As an accountant, how do you support your business customers’ working capital needs?

The owner of MS Catarino&Co, Sergio Catarino, has been a tax advisory accountant for over 18 years and recently faced this question. He was looking for a way to assist one of his clients with accessing working capital when he came across Lulalend’s affiliate program. 

The Lula affiliate program facilitates a quick and easy referral process for businesses and individuals who want to help their network of SMEs find a quick and flexible working capital solution. With Lula’s affiliate program, you can go the extra mile for your clients by helping them easily apply for working capital to take advantage of opportunities and help grow their businesses. When you help grow your client’s business, you could earn up to R150,000 in commission. 

Sergio takes a personal approach to his business clients’ needs: “We’re a small company that’s been in the business for over 18 years. Any new client is considered as family, where our approach is to dedicate regular time to them, other than just annually during tax season. We review their wills, company progress and ensure all their affairs are in order.” 

“We go the extra mile for our clients when they are in need of assistance and try as much as we can to assist them –that’s why I referred my client to Lula.”

My client runs a well-established business that’s been trading for almost 30 years. Due to the current climate, they were looking for a way to increase their cash flow. As an advisor for my client, I considered the needs of his business and looked at what will be best suited for his circumstances. We go the extra mile for our clients when they are in need of assistance and try as much as we can to assist them –that’s why I registered as a Lula Affiliate to refer my client to Lulalend.

“My client could see to his business needs from the funds he received and I earned my commission from Lula. That’s a win-win in my book.” 

As an advisor, I carefully looked at the figures and considered all the factors. I explained to my client that he could probably go to the traditional route, but at what cost? Traditional lenders want to secure everything; your house, your wife, your cat –but with Lula it’s different. He probably would have had to wait a few months for feedback, and that’s if he would have even gotten approval for business funding.

“It comes down to a trade-off. Does the client want money to be paid out fast, or do they want to wait?”

The bank will take its own time and still give the money on the provision that it’s secured lending. That’s the bottom line, and my client understood the requirements and repayments and was keen to proceed with his application for business funding from Lulalend.

Two fast and easy referral methods to choose from

All Sergio had to do was sign up to become a Lula affiliate by registering his details. He could then refer his client by either:

1. Forward his client his unique referral URL that’s linked to his profile
2. Or upload his client’s business information to his dashboard within five minutes  

Having access to his client’s information, Sergio decided to submit his client’s application and within five minutes the application was processed. Upon approval of his client’s business funding, Sergio received a 3% commission from Lula for helping his client grow his business. 

“My client could see to his business needs from the funds he received and I earned my commission from Lula. That’s a win-win in my book.”

“My client was impressed with Lula’s service and would choose them again in future,” says Sergio. “From the time he made the application, to the time that he was promised he would receive the funding. I am happy to say that we made the right decision.”

About Lula

Lula, South Africa’s first online banking platform for SMEs and a provider of short-term business funding. Lula provides a fast and transparent lending experience for SMMEs in South Africa. Their products, driven by AI technology, are specifically designed to make it easier for small businesses to access vital working capital. Their mission is to empower businesses and entrepreneurs across South Africa with the capital they need to grow. Learn more