Small and midsize businesses (SMBs) typically run on tight cash flow and lean finance teams. When all purchases flow through a single personal card, it creates bottlenecks caused by limited visibility, messy spreadsheets, and delayed reimbursements. Corporate credit cards↗ give SMBs structured access to funds and real-time oversight into spending. This leads to simpler financial management — so, more time to focus on running and growing the business.
Read on to find out how to apply for a corporate credit card and why having one is so helpful.
What are company credit cards?
Corporate credit cards↗ are issued in the company’s name rather than to an individual. This separation makes it far easier to keep personal and business expenses apart. It also allows organisations to assign cards to employees and monitor purchases in real time.
With a dedicated monthly credit line for purchases, employees gain the liquidity and flexibility to cover day-to-day costs without relying on reimbursements. At the same time, accounting teams see each transaction as it happens. By eliminating the delay between spending and reporting, company credit cards give businesses better control over cash flow. They cut out the surprises, like late reimbursements and unclear cash movements, bringing more order to expense management.
Corporate credit cards aren’t the same as corporate debit cards. Debit cards typically require only basic KYC checks to confirm a company meets regulatory requirements, while credit cards also involve credit checks that assess financial history and risk. If you’d prefer to skip the more comprehensive credit application process, debit cards are the way to go. And with Moss, you can choose either option↗ depending on what suits your business best.
Understanding corporate credit card requirements
Providers typically assess corporate credit card applications based on factors such as company revenue, credit history, and years in operation. These checks confirm stability and repayment ability. In the UK, businesses must also register with Companies House and hold a business bank account to prove legal status and financial separation.
However, not every provider follows the same playbook. Some fintech platforms use streamlined digital checks that shorten approval times and remove requirements that make it harder for small businesses to access credit — like asking the owner to personally guarantee the debt. Instead of putting their own savings or home at risk, owners can rely on the business’s performance for approval. These automated systems also replace lengthy manual reviews, making the process faster, safer, and more accessible.
What to prioritise: Beyond rewards and APR
When assessing options, finance teams should look beyond eligibility and prioritise features such as:
- Real-time transaction visibility: Gives finance teams immediate insight into company spending so they can catch issues early and keep budgets on track.
- Flexible spending limits: Allows managers to control how much each cardholder or department can spend.
- Digital receipt capture: Automates receipt collection to reduce manual chasing and simplify reconciliation at month end.
- Accounting integrations: Connects directly to existing systems to eliminate duplicate work and speed up reporting cycles.
4 simple steps to apply for a modern corporate card
Applying for a corporate card used to take weeks of waiting and piles of paperwork. Today, fintech platforms streamlined the experience with digital onboarding, making it faster and more transparent. Here’s how to get a company credit card in four simple steps.
- Check eligibility and requirements: Providers generally publish their requirements on their website, in application portals, or in product documentation. Most review business registration details and financial records, and some may ask startups for proof of funding. These checks confirm whether the business meets baseline criteria for issuing cards. Understanding these requirements early helps you avoid delays during the application process.
- Compare corporate card options: Corporate card providers vary widely in what they offer. Traditional banks often focus on credit limits and reward programs, while fintech providers emphasize automation, real-time visibility, and seamless integrations with accounting tools. When applying for a corporate credit card, finance teams should evaluate which model best supports their operational needs. For SMBs looking to save time and eliminate manual work, Moss↗ provides a fully digital application process with no personal liability—an approach designed to give growing businesses the flexibility and control that legacy providers often lack.
- Gather required documentation: Typical materials include proof of incorporation and recent financial records. In some cases, providers may ask company leaders for identification and shareholder details. Having these materials ready upfront reduces back-and-forth and speeds up the review process.
- Submit the application: Most corporate credit card applications are online nowadays. You’ll enter your details, upload supporting documents, and submit the form for review. With Moss, this process is straightforward, quick, and not reliant on personal liability. For virtual cards↗, once you’re approved to the card program, you can spin these up near-instantly. Receiving physical cards takes a bit longer, but we aim to ship these out expediently.
Here are some factors that can speed up the corporate credit card application process:
- Having all of your documents ready
- Having your company registered
- Having a clean business history
- Going with virtual cards rather than physical cards
What happens after you apply (and get your card)?
Once approved, set up administrator accounts and enable online access to manage spending in real time. Finance teams should configure limits and approval workflows to align with company policies and maintain control without slowing operations.
Next, add employees as authorised users and issue either a physical or virtual card, along with clear instructions for responsible use. With Moss, you can issue virtual cards↗ immediately, apply granular controls, and automate receipt collection, giving finance teams financial oversight from day one.
Once your card programme is live, connect it to your existing expense management or accounting software to keep processes efficient. Integration eliminates duplicate data entry and accelerates reconciliation.
Next, train employees on spending policies and compliance expectations. Clear guidance helps prevent misuse and reinforces accountability across the team.
Finally, monitor transactions regularly and adjust limits, workflows, or user access as the business evolves. This ensures your corporate card programme remains secure, compliant, and scalable as company needs grow.
Get started with Moss’ corporate credit cards
For SMBs, company cards create structure, encourage accountability, and offer finance teams better spend visibility. And Moss takes this further. By combining corporate cards↗ with built-in spend management tools↗, Moss transforms payments into a transparent, controlled process. Finance teams save hours on manual reconciliation, and founders gain clarity regarding budgets. For lean teams under pressure, the difference is immediate and measurable.
Learn more about Moss’ perspective on scaling spend management tools for SMBs in our recent discussion with Moss CEO Ante Spittler↗.
