Can bookkeepers earn commission on business loan referrals?
Yes, bookkeepers can earn commission on business loan referrals. By partnering with a commercial finance broker like Fundably, bookkeepers can refer Ltd-company clients who need funding and earn up to 30% of the commission Fundably receives from lenders on every funded deal. No FCA authorisation is needed because commercial credit broking to UK Limited companies sits outside the FCA regulated perimeter.
Bookkeepers are often the first to spot a funding need in a client’s business. Cash flow gaps, payroll pressure, a VAT bill that has grown faster than anticipated: these show up in the books before a business owner acts on them.
What can bookkeepers do without FCA authorisation?
Like accountants, bookkeepers can:
- Refer clients to a commercial finance broker by sharing a link or submitting a referral
- Mention that funding options exist and that the client should speak to a broker
- Earn commission in return for introductions that lead to funded deals
What bookkeepers (and accountants) should not do:
- Advise on which specific credit product to use
- Compare loan offers or recommend specific lenders
- Complete application documents on a client’s behalf
For Ltd-company SME clients, the activity sits outside the FCA regulated perimeter regardless. For sole traders or other consumer-credit borrowers, the introduce-and-hand-off rule keeps you outside regulated credit broking. For a detailed explanation of the FCA rules, see our guide on FCA authorisation for accountants and bookkeepers.
How much can bookkeepers earn?
Referral commission through Fundably is up to 30% of the commission Fundably receives from lenders. Fundably’s panel includes UK lenders such as iwoca, Funding Circle, Nucleus Commercial Finance and Capital on Tap, covering business loans, invoice finance, asset finance and merchant cash advances.
For a bookkeeper with 30–50 business clients:
- Many will have a funding need at some point during the year
- Even 3–4 funded referrals per year generates £6,000–£8,000 in additional income
- With 1–2 referrals per month, annual commission can exceed £24,000
This is additional income on top of your existing bookkeeping service, with no additional work after the initial introduction. See our full accountant lending commission guide for a detailed earnings breakdown.
How it works in practice
Step 1: Identify a funding need. In the course of your bookkeeping work, you notice a client has a cash flow gap, needs capital for growth or mentions a funding challenge.
Step 2: Mention it. “I can introduce you to a funding broker who can match you to 50+ lenders. There’s no cost, no obligation and it won’t affect your credit score.”
Step 3: Submit the referral via your partner portal. The broker contacts the client directly and manages the process.
Step 4: When the client is funded, you receive commission within 14 days.
The entire process takes minutes of your time. Unlike other referral arrangements, Fundably manages all lender communication, credit assessment and application processing on your behalf.
The ICB and AAT position
Neither the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB) nor the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) explicitly prohibits members from earning lending referral commission, provided:
- The activity is clearly disclosed to the client
- You are not holding yourself out as a credit broker
- You are not advising on credit products
Check your membership agreement and professional standards if you are uncertain.
Getting started
Fundably’s partner programme is open to bookkeepers, accounting technicians and bookkeeping practices. Setup takes 24–48 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Do bookkeepers need FCA authorisation to refer clients for business loans?
No. Bookkeepers can refer Ltd-company clients to a commercial finance broker, which accesses lenders such as iwoca, Funding Circle, Nucleus Commercial Finance and Capital on Tap, without holding their own FCA authorisation. Commercial credit broking to UK Limited companies sits outside the FCA regulated perimeter, and the broker handles the broking activity in any case.How much can a bookkeeper earn from lending referrals?
Up to 30% of the commission Fundably receives from lenders on every funded deal. On an average funded deal, that is around £2,000 in commission. A bookkeeper with 30–50 clients making 3–5 funded referrals per year earns £6,000–£10,000 in additional annual income.What happens after I submit a referral?
Fundably contacts your client directly, runs a soft credit check, matches them to the best-fit lenders from a panel of 50+ and manages the application. You are updated when the deal completes. Commission is paid within 14 days of the advance being funded.Do I need to be a qualified accountant to join Fundably's partner programme?
No. Fundably's partner programme is open to bookkeepers, accounting technicians, payroll specialists and bookkeeping practices regardless of qualification level. Setup takes 24–48 hours with no fees or minimum referral volumes.Apply to become a Fundably partner here. The accountant partner programme covers bookkeepers and bookkeeping practices.