How Accountants Can Prepare a Client for Business Financing

A business owner may ask an accountant whether it is time to look for financing. Perhaps the company has a large order to fill, plans to hire, or needs money while customers take longer to pay. The adviser often knows the financial statements, but the financing provider needs to understand something more specific: what the business needs money for, when it needs the money and how it expects to repay it.

A useful introduction begins with a conversation and a small set of clear records. It does not require the accountant to predict a lender's decision or send private client information without permission.

Start with the business decision, not the loan amount

Ask the client to describe what is happening in plain language. Is the company buying goods for a confirmed customer order? Is payroll due before customer invoices are paid? Is a planned investment expected to help generate money over several years?

Then ask how much must be paid, on what dates, and when the related customer money is expected. An owner who says “I need $150,000” may really mean that several bills add up to $150,000, while the largest temporary cash gap is smaller. A simple cash forecast can help clarify that distinction. Our working-capital forecasting guide shows how to map expenses and customer payments.

The goal is to help the client explain the request accurately, not to make the numbers look stronger than they are.

What financial information is worth organizing?

Different funding partners ask for different documents. Before the owner approaches a provider, it is often useful to organize recent financial statements, current bank statements, major business debts, accounts receivable and payable, and a short explanation of the financing purpose.

Accounts receivable are amounts customers owe the company. Accounts payable are bills the company owes others. Together with bank cash and inventory, they help explain why a profitable company may still have a short-term payment gap.

If the company already has financing, gather the balances, payment amounts, maturity dates and any security arrangements. A new provider needs to understand which obligations the business must continue paying. The adviser should also explain unusual one-time events rather than leaving a lender to guess what changed in the statements.

For a general overview of the questions a lender may ask, see business financing eligibility.

Two ways to introduce a client

The simplest route is to give the client the financing firm's contact information and let the owner make contact directly. The client can decide what to disclose and complete the application personally.

Alternatively, the client may ask the accountant to make a direct introduction. In that case, obtain the client's permission before sending identifying or financial information, and make clear what is being shared and with whom. An introduction alone should not be treated as authorization to send every financial statement or credit-related detail to multiple providers.

For example, an adviser might write to the business owner: “You mentioned looking for working capital. If you'd like, I can introduce you to Better Growth Capital. They can explain their application and lender-referral process. Please tell me what information you want shared.” The client can then make an informed choice before any details are transferred.

What about referral compensation and professional duties?

Professional rules vary by occupation and jurisdiction. An accountant should check the standards that apply to their own practice before considering any referral arrangement. In Québec, the Ordre des CPA du Québec describes duties relating to client recommendations, professional secrecy, conflicts of interest and commission disclosure. For Québec CPAs, receiving or paying a referral commission can require written disclosure to the client and other safeguards. Commissions connected to clients receiving certification services face additional restrictions. These are profession-specific rules, not a universal commission policy for every accountant in Canada. ^{[1] [2]}

BGC does not promise that every adviser qualifies for referral compensation, and a referral relationship should not change the accountant's duty to put the client first. If compensation is contemplated, the professional needs to understand their disclosure and independence obligations before proceeding.

Make the next step clear to the owner

Before any introduction, the client should understand that BGC is a business financing broker, not a direct lender. BGC reviews applications and may share the complete application with selected funding partners under the applicable consent process. A lender may contact the owner directly and may seek its own authorization for a credit check. BGC itself does not pull a credit bureau report.

Business owners can review BGC's financing options and apply directly. Accountants and advisers who want to discuss a relationship can visit our adviser partnership page. The owner remains free to decide whether to accept any offer, and funding terms depend on the lender and the file.