
- Client concentration reviewed
- May require personal guarantee
Expert take
The headline facility size sets WeDo apart. For large professional partnerships with millions in billed receivables, this is one of the few options that can genuinely scale.
Tide Bank
Published loan range£500 to £20,000,000
Rate typeinterest 5% to 11.5%
Overview: Tide Bank provides invoice factoring and discounting with the backing of a recognised banking brand. Professional services firms from sole practitioners to large partnerships can access facilities from £500 to £20,000,000.
Rates start at 5% and funding arrives within 24 hours. Tide's broad product range includes secured term loans and start-up support, making it a versatile banking partner for regulated and non-regulated practices alike.
Best next step: Open a Tide account
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Broad £500 to £20m range
- Bank-branded reliability
- Start-up support available
Need to know
- Bank underwriting applies
- Trading history expected
- Security may be required
Expert take
Tide blends fintech convenience with bank credibility. It is a strong all-rounder for professional services firms that want invoice finance alongside everyday business banking.
FundingAlt
Published loan rangeNot published
Rate typeinterest 8% to 16.5%
Overview: FundingAlt offers selective invoice financing that lets professional services firms choose which client invoices to fund rather than committing the whole sales ledger. This flexibility appeals to practices with a handful of large corporate clients.
Rates range from 8% to 16.5% with funding within 24 hours. Repayments can flex with revenue, which suits firms whose income peaks around project milestones, tax season or year-end client work.
Best next step: Enquire about selective funding
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Pick individual invoices
- Revenue-linked repayments
- 24-hour access to funds
Need to know
- Can be more expensive
- Card or revenue history needed
- Invoice quality is critical
Expert take
The selective model distinguishes FundingAlt. Firms that want invoice finance without a whole-ledger commitment will find this approach worth investigating, though costs sit at the higher end.
Source:https://www.fundingalt.com/
Acorn Business Finance
Published loan range£15,000 to £5,000,000
Rate typeinterest 8% to 15%
Overview: Acorn Business Finance provides debtors funding alongside asset finance, revolving credit and acquisition support. Professional services firms can finance equipment purchases, practice acquisitions or partnership buy-ins through a single provider.
Facilities range from £15,000 to £5,000,000 with rates starting at 8%. The combination of debtor-backed and asset-backed funding gives professional practices flexibility in how they structure their borrowing.
Best next step: Discuss your funding needs
More info
Company stats
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Multi-purpose funding mix
- Acquisition finance available
- Facilities up to £5m
Need to know
- Security often required
- Trading history expected
- Valuation costs may apply
Expert take
Acorn's broad product set suits professional services firms planning structural changes like partner buy-ins or practice acquisitions, where pure invoice finance may not be enough.
HSBC Bank
Published loan range£1,000 to £300,000
Rate typeinterest 8.6% to 11.3%
Overview: HSBC Bank offers asset-based lending that combines invoice discounting with revolving credit facilities. It suits established professional services firms that want the reassurance of a high-street banking relationship alongside flexible working capital.
Loan sizes from £1,000 to £300,000 and rates from 8.6% reflect HSBC's conservative underwriting approach. Funding within 48 hours is slower than alternative lenders, but the bank's stability and sector knowledge appeal to risk-averse practices.
Best next step: Speak to HSBC directly
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- High-street bank backing
- Invoice and asset funding
- Established sector expertise
Need to know
- Slower underwriting process
- Strong trading history needed
- Security and PG likely
Expert take
HSBC brings institutional credibility that many professional services firms value. The trade-off is speed and flexibility, but for established practices it remains a dependable choice.
Source:https://www.business.hsbc.uk/en-gb/finance-and-borrowing
Unsecured Business Loan Calculator
How invoice finance bridges cash flow gaps in professional services
Professional services firms regularly wait 30 to 90 days for client payments. Solicitors, architects and consultants often carry significant work in progress before invoicing. Invoice finance releases up to around 85% of invoice value within 24 hours of raising an invoice.
For professional services, invoice discounting often suits better than factoring. Discounting keeps your client relationships confidential. You continue collecting payments directly. Factoring means the lender manages collections, which can signal cash pressure to your clients.
A practical concern is debtor concentration. Many professional practices rely heavily on a small number of large clients. Lenders may cap funding against any single debtor. This matters for firms with a concentrated client base.
Invoice finance works well for professional services with strong billing records but uneven payment timing. It is particularly useful when firms take on large instructions that temporarily strain working capital.
Using unsecured business loans for practice expansion and partner buy-ins
Unsecured business loans give professional services firms access to capital without pledging property or assets as security. This matters for practices that lease their offices or prefer not to tie up personal or business property.
Common uses include funding a partnership buy-in when a senior associate becomes equity partner. The incoming partner may need capital to purchase their stake. An unsecured loan can bridge this without requiring property equity.
Practice expansion is another clear fit. Opening a second office, hiring a new team, or investing in marketing all require upfront cash. Unsecured loans typically range from around £10,000 to £500,000, depending on the lender and the firm's trading record.
Equipment purchases such as IT systems, case management software, and office fit-outs also fit this route. Lenders generally look for at least two years of trading history, though some accept less for well-qualified professionals. Rates vary with trading strength and professional standing.
What lenders assess in professional services finance applications
Lenders view professional services firms differently from other small businesses. Regulated professions carry lower risk in some respects, but lenders still examine specific factors closely.
Recurring revenue is a strong positive. Accountancy practices with annual compliance contracts, law firms with retainer clients, and consultants with ongoing engagements demonstrate predictable income. Lenders favour this visibility.
Client concentration is a common underwriting concern. A practice that derives over 30% of revenue from a single client may face stricter terms. Lenders worry about the impact of losing that client.
Professional qualifications and regulatory standing matter. Solicitors regulated by the SRA, accountants by ICAEW or ACCA, and architects by ARB signal credibility. A clean regulatory record strengthens applications. Some lenders also consider the firm's professional indemnity insurance coverage as part of their assessment.
Asset finance and commercial mortgages for professional services practices
Beyond working capital and growth loans, professional services firms may need to finance physical assets. Asset finance covers IT hardware, office equipment, surveying instruments, architectural rendering workstations, and specialist software licences.
Hire purchase spreads the cost of equipment over its useful life, with ownership transferring at the end of the term. Leasing keeps the asset off your balance sheet and allows regular technology upgrades, which suits firms that need current hardware and software.
Commercial mortgages support practices that want to own their premises rather than lease. Solicitors, surveyors and architects with established practices often prefer ownership for long-term stability. Lenders typically require a deposit of 20 to 40 percent and assess the property's value and the firm's trading history.
Both asset finance and commercial mortgages are secured against the asset or property being funded, which can mean lower rates than unsecured options.
