CFACommercial Funding Advisory

Professional Services

Business Funding for Consulting Firms

Consulting firms sell time, and time is both the product and the constraint. Growth means hiring consultants before the engagements that will pay for them are sold. Most consulting revenue comes on project-based contracts with net-30 or net-60 payment terms, creating a gap between when your consultants work and when the client pays. Building bench strength to win larger engagements requires capital that the firm's cash flow alone usually cannot support.

Common Uses

What Consulting Firms Use Funding For

  • Hire senior consultants and analysts to build capacity for larger engagements
  • Cover payroll during the gap between project starts and client payments
  • Invest in proprietary methodologies, training programs, and certification for staff
  • Fund business development efforts including conferences, proposals, and thought leadership

Funding Options

Best Funding Types for Consulting Firms

Business Line of Credit

A revolving line matches the project-based nature of consulting. Draw funds when you are ramping up a new engagement and repay when the client payments arrive. This is the most flexible tool for managing the uneven cash flow of consulting work.

Invoice Factoring

Factor your outstanding client invoices to get cash within days instead of waiting 30 to 60 days. Factoring works especially well when your clients are large corporations with slow-paying AP departments but strong credit.

Term Loan

Fund a specific growth initiative like opening a new office, acquiring a smaller firm, or hiring a team for a new practice area. Fixed-term loans work when you have a defined use of funds and predictable repayment capacity.

What Lenders Look For

Qualification Notes for Consulting Firms

Lenders want to see signed engagement letters or master service agreements with your clients as proof of revenue
Client concentration matters. If one client is more than 30 percent of revenue, lenders view it as a risk
Consulting firms with retainer-based or recurring engagement models qualify for better terms than pure project-based firms

Ready to Explore Funding for Your Consulting Firm Business?

Find out what you qualify for in minutes. No impact on your credit score.