Invoice financing
Financing vs. factoring.
Industry guide
Funding for professional-services firms: law firms, marketing agencies, real-estate brokerages
Professional-services revenue is invoices and commissions: predictable in the aggregate, lumpy in the particular. Funding needs are mostly timing (a big invoice, a closing that slipped) and growth (a hire before the revenue).
By firm type
- Law firms: contingency practices carry case costs for months or years; hourly practices carry receivables. Specialized law-firm lenders and lines of credit exist; case-cost financing is a distinct product to evaluate carefully.
- Marketing and creative agencies: net-30/60 client invoices against monthly payroll and media spend; invoice financing and lines fit; media costs paid on a card in full each month avoid financing cost.
- Real-estate brokerages: commission revenue timed to closings; a line of credit sized to the gap between listings and closings, and commission-advance products for individual agents (compare their written cost carefully).
- Consultancies: retainers smooth cash flow; project billing does not. Invoice financing or a line for the project-heavy months.
What fits what
| Need | Usually fits | Usually doesn’t |
|---|---|---|
| Slow-paying client invoices | Invoice financing | Daily-pay advance |
| Hiring ahead of revenue | Line of credit sized to salary until billable | Short advance |
| Office build-out or technology | Equipment financing or term loan | Advance |
| A one-time gap before a large receivable | Line; short advance only with an exit | Stacking |
Watch for
- Advances sized on pass-through media or client-cost deposits.
- Personal guarantees that bind partners unevenly.
- Ethics rules for law firms on fee arrangements and third-party funding; check your bar’s guidance.
What Fast Mula is and isn't. Fast Mula helps you compare business-funding structures and submit one inquiry. Nothing on this site is an offer, approval, guaranteed rate, or guaranteed timeline. Any funding depends on a provider's own review, and terms vary by state.
Common questions
Can a law firm get a line of credit?
Yes; banks and specialty lenders offer them, typically underwritten on receivables, case inventory, and partner guarantees.
Related
Line of credit
For timing gaps.
Payroll funding
Before invoices land.
Law firms
Contingency case costs and receivables.
Marketing agencies
Media pass-through vs. fee receivables.
Real estate brokerages
Listing-to-closing gaps.
Professional-services firm? See what fits
Tell us about invoicing, timing, and the need.