Growth is outpacing cash
Revenue is increasing, but payroll, inventory, deposits or project costs must be paid before receivables arrive.
Potential path: working capital or line of credit
CPA and accounting partner applications are open.
Compensated and no-fee referral paths available.
Explore the program →
CPA Elite Funders Professional Partner Network
Help clients access capital. Stay the trusted advisor.
When a business-owner client needs financing, make one professional introduction. Elite Funders handles the funding process across multiple commercial finance paths while keeping the relationship organized, transparent and client-focused.
No submission quotas
No underwriting to learn
Compensation where permitted
One professional introductionStart with basic client consent and financing needs.
Multiple product pathsExplore financing based on use, timeline and borrower profile.
Professional visibilityKnow where the referral stands without managing underwriting.
Flexible compliance pathCompensated or no-fee introductions based on firm policy.
Direct answer
What is a CPA business financing referral program?
A CPA business financing referral program gives an accounting professional a structured way to introduce a business-owner client to a commercial finance specialist. The CPA does not need to become a lender, package the transaction or negotiate financing. Elite Funders evaluates the request, explains available paths, coordinates documents and works through underwriting with the client.
Referral compensation may be available when permitted by applicable professional standards, state rules and firm policy. A no-fee professional introduction option is also available.
59%
of surveyed employer firms sought financing
Capital conversations are already occurring across a large share of the small-business client base.
56%
sought financing for operating expenses
Working-capital pressure often appears first in cash-flow reporting, tax planning and monthly close work.
46%
sought capital for expansion or opportunity
Financing is not only defensive—it can support a planned investment, hiring decision or growth event.
When to make an introduction
Capital needs often show up in the numbers first.
Your role is not to sell financing. It is to recognize when a client may benefit from a structured capital conversation with a qualified funding specialist.
A tax payment creates pressure
The business can meet its obligation, but doing so would materially reduce operating liquidity or disrupt a growth plan.
Potential path: term financing or working capitalEquipment is limiting capacity
A vehicle, machine, technology system or production asset could increase output or reduce operating costs.
Potential path: equipment financingAn acquisition opportunity appears
The client is considering a business purchase, partner buyout, change of ownership or strategic expansion.
Potential path: SBA or conventional term loanReceivables are stretching
Good customers are paying slowly, creating a timing mismatch between completed work and available cash.
Potential path: line of credit or invoice financingExisting debt needs review
The client has multiple obligations, expensive short-term debt or a payment structure that no longer fits cash flow.
Potential path: refinance or consolidation review
Clear division of responsibility
You keep the advisory relationship. We run the financing process.
The program is designed to complement accounting, tax and advisory work—not turn your firm into a loan brokerage.
Your role as the trusted advisor
- Identify a client with a legitimate business-purpose financing need.
- Obtain permission before sharing contact or business information.
- Make a warm introduction and provide context the client authorizes.
- Continue advising on tax, cash flow and financial implications within your scope.
What Elite Funders handles
- Initial financing consultation and product-path assessment.
- Application, document collection and underwriting coordination.
- Communication of available options, costs, obligations and next steps.
- Status tracking through approval, documentation and funding.
Client-first positioning: Elite Funders is a commercial finance broker, not the client’s accounting or tax advisor. Financing is provided by third-party providers and remains subject to underwriting, approval and final documentation.
Financing paths
A broader product shelf for different client situations.
No single financing product fits every company. The starting point is the business purpose, repayment capacity, urgency and overall borrower profile.
Financing path
Common client need
Starting documents
Typical fit
Business line of creditRevolving access, subject to terms
Recurring working-capital gaps, seasonal purchases or timing differences between expenses and collections.
Application, bank statements, financial information.
Ongoing flexibility
Term loanDefined amount and repayment term
Planned hiring, expansion, refinancing, technology or other defined business investment.
Application, bank statements, financials, tax returns as applicable.
Planned investment
SBA financingGovernment-guaranteed lender programs
Business acquisition, long-term working capital, real estate, equipment or change of ownership.
Detailed financial package, tax returns and transaction documents.
Long-term needs
Equipment financingAsset-specific financing
Vehicles, machinery, medical equipment, restaurant equipment or production assets.
Application, equipment quote, bank statements and financial information.
Revenue-producing assets
Revenue-based financingCommercial sales-based financing
Time-sensitive capital needs where recent business revenue is a central underwriting factor.
Application and recent business bank statements.
Speed-sensitive needs
Invoice financingReceivables-based access
B2B companies with creditworthy customers and cash tied up in eligible outstanding invoices.
A/R aging, invoices, customer information and bank statements.
Receivables timing
Illustrative overview only. Product availability, required documents, pricing, eligibility and terms vary by provider and transaction. SBA financing is offered through participating third-party lenders and is subject to SBA and lender requirements.
How it works
From client conversation to financing decision.
A defined handoff lets your firm remain helpful without absorbing a new operational workflow.
STEP 01
Get client permission
Confirm the client wants an introduction before sharing contact details, financial information or documents.
Consent comes firstSTEP 02
Make the introduction
Send a secure referral or connect the client with an Elite funding specialist. A short description of the need is enough to begin.
One warm handoffSTEP 03
Elite runs the process
We assess the request, collect the required package, coordinate underwriting and explain available financing options to the client.
Application through decisionSTEP 04
Track the outcome
Receive appropriate status visibility. If your agreement permits compensation, payment is governed by the executed program terms.
Clear outcome and records
Professional visibility
Know what happened after the introduction.
A referral should not disappear into a black box. The Elite partner experience is designed to keep approved partners informed while respecting client consent and confidential underwriting information.
- See referred businesses and current high-level status.
- Know when additional client action may be required.
- Maintain a documented record of the referral relationship.
- Track eligible compensation only where applicable and permitted.
E Elite Partner Portal
Hawthorne Advisory HA
PARTNER
Referrals
New referral
Resources
Statements
Settings
CPA PARTNER WORKSPACE
Client referrals
ACTIVE REFERRALS8
IN REVIEW3
FUNDED YTD5
Business
Need
Status
Updated
Northstar DentalIntroduced Jun 18
Equipment
Offer review
Today
Metro Build Co.Introduced Jun 12
Working capital
In review
Yesterday
Harbor LogisticsIntroduced May 27
Term loan
Funded
Jun 09
Central Market GroupIntroduced May 20
Line of credit
Funded
Jun 02
Professional standards
Designed for a more careful referral conversation.
A blanket “CPAs can earn referral fees” claim is not accurate. The right structure depends on the services your firm performs, the client relationship, professional standards, state law and firm policy.
Important: Elite Funders does not provide legal, ethics or accountancy compliance advice. Each CPA and firm should confirm requirements with internal compliance, counsel, the applicable state board and professional standards before participating.
01AICPA CODE
Attest work can prohibit commissions.
The AICPA rule restricts commission arrangements when the member or firm performs an audit or review, certain compilations expected to be used by third parties without a lack-of-independence disclosure, or an examination of prospective financial information for that client.
Review the AICPA ethics resources →02DISCLOSURE
Permitted compensation generally requires disclosure.
Professional standards and state rules may require the nature, source or amount/basis of compensation to be disclosed to the client. The required form, timing and detail can vary.
Review FTC material-connection guidance →03STATE RULES
Some states are more restrictive.
State accountancy laws may go beyond the AICPA framework. For example, the California Board of Accountancy states that a licensee is prohibited from accepting a fee or commission solely for referring a client to a third party.
Review California Board guidance →04CLIENT CONSENT
Do not send confidential information casually.
Start with client permission and a limited introduction. Financial statements, tax information and other sensitive records should be transmitted only through an approved secure process and with proper authorization.
Choose the right structure
A partnership model that can fit your firm policy.
Not every accountant wants the same level of involvement or compensation. Start with the structure that matches your practice.
MOST FLEXIBLE
Professional referral partner
Make occasional warm introductions and allow Elite Funders to manage the complete financing process.
- No deal packaging or lender management
- Compensation where permitted and agreed
- Appropriate status visibility
No-fee introduction
Help the client connect with a financing specialist without accepting referral compensation.
- Designed for restrictive firm policies
- No referral compensation requested
- Simple client-first handoff
Larger firm, network or association? Contact us about a firm-level partnership →
Frequently asked questions
CPA referral program questions, answered.
These answers are general program information, not legal, ethics, tax or accountancy compliance advice.
Sometimes, but not in every circumstance. AICPA professional standards restrict commissions when a CPA or firm performs certain attest services for the client, and permitted commissions or referral fees generally require disclosure. State accountancy rules may be stricter. Your firm should confirm the arrangement before accepting compensation.
You can use a no-fee professional introduction structure. The client can still receive access to the Elite Funders financing process without your firm requesting or accepting compensation.
Not for a limited warm-introduction role. Elite Funders handles financing intake, document collection, provider matching and underwriting coordination. Licensing, registration and disclosure requirements can vary by state and activity, so confirm the requirements that apply to your role.
Start with client permission, contact information, business name, approximate financing need and the purpose of funds. Do not email tax returns, bank statements or other sensitive records unless the client has authorized the transfer and an approved secure channel is being used.
Yes, after the client consents to the introduction. Direct communication is necessary to explain the process, collect required information and discuss available financing paths. The CPA can remain appropriately informed based on client authorization and program procedures.
Established businesses seeking capital for working capital, expansion, equipment, acquisitions, refinancing, receivables timing or another legitimate business purpose may be appropriate to review. Eligibility depends on the product, provider and underwriting profile.
Where compensation is permitted, the calculation, eligibility, payment timing, disclosure responsibilities and any reversal or clawback terms are governed by the executed referral agreement. No compensation is earned merely by submitting a contact, and funding is never guaranteed.
Yes. Elite Funders considers qualified accountants, bookkeepers, enrolled agents, tax professionals, CAS providers, fractional CFOs and other professionals who regularly serve business owners.
CPA partner application
Add a capital resource to your advisory network.
Tell us about your practice, the services you provide and the referral structure your firm permits. We will use that information to determine the appropriate partner path.
CPA, accountant, tax and advisory professionals considered
Compensated and no-fee structures available
Agreement and disclosure responsibilities reviewed before activation
Have a client who needs capital now?
Mention the immediate referral in the notes field, but do not include bank statements, tax returns, SSNs or other confidential client records in this form.
Mention the immediate referral in the notes field, but do not include bank statements, tax returns, SSNs or other confidential client records in this form.
Application received
Our partner team reviews professional applications quickly — usually the same business day. Watch your inbox for next steps and the applicable agreement.