How to Cash Checks Payable to a Business

If you want to cash a check payable to your business, you'll need a business account. Adding a "doing business as" name to your business account helps the bank confirm you and the company are the same entity. Depending on the type of business you have, you may need to deposit the check before you can cash it.

Your ability to cash a check payable to the business depends on the type of business. If your business is a sole proprietorship, you're the sole owner and don't need special authority to endorse and cash the checks. For partnerships, corporations and LLCs, you'll need to grant signature authority to allow an individual to act on behalf of the business to cash checks. Without proper authority, the person cashing the check may be liable for fraudulent endorsement. Checks may need to be deposited rather than cashed if you haven't specified who has permission to cash checks.

If you want cash from the account but can't cash the check, you can deposit the check and write out a check payable to "cash" from the business account. If the check is made out to cash, anyone in possession of the check can cash it. Endorse the back of the check with your signature, just as you would with any other check.