Commercial equipment leasing employment is a winning proposition if you come to commercial leasing companies with the right credentials. While entry-level equipment leasing jobs are prolific, the better paying jobs at leasing companies require financial knowledge that only comes from training and experience. To pursue a career in the capital equipment leasing industry you should accumulate as many certificates and degrees as you can.

Look for training for commercial leasing through online training institutes and through contacts and connections you can make in the industry. Make valuable industry connections at trade associations while taking advantage of the professional development courses in business equipment leasing. There are a number of avenues you should pursue as you continually upgrade your training for training for commercial leasing.

1. Peruse commercial leasing business training

2. Find training in business leasing through trade groups

3. Enlist the help of an equipment leasing broker

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Watch for commercial finance leasing training online

Take the time to regularly watch the job boards, as you look for opportunities online to advance your career in the commercial leasing business. You'll find a number of online commercial leasing training programs that will be most helpful in your search for employment. Check out the requirements and look for training to make you more suitable for the position you seek.

I recommend: Top Dogs has a leasing program that can be used by newcomers to the industry or other real estate and business professionals who want to add additional designations to their resumes. Take a seminar or training course fro commercial leasing designed by Lorman Education Services.

Look for equipment leasing broker courses through associations

While you are pursuing a career in the industry you should also be accruing a list of connections that will help you throughout your career. Trade associations are great places to get involved with more senior level commercial lease professionals and make those important contacts. At the same time, most associations offer a wide variety of professional development courses that will look good on your resume.

I recommend: The Commercial Brokers Association offers a number of certification and professional development courses. Check out the National Association of Industrial & Office Properties for a list of seminars and educational opportunities in the commercial leasing sector.

Enroll with a commercial finance leasing course

Talk to professionals in the field to find out which courses and training will be the most beneficial to your career. While you can get a leasing certificate, additional specific training is required for different levels of service. Add the courses to your experience with a mentor.

I recommend: Go to Leaser Broker Training for a complete curriculum that will serve you well when you are looking to advance your career. Find online courses in leasing from Flex Study.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always update your resume with any certificates or training in commercial finance leasing that you receive.

Starting and growing a small business means more than finding a property and sticking an “Open” sign in the window; it also means buying or leasing equipment for your business. A commercial lease on capital equipment can be a lifesaver for startup and small businesses. Business equipment leasing can reduce your initial costs for acquisitions and can increase your cash flow. Equipment leasing is available via general leasing vendors and other companies, such as those offering computer leasing, specialized leasing or industry-specific equipment leasing. And with flexible lease financing terms, you can secure payment plans, upgrade options and buyout options that work for you.

Here are the top considerations for leasing equipment for your small business:

1. Business equipment leasing gives you immediate access to the capital equipment you need with payments to fit your budget.
2. Computer leasing is a great way to take advantage of the newest technology, while transferring ownership risk to the equipment-leasing vendor.
3. Specialized leasing vendors offer all types of capital equipment — from MRI machines to industrial machinery.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine the type of lease equipment you need

Business equipment leasing offers reasonable prices on a vast array of equipment for all kinds of businesses. Whether you need typical office furniture and equipment, industrial equipment, medical equipment or computer and IT equipment, equipment leasing is an option.

I recommend: Tiger Leasing offers equipment leasing for a wide variety of businesses and industries. Visit the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) to access more than 800 members of the ELFA for a multitude of business equipment leasing, leasing vendors and lease financing options.

Look for IT and computer leasing for high-tech, lower-cost solutions

Because computers become obsolete, so quickly, computer leasing is a smart way to stay on top of tech trends while saving money. Don't forget to check into software offered by many computer leasing vendors, too.

I recommend: IT and computer leasing solutions can be found at BizLeasing, RentaComputer.com or through the directory of Computer Leasing vendors at Business.com.

Get the best lease financing terms on your commercial lease agreement

Lease financing terms and rates vary and include operating leases and capital leases. With an operating lease, you return equipment at the end of the lease and have no option to buy. A capital lease typically gives you an option to buy at the end of the lease. Know which lease financing terms you want before signing a commercial lease agreement.

I recommend: Submit a quick form at AllOptions to receive and compare multiple commercial leasing rates at no cost or obligation to you. At the Proposal Portal, just input a few business facts and get the lowest commercial equipment lease rates for free. Check out Keystone Leasing for multiple lease equipment options, including rent to own, 100 percent financing or 100 percent tax-deductible plans.

Find specialized leasing equipment vendors to increase your profits

Whether you need medical, industrial, restaurant or some other type of equipment, you can find it through specialized leasing vendors.

I recommend: Industrial equipment leasing through Lease Source provides specialized leasing equipment for a variety of industries, and specific lease financing for companies in business for less than two years. USLeasing is a specialized leasing vendor specializing in medical equipment. For industrial equipment and machinery, try Access Equipment Leasing.

Take advantage of the best deals in low-cost end-of-leasing equipment options

Many companies offer end-of-lease equipment options that cost you as low as $1.00; while others may cost 10 percent of the item's price, fair market value, or another standard price. Check into these options before you sign the commercial lease agreement so you can plan accordingly.

I recommend: Ervin Leasing’s standard end-of-lease options include $1.00, 10 percent and fair market value equipment leasing buy-outs. Download a lease application here.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Always read the fine print before signing a commercial lease agreement.
• •  Some manufacturers will lease equipment directly to your company, which may save money by cutting out the middleman.
• •  A commercial lease agreement typically runs from 12-60 months, with some exceptions.
• •  Equipment leasing and specialized leasing are great solutions for any commercial equipment that will depreciate over time.
• •  Only lease equipment you really need, or your profits will be lost on equipment leasing expenses.
• •  Look into capital lease financing if you want to keep the business equipment. With a capital lease, you can treat the equipment as depreciable assets for tax purposes.

Commercial equipment leasing services continue to evolve as more businesses turn to leasing companies to obtain the equipment and goods they need to run their business. Commercial leasing companies should be followed closely so that you can stay on top of the changes as they affect your own commercial lease. Commercial equipment leasing companies continue to open up and offer less expensive alternatives and consultancy services that you need to follow so that you can take advantage of the best deals out there.

Find the most information you can about equipment leasing by keeping up with the latest commercial leasing methods. Whether you run a small business or a large corporation, you need to receive regular news regarding business equipment leasing to remain competitive. Look for capital equipment leasing news by communicating with other business owners with similar needs. Discover numerous ways to keep up with commercial leasing news and trends.

1. Use trade association publications to keep up with commercial leasing

2. Subscribe to publications for commercial finance leasing

3. Sign on for email alerts and newsletters from leasing brokers

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Share information with other commercial lease companies

Blogs are increasingly becoming the media of choice for many small business owners looking for quick and efficient means to communicate with other like-minded professionals. Find an Internet blog or electronic newsletter that provides trust-worthy information and attracts reliable posting participants.

I recommend: Find updated articles by professional leasing writers at Leasing News. Commercial Property News provides breaking news that affect the industry through its online magazine and webcasts.

Read up on changes in the leasing business

News about capital equipment leasing continues to dominate many of the financial business publications. While you may get regular email alerts and newsletters from your trade association, it's a good idea to stay on top of the industry so that you can know about changes that affect the industry as a whole.

I recommend: Globe St. is a provider of up to date news and information that covers the commercial property leasing arena. Justia gather news from multiple sources to give you updates from around the country.

Receive commercial leasing business email alerts

You should allow information providers to get into your email with alerts about new commercial lease companies and their latest news. Set up a separate email account to receive these publications and newsletters.

I recommend: Based in the United States, World Leasing News brings you articles and news that is making a difference in the global marketplace. Leasing news affecting a variety of industries is available at Commercial Lease Property.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider the source when you are gathering information about commercial leasing news and trends. When information comes from a vendor, it will be biased toward that company's own products and ideas. Ideally, you should be getting your updates from a couple of different sources.

Commercial leasing may be a good investment for a business. Whether the business is leasing its own property to tenants or becomes the tenant, there are various leasing terms that are important to know. These terms include real estate and equipment leasing terminology commonly found in the policies and contracts. Some terms include fixed payments, collateral based working capital and triple net lease. Businesses should invest the time in learning these terms before writing or signing a contract for a commercial lease.

Action Steps
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Use clause

The use clause of a commercial lease is added to the lease by the landlord. It states how the property under the lease may be used. It is essential that the business follow these use terms since violating them could void the lease.

I recommend: AllBusiness offers an explanation of the use clause on page two of an article defining commercial lease terms..

Fixed payments

In a commercial lease, fixed payments are payments that remain the same throughout the entire period of the lease. Fixed payments may change under a new contract or lease extension.

I recommend: BusinessFinance provides more details about fixed payments and why commercial leasing may be better for a business than a loan.

Operating equipment

A commercial equipment lease may cover operating equipment. These are the types of equipment used to keep the business running.

I recommend: The U.S. Small Business Administration gives examples of operating equipment and details the differences between buying and leasing..

Collateral based working capital

Sometimes a business will own valuable property and wish to borrow against its value. This is called collateral based working capital. A lease is placed on the property, providing the business with funds needed to operate the business.

I recommend: Prudential Leasing provides more information on collateral based working capital.

Triple net lease

In a triple net lease, the tenant is responsible for part of the expenses of the property, in particular the property insurance, property taxes and common operating expenses. Additionally, the tenant is responsible for its operating expenses, such as utility costs.

I recommend: RealTech Real Estate Services provides more information on the triple net lease and how it works.

Gross lease

A gross lease is a type of commercial leasing arrangement for real estate. In this type of lease, the tenant will pay a fixed term rent to the property landlord for using the space. The landlord agrees to pay for some of the operating costs. Sometimes, the gross lease stipulates the landlord will pay all operating expenses on the property.

I recommend: Cale Commercial Realty Group offers more information about the gross lease and a slightly different version, the modified gross lease.