How do bookkeepers earn commissions?

Bookkeepers earn a referral commission when a client they refer is successfully funded by T.A.G. Business Funding. Commissions are paid upon funding.

What clients should bookkeepers refer?

Ideal clients are small businesses with $10,000+ monthly revenue, 6+ months in business, and a need for working capital or equipment financing.

How fast does the referral process work?

Referred clients typically receive a funding decision within 24-72 hours of submitting their application.

Does a client need good credit to qualify?

No minimum credit score is required. Qualification is based primarily on monthly revenue and business history.

What happens if the client I referred is declined for MCA?

If a referred client does not qualify for MCA, T.A.G. Business Funding informs the client directly. No referral fee is paid for declined applications. The bookkeeper can note the decline reason and help the client improve their bank statement profile before reapplying. There is no financial risk to the bookkeeper for making a referral.

Bookkeeper Referral FAQ — Ethics, Process & Fee Questions |

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Ethics & Disclosure

Is it ethical to receive a referral fee for recommending a lender to a client?

Yes, with disclosure. Bookkeepers are not subject to the same regulatory framework as CPAs, but ethical best practice applies: tell the client about the referral arrangement before or during the referral. A one-sentence disclosure in your referral communication is sufficient. Clients who are told upfront typically appreciate the transparency rather than being put off by it.

Am I giving financial advice by recommending working capital?

You're connecting a client with a resource — not advising them to take a specific financial product. The distinction: "You should get a $75,000 MCA at a 1.35 factor" is advice. "Your cash flow data suggests you should explore working capital options — here's a resource I've used" is a referral. Stay on the referral side. Clients make their own funding decisions after reviewing the term sheet.

What if the client has a bad experience with the MCA?

The Client Qualification Checklist is your primary protection against this. Clients who are over-leveraged, have severe NSF patterns, or can't sustainably afford daily payments shouldn't be referred. For clients who qualify well but encounter payment difficulty, direct them to T.A.G.'s client services team. You are not a party to the funding agreement and have no contractual responsibility for its performance.

Fees & Payment

How much are referral fees, and when are they paid?

Up to 2% of the funded advance (per your partner agreement). Examples: $50K advance at up to 2% = up to $1,000; $100K at up to 2% = up to $2,000. Paid within 5 business days of funding via ACH or check. Annual 1099-NEC issued for amounts exceeding $600.

Do renewal advances from the same client generate another fee?

Yes. When your referred client takes a renewal advance through your referral link, you receive another referral fee at the same rate. Healthy businesses typically renew every 6–12 months. A single strong referral can generate 3–5 funded events over time.

The Process

Does my client need to provide bank statements separately, or does T.A.G. connect to their accounting system?

T.A.G. requires 6 consecutive months of PDF bank statements (all pages) from the business checking account. The underwriting is based on bank transaction data, not accounting system data. Your client downloads the statements from their bank portal and uploads them during the application. As their bookkeeper, you can help them locate and export the correct statements if needed.

Can I complete the application on behalf of my client?

No. The application includes personal attestations from the business owner. Your client must complete and sign it themselves. You can assist by gathering supporting documents and ensuring the bank statements are ready, but the application must be submitted by the business owner or authorized principal.

More FAQ

Additional Questions Bookkeepers Ask About T.A.G.

What if my client gets a worse offer than expected?: T.A.G. presents offers — your client is never obligated to accept. If the factor rate or advance amount isn't a fit, your client can decline with no penalty. T.A.G.'s soft pre-qualification process (no hard pull) gives your client a preview of what they'd likely qualify for before submitting a full application. Recommend they use it to compare before committing.

How do I know T.A.G. won't poach my client relationship?: T.A.G. is a funding company, not a bookkeeping firm. T.A.G. never positions itself as a replacement for your advisory services — in fact, funded clients often have more financial activity to manage, which can increase the scope of your engagement. Partners report that successful referrals often deepen their client relationships, not threaten them.

What if my client blames me if the MCA is expensive?: Manage expectations before the referral. Tell your client explicitly: "MCA is more expensive than a bank loan. The benefit is speed and accessibility. Make sure you understand the total payback amount before signing." Clients who are surprised by cost after the fact are clients who weren't properly informed beforehand. T.A.G. provides full disclosure documents — review them with your client if needed.

Can I refer clients on retainer, not just one-time?: Yes. Clients often need MCA multiple times — for different seasons, different growth phases, or different capital needs. T.A.G. tracks your referral relationship indefinitely. If a client you referred returns to T.A.G. 18 months later for a renewal, you earn commission on that renewal as well.

Bookkeeper Referral FAQ

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