2 min read
How a recruitment agency ties up cash
A recruitment agency typically has money tied up in little in the way of physical assets but a very large contractor payroll. A recruitment agency placing temporary or contract workers pays them weekly while the end client pays the agency on 30, 60 or even 90-day terms — a payroll gap that grows with every new placement. That shapes which finance actually helps: funding a one-off asset is a different problem from bridging a recurring payment gap, and using the wrong tool for the job is how firms end up paying to borrow money they did not really need.
The facility that usually fits first
For most firms in this trade the natural starting point is invoice finance, the classic recruitment funding tool. It matches the shape of the need — a temporary, recurring gap rather than a permanent one — so the borrowing clears as receipts come in rather than lingering as a long-term liability. Read the full explainer before committing.
When a second tool makes more sense
Where the need is capital — replacing a major asset or funding a big one-off — a revolving credit facility is often the better structure, spreading the cost over the working life of the asset or the receivable rather than draining working capital in one hit. Many firms in this sector run both: one facility for assets, one for the cash cycle.
Work the numbers before you borrow
Whichever route fits, size it against real figures. Our debtor days calculator and affordability calculator show what the repayments look like against your cash flow. Our recruitment agency sector page sets out how lenders view the trade, and when you are ready you can apply. Credicorp lends to limited companies and LLPs, not individuals, with no personal guarantee. This is general information, not a recommendation of any specific product.
Frequently asked questions
What is the single best loan for a recruitment agency?
There isn't one — it depends on the need. Equipment is usually best on asset finance; a recurring cash gap suits a revolving facility or invoice finance; a one-off project may suit a term loan. Match the facility to the shape of the need rather than defaulting to whatever is offered.
Do I need to secure the borrowing on assets?
Not always. Credicorp offers unsecured lending to limited companies with no personal guarantee, though asset finance is by nature secured on the asset it funds. The right structure depends on the amount, term and your company's trading. This is illustrative and not an offer of finance.
How much can a recruitment agency borrow?
It depends on turnover, profitability and how comfortably the repayments fit your cash flow rather than the sector alone. Run your figures through the affordability calculator to see a realistic range before applying.
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Read →Funding for UK limited companies
Credicorp lends to your company, not to you personally — short-term working capital with no personal guarantee. See what your business could access.