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Factoring Glossary

Invoice factoring can use some complex language the the average small business owner does not usually encounter on their day-to-day operation. When communicating with our clients or their customers we strive for transparency and simplicity. Below is a glossary of the common terms used in the invoice factoring process.

invoice factoring broker role

Invoice Factoring Terms Defined:

Accounts Payable: Invoices and payment owed by a business to their suppliers

Accounts Receivable: Invoices and payment owed to a business by their customers

Accounts Receivable Financing (A/R Finance): Business funding based on your aging receivables rather than credit score or time in business

receivables funding

ACH (Automated Clearing House): Payments made through bank account withdrawals or deposits using the ACH system

Advance: The amount of money a business receives upon submitting an invoice

Annual Fees: Yearly fees paid to a lender as costs for maintenance of the loan or line of credit

Articles of Incorporation: a public record that establishes the creation of a business

Authorized Signatory: The person with permission to sign for a legal document on behalf of the company

Bill of Lading: Legal document with the terms and goods of a shipment by a carrier

Buyout: Process of switching factoring companies when under contract. The new factor will buy out the remainder of your contract with your existing factor

Concentration: The percentage of invoices issued to just one company

Creditor: The company or person that is owed money

Days Sales Outstanding (DSO): Average length of time between sale and collection of invoice payment

Debtor: The company paying the invoice

Factoring Fee: Typically 2% to 4% of the total invoice amount. This is the money that the factoring company keeps in exchange for immediate payment on your receivables

Lien: the legal claim of collateral by a lender if the financing terms are unmet. Invoice factoring companies file a lien on a company’s receivables

Lockbox: A bank service designed to accept checks and deposit them as soon as possible

Non-Recourse: The factoring company takes liability for unpaid invoices rather than the business

Notice of Assignment (NOA): A document sent to a business’ clients notifying them of a factoring arrangement

Recourse: The business takes liability for unpaid invoices rather than the factoring company

non-recourse factoring
What is the difference between recourse and non-recourse factoring?

Remittance Address: the address to which a business’ clients should submit payment

Reserve: The amount of money held by the factor until they receive client payment. Typically between 5% and 20% depending on the industry

Revolving Line of Credit: Money available to a company without an end time. Factoring can be seen as a revolving line of credit tied to your receivables

revolving line of credit

Termination/Payoff Agreement: Document between the client, existing factoring company, and new factoring company with the terms of the factoring buyout. This document ensures the hand off will move smoothly

UCC: Uniform Commercial Code or a federal act that regulates commercial transactions

UCC Lien: Dictates the claim to receivables to a business’ financier or factoring company

Verification: A call to a business’ debtors to verify the amount of an invoice or purchase order

Working Capital: The money available to a business regarding day to day operations (current assets minus current liabilities)

Working Capital Loan: A loan that requires collateral for short-term financing needs. Terms and rates vary based on lender

Factoring Explained:

If your business sells to other businesses, chances are you have arranged credit terms. Large customers with greater control over their markets can set payment terms of over 45 days. Most small businesses cannot afford to wait 30 to 60 to 90 days for client payment in addition to growing their business. This is where factoring comes into play. Invoice factoring solutions advance the invoice amount to a small business less a factoring fee, so that business can continue to sell and grow. The factoring company then waits the duration of the agreed upon payment terms. This form of small business financing grows with financing needs and is debt-free. If you think invoice factoring can help your business grow, give us a call at 855.420.8318.

Eagle Business Credit does NOT charge any annual fees, hidden fees, or extra costs attached to your business financing. We believe in transparency, so there will be nothing shocking in our lending agreement that will nickel and dime you. A factoring company like Eagle Business Credit offers same-day funding for the amount of your invoices or accounts receivable. Eagle advances your company 80% to 95% of the invoice value through whichever payment option you prefer. After the credit terms expire and the debtor pays, Eagle releases the reserves, less the factoring fee to your company.