As an accountant or bookkeeper, you\u2019re often the first person a business owner turns to when the numbers stop adding up\u2014or when they’re dreaming about growth. You see the story behind the statements. But are you also helping them write their next chapter?<\/p>\n
One crucial piece often missing from advisory conversations is funding<\/a><\/strong>\u2014whether that’s accessing a loan, applying for a grant, or finding a way to smooth out cash flow. Not talking about it doesn\u2019t make the need go away. In fact, avoiding the funding conversation can lead clients down risky paths<\/strong>, including lending products like merchant cash advances<\/a>, which can damage their financial health long-term.<\/p>\n I know this firsthand.<\/p>\n Before joining Swoop, I led a cloud-based bookkeeping and payroll firm. We cared deeply about helping our clients succeed\u2014but when a question about funding or grants came up, our answer wasn\u2019t much more than some links that we found on Google and the phone book.<\/p>\n Not because we didn\u2019t want to help. We just didn\u2019t have the time or the tools.<\/p>\n I remember the awkwardness of handing over a few contacts or a government website link, hoping the client would follow through and magically find what they needed. But most didn\u2019t. The process was confusing and required the business owner to invest additional time that they didn\u2019t have for an unclear outcome. And for us as a firm, staying on top of the ever-changing funding landscape while juggling client deadlines and deliverables, meant investing time that we didn\u2019t have.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why I joined Swoop<\/strong>\u2014a platform that acts as a commercial marketplace for funding. With one application journey, advisors and their clients can access a wide range of funding options\u2014grants, loans, equity, and savings products\u2014backed by a team who helps guide the process. It finally felt like the tool we always needed.<\/p>\n We\u2019re in a business environment where agility matters. Many of your clients are facing increased costs, hiring challenges, and shifting demand. Others are looking to expand, digitize, or acquire. And all of them want to avoid surprises when it comes to cash flow.<\/p>\n Yet too often, funding is a reactive<\/em> conversation\u2014something that only comes up when a client is already in a tough spot. By making it proactive<\/em>, you give clients the opportunity to explore options thoughtfully, rather than hastily.<\/p>\n Here are some simple, open-ended questions<\/strong> you can weave into your advisory check-ins:<\/p>\n These questions aren\u2019t just helpful\u2014they\u2019re empowering. They position you not only as a financial steward but as a growth partner.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the tough truth: if you don\u2019t talk about funding with your clients, someone else will. And that someone might be offering products that are more harmful than helpful.<\/p>\n Many business owners end up accepting high-cost, short-term financing like merchant cash advances (MCAs)<\/strong> out of desperation. These products often come with high fees, daily repayment schedules, and little flexibility\u2014something your client may not understand until it\u2019s too late. By helping them assess funding before<\/em> it\u2019s urgent, you can guide them toward sustainable, strategic options.<\/p>\n You might be thinking, \u201cThis sounds great, but I don\u2019t have time to become a funding expert.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n The good news? You don\u2019t have to. With tools like Swoop, you can act as a connector\u2014helping your clients access an ecosystem of vetted options without taking on the legwork yourself.<\/p>\n Just like we lean on tech to simplify bookkeeping, we can now do the same for funding.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious about how this fits into your firm\u2019s workflow\u2014or how to start introducing these conversations\u2014let\u2019s talk. Adding funding to your advisory toolkit doesn\u2019t require an overhaul. Just a shift in perspective, and the right partner.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s help your clients fund their futures\u2014with more confidence and fewer risks.<\/p>\nFrom bookkeeping deadlines to funding solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Why it matters now more than ever<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The risk of saying nothing<\/strong><\/h2>\n
You don\u2019t have to be the expert<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Ready to add funding to the conversation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n