For many UK businesses — particularly those in construction, manufacturing, recruitment, and logistics — the biggest threat to growth isn't a lack of customers. It's the gap between sending an invoice and getting paid.
Net 30, net 60, net 90 payment terms are standard in B2B trading. But if you're a growing business relying on that cash to pay wages, buy stock, or fund the next job, that wait can be crippling. Invoice finance was built specifically to solve this problem.
What is invoice finance?
Invoice finance is an umbrella term for products that allow you to borrow against the value of your outstanding invoices. Rather than waiting for your customer to pay, a specialist lender advances you a percentage of the invoice value — typically 80–90% — within 24 to 48 hours of the invoice being raised. When your customer pays, you receive the balance minus the lender's fees.
Invoice factoring vs invoice discounting
There are two main variants, and the difference matters:
Invoice factoring
The lender takes over the management of your sales ledger and collects payments directly from your customers. This means your customers will know you're using a finance facility. It's often the better option for smaller businesses that don't have a dedicated credit control function.
Invoice discounting
You retain control of your sales ledger and continue collecting payments yourself. The facility remains confidential — your customers deal with you as normal. This is more common for larger businesses with established credit control processes.
What does it cost?
Invoice finance is typically priced in two parts: a service fee (a percentage of your turnover) and a discount charge (interest on the funds you've drawn down, calculated daily). Costs vary significantly between lenders — which is one of the main reasons to use a broker rather than going direct to your bank.
Is it right for your business?
- You invoice other businesses (B2B) on credit terms
- Your customers are generally creditworthy
- You have a regular flow of invoices rather than one-off jobs
- Cash flow gaps are limiting your ability to take on new work or grow
If those points describe your situation, invoice finance is worth exploring seriously. It's a revolving facility that grows with your turnover, which makes it one of the most scalable funding tools available to growing businesses.
Talk to our team
Tom Elliott at GDFS specialises in invoice finance solutions across manufacturing, agriculture, and professional services. Call 01308 480248 for a no-obligation conversation.