New Business Advisor Program Offers Free Tools to Accountants

Nav, which offers free access to both personal and business credit scores, has launched its new Nav Small Business Advisor Program. The program gives small business advisors free tools and training so they can more effectively advise clients on ways to build strong business credit, and improve their chances of getting access to capital when they need it.

Advisors can play a key role in helping entrepreneurs understand the importance of building, monitoring and maintaining strong business and personal credit scores to help their businesses grow. Nav’s research has found that most small business owners (82%) don’t know how to interpret their business credit score. Yet, small business owners who understand their business credit scores are 41% more likely to be approved when they apply for a business loan, and 31% more likely to consider expanding their business.

“I know what it’s like to launch and run a small business, and take on roles you’ve never been trained for,” says Levi King, CEO and cofounder of Nav, and a serial entrepreneur. “I started Nav to ease the burden of figuring out credit and financing. It’s too important to ignore, but most business owners don’t have time to deal with it. Advisors can now use our tools to help shorten the learning curve and help entrepreneurs figure out how to take their business to the next level. We’re thrilled to launch this initiative.”

The Nav Small Business Advisor Program is designed for professional advisors, such as CPAs, Enrolled Agents and accountants, as well as the thousands of advisors who help entrepreneurs through agencies such as Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), SCORE offices, Women’s Business Development Centers and Veteran Business Outreach Centers. There are over 1,000 SBDC offices nationwide, for example, and they provide valuable counseling and education to thousands of small business owners every year.

Lee Lambert, Director of the Alameda County SBDC, has been using Nav to assist with client engagements since 2014. “Clients who are potentially seeking loans are requested to sign up for the free version of Nav and download their credit information prior to the initial counseling session,” he says. “The information and tools offered on the site are a good starting point to help the client understand some of the financing options and strategies likely available to them.”

Advisors can sign up at Nav.com/advisors. Once enrolled, they will be able to schedule free training that will enable them to advise clients on ways to build strong business and personal credit. They will also get free articles and calculators to use on their websites or in their newsletters, along with additional training on credit and financing topics as it becomes available.

More than 100,000 small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs use Nav to monitor their business and personal credit scores, and to get insights into steps they can take to reach specific goals. Nav encourages its members to take advantage of the services offered by SBDCs and other advisors by prominently providing a locator link to the members’ local agency with their account.

To learn more about what Nav can do for your small business, visit www.nav.com.