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Cost calculator

What might invoice finance cost?

An illustration of how the two main charges, the service fee and the discount charge, combine at different levels of turnover and usage. Move the sliders to see the effect. It is a way of understanding the structure of the cost, not a quote.

Sales invoiced to business customers per year.

How long customers take to pay on average.

The proportion of eligible invoices a provider advances.

Covers administration and, in factoring, collections.

Interest-like charge on funds drawn, often a margin over base rate.

How much of the available funding you actually draw.

Illustrative annual cost

per year · per month
Service feeDiscount charge
Approximate sales ledger
Funds available
Average funds drawn
Service fee per year
Discount charge per year
Effective cost of funds in use

Illustrative only. Providers price each facility individually; this excludes minimum fees, set-up costs, bad debt protection, audit fees and other charges. It is not a quote.

How the charges work

Two main charges, plus the extras

The service fee
Usually a percentage of the turnover put through the facility. It covers administration and, in factoring, the credit control and collections service, which is why factoring fees are typically higher than discounting.
The discount charge
Effectively interest on the funds you have drawn, usually a margin over a reference rate such as the Bank of England base rate, calculated on the amount advanced for the period it is outstanding.
Minimums and other charges
Minimum annual fees, set-up or arrangement fees, bad debt protection, audit or survey fees, same-day payment fees and termination fees can all apply. They are not in the calculator.
Comparing quotes

Headline percentages can be misleading

A low service fee paired with a high minimum, or a keen discount margin paired with restrictive advance rates, may not be the best deal overall. Compare quotes on the total annual cost for your realistic level of usage, and check:

Check on every quote

  • The advance rate and any concentration limits that reduce availability
  • The notice period and what it costs to leave
  • What is and is not included in the service fee
  • Whether any personal guarantees or additional security are required
  • Minimum fees against your realistic turnover through the facility

Why costs vary

  • A spread of creditworthy customers, clean invoicing and good records are priced more keenly
  • Concentrated debtors or a history of disputes push pricing up
  • Sector, turnover and facility type all play a part
  • Factoring costs more than discounting because the provider does more
Questions

About the calculator

Is this a quote?
No. It is an illustration of how the charges combine. Providers price each facility individually based on your turnover, debtor quality, sector and structure, and quotes include items the calculator leaves out.
Why do the defaults look the way they do?
They are round, illustrative figures chosen to show the mechanics. They are not typical rates, minimums or averages, and they should not be read as an indication of what you would pay.
What is a minimum fee?
Many facilities carry a minimum annual service fee. If your turnover through the facility is lower than expected, the minimum still applies, which can make a facility far more expensive than the headline percentage suggests.