When you’re looking for a way to get paid faster, AR factoring can be a great option. This process allows businesses to sell their accounts receivable (AR) to a third party, known as a factor, in exchange for immediate payment. But what are the costs associated with this process? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the fees involved with AR factoring and outline the two different types of AR factoring. We’ll also help you determine which option is best for your business!
What is a “Fee”?
A fee is a charge assessed by an organization for a service or activity. Fees are usually associated with membership in an organization, attending an event, using a facility or services. Many organizations have different types of fees for different services or activities.
Types of Fees
When it comes to Accounts Receivable (AR) factoring, there are three different types of fees that are commonly charged:
- Factoring Fees: The charges that the factor charges for financing are referred to as fees. Factors will generally charge a percentage of the entire invoices financed (i.e. advance rate), as well as a fixed fee for each invoice.
- Discount Fees: These are the fees charged by the factor for allowing your consumers to take advantage of early payment discounts. Factors often charge a cut of the discounted invoices (i.e. discount rate).
- Collection Fees: These are the expenses charged by the factor for collecting your clients’ payments on your behalf. Factors will, in most cases, charge a fee based on the invoices they collect (i.e. collection percentage).
Fees Depending Volume and Credit Quality of Customers.
The fees charged by a factor will vary depending on the volume and credit quality of your invoices. For example, if you have a large volume of invoices from high-creditworthy customers, the fees charged by the factor will be lower than if you had a small volume of invoices from low-creditworthy customers.
To get an idea of how much it would cost to factor your AR, most factors will provide you with a quote that includes all three types of fees. It is important to understand all of the fees involved so that you can make the best decision for your business.
While the fees associated with AR factoring can seem high, always remember that this type of financing is still cheaper than other options, like a business loan. When you factor your invoices, you are selling them at a discount in exchange for immediate payment. This allows you to free up cash that can be used to grow your business.
Types of AR Factoring
There are two different types of AR factoring: recourse and non-recourse. The type of financing you choose will affect the fees you pay.
Recourse Factoring
With recourse factoring, the factor takes on all the credit risk associated with the invoices being financed. This means that if your customer does not pay the invoice, the factor can come back to you for the payment. Recourse factoring is typically more expensive than non-recourse factoring because the factor is taking on more risk.
Non-Recourse Factoring
Non-recourse factoring eliminates all credit risk involved with the invoices that are being funded. This implies you are not responsible for making any payments if your client does not pay the invoice. It is generally less expensive than recourse factoring because the factor is taking on less risk.
When evaluating which type of AR factoring is right for your business, it is important to weigh the fees associated with each type of financing. In most cases, recourse factoring will be more expensive than non-recourse factoring. However, you should always factor in the cost of other types of financing, like loans, when making your decision.
At the end of the day, the best type of financing for your business is the one that will save you the most money. AR factoring is a great option for businesses that need cash quickly and are struggling to get traditional financing.