Credit cards get a bit of a bad rap, in our opinion. There's often a stigma attached around spending beyond one's means. But credit cards offer a surprising range of benefits and opportunities for business owners and finance professionals.
With Apron, accountants and bookkeepers can improve their clients' cash flow and net spending on supplier payments.
So, get ready to boost cash flow and take advantage of a whole lot of perks you might just have forgotten about.
Pay suppliers who don't accept cards
Apron allows you to pay suppliers with a credit card, even if those suppliers don't accept credit cards.
Okay, so pretty convenient. But what other benefits are there?
Hold onto your cash for longer, without missing a payment
Keeping cash flowing is the lifeblood of any thriving business. Many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) juggle paying bills on time while ensuring there's enough left in the pot for everything else, from emergency fridge repairs to staff parties.
With Apron, clients can pay vendors using a credit card, sending payments instantly while holding onto their cash until the next billing cycle. That's up to 60 extra days of completely free float.
Turn everyday supplier payments into rewards
Why miss out on extra rewards? Using Apron for business payments means racking up points, cashback, miles, and all those fantastic card perks. Turn big expenses into big rewards and watch those benefits add up. On top of your card perks, Apron has its own rewards programme too — earn points on every payment and convert them to Virgin Points for Virgin Red and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.
Pay early, spend later and pocket the discount
Many B2B businesses offer discounts for early payments, but SMBs often lack the cash flow to take advantage. Using a credit card via Apron allows clients to snap up these discounts by deferring payment by a few weeks — improving vendor relationships without draining the bank account.
How does it work?
Apron charges the amount to your credit card, plus a 2.5% fee, and deposits the payment into the recipient's bank account just like any other payment made from your bank.
Why is it often worth paying the 2.5% fee even without a cash flow problem? With the right business credit card, you can often earn 2%+ back in travel or cashback rewards, suppliers will frequently offer a 1% discount for paying early, and you continue to accrue interest on cash you're holding for those extra 60 days. Add that up for your client and you may find they come out ahead — while their cash flow improves in the process.
Our final thoughts
By leveraging credit card payments with Apron, accountants and bookkeepers can help clients maximise efficiency, reduce the risk of cash flow disruptions, and take full advantage of early payment discounts. You're perfectly placed to offer this as a managed service to clients, or even get a good business credit card for your firm and enjoy the benefits yourself.
Ready to give it a try? Get started with Apron.