How Accounting Firms Can Offer Payment Plans Without the Risk

Running an accounting practice in New Zealand means dealing with a familiar challenge: clients who need your services but struggle to pay large lump-sum invoices. Whether it is annual accounts preparation, tax return fees, or ongoing advisory work, the amounts can add up quickly. Offering payment plans is an obvious solution, but traditionally it has come with significant risk.

Why Accounting Clients Want Payment Plans

Many small business owners and individuals rely on their accountant year-round but find it difficult to budget for a large annual bill. Common scenarios include:

• Annual accounts and tax return fees arriving all at once
• Advisory and business structuring work that runs into the thousands
• Seasonal businesses that have uneven cash flow throughout the year
• Start-ups that need professional guidance but have limited capital

When clients cannot afford to pay upfront, they may delay engaging your services, switch to a cheaper provider, or simply not pay on time. None of these outcomes are good for your practice.

The Problem with Managing Payment Plans In-House

Some firms try to manage payment plans themselves. This approach creates several issues:

• Admin burden: Tracking instalments, sending reminders, and reconciling partial payments takes time away from billable work
• Bad debt risk: If a client stops paying halfway through a plan, you absorb the loss
• Cash flow gaps: Receiving income in small instalments over months means your own cash flow suffers
• Awkward conversations: Chasing clients for missed payments can damage professional relationships

A Better Approach: Third-Party Payment Plans

With a service like Fee Funders, accounting firms can offer payment plans to clients without any of the downsides. Here is how it works:

1. You complete work for your client and issue your invoice as normal
2. Your client applies for a payment plan through Fee Funders
3. Fee Funders pays you 100% of the invoice upfront
4. Your client repays Fee Funders in manageable monthly instalments

You receive full payment immediately, your client gets the flexibility they need, and you carry zero risk if they miss a repayment. Fee Funders handles all the administration, collections, and compliance.

Benefits for Your Accounting Practice

• Improved cash flow: No more waiting 30, 60, or 90 days for payment
• Higher client retention: Clients are less likely to leave when fees feel manageable
• Win more advisory work: Clients say yes to higher-value engagements when they can spread the cost
• No bad debt: Fee Funders assumes the repayment risk, not you
• Professional image: Offering payment plans positions your firm as client-friendly and modern

Getting Started Is Simple

There are no setup fees or monthly charges for your practice. You can start offering payment plans to your clients today. Visit our accountants page to learn more about how Fee Funders works specifically for accounting firms, or get in touch to discuss your needs.