What is accounts payable (AP) financing?

Imagine your company just landed its biggest order of the year. Then reality hits: Your suppliers need payment within 30 days, but your customers won't pay you for another 60 to 90 days. Suddenly, that exciting growth opportunity feels more like a financial tightrope walk.

This cash flow gap is one of the most common challenges businesses face. Accounts payable (AP) financing offers a practical solution to this timing mismatch. This financing method allows you to extend your payment terms with suppliers while giving them the option to receive immediate payment through a third-party financier.

In this guide, we’ll explain what accounts payable financing is, how it works, and lay out the steps to apply for this type of funding.

What is accounts payable financing?

Accounts payable financing is a funding process initiated by a company purchasing goods. The buyer selects a third-party financing company that pays the vendor for the goods or services they need. The buyer then repays the financier at a later date, often with added interest or fees.

This process is also called trade credit, payables financing, vendor or supplier financing, reverse factoring, or supply chain finance (SCF). No matter what you choose to call it, AP financing helps buyers create a predictable cash outflow while maintaining solid vendor relationships.

Parties involved in accounts payable financing

Payables financing involves three parties:

1. The buyer: Owes money to the seller
2. The seller: Expects cash from the buyer for its outstanding invoices
3. The finance provider: Sits between the buyer and the seller, making payables financing possible

This differs from traditional financing, which only involves two parties, making AP financing more complex.

Who uses AP financing?

Payables financing appeals to a diverse group of finance professionals and business leaders who want to optimize their working capital.

• Controllers often champion these programs because they help improve key financial metrics such as days payable outstanding (DPO) while maintaining strong supplier relationships
• CFOs appreciate how accounts payable financing can free up capital for growth investments, debt reduction, or building cash reserves
• AP managers find these programs valuable because they reduce the pressure of tight payment deadlines while keeping suppliers satisfied
• Business owners, particularly those running growing companies, use this financing to navigate cash flow challenges during expansion periods

In fact, research indicates the supply chain market, which includes AP financing, will reach $13.48 billion in 2025 and $18.64 billion by 2029. This reflects an 8.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) driven by increasing demand from SMBs and the need for alternative financing solutions as traditional lending options become more restrictive.

How does accounts payable financing work?

Accounts payable financing helps your business manage cash flow by involving a third-party lender to cover vendor payments up front. You settle the balance with the lender later, typically including fees or interest. Here's how it works:

1. Buyer establishes financing relationship: The buyer applies for payables financing and establishes a contract with a financing company
2. Financier offers early payment option: The financing company contacts the seller and gives it the option to receive early payment on its invoices
3. Financier pays the seller: The financing company pays the seller's invoice, often at an early payment discount
4. Buyer repays the loan plus fees: The buyer pays the full invoice amount to the financing company, typically with interest or fees, helping the latter earn a profit from the arrangement

Note that the seller can opt out of the early payment option. In this case, the financing company pays the seller the entire invoice amount on the invoice's due date.

Large companies use the steps above to pay their smaller vendors, meaning small businesses are often the recipients of funds from payable financing programs. If you're dealing with a company roughly the same size as yours, you can use a modified form of payables financing.

‍AP financing example

Let's say your manufacturing company owes $50,000 to a key supplier with payment due in 10 days, but your cash flow won't support this payment for another month. Here's how accounts payable financing would work:

1. Submit your invoice: You provide the unpaid supplier invoice to an AP financing company for review and approval
2. Lender pays the supplier: The financing company pays your supplier the full $50,000 directly, satisfying your payment obligation immediately
3. Supplier relationship is maintained: Your supplier receives payment on time, preserving your business relationship and avoiding late fees or credit issues
4. You repay the lender: Over the next 30 days, you repay the financing company $50,000, plus interest or their fee
5. Cash flow is preserved: You maintain working capital for other business needs while meeting supplier obligations

How accountants handle AP financing

Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP) don't offer guidance on how companies must report payables financing. However, GAAP does specify a few criteria for trade payables to remain as such on a company's balance sheet. Here are some of them:

• The buyer must use their payables program to obtain affordable credit and not use it to force suppliers to accept steep discounts
• Sellers must always have the option of not opting into the payable financing program
• Sellers must negotiate payment discounts and other terms exclusively with the financing company, not the buyer
• The seller must assign its invoices to the financing company, not to the buyer

Pricewaterhouse Coopers offers guidance on how companies can classify their accounts payable financing on their financial statements. Given their malleable nature, payables financing classification often comes down to what your accountant deems best.

AP financing vs. other financing options

Payables financing is just one of several alternative funding options you have. Here's how it differs:

AP financing vs. receivables financing

Receivables financing is a funding method where businesses sell their outstanding invoices or accounts receivable to a third party, typically a factoring company or lender, at a discount in exchange for immediate cash flow.

While the payables financing cycle resembles receivables financing from the seller's perspective, the differences lie in the details:

• The buyer initiates payables financing, while the seller initiates receivables financing
• A seller can opt out of a payables financing program and collect full payment. When opting for receivables financing, the seller always has to accept a discount.
• Payables financing involves three parties, while receivables financing involves two

Both financing methods help improve cash flow, but payables financing offers sellers more flexibility and buyer involvement. Receivables financing gives sellers direct but more expensive access to immediate funds.

AP financing vs. invoice financing

Accounts payable financing is a specific form of business financing, while invoice financing refers to several methods. Invoice financing includes financing techniques such as:

• Invoice discounting: Sellers offer buyers a discount to incentivize early payments
• Invoice factoring: A form of receivables financing where sellers accept discounts on invoices from a financing company
• Spot factoring: Similar to invoice factoring, but it applies to selected invoices instead of all the seller's receivables

While invoice financing covers several strategies for monetizing receivables, accounts payable financing stands out by involving the buyer as an active participant who initiates the process. This creates a more collaborative approach to supply chain finance management.

AP financing vs. forfaiting

Forfaiting, typically used in the import-export industry, follows a similar process as receivables financing. In forfaiting, an exporter sells its receivables at a discount to a financing firm, or a forfaiter. The forfaiter collects cash on the outstanding invoices and provides them to the exporter. Forfaiting helps exporters avoid situations where importers default on payments.

AP financing vs. bank loans

Bank loans and AP financing tackle different business needs in their own ways. If you're looking at a traditional bank loan, you'll face extensive paperwork, credit checks, and a process that can drag on for weeks or months. The upside is lower interest rates if you qualify, and they work great for major investments. However, that loan shows up as debt on your balance sheet.

With AP financing, you'll get through the setup much faster, with minimal documentation. It costs more than bank loans, but it's also more accessible to businesses that might not qualify for traditional lending. Plus, it doesn't create traditional debt on your books since it focuses specifically on managing supplier payments.

AP financing vs. lines of credit

Lines of credit give you grab-what-you-need flexibility, but AP financing offers something different entirely. A credit line lets you draw funds up to your limit whenever you want, though you'll deal with variable rates and likely need to provide personal guarantees. The beauty is that you control exactly how those funds are used.

AP financing takes a hands-off approach by automatically managing your supplier payments. You get fixed discount rates, and the whole thing runs on the strength of your supplier relationships rather than your creditworthiness. There's also less personal risk since you're not typically on the hook with guarantees.

AP financing vs. trade credit

Most businesses already use trade credit without thinking much about it, such as the net 30 or net 60 payment terms your suppliers offer. It's straightforward since you work directly with suppliers, no middleman involved. The catch is that you're stuck with whatever terms they're willing to give, and late payments can damage those important relationships.

AP financing opens up more possibilities by bringing a third party into the mix. Your suppliers get their money early, while you still get extended time to pay. This arrangement keeps everyone happy since suppliers aren't waiting around for payment, but you'll pay financing fees, and your suppliers accept discounts for the privilege.

The trade-off is between simplicity and flexibility. Basic trade credit keeps things simple, while AP financing gives you more room to maneuver without risking supplier goodwill.

The pros and cons of AP financing

Payables financing offers advantages, but there are some cons you should be aware of:

Pros

• Discreet financing: Payable financing is a discreet way for you to smooth your cash outflows. Other financing methods, such as bank debt or debt restructuring, require you to disclose the extent of your short-term debt.
• Improved relationships: Suppliers are paid on time or before due dates, building stronger relationships and possibly securing better terms in the future
• Improved cash flow: You can optimize your cash flow by extending payment terms while still ensuring suppliers receive timely payments, allowing you to better manage liquidity and invest cash in growth opportunities.
• Flexibility in working capital: You'll enjoy greater flexibility to adjust payment timing based on your cash position and business needs, enabling more strategic working capital management without straining supplier relationships

Cons

• Fees: AP financing involves costs for both buyers and sellers, including financing fees buyers pay to the financing company and discount rates that reduce the amount sellers receive. This can add up to significant expenses over time.
• Potential effect on credit: While AP financing can be discreet, heavy reliance on this form of financing may still impact your company's credit profile or creditworthiness assessment if lenders view it as an indicator of cash flow challenges
• Complexity: The three-party structure of AP financing creates a complicated operational process, requiring coordination between buyer, seller, and financing company. It also means additional administrative processes for invoice transfers and payment management.

How to apply for AP financing

Typically, payables financing makes sense for large businesses. However, you can apply for AP financing if the move makes sense from a cash flow perspective. Here's how:

1. Evaluate the state of your business

Assess your business's current condition. Are easier financing options available? For instance, you shouldn’t choose accounts payable financing if you just need a quick cash injection.

If payables financing makes sense for your situation, use the checklist below to determine whether you'll qualify:

• Is your business profitable? Financing companies will want to see that your business has sufficient cash flow to handle the financing fees and eventual payments.
• Is your minimum monthly revenue greater than $700,000? Some financing companies look for revenues as high as $3 million.
• Is your business’s credit rating and score in good shape? Finance providers will assess your creditworthiness.
• Are you in a high-risk industry, such as cash advances or gambling? If so, you might struggle to qualify for payable financing.
• Are your vendors based in your country or abroad? Some financing firms don't handle international payments to suppliers.
• Do you have at least five suppliers with regular monthly transactions? Financing firms prefer a minimum monthly transaction level, which varies by provider.

2. Assess financing firms

Once you've reviewed your business's financial position, begin evaluating financing firms. Every firm has different requirements and offers, so review them thoroughly. If your suppliers are based abroad, check payment and transaction minimum requirements, or whether AP financing is available at all.

3. Negotiate terms

You can and should negotiate payment terms with financing companies. Remember that your suppliers will depend on the financing firm to receive payments. Inquire what discount levels the financing firm seeks and whether those terms are acceptable to your suppliers. Note that you can’t legally ask financing firms for specific discount levels.

4. Initiate the loan

Once you've chosen a financing firm that accepts your application, sign all the relevant contracts and notify your suppliers. Note that some suppliers might prefer to deal with you directly rather than the financing firm.

Tips for a successful financing application

Getting approved for AP financing is much easier when you prepare properly and present your business in the best possible light to potential financing partners.

• Maintain strong supplier relationships: Financing companies prefer working with buyers who have established, positive relationships with their suppliers, since this reduces risk for all parties involved
• Prepare clean financial statements: Have your recent financial statements organized and ready to share, as lenders want to see stable cash flow and overall business health
• Document your payment history: Compile records showing consistent, timely payments to suppliers, which demonstrate your reliability as a business partner
• Identify key suppliers early: Focus on your largest or most important suppliers first. Financing companies often prefer working with established businesses that have significant invoice volumes.
• Be transparent about cash flow needs: Clearly explain why you need AP financing and how it fits into your broader financial strategy, rather than trying to hide cash flow challenges
• Research financing partners thoroughly: Different providers offer varying terms and specialize in different industries. Find ones that align with your business type and size.
• Start the conversation early: Begin discussions with potential financing companies before you desperately need the service. This allows for easier negotiation and smoother implementation.

Is accounts payable financing right for your business?

AP financing works well for some businesses, but it isn't the perfect solution for everyone. Here's how to figure out whether it makes sense for your situation.

When AP financing is a good fit

AP financing is ideal when your business deals with seasonal cash flow gaps that leave you short on funds during slower periods. Companies experiencing rapid growth often find it valuable since revenue may be increasing, but cash is tied up in inventory and operations.

If your suppliers offer attractive early payment discounts, AP financing can help you capture those savings without straining your cash position.

Businesses with limited access to traditional bank credit often find that AP financing provides a viable alternative since approval depends more on supplier relationships than credit scores. Companies looking to preserve existing credit lines for other purposes also benefit from this approach.

When AP financing may not be ideal

High fees can eat into your profits, especially if you already operate on thin margins. Businesses with strong existing credit lines at favorable rates might find those options more cost-effective than AP financing.

The additional complexity may not justify the costs if you maintain excellent cash flow timing and rarely struggle with supplier payments. If you work with suppliers who already offer generous payment terms, you might not see enough benefit to warrant the expense.

Questions to ask before applying

Here are key considerations to evaluate before moving forward with AP financing:

• How much do we spend with suppliers monthly? Consider whether your supplier spending volume justifies the financing costs and makes the program worthwhile for your business.
• Are our supplier relationships strong enough? Evaluate whether your current supplier relationships can support a three-party financing arrangement that requires their active participation.
• How do our existing credit options compare? Consider your current credit facilities and whether they offer lower costs and more flexibility than AP financing.
• Are our cash flow challenges temporary or ongoing? Assess whether your payment timing issues are short-term hurdles or persistent problems, as this affects the long-term value of the investment.
• Are suppliers interested in participating? Determine whether your key suppliers would want to join the program, since their buy-in is essential for success.

How Ramp saves you time and money

When you automate your AP workflows, you can reduce errors, improve vendor relationships, and free up your team to focus on more valuable work. Ramp’s modern finance operations platform helps you do just that.

Ramp Bill Pay uses AI to help you automate your entire accounts payable workflow, from invoice receipt to approval, payment, and invoice matching. Ramp’s automation features free up your AP department to focus on more strategic work, such as managing vendor relationships and finding new ways to optimize growth.

Want to learn more? Watch a demo video to see how Ramp customers save an average of 5% a year across all spending.