Revenue-Based Financing (RBF) - Non-Dilutive Loan Repaid as % of Monthly Revenue
Recording a revenue-based financing facility — where the startup receives upfront capital and repays a percentage of monthly revenues until a fixed total repayment cap is reached.
| Account Name | Type | Debit ($) | Credit ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash (RBF Advance Received) | Asset (+) | 500,000.00 | - |
| Revenue-Based Financing Payable (Total Repayment Cap: $650,000 = 1.3x) | Liability (+) | - | 500,000.00 |
| Debt Issuance Cost / OID (Excess Cap over Advance = $150,000) | Asset (-) / Contra-Liability (+) | - | 150,000.00 |
💡 Accountant's Note
Revenue-based financing (Clearco, Pipe, Lighter Capital) provides upfront capital repaid through a percentage of monthly revenue (typically 6%–12% of monthly revenue) until a fixed cap (1.2x–2.0x the advance) is repaid. Accounting classification: RBF is DEBT — the company is obligated to repay. The $150,000 excess of the repayment cap ($650,000) over the advance ($500,000) is Original Issue Discount (OID), amortized as interest expense over the expected repayment period using the effective interest method. The expected repayment period depends on the revenue growth trajectory — if revenues grow, it's repaid faster (higher interest effective rate in early periods); if revenues decline, it takes longer.
Practitioner & Systems Framework
💻 ERP Architecture
RBF creates variable monthly repayments tied to revenue — the accounting system must track: (1) beginning RBF balance, (2) monthly revenue × payment percentage = monthly payment, (3) OID amortization (using effective interest based on estimated repayment schedule), (4) remaining OID and principal balance. Revenue projections determine the estimated repayment period. If actual revenue differs from projections, recalculate the effective interest rate prospectively.
⚠️ Audit Flags
RBF classification as debt (liability) is critical — some founders attempt to treat it as equity (it is not; there is a fixed repayment obligation). The effective interest rate calculation requires an estimated repayment schedule based on projected revenue — this estimate is a significant judgment. Auditors test the repayment schedule assumption against actual revenue performance. If actual revenue is significantly below projected, the effective rate was understated and interest expense was understated in prior periods.
📄 Required Documentation
RBF agreement (advance amount, repayment percentage, cap amount, prepayment options), revenue projection used for effective interest rate calculation, monthly payment records, OID amortization schedule, effective interest rate recalculation documentation.
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