Skip to main content

Glossary · Reading the business

Field Exam

In short

A Field Exam is an on-site review of a business's accounts receivable and inventory by a third-party examiner, typically for asset-based loans. It verifies the existence and quality of these assets.

What it means in a deal

While more common for asset-based lines of credit, some SBA lenders may require a Field Exam as part of their due diligence, especially for deals with significant inventory or receivables. This exam helps the lender confirm the collateral value and ensure the business's records accurately reflect its assets. Be prepared to provide detailed documentation and access to your operations.

Common questions about Field Exam

← Browse all glossary terms

Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.

Pressure-test the numbers before you make an offer

Send us the asking price and the seller's cash flow — we'll show whether the deal services SBA debt and where the add-backs are likely to hold up.

Free · No documents · Usually same-day

Backed by data on 1,000+ SBA lenders and 300,000+ funded deals. Your details go only to lending partners you ask to be matched with — never sold to advertisers.

Scroll