Industries · Professional services
Professional services financing and payments
Professional services firms such as accounting, law, engineering and consulting commonly finance firm acquisitions and partner buyouts, owner-occupied offices, and working capital for receivables. Lenders review client retention, concentration and billing realization.
Profit Theory is not a lender and may earn referral fees or commissions from the lenders and providers we work with. How we get paid: /referral-disclosure
Typical financing needs for professional services
Firm acquisition or partner buyout
Term loans sized to recurring client revenue and retention.
Owner-occupied office
SBA 504 or conventional real estate loans for the building.
Receivables working capital
A line can carry payroll while clients pay invoices.
Worked example: $1,500,000 SBA 504 office purchase
Payment = P × r ÷ (1 − (1 + r)^−n), r = rate ÷ 12, n = years × 12
- • Project cost $1,500,000; illustrative borrower 10% down = $150,000; financed $1,350,000
- • SBA 504 model at 7.5% illustrative rate, 25-year term
- • Monthly payment ≈ $9,976
- • Annual debt service ≈ $119,717
- • Cash flow needed at 1.25x DSCR ≈ $149,646
- • Illustrative only. Estimates only. Results vary. No guarantee of approval, rates or savings.
Payments: what drives processing cost in professional services
- • Large invoices paid by card
- • ACH versus card for retainers
- • Trust-account rules for some professions
Effective rate = total monthly processing fees ÷ monthly card volume × 100
- • Illustrative: $2,300 in fees ÷ $85,000 in card volume × 100 = 2.71%
- • Illustrative only. Your statement, card mix and pricing model determine your actual rate.
Professional services financing FAQ
Can I buy a book of business with a loan?
Often, yes. Lenders look at client retention after prior transitions and the seller's role during the transition.
Should a firm own its office?
Owning can fix occupancy costs over time but ties up equity. Compare the full monthly cost of owning versus leasing.
Are there special payment rules for law firms?
Trust-account and professional rules can apply. Check current rules and talk to your advisor or bar association.
Does Profit Theory lend to professional services businesses?
No. Profit Theory is not a lender. A financing specialist helps you plan and package the request, then, with your consent, introduces you to providers we select based on fit. Lenders make every credit, rate and term decision.
What should I prepare before I apply?
Usually two to three years of business tax returns, year-to-date financial statements, a debt schedule, and a short explanation of what the money is for and how it will be repaid. The loan package checklist lists items by loan type.
Profit Theory is not a lender and may earn referral fees or commissions from the lenders and providers we work with. How we get paid: /referral-disclosure
Last reviewed Nov 3 2026